Best AWD Sports Cars

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10 Mazda 3

Top Speed: 134 MPH

Don’t let the strict top-speed governor fool you. There is a reason reviewers refer to the Mazda 3 as “the hot hatchback for grown-ups”. Its noticeably premium inclinations, both, exterior and interior-wise, are backed up by some serious hardware under the sheet metal. The focal point here is the2.5-liter turbo-four SKYACTIV engine, which boasts a nice duality in character. Thanks to cylinder deactivation and precise, spark plug-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI), the engine is, both, fuel-efficient and capable of great performance.

Mazda 3 Turbo Specifications

While it isn’t the new Mazdaspeed 3 fans hoped for, it adds all-wheel-drive to the mix. The only gripe we have with it is the lack of a manual transmission option. You will have to settle for the six-speed auto, which is a traditional torque-converter unit that shifts smooth, but still quick enough.

9 Toyota GR Corolla

Top Speed: 143 MPH

One of the best AWD sports cars you can buy today is also one of the latest. It comes from Toyota and offers the GR Yaris’ rally-bred turbo-three and all-wheel-drive system in a larger, more practical package. The chassis and sub-frame design of the GR Corolla is actually a mix of the regular Corolla and the GR Yaris. While the GR Corolla, like its smaller sibling, the GR Yaris, hasn’t seen any rally racing yet, it was designed for it.

Toyota GR Corolla Specifications

Even the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system is a throwback to the rally-dominating Toyota Celica GT-Four from the 1990s. Torsen limited-slip differentials (front and rear) are optional for the base Core trim and standard for the Premium and Circuit variants. Despite its small displacement, the G16-GTS engine is capable of serious power. Performance packages are bound to arrive in the near future to enhance the engine’s capabilities even further.

8 Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport 400

Top Speed: 155 MPH

There’s no denying the fact Infiniti’s luxury-sports sedan and coupe models are of age. This is especially true for the Q50 sedan, which has been around since 2013. The Q60 was discontinued in 2022, but the Q50 is staying for another year. In their later iterations, both models feature the new VR30 DDTT engine, which already proved a capable engine. With basic mods, the twin-turbo V-6 can easily churn out GT-R performance.

Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport 400 Specifications

When coupled with the optional, all-wheel-drive system, the Q50 and Q60 can even give Godzilla a run for its money. The seven-speed, Jatco automatic is another aspect that is starting to show its age, but it seems to be handling extra horsepower without problems. The best way to look at the Q50/Q60 is as a cut-price BMW M3 that happens to be an understated tuner’s gem. Oh, and make sure to stay away from the Q50 hybrid models, especially in early years, as reliability is atrociously bad.

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7 Mercedes AMG A45S

Top Speed: 168 MPH

With the AMG A45S, Mercedes effectively created the super-hatchback since we can no longer call something that accelerates to 60 mph as quick as some supercars, a hot hatchback. The source of the AMG A45’s might is the M139 turbo-four engine, which is also the base unit of the Mercedes AMG SL. Since 2022, all versions of the A-Class, including the A45, got a mild-hybrid system, which adds a small electric motor with 14 horsepower and 110 pound-feet (150 Nm) of torque.

Mercedes AMG A45S Specifications

More importantly, power hits the ground through the company’s 4-MATIC all-wheel-drive system and a snappy, dual-clutch automatic. Although the AMG A45 is not sold in the US, the closest thing American buyers can get to it is the AMG GLA45 crossover, which packs the same hardware as Mercedes AMG’s super-hatch. When new, the AMG A45 came with a sticker price, which was the equivalent of $76,000 in 2023 money. Now, they are available for about half that… if you can import one.

6 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Top Speed: 181 MPH

Few cars in the automotive world exemplify “punching above its weight” as well as a Porsche 911. Its timeless design will forever differentiate from every other performance car on the road and by now, the disadvantages of the rear-engine layout have long been negated through lever engineering. Porsche people are, at their heart, engineers, at least when it comes to the company’s sports cars, which is why even base 911 models are quicker than most sports cars money can buy.

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Specifications

For not much over the base price, you can opt for the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4. Adding all-wheel-drive to the base 911 doesn’t necessarily make it a better driver’s car. In addition to adding 110 pounds to the curb weight, the AWD system also adds 0.2 seconds to the 0 to 60 mph time. Performance-wise, you really start benefitting from the system when you get to the 911 GTS models, but even so, the Carrera 4 is one of the most usable, AWD sports cars that still offer a relatively pure driving experience.

