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| Last Crawled | 2026-03-11 05:34:11 (1 month ago) |
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| Meta Title | Best Affordable Sports Cars for 2026, Tested |
| Meta Description | Wondering what cheap sports car to buy? Our testing team looks at over 200 data points when rating vehicles. Check out what made our list of the cheapest sports cars to buy in 2026. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | Car and Driver
's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the best affordable sports cars based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.
Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.
Top Ranked Affordable Sports Cars at a glance
1
C/D Rating:
10/10
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$31,665 - $43,730
2
C/D Rating:
10/10
2026 Toyota GR86
$32,395 - $38,660
3
C/D Rating:
10/10
2026 Subaru BRZ
$37,055 - $40,555
1
Starting at
$31,665
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS:
The iconic MX-5 Miata combines a lightweight sports car body, sharp handling, and a rev-happy four-cylinder to maximize driving fun at an accessible price.
Learn More
2
Starting at
$32,395
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS:
With sharp steering, an impeccably tuned chassis, and a starting price just above 30 grand, the Toyota GR86 is a brilliant sports car for the masses.
Learn More
3
Starting at
$37,055
EPA MPG
22–25
combined
C/D SAYS:
The BRZ keeps the affordable in "affordable sports car," with a still-reasonable price, a manual transmission, a dialed-in chassis, and very little else.
Learn More
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
Starting at
$43,195
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS:
The revived Prelude doesn't quite live up to the promise of its nameplate due to its lack of a manual transmission, it has an enticing combination of hybrid power, sporty handling, and hatchback practicality.
Learn More
View More
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# Best Affordable Sports Cars
*Car and Driver*'s rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the best affordable sports cars based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.
[Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.](https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a32018270/how-we-test-cars/)
## Top Ranked Affordable Sports Cars at a glance

1
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
\$31,665 - \$43,730
[Shop Now](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/mazda/mx-5-miata)

2
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Toyota GR86
\$32,395 - \$38,660
Shop Now

3
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Subaru BRZ
\$37,055 - \$40,555
[Shop Now](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/subaru/brz)
Shop the Top 3 Affordable Sports Cars
[See full list](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/affordable#2026-mazda-mx-5-miata)
1
## [2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata](https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata)
10
/10
C/D RATING

[](https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata)[VIEW PHOTOS](https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g45455806/2024-mazda-mx-5-miata-japan-spec-gallery/)
Starting at
\$31,665
[SHOP NEW MX-5 Miata](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/mazda/mx-5-miata)
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The iconic MX-5 Miata combines a lightweight sports car body, sharp handling, and a rev-happy four-cylinder to maximize driving fun at an accessible price. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata)
[\#1 in Best Sports Cars under \$50,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-50k)
[\#3 in Best Sports Cars under \$100,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-100k)
See More
2
## [2026 Toyota GR86](https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/gr86)
10
/10
C/D RATING


[](https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/gr86)[VIEW PHOTOS](https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g64365906/2026-toyota-gr86-yuzu-special-edition-gallery/)
Starting at
\$32,395
SHOP NEW GR86
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: With sharp steering, an impeccably tuned chassis, and a starting price just above 30 grand, the Toyota GR86 is a brilliant sports car for the masses. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/gr86)
[\#2 in Best 4-Seater Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/4-seater)
[\#3 in Best Cars for Teens](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-cars-for-teens)[\#3 in Best Sports Cars under \$50,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-50k)
See More
### For Sale Near You
See all results for [new 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata for sale](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/mazda/mx-5-miata) and [new 2026 Toyota GR86 for sale](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/toyota/gr86) near 20147
3
## [2026 Subaru BRZ](https://www.caranddriver.com/subaru/brz)
10
/10
C/D RATING


[](https://www.caranddriver.com/subaru/brz)[VIEW PHOTOS](https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g46164316/2024-subaru-brz-ts-drive-gallery/)
Starting at
\$37,055
[SHOP NEW BRZ](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/subaru/brz)
EPA MPG
22–25 combined
C/D SAYS: The BRZ keeps the affordable in "affordable sports car," with a still-reasonable price, a manual transmission, a dialed-in chassis, and very little else. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/subaru/brz)
[\#2 in Best Cars for Teens](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-cars-for-teens)
[\#2 in Best Sports Cars under \$50,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-50k)[\#3 in Best 4-Seater Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/4-seater)
See More
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
## [2026 Honda Prelude](https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude)
8\.5
/10
C/D RATING
[](https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude)[VIEW PHOTOS](https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g70110019/2026-honda-prelude-drive-exterior-gallery/)
Starting at
\$43,195
[SHOP NEW Prelude](https://www.caranddriver.com/cars-for-sale/new/2026/honda/prelude)
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The revived Prelude doesn't quite live up to the promise of its nameplate due to its lack of a manual transmission, it has an enticing combination of hybrid power, sporty handling, and hatchback practicality. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude)
***
## **➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.**
Shop the Top Affordable Sports Cars
***
### View More *Car and Driver* Rankings
[Best Sports Cars under \$50,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-50k)
[Best Luxury Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/premium)
[Best Performance Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/performance)
[Best Hybrid Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/hybrid)
[Best Sports Cars under \$100,000](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/under-100k)
[Best 4-Seater Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/4-seater)
[Best Ultimate Luxury Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/luxury-ultimate)
[Sports Cars with the Most Cargo Space](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/cargo-space)
[Best Exotic Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/exotic)
[Best 4-Door Sports Cars](https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/4-door)
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| Readable Markdown | *Car and Driver*'s rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the best affordable sports cars based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.
[Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.](https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a32018270/how-we-test-cars/)
Top Ranked Affordable Sports Cars at a glance

1
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
\$31,665 - \$43,730

2
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Toyota GR86
\$32,395 - \$38,660

3
C/D Rating: **10/10**
2026 Subaru BRZ
\$37,055 - \$40,555
1
Starting at
\$31,665
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The iconic MX-5 Miata combines a lightweight sports car body, sharp handling, and a rev-happy four-cylinder to maximize driving fun at an accessible price. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/mx-5-miata)
2
Starting at
\$32,395
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: With sharp steering, an impeccably tuned chassis, and a starting price just above 30 grand, the Toyota GR86 is a brilliant sports car for the masses. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/gr86)
3
Starting at
\$37,055
EPA MPG
22–25 combined
C/D SAYS: The BRZ keeps the affordable in "affordable sports car," with a still-reasonable price, a manual transmission, a dialed-in chassis, and very little else. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/subaru/brz)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
Starting at
\$43,195
EPA MPG
N/A
C/D SAYS: The revived Prelude doesn't quite live up to the promise of its nameplate due to its lack of a manual transmission, it has an enticing combination of hybrid power, sporty handling, and hatchback practicality. [Learn More](https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/prelude)
### View More *Car and Driver* Rankings
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below |
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