Today’s rating of the least expensive sports cars is about vehicles that are gorgeous and affordable at the same time.
10. 2015 Dodge Challenger – $26,995
2015 Dodge Challenger © Chrysler Group LLC
The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of American automobiles produced by Dodge. The Dodge Silver Challenger was produced from 1958 to 1959. From 1969 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, and current generation, was introduced in early 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
2015 Dodge Challenger include:
- 5-speed automatic transmission replaced by a new 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission,
- Power output on the 6.4 liter V8 increased by 15 for a total of 485 horsepower and torque increased by 5 for a total of 475 Ib Ft.
- A slightly revamped exterior features a new grille with design cues from the 1971 grill/split tail lights, Quad LED ‘Halo Ring” Head lights, LED Tail lights, and a functional hood intake on HEMI models.
- Inside, the Challenger gets a 7-inch (780mm) TFT Thin Film Transistor display with over one hundred possible configurations, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen radio with available navigation, and a retro styled gauge cluster.
- Six-Piston Brembo High Performance Brakes with Two-Piece 15.4-Inch Vented/Slotted Rotors and 4-Piston brakes rear on SRT8 models
9. 2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe – $26,750
2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe © Hyundai Motor Company
The Hyundai Genesis Coupé is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai Motor Company, released on October 13, 2008 for the Korean market. It is Hyundai’s first rear-wheel drive sports coupe, and shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan.
The Genesis Coupe arrived in United States dealerships on February 26, 2009 as a 2010 model. Hyundai USA acting President and CEO John Krafcik has described the Genesis Coupe as being designed “…to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like the Infiniti G37.” Hyundai has stated the Genesis Coupe is not intended as a successor to the similar-sized but front-wheel drive Hyundai Coupe (Tiburon or Tuscani in some markets).
8. 2016 Subaru WRX – $26,595
2016 Subaru WRX © Fuji Heavy Industries
Subaru introduced the new-generation WRX for 2016 featuring a new wide-body sedan design and a significantly stiffer chassis that expanded performance envelope. With its 268-horsepower, 2.0-liter direct injection turbocharged BOXER engine, standard Symmetrical All Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring, the rally-bred WRX is a performance and value benchmark in the high-performance AWD sport-compact segment. The WRX comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission and offers an optional performance automatic transmission, the Sport Lineartronic™ CVT with manual mode.
7. 2015 Subaru BRZ – $25,695
All BRZ models for 2015 feature new, larger stainless steel exhaust tips, a new shark fin roof antenna and simulated carbon-fiber center dash panel.
The 2015 BRZ Series.Blue amps up the car’s athletic demeanor with an exclusive combination of STI functional aerodynamic body design, black-painted STI 17-inch wheels and unique interior trim for a striking look. Subaru will offer 500 of these special models painted WR Blue Pearl and 500 in Crystal White Pearl, all with the 6-speed manual transmission and red-painted brake calipers.
6. 2016 Scion FR-S – $24,900
2016 Scion FR-S © Toyota Motor Corporation
The Scion FR-S is exclusive to the United States and Canada. Its name is derived from a description of the platform: Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport. Unlike all other 86 variants, the FR-S originally had no trim levels and are all offered with Scion’s BeSpoke stereo system.
5. 2016 Ford Focus ST – $24,370
2016 Ford Focus ST © Ford Motor Company
The 2016 Ford Focus ST is ready for another year of spirited driving and great performance value. Its tenacious suspension with sporty spring and shock absorber tuning, electric power-assisted steering, gutsy 2.0-liter turbocharged 252-horsepower EcoBoost® engine and six-speed manual transmission deliver sharp, dynamic performance.
4. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $23,970
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata © Mazda Motor Corporation
The Mazda MX-5, released as the Mazda MX-5 Miata /miˈɑːtə/ in North America and as the Eunos Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two-seater roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Manufactured by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan, the model debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. The MX-5 was conceived as a small roadster – with light weight and minimal mechanical complexity limited only by legal and safety requirements, while being technologically modern and reliable. The MX-5 is conceptually an evolution of small sports roadsters of the 1960s, such as the Triumph Spitfire, Datsun 2000, Alfa Romeo Spider, and particularly the Lotus Elan.
Since the launch of the third generation, Mazda consolidated worldwide marketing using the MX-5 name with the exception of the United States where it is marketed as the MX-5 Miata. The name Miata derives from Old High German for reward.
3. 2016 Ford Mustang – $23,800
2016 Ford Mustang © Ford Motor Company
The Ford Mustang is an American automobile manufactured by Ford. It was originally based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. The original Ford Mustang I four-seater concept car had evolved into the 1962 Mustang II two-seater prototype, which Ford used to pretest how the public would take interest in the first production Mustang which was released as the 1964 1/2, with a slight variation on the frontend and a top that was 2.7 inches shorter than the 1963 Mustang II. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, and thus dubbed as a “1964½” model by Mustang fans, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker’s most successful launch since the Model A. The Mustang has undergone several transformations to its current sixth generation.
In May 2015, Ford issued a recall involving 19,486 of the 2015 Ford Mustang with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a production date between February 14, 2014, and February 10, 2015 that were built at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant.
2. 2015 Chevrolet Camaro – $23,705
2015 Chevrolet Camaro © General Motors
The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. The car shared its platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced for 1967.
For the 2015 model year (the fifth-generation), the Camaro saw only one major change in the exterior color choices, with the addition of Blue Velvet Metallic. All other features were carried over from the 2014 model year.
1. 2016 Ford Fiesta ST – $21,435
2016 Ford Fiesta ST © Ford Motor Company
With a 1.6L EcoBoost® engine that delivers 197 horsepower, 17-inch Rado Gray-painted aluminum wheels and ST-unique sport suspension, this is definitely a driver’s car. As a proud member of the Ford Performance Family, it boasts aluminum pedals, available race-inspired RECARO® leather-trimmed front seats and special ST design elements.
