10 Sporty Cars That Make Great Daily Drivers

When looking for the perfect car for a daily driver, comfort, efficiency and reliability are at the forefront of our decisions. Due to this, things like speed aren’t considered as much of a priority, especially with speed and the latter characteristics rarely going hand in hand. However, more recently, manufacturers have started to search for the ideal balance between what would be considered a daily driver with sports cars, leading to some surprisingly remarkable cars being released into the market, especially in 2023.

With daily drivers, spending tonnes of money on the car also isn’t something that buyers want to do, with the high-end, faster sports cars typically falling into this category. Luckily there are quite a few cheaper options that manage to deliver the same thrill of all-out sports cars today, while providing all the comfort and other necessities daily drivers always need to have. Let’s take a look at 10 sporty cars that make for great daily drivers.

Related: 10 Affordable New Cars That Make Perfect Daily Drivers

10 2023 Subaru BRZ

Top Speed: 140 MPH

A car designed with both the road and track in mind, the 2023 Subaru BRZ once again follows the standard two-door coupe philosophy of a sports car. The BRZ may not be as powerful as other 2-door coupes, but it’s a much more budget-friendly alternative that is much less of a handful. Its 228 horsepower provides the refined experience that only two-door coupes can deliver that doesn’t feel overwhelming when you’re just cruising on a daily commute.

Specifications And Performance

As well as its 2.4-liter flat-four engine, so much of the fun is provided through the BRZ’s excellent steering feedback which can be attributed to its lighter chassis. The manual transmission also takes minimal effort, meaning the gear shifts take minimal effort whether you’re cruising along or maximizing the car’s nimble, responsive nature on track.

9 2023 Toyota Corolla GR

Top Speed: 143 MPH

One model from the iconic Japanese automaker that has recently been making tremendous strides for the company is the Toyota Corolla GR. The 2023 model has been massively well-received for achieving a great balance between a fun, sporty hatchback and an easy-to-drive daily car. The performance of the car matches the more aggressive, stripped-back, and beefy exterior design, but don’t think the car is a handful.

Specifications And Performance

At higher speeds and on windy roads, the car is more than enjoyable to drive with an outstanding sense of control provided its GR-Four AWD driveline. The car is also more than happy to cruise at slower/medium speeds, matching the rather snug yet super comfortable interior. It’s a more stripped-back hatchback than others included in this list, with Toyota putting the utmost attention on creating the best driving experience for all conditions.

Starting at $35,900 for the base model, the 2023 Corolla GR is also available in two higher-spec versions named Circuit Edition at $42,900 and Morizo Edition at $49,000. The two upgraded models are faster and much more hardcore but are still more than capable of excelling in a suburban setting.

8 2022 Hyundai Veloster N

Top Speed: 155 MPH

The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N is another super practical and enjoyable hatchback, featuring all the necessities needed for an effective daily driver. The car is notably practical, being just as easy to drive on a long run or a quick trip to the store. Propelled by an impressive 275 horsepower, the Veloster N provides all the fun you could need when flicked into Sport mode.

Specifications And Performance

In Eco settings, the stiffer suspension becomes much smoother and the noise gets toned down slightly for those times you just want a relaxing drive. Even in Normal and Sport modes, the car stays firmly connected to the road, making any driver at any skill level feel more than confident when driving. Hyundai has been making massive strides in many different categories, with the Veloster N competing at the top end of the hatchback scene.

Related: 10 Non-Hybrid Cars That Make Perfect Efficient Daily Drivers

7 2023 BMW Z4

Top Speed: 155 MPH

One of the most underappreciated models produced by BMW is without a doubt the Z4. Despite owners of the convertible loving the car, it unfortunately gets overshadowed by heavy hitters like the M3. The 2023 version is the smoothest, most easy-to-drive model yet. Each year, BMW has increased the luxury elements both inside and outside, justifying the $52,420 starting MSRP.

Specifications And Performance

Alongside the luxury feel, the Z4 performance does not disappoint. With 255 horsepower, the Z4 captures the spirit of the two-door sports car in a more refined manner. The car was never intended to be a track-focused car, however, the M Performance variant produces more power and packs increased handling capabilities if you want to push the Z4 to the next level. Combining the luxury comfort with the impressive power that you can easily control makes for a wonderful grand tourer at a fraction of the price of the big names in the category.

6 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

Top Speed: 168 MPH

While the Golf GTI models have continued to compete at the top of the hatchback scene, Volkswagen’s Golf R takes the standout model to new heights. Visually, the Golf R is one of the more understated cars featured in this list, with the exterior design being aggressive and understated at the same time. This can also be said for the performance of the 2023 Golf R, featuring VW’s superb AWD system that combines comfort with blistering speeds for a hatchback.

