What exactly makes a sports car truly stand out? The classic definition points to a low-slung vehicle, typically designed for two occupants, boasting ample power and agile handling, often wrapped in a visually stunning package. However, the realm of sports cars is far more nuanced, encompassing vehicles that might bend or even break some of these traditional rules. Take the Lamborghini Countach, a design icon that arguably prioritizes drama over ultimate driving dynamics. Or consider the Mazda Miata, celebrated for its pure driving joy despite modest horsepower figures. Then there are outliers like the four-door Mercedes 500E, which delivers sports car thrills in a sedan body, and the Plymouth Superbird, a muscle car turned up to eleven with its audacious styling.
Even the hypercar category, with its extreme performance focus, sometimes blurs the lines with sports cars. Supercars, on the other hand, often comfortably fit within the sports car ethos, especially when we recall a time when 300 horsepower was genuinely exceptional. Grand tourers, while offering performance and style, generally lean towards luxury and long-distance comfort, distinguishing them from the more focused nature of sports cars. However, roadsters and coupes, depending on their design and intent, can firmly plant themselves in sports car territory. Sometimes, sheer aesthetic brilliance elevates a car to sports car status almost single-handedly, as seen with the breathtaking Bizzarrini GT Strada 5300 or the legendary Lamborghini Miura. Other cars, like the nimble Alpine A110, earn their sports car credentials through their racing pedigree and track prowess. Rarity, surprisingly, isn’t a defining factor, as both the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic and the relatively accessible Datsun 240Z are rightfully considered sports car icons. And then you have the cars that seemingly tick every box: the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911, both achieving massive sales, significant cultural impact, exhilarating performance, and timeless designs that continue to captivate generations.
To delve deeper into the pantheon of Coolest Sports Cars, a panel of twelve experts was convened. Tasked with selecting their top 50 from a list of over 150 contenders spanning from Abarth to Zonda, their votes shaped a compelling ranking. Interestingly, some highly regarded machines, including the Ford GT, Saleen S7, and McLaren 600LT, didn’t garner enough votes to make the cut. Conversely, models like the AMC AMX, the first-generation Chevy Camaro, and the De Tomaso Pantera inspired fervent support but ultimately fell short of the top 50. Debates were passionate, particularly when discussing Shelby vehicles, yet the experts achieved unanimous agreement on the top five coolest sports cars. The editors at Robb Report then meticulously refined these expert selections to create the definitive list presented below.
Sports cars, originating over a century ago, began as expressions of design ingenuity and engineering ambition, often driven by the pursuit of racing victories. Yet, almost from their inception, they have also embodied emotion. Any assessment of a sports car, therefore, reflects this inherent tension between objective criteria and subjective passion. The ongoing discussion about which sports cars are the “coolest” or “greatest” is likely to persist as long as the very definition of a sports car continues to evolve and inspire.
