The Best Cheap Sports Cars You Can Buy in 2026

With the average price of a new car hovering at around $47,000, the term "cheap" is all relative. The days of sub-$25,000 sporty cars are long gone, and even finding something under $30,000 is harder to come by. Once ultra-thrifty vehicles are closer to the $40,000 mark than ever before.

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean buyers looking for something cheap and cheerful are completely out of luck. We found nearly 20 sporty cars still considered “cheap” by today’s standards.

Heading into the 2026 model year, some of our favorite budget-friendly sports and sporty cars still come in well below the national average—though a few creep just above it. The beloved Mazda Miata remains the most affordable true sports car in America, with strong alternatives from Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen close behind.

Of course, it all comes down to your budget and what you're looking for. But even as prices rise, 2026 should still offer a solid mix of fun, affordable options for driving enthusiasts.

Mazda MX-5 Miata: $30,515

181 Horsepower

Miata is always the answer when it comes to affordable fun. Starting at $30,515 for the 2025 model year, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, a snappy six-speed manual gearbox standard (or an automatic if that’s how you roll), and either a traditional soft top or a hardtop RF model.

We’re still waiting on pricing for the 2026 model year, but we don’t expect America’s cheapest sports car to get significantly pricier anytime soon. At any rate, no matter which Miata you choose, you can’t go wrong.

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Toyota GR86: $31,960

228 Horsepower

Second only to the Miata in price, the rear-drive Toyota GR86 sports car starts at $31,960 for the 2026 model year—only a slight price hike from last year. Also new for 2026 is the Yuzu Edition which gets a sweet Yuzu Yellow paint job with black accents.

All GR86 models pack a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four with a bit more power than the Mazda—228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet—plus the option of a six-speed manual or automatic. Rear-wheel drive is a standard affair, but you do have to settle for a fixed roof. A small price to pay for an otherwise stellar sports car.

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Honda Civic Si: $32,190

200 Horsepower

The Honda Civic Si remains a popular sporty sedan for those wanting fun, affordability, and functionality. Starting at $32,190 for 2026, the Si has a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.

The Civic is admittedly down on power compared to most other sporty four-doors, but it comes with a limited-slip differential, a six-speed manual, a customizable drive mode, and 18-inch wheels, without scrimping on creature comforts like a Bose sound system.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI: $33,670

241 Horsepower

The iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI is still alive and kicking. The hot hatchback starts at $33,670 for 2026, and it comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

The bad news is that VW no longer offers a manual on the GTI; a seven-speed dual-clutch is the only transmission option. And unlike the Golf R (which you’ll see later on this list), power travels exclusively to the front wheels. At any rate, it’s still one of the few hot hatchbacks available in the US.

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Ford Mustang EcoBoost: $33,515

315 Horsepower

The Ford Mustang is a muscle car icon—and still an affordable one to boot. The 2025 version of the pony car starts at $33,515 for the base Mustang EcoBoost Fastback. Ford hasn’t released 2026 pricing yet, but don’t expect a major increase.

The Mustang packs a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque—significantly more than what Mazda’s and Toyota’s sports cars offer. It comes with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Sorry, no manual. For that, you’ll need to step up to a GT.

Subaru WRX: $33,855

271 Horsepower

The Subaru WRX is only a little more expensive than the Civic Si, yet it gets a lot more power and all-wheel drive. The base WRX starts at $33,855 for 2025 (2026 pricing hasn’t been released), and it comes with a standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT.

Buyers in the market for more performance can opt for the WRX tS, which gets uprated Brembo brakes and revised suspension and steering tuning. But you will have to pay more for that version, which starts at a lofty $46,875.

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Mini Cooper S: $33,975

201 Horsepower

The new Mini Cooper S isn’t exactly the hottest hatchback in the world. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the pint-sized hatchback makes just 201 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

That said, the Cooper S still has the driving dynamics that made Minis so charming in the first place, and it starts at a reasonable $33,975 for 2026. That’s actually a bit cheaper than last year; the 2025 Cooper S started at $34,375.

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Acura Integra: $34,195

200 Horsepower

The Integra is essentially a fancier Civic for more money, starting at $34,195 for 2025 (2026 pricing hasn’t been released). It makes the same 200 horsepower as the Civic Si, with the same engine, but Acura pairs the base model with a continuously variable transmission as standard, while the Honda is manual only.

You can get a manual Integra, but only on the A-Spec or Type S models. The former costs $39,195, while the hot Type S is $54,095.

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Volkswagen Jetta GLI: $35,020

228 Horsepower

The Jetta GLI is Volkswagen’s sedan alternative to the GTI hot hatch. It packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with your choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch, and standard front-wheel drive.

The GLI got a modest update for 2025 that includes an exterior facelift and some interior tweaks. It gets a slight price hike for the 2026 model year, bringing the starting MSRP up to $35,020. Even with that, it’s still one of the most affordable sporty cars in the US.

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Hyundai Elantra N: $35,595

276 Horsepower

The Hyundai Elantra N is a feisty four-door sports sedan with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed dual-clutch.

