Top 8 Affordable New Sports Cars for 2025

Affordable Sports Cars in 2025: A Guide to the Cheapest New Options

In 2025, the world of sports cars is still alive and kicking, even if you’re on a budget. You don’t have to spend supercar money to get behind the wheel of a new coupe or roadster. Prices for these vehicles start in the low $30K range and go up to the mid-$50Ks, offering a variety of options from lightweight rear-drive purists to turbocharged daily drivers with real power. Here’s a look at eight of the most affordable new sports cars available in the U.S. this year.

2025 Toyota GR86

Base Price: $30,400

The Toyota GR86 holds the title of the cheapest new sports car in 2025. At just $30,400, it outperforms hot hatchbacks like the Honda Civic Type R while delivering pure rear-wheel drive thrills. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-4 engine that produces 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. With a curb weight of just over 2,800 lbs, the GR86 feels nimble and responsive.

It can be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, which makes it a top choice for those who value reliability and a manual gearbox. The sharp steering and balanced chassis tuning make it one of the most rewarding cars at any price point. The GR86 is part of a partnership between Toyota and Subaru, sharing its platform and engine with the Subaru BRZ. Toyota adds GR branding and track-tuned tweaks, making it an ideal entry point into the world of rear-wheel drive coupes.

2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

Base Price: $31,920

The Mustang name has a rich history spanning six decades, and the 2025 EcoBoost coupe offers the most affordable way to experience that legacy. Priced at $31,920, it delivers a powerful 2.3-liter turbo four that generates 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. While it doesn’t come with a V8, it still provides enough power to light up the rear tires.

Compared to the compact Toyota GR86 or Subaru BRZ, the Mustang offers a bigger-car feel, with more comfort on long highway runs. It retains rear-wheel drive and offers a choice of transmissions, giving buyers flexibility. With the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro no longer in production, the Mustang stands as the last pony car available for purchase. For under $32K, it offers a genuine slice of Mustang heritage, modern performance tech, and a strong street presence.

2025 Subaru BRZ

Base Price: $33,210

The Subaru BRZ shares a platform and engine with the Toyota GR86 but offers a slightly different driving experience. Both cars feature a 2.4-liter boxer-4 engine producing 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. However, the BRZ’s chassis tuning gives it a sharper edge, with stiffer suspension and more precise steering feedback.

Inside, the BRZ offers a more refined cabin, leveraging Subaru’s reputation for durability. A six-speed manual keeps the purist vibe alive, and the curb weight remains around 2,800 lbs, ensuring agility. Unlike other Subaru models, the BRZ focuses on rear-wheel drive, making it the most enthusiast-focused car in the lineup. At $33,210, it stays under the $35K mark, offering a true sports car experience without the premium price tag.

2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Base Price: $37,850

The Mazda MX-5 Miata has been a symbol of lightweight roadsters since the early 1990s. In 2025, it continues to offer simple rear-drive fun at a reasonable price. The 2025 model features a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 181 hp and 151 lb-ft. Despite modest power figures, the Miata’s light curb weight of just over 2,400 lbs makes every bit of power feel alive, especially with the six-speed manual.

The convertible top is another standout feature, offering an open-air experience that few other cars in this price range can match. At $37,850, it costs more than the GR86 or BRZ, but the extra cost buys a level of analog fun that those coupes can’t quite replicate. The Miata proves that even in 2025, you don’t need massive power to build one of the purest driver’s cars money can buy.

2025 Nissan Z

Base Price: $42,970

For those chasing raw horsepower, the 2025 Nissan Z is the cheapest way to put 400 hp in your garage. Priced at $42,970, it features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that cranks out 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. On a dollars-per-hp scale, nothing else on this list comes close.

Nissan built the new Z on an evolution of the 370Z’s platform, but with updated suspension, sharper steering, and a modern cabin. The balance between old-school rear-drive fun and contemporary comfort makes it stand out as a true performance bargain. In a lineup of lightweight coupes and roadsters, the Z breaks into a higher power bracket while keeping the price realistic.

2025 BMW M240i Coupe

Base Price: $53,000

The BMW M240i is the premium entry ticket into BMW’s M Performance lineup. At $53,000, it costs more than the GR86 or Mustang EcoBoost, but it’s still the cheapest way to get a straight-six sports car in 2025. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 rated at 382 hp and 369 lb-ft, paired with standard all-wheel drive for serious grip in all conditions.

Unlike the lightweight purists earlier in this list, the M240i leans toward luxury. The cabin packs tech and refinement you won’t find in budget coupes, and the chassis tuning blends everyday comfort with track-day competence. For drivers who want performance without giving up premium features, it’s a strong compromise.

2025 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Base Price: $56,100

The 2025 BMW Z4 sDrive30i sits at the top of this list in price, but at $56,100, it’s still the cheapest way to buy a new European roadster in 2025. That makes it an important inclusion because the format itself is nearly extinct. The Z4 offers drop-top luxury and everyday usability while still keeping the focus on driving fun.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. Those numbers won’t blow anyone away in this company, but the Z4 delivers its performance with smooth torque delivery and the polish you’d expect from BMW’s engineering. Rear-wheel drive keeps the dynamics lively, while the chassis is tuned for comfort as much as agility.

2025 Toyota GR Supra

Base Price: $57,500

Sliding just above the Z4 in price is the 2025 Toyota GR Supra, a car that’s impossible to leave out when talking about affordable sports coupes. At $57,500, it isn’t technically one of the seven cheapest, but it’s worth mentioning because of its close ties to the BMW Z4. Built on the same platform and sharing engines with BMW, the Supra takes the formula in a harder-edged direction.

The base 2.0-liter turbo four delivers 255 hp and 295 lb-ft, but the real story is the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6. That motor makes 382 hp and 368 lb-ft, and in 2025, you can finally pair it with a six-speed manual. Rear-wheel drive, a short wheelbase, and aggressive chassis tuning give the Supra a sharper track persona compared to the Z4’s roadster comfort.

The GR Supra also revives a legendary Toyota nameplate, which boosts its cultural cachet in a way few modern sports cars can match. Enthusiasts see it as a bridge between Toyota’s heritage and today’s performance market. While it costs slightly more than the Z4, the Supra proves that even in a market shrinking around EVs and SUVs, Toyota still knows how to deliver a proper rear-drive sports car.