The 15 Most Practical High-Performance Sports Cars You Can Buy In 2022

Chevrolet Corvette C8

The eighth iteration of the American sports car is, for the first time, in mid-engine configuration. While the Corvette was originally intended to be a mid-engine sports car, this only happened in 2020. While it greatly improved the Corvette’s performance capabilities, compared to older generations, the mid-engine C8 also retained the practical aspect of the Corvette.

The C8 Corvette boasts a combined cargo capacity of 12.6 cubic feet (357 liters), divided between the front trunk and the rear cargo area, located behind the 6.2-liter or 5.5-liter flat-plane V-8, depending on the version. Technically, you can store additional luggage on top of the engine, but we wouldn’t recommend that as it obstructs rear visibility.

Read our full review on the Chevrolet Corvette C8

Lexus LC500

The flagship sports car of the Japanese luxury brand is, often, compared to an Aston Martin, in terms of style and luxury. Its classic, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout allows it to be a comfortable 2+2 gran tourer. The trunk of the Lexus LC500 provides 6.87 cubic feet (197 liters) of cargo capacity. In the hybrid version, trunk capacity is reduced to 6.07 cubic feet (172 liters) because of the battery pack, located under the trunk floor.

As with most 2+2 coupes, the rear seats are not particularly usable. As such, they best serve a purpose as an additional cargo area. The 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V-8 is good for 477 horsepower and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm), which is enough for a still respectable 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds.

Read our full review on the Lexus LC500

BMW M8 Competition

The Bavarian model can best be described as a sporty gran tourer. Much more athletic than the S-Class Coupe, the BMW M8 boasts a 2+2 layout, with rear seats that are fairly usable. Its traditional three-box design allows for a proper trunk, which boasts 14.83 cubic feet (420 liters) of cargo capacity. Moreover, the rear seats can be folded, which reveals even more luggage space.

With 625 horsepower and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm) from a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 and a ZF, eight-speed automatic, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.0 seconds. This makes the BMW M8 Competition, one of the most practical super GTs, currently on sale.

Read our full review on the BMW M8 Competition

Aston Martin DB11 & DBS

Aston Martin’s latest flagship supercar came out back in 2016. While its successor is going to feature some sort of electrification, the current DB11 and DBS models are still on sale, with the latter being the more performance-oriented. Power comes from either a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 from AMG or Aston Martin’s newly-developed 5.2-liter twin-turbo V-12. Power ranges from 503 to 725 horsepower.

The Aston Martin DB11 and DBS still boast the classic, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The long, clamshell hood and short rear deck are design traits that harken back to the DB3, as is the front grille. The car has “theatrical second-row seating”, which is best used as an extra luggage space, in addition to the 9.53 cubic feet (270 liters) of trunk space, making it one of the more practical high-performance propositions.

Read our full review on the Aston Martin DB11 & DBS

Acura NSX

The 2016 Acura NSX is a modern interpretation of the Japanese, mid-engine sports car of the 1990s. The original NSX was largely believed to be responsible for Ferrari, upping their game, with the F355, after the not-so-great Ferrari 348. Much has changed with the new model, including the powertrain, which now consists of three electric motors and a twin-turbo V-6. Moreover, the new 3.5-liter unit is longitudinally-mounted instead of transversely.

For all its high-tech, the Acura NSX still provides a fairly usable (for a mid-engine sports car) cargo area, of 4.4 cubic feet (124.6 liters). While not much, the cargo area is fairly deep and can easily fit one, medium-size travel bag. With up to 600 horsepower, 492 pound-feet (667 Nm), and all-wheel drive, the NSX can cover distances at a great pace, so you probably won’t need to carry a lot of luggage anyways.

Read our full review on the Acura NSX

Mercedes AMG GT

While the roadster version of the AMG GT is being replaced by the 2022 SL, the coupe version will still be around. The Mercedes AMG GT succeeded the SLS AMG, which was a spiritual successor to the Mercedes 300SL. The German coupe still combines a phallic front end with a fastback rear end, which incorporates a very practical, hatchback tailgate.

Said tailgate reveals a very generous 12.7 cubic feet (360 liters) of cargo space, making it one of the most practical, V-8-powered sports cars. Regardless of the version, the German sports car is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with up to 720 horsepower. Even the track-focused Black Series gives you the same, cargo space, despite additional chassis bracing.

Read our full review on the Mercedes AMG GT

Bentley Continental GT

By all accounts, the Bentley Continental GT is a lot of car. It weighs in at over 5,000 pounds (2,250 kg) and boasts a spacious interior with a 2+2 layout that lavishes you with endless luxury. The trunk offers a very respectable 12.64 cubic feet (358 liters). In case that isn’t enough, the rear seats can easily double as an additional luggage area.

Regardless of the version, the Conti GT is a very quick gran tourer. In its most powerful trim, it has a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W-12 with 659 horsepower and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm), which allow for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h).