Unlike Subaru’s sports sedan, though, the Elantra N is only available with front-wheel drive. Hyundai updated the Elantra N for 2024, and the 2025 model carries over unchanged with a starting price of $35,595. Pricing hasn’t been released for the 2026 model year just yet.

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Subaru BRZ: $37,055

228 Horsepower

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are essentially identical. The two coupes share the same platform and the same 2.4-liter boxer engine with 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The BRZ, though, has a Subaru StarLink infotainment system and EyeSight driver’s assistance technology standard—even on the manual.

The bad news for 2026 is that the BRZ got a major price hike. With the entry-level Premium model discontinued this year, the BRZ is now one of the priciest cars on this list, with a starting price of $37,055. That’s nearly a $4,000 increase. Thankfully, it’s still an excellent sports car all around.

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Mazda 3 Turbo: $37,975

250 Horsepower

Much like the Mini Cooper S, Mazda doesn’t market its 3 Turbo as a “sports sedan,” per se. But with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine pumping out 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, this Mazda is no slouch, either.

A six-speed automatic is the only transmission option on the Turbo trim, and all-wheel drive is a standard affair. Unfortunately, pricing for the Turbo model did go up for 2026. Mazda only offers the punchier engine on the Premium Plus trim, which starts at $37,975 with destination for the sedan. That’s a pretty significant increase from last year’s base Turbo model, which started at $34,435.

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Mini Cooper JCW: $40,075

228 Horsepower

Mini’s iconic JCW badge returns atop the Cooper 2-Door for the 2026 model year. The hot hatch packs a turbocharged engine making 228 horsepower—plenty for such a pint-sized car—while still returning up to 30 miles per gallon combined. It’s one of the thriftiest cars on this list.

With a starting price of $40,075 with destination, the JCW certainly isn’t the ultra-affordable hatchback we once knew. But, by today’s standards, it’s still a relatively cheap option for all the performance you get.

Toyota GR Corolla: $42,495

300 Horsepower

The Toyota GR Corolla is one of the more exciting cars on this list. It’s a five-door hatchback with all-wheel drive that hides a three-cylinder, turbocharged engine making 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual used to be the only gearbox, but Toyota added an eight-speed automatic last year (and it’s pretty damn good).

Unfortunately, the GR Corolla now starts at $42,495 for the 2026 model year. That represents a pretty significant increase from last year, when the base GR Corolla was just $39,995. But it’s still an excellent hot hatch nonetheless.

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Nissan Z: $44,215

400 Horsepower

The Nissan Z looks sharp with its retro-futuristic styling outside and modern cabin. But those looks come at a price—the Z starts at $44,215 for 2026. A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 powers the rear wheels, delivering 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Eighteen-inch wheels and LED headlights are standard, with either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic gearbox. You can get a more powerful Z Nismo, but it will cost you a whopping $66,995.

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Honda Civic Type R: $47,090

315 Horsepower

The Type R is the Civic’s ultimate form and is far more expensive than its Si sibling. However, it makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual is the only available gearbox, while stopping power comes from four-piston Brembo front brakes.

The Type R looks meaner than its siblings, too, with a more prominent grille opening, a hood vent, and a sizable rear spoiler. The Type R costs $47,090 for the 2026 model year.

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Ford Mustang GT: $48,555

486 Horsepower

Moving up from the EcoBoost to the Mustang GT unlocks a 5.0-liter V-8 with 486 horsepower and rear-wheel drive. A six-speed manual is the standard transmission, but a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic is also available for an extra $1,595.

It’s still not the most powerful pony car of the group, though; the track-focused Dark Horse has 500 hp, although that version costs $61,080. The base Mustang GT starts at a more reasonable $48,555 for 2025. Pricing for the 2026 model year hasn’t been released yet.

Volkswagen Golf R: $50,730

315 Horsepower

The GTI’s bigger, more powerful sibling—the Golf R—starts at $50,730. That’s not exactly cheap, considering that the Golf R’s base price was only $46,890 last year. That said, you do get a lot of car for the money.

The Golf R packs a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 315 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the all-wheel-drive Golf R comes with a seven-speed DSG exclusively, and it’ll hit 60 mph in about 3.9 seconds.

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Cadillac CT4-V: $52,120

325 Horsepower

While the high-powered CT4-V Blackwing gets all the attention (and costs over $60,000), you can still snag a CT4 with a V badge that isn’t nearly as pricey. This version packs a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, which gets it to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.

The downside is that the only transmission option is a 10-speed automatic—only the Blackwing gets the manual. You can get into a CT4-V for $52,120 for the 2026 model year—not exactly cheap, but it is one of the most powerful performance cars on this list.

Audi S3: $53,295

328 Horsepower

If you’re in the market for a fancier GTI with four doors instead of five, the Audi S3 has a higher-output turbocharged 2.0-liter engine now making 328 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque for 2025.

All-wheel comes standard on the S3, as does a seven-speed automatic transmission. The S3 comes in at just over the $50,000 mark for 2026, with a starting MSRP of $53,295. That’s a slight price hike from last year.

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