Specifications And Performance

At a steady pace, the Golf R can comfortably sit at any speed for long periods. Whether it’s a long-haul journey or a drive across town, the car will remain just as compliant and responsive. What sets the R model apart is the performance produced by its 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI engine and all-new AWD driveline. With a 0-60 MPH time of just 4.7 seconds, the R even features a drift mode for the moments you can let it loose.

5 2023 Mercedes-AMG A45 S

Top Speed: 168 MPH

Another Hatchback that sets the category on fire is the 2023 Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Whenever AMG features in the nameplate of a Mercedes, it goes without question that the performance branch of the manufacturer will provide a truly unique driving experience. This is especially the case with the ’23 AMG A45 S, which has a brief to have as much fun as you can. The car produces a whopping 421 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line engine. When you put your foot down and attack corners on the track, you’ll be thrilled with the impressive balance of the A45 S.

Specifications And Performance

The performance-focused 2023 model also improves on the notable stiffness of prior A45 models that put grip ahead of flair, with the most recent model being much more well-rounded. The less stiff but equally responsive handling makes the 2023 car a better daily driver with the suspension easily managing to ride over bumps at low speeds without any noticeable movement.

Related: 10 Practical Cars That Are Secretly Supercars

4 2023 Porsche 718 Boxster

Top Speed: 170 MPH

In recent years when manufacturing sporty cars, Porsche has always found their models at the top of whatever category they release a car into. Whether it’s a road-focused model or a raw, stripped-back track-focused car, the German outfit always manages to produce ultimate driving machines. Regarding road-focused cars, the 2023 718 Boxster manages to capture the spirit of higher-end sports cars like the GT3 while delivering all the elements needed for a car you’ll always look forward to driving tomorrow.

Specifications And Performance

The 718 Boxster comes in at a cheaper price than most new entries into Porsches’ lineup at $67,900 starting MSRP. What makes the Boxster a much better choice for a daily driver is not just the price but also the versatility of the car. Being able to tackle winding roads like only a Porsche can while making even the slowest speeds feel so enjoyable, the ’23 718 Boxster is the best value for money for a Porsche you can easily take anywhere.

3 2023 Honda Civic Type R

Top Speed: 170 MPH

Returning to the high-performance hatchbacks, one car that has always been a favorite among buyers is the Honda Civic Type R. The 2023 model keeps Honda competing at the highest level, managing to even compete with some of the two-door coupes featured in this list. As well as the performance, the 2023 Type R has received endless praise for its practicality as a daily driver, with plenty of room for luggage and passengers.

Specifications And Performance

The 2023 model will be the most powerful Civic Type R yet, reaching a top speed of 170 MPH with 315 horsepower on tap. Although the acceleration might not be as fast as the likes of the Golf R with the Civic’s 0-60 MPH speed being 5.8 seconds, when the Civic starts to climb, the stability and consistency the car can provide through the corners are unmatched for a larger hatchback. It’ll kick the back end out with confidence as well The only problem that buyers could mainly have with the 2023 model is the price, starting at $58,690.

2 2023 Audi RS3

Top Speed: 175 MPH

In recent years, Audi has taken their RS range to new height both inside an outside of the car. Whether you’re looking for a smaller compact or a large family SUV, Audi provides unmatched luxury and performance across all of their models. Regarding the smaller RS cars, the 2023 RS3 still manages to compete with the larger models like the RS4 with increased practicality as a daily driver.

Specifications And Performance

Featuring Audi’s Quattro AWD system, the 2023 RS3 can handle just about any condition you might find yourself in. When the car’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine opens up, the Quattro system keeps the car dialed in, gripping to the tarmac providing optimal traction. Despite having impressive performance, the car’s practicality is not sacrificed in any way, with the super smooth ride being present even at the lowest of speeds.

Related: 10 Best AWD Sports Cars In 2023

1 2023 BMW M2

Top Speed: 177 MPH

Similar to the Audi RS3, the BMW M2 finds a brilliant balance between performance and practicality. Perhaps providing more fun than an RS3 with its two-door coupe philosophy, the M2 is more powerful than it’s predecessors which also made such big strides for the German outfit regarding two-door sports cars. The 2023 M2 packs just as much of a punch as the M3 or even M4 models, the car honors the iconic M badge with it’s whopping 453 horsepower and tail-happy nature.

Specifications And Performance

The steering response is just as feisty as the engine, especially when flicked into the sportier modes. The highly advance suspension allows the car to stay perfectly balanced through high speed corners on track, while providing a seamless, smooth drive over any road you’ll find yourself on throughout the day. Although many cars provide a solid balance between performance and comfort/practicality, none have managed to match the adaptive 2023 M2, a car that will provide the ultimate driving experience.