5 Mercedes AMG SL55

Top Speed: 183 MPH

The seventh-generation Mercedes SL is the most athletic iteration of the iconic model so far. The new iteration of the German roadster arrived for the 2022 model year and brought back the two-plus-two seater layout, last seen on the R129 model. More importantly, this is the first generation Mercedes SL entirely developed by AMG, which means it is, by far, the sportiest of any SL that came before.

Mercedes AMG SL55 Specifications

While the R232-generation Mercedes SL is no longer an “old man’s luxury roadster”, it can still be comfortable and luxurious as an SL is meant to be. While the AMG SL63 is nearing supercar territory, the mid-range AMG SL55 is capable enough to run with most Porsche 911s. All but the base SL now come with the company’s 4-MATIC all-wheel drive, which ensures consistent 0 to 60 mph times and all-weather traction.

Related: 10 Best AWD Sports Cars In 2023

4 Audi RS3

Top Speed: 186 MPH

Audi’s performance models and all-wheel drive go hand in hand. That’s because, as early as 1980, Audi gave us a production performance car with the legendary, Quattro all-wheel drive system. This allowed for superior traction and numerous WRC wins, despite the fact the entire inline-five engine sat in front of the front axle. More than 40 years later, the Audi RS3 carries on the Quattro torch in combination with a punchy inline-five turbo engine.

Audi RS3 Specifications

The results are epic as the latest iteration of the RS3 is even quicker to 60 mph than Mercedes’ super hatchback. The Audi RS3 is also available in two body styles – a Sportback (hatchback) and a sedan. It’s worth noting that the 186 mph top speed is achieved only if you opt for the Performance Edition, of which only 300 were built. Otherwise, you’ll have to settle for a top speed of “just” 178 mph. This will be the last Audi to feature the iconic, inline-five engine.

3 BMW M3 Competition

Top Speed: 190 MPH

The BMW M3 has long deviated from its original philosophy of lightness, simplicity, and an analog driving experience. Although the current, G82 generation is a bit of a tech-fest, it packs supercar-like performance out of its capable inline-six engine. The M3 is now large enough to make you forget about the M5 if you need a practical car and with a nimbler chassis, it is arguably, the better driver’s car.

BMW M3 Competition Specifications

In Competition form, the M3 comes, as standard, with the company’s optional, xDrive all-wheel drive system. With power being sent to all four wheels, the four-door sedan can give exotic cars a run for their money, in terms of 0 to 60 mph time. While the factory-claimed, 3.3-second figure is impressive, we have seen the M3 Competition hit 60 mph in just under 3.0 seconds. Some credit, of course, goes to the ZF 8HP transmission, which is, currently, the best traditional automatic in production.

2 BMW M4 Competition

Top Speed: 191 MPH

The sleeker and slightly less-practical version of the M3, naturally, makes it on this list. In recent years, the M3 and M4 have become something of a technological tour de force, churning out exotic-car performance figures for a lot less money. The M4 Competition still works relatively well as a 2+2 seater, but you really want to know how it stacks up to the more practical M3.

BMW M4 Competition Specifications

Interestingly enough, the M3 offers slightly better chassis rigidity, but the M4 makes up for it with lower center of gravity. In both aspects, however, differences are negligible. Considering both vehicles feature the same S58 engine with underrated performance figures and ZF 8HP automatic transmission, they can trade punches all day long. As with the M3 Competition, xDrive, all-wheel drive is optional and shaves 0.4 seconds off the 0 to 60 mph time.

Related: Watch This AWD Supercar Showdown Between A 911 Turbo, Integra Type-R And Nissan GT-R

1 Nissan GT-R

Top Speed: 199 MPH

By now, even some of the JDM enthusiasts are, likely, tired of seeing the GT-R on such lists. The truth is, it’s really that good. The R35 platform stayed relevant long after it should have, t hanks to its capabilities. Part of the credit goes to Lotus, which developed the R35 GT-R’s chassis. The all-Japanese, ATTESA-ETS all-wheel drive system is another aspect that made the GT-R into a supercar killer as it combined the best of rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive dynamics.

Nissan GT-R Specifications

The twin-turbo V-6 and Borg Warner DCT are an engineering marvel in their own right, although the latter is starting to show its age after 15 years in production. Still, if you are able to spend six figures on a practical, ultra-performance sports car, it doesn’t get much better than the Nissan GT-R.