Read our full review on the Bentley Continental GT

Ferrari Roma

The 2022 Ferrari Roma may be the Prancing horse’s entry-level model, but it may be the most usable of all. While the rear seats are best suited for extra suitcases, Roma’s boot provides up to 12.18 cubic feet (345 liters). Moreover, the cargo opening is quite low, which makes loading easier. With a curb weight of 3,461 pounds (1,570 kg), the Roma is one of the most lightweight and athletic GTs, on sale.

Power comes from a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V-8, which puts out 620 horsepower and 561 pound-feet (760 Nm). Mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, the Roma sprints to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.2 seconds, on to a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h).

Read our full review on the Ferrari Roma

McLaren GT

Can a mid-engine sports car also be a gran tourer? The introduced in 2019 McLaren GT is proof that it can. Despite being a capable high-performance vehicle, the British mid-engine sports car also provides a total cargo capacity of 14.83 cubic feet (420 liters), divided between the front trunk and rear of the car. The rear cargo area includes a “shelf” over the engine, which extends to the cockpit.

The familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 is put to work here, with 620 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear, resulting in a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 203 mph (326 km/h). The McLaren GT is, currently, the most practical two-seater, mid-engine sports car.

Read our full review on the McLaren GT

Mercedes SL

From 2022, the new Mercedes SL replaces the AMG GT convertible. The SL moniker is, usually, associated with an old man’s, open-top, luxury GT, but not this one. While it retains the open top and luxury aspects, this is the first SL, developed by the performance masters at AMG.

The car is available with two different engines – two versions of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, with up to 577 horsepower, and the 2.0-liter M139 turbocharged inline-four unit, from the AMG A45 that’s good for 381 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm). In terms of practicality, the boot of the 2022 SL provides 8.48 cubic feet (240 liters), which is not too shabby, although much less than the AMG GT’s cargo space. That one also has a hatchback tailgate.

Read our full review on the Mercedes SL

Audi R8

The German brand’s mid-engine sports car has been around since 2006 and is said to be discontinued in 2023. That said, it’s still around and we cannot have a practical high-performance car list without it. The R8 has long been referred to as one of the more usable, mid-engine sports cars, as well as one of the more sophisticated ones. The front trunk provides 3.96 cubic feet (112 liters), which is enough for a single suitcase.

While not nearly as practical as some of e other vehicles on the list, the Audi R8 is surprisingly civilized in normal driving, making it a great commuter. Since 2016, the only available engine is the 5.2-liter naturally-aspirated V-10, which produces up to 620 horsepower and 428 pound-feet (580 Nm). With all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DCT, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.0 seconds on to a top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h).

Read our full review on the Audi R8

Jaguar F Type Coupe

The spiritual successor to the iconic Jaguar E Type is still on sale and in coupe trim, offers quite the practicality. Its rear hatch, similar to that of the E Type, reveals 18 cubic feet (509 liters) of cargo space – the most of any car on this list. The convertible, meanwhile, offers a still respectable (for a sports car) 8.23 cubic feet (233 liters).

The 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 is still on duty, with up to 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm). There’s also a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm). All-wheel drive is standard for the most powerful model and 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 3.5 seconds.

Read our full review on the Jaguar F Type Coupe

BMW M4 Competition

With 510 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm), the BMW M4 Competition can, easily, be counted as a high-performance sports car. Moreover, equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the Bavarian coupe is able to sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in under 3.9 seconds.

Even more surprising, given its performance capabilities, is the practicality. Not only does the BMW M4 have a great interior with room for four (sort of), but it also boasts a generous, 15.54 cubic feet (440 liters) of trunk space. That’s even more than the bigger M8. The rear seats fold down, if needed, which opens up even more cargo space.

Read our full review on the BMW M4 Competition

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 has long been the epitome of a usable sports car. In almost all its versions, the rear-engine sports car has somewhat usable rear seats, which are best suited for children or additional luggage. Most people use them for that. The front trunk, meanwhile, offers a respectable 4.52 cubic feet (128 liters) of cargo space.

For all its potential as a practical sports car, the Porsche 911 packs great performance. Even the base 992 Carrera is capable of 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. The Turbo S packs 650 horsepower and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm), and is able to sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.6 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

Read our full review on the Porsche 911

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is the longest-produced, high-performance sports car. Being around since 2008, the GT-R has undergone numerous facelifts. One thing that hasn’t changed, apart from the car’s great performance, is the practicality. Like the Porsche 911, the GT-R has somewhat usable back seats, which best serve as additional luggage space.

However, the GT-R’s front-engine layout allows it to have a proper trunk. Regardless of the version, the GT-R boasts a cargo capacity of 11.12 cubic feet (315 liters). The loading area is quite high as, virtually, the whole rear end is occupied by the rear bumper, turning the process of loading the GT-R’s trunk into a workout. Still, it’s a lot more than what most high-performance cars offer and 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) is dealt with in 2.8 seconds.

Read our full review on the Nissan GT-R