Best New Driver's Cars

What Makes It Special

The Porsche 911 S/T is a purist's dream, a celebration of 60 years of 911 heritage distilled into a lightweight, analog driving machine. Limited to just 1,963 units worldwide, the S/T takes inspiration from the legendary 911 ST of 1969, prioritizing lightweight construction and a raw driving experience above all else. It combines the high-revving 4.0-liter flat-six engine from the GT3 RS with a short-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, creating a visceral and engaging connection between driver and machine.  

Porsche's engineers went to great lengths to shed weight, utilizing carbon fiber for the hood, roof, front fenders, and doors. Even the glass in the rear window is lightweight. The result is a curb weight of just 3,056 pounds, making it the lightest 911 in the current generation. This focus on lightweighting translates to exceptional agility and responsiveness, allowing the S/T to dance through corners with an unmatched fluidity. The S/T also features unique chassis tuning and aerodynamic enhancements, further enhancing its handling prowess.  

Inside, the 911 S/T offers a driver-focused cockpit with a classic design. Cloth sport seats with a retro houndstooth pattern pay homage to the original 911 ST, while a minimalist dashboard keeps the focus on the driving experience. While it lacks some of the modern technology found in other 911 variants, the S/T more than compensates with its pure and unadulterated driving experience. It's a car that speaks to the soul of driving enthusiasts, a reminder that sometimes, less is truly more.

Note: Any Porsche 911, particularly any GT3 or GT3 RS should be on this list, but we can't just make it a Porsche list, so we picked our favorite 911 for this year.

What Makes It Special

The 2025 Honda Civic Type R continues to reign as one of the most engaging and rewarding hot hatchbacks on the market. Its aggressive styling, with a large rear wing, flared fenders, and triple-outlet exhaust, hints at the performance that lies within. Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Civic ever. This power is sent exclusively to the front wheels through a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential, providing a visceral and connected driving experience.  

But the Type R's appeal goes beyond raw power. Its expertly tuned chassis, adaptive dampers, and precise steering make it a true corner-carving machine. The Type R tackles corners with incredible grip and composure, inspiring confidence and encouraging drivers to push its limits. Despite its performance focus, the Type R remains a practical and usable daily driver. Its spacious hatchback design offers ample cargo space, while comfortable sport seats and a well-equipped interior ensure a pleasant driving experience even on longer journeys.

For 2025, the Civic Type R receives subtle refinements to further enhance its appeal. These include updated styling cues, new color options, and potentially enhanced technology features. Honda's commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the Type R remains at the forefront of the hot hatchback segment. With its combination of exhilarating performance, sharp handling, and everyday practicality, the 2025 Honda Civic Type R continues to be a compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking a thrilling and versatile driving experience.

What Makes It Special

The 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a thrilling sports car that masterfully blends performance, style, and luxury. This latest iteration builds upon the Vantage's already strong foundation, featuring a host of updates that enhance its driving dynamics, technology, and overall appeal. While retaining its signature sleek design and athletic stance, the 2025 Vantage receives a number of key refinements that elevate the driving experience.  

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new, more powerful engine. The 2025 Vantage now boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, meticulously tuned to produce an impressive 656 horsepower – a significant increase over the previous model.

This potent engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers lightning-fast shifts, contributing to the Vantage's exhilarating acceleration and responsiveness. Aston Martin has also enhanced the Vantage's chassis and suspension, resulting in improved handling and agility. The car feels more planted and composed through corners, providing a truly engaging driving experience.

Inside the cabin, the 2025 Vantage features a redesigned interior that seamlessly blends modern technology with Aston Martin's traditional craftsmanship. A new infotainment system with a larger touchscreen takes center stage, offering a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. The interior is also adorned with premium materials, including supple leather and hand-stitched accents, creating a luxurious and refined atmosphere.

With its combination of exhilarating performance, captivating design, and luxurious appointments, the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a true driver's car that embodies the brand's commitment to creating exceptional driving experiences. This is what the Vantage should have been from the beginning.

What Makes It Special

The 2025 BMW M4 continues to be a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance coupe with striking design and exhilarating performance. It shares its potent twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with the M3, offering 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the standard M4, and a more aggressive 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft in the Competition model. Transmission choices remain the same, with a standard six-speed manual catering to purists and an optional eight-speed automatic providing lightning-fast shifts.  

Like the M3, the M4 benefits from a meticulously tuned chassis, adaptive M suspension, and precise steering. This translates to exceptional handling and agility, allowing the M4 to carve through corners with confidence and precision. The available M xDrive all-wheel-drive system further enhances traction and control, making the M4 a formidable machine in all conditions.

For maximum performance, consider the CS model, which comes with a 543-hp variant of the engine. The M4's suspension is tuned for performance, and it'll reward you with stupendous levels of grip on twisty backroads and track days.

What Makes It Special

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the ultimate expression of open-top driving pleasure, a purist's machine that combines the exhilarating performance of the 718 GT4 RS with the unfiltered thrills of a lightweight roadster. At its heart beats the same glorious 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine found in the 911 GT3, delivering a spine-tingling 493 horsepower and a 9,000 rpm redline. This symphony of power is channeled to the rear wheels through a lightning-fast 7-speed PDK transmission, propelling the Spyder RS from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds.

But the Spyder RS is more than just raw speed; it's a meticulously engineered driver's car that prioritizes feedback and engagement. The chassis is tuned for precise handling, with a focus on agility and responsiveness. The lightweight manual soft top can be removed in seconds, transforming the Spyder RS into a pure open-air driving experience. With the wind in your hair and the engine singing its glorious tune, the Spyder RS delivers a level of connection to the road that few cars can match.

What truly sets the Spyder RS apart is its focus on the visceral driving experience. The lack of sound insulation enhances the aural drama, allowing you to fully appreciate the engine's symphony. The precise steering, responsive throttle, and communicative chassis create a sense of harmony between car and driver, making every corner an exercise in precision and enjoyment. The 718 Spyder RS is a celebration of pure driving pleasure, a car that reminds us why we love to get behind the wheel.

What Makes It Special

The Ferrari 296 GTB and 296 GTS represent a new era in mid-engined, V6-powered Ferrari sports cars. They share a common platform and powertrain, but each offers a unique character and driving experience.

The 296 GTB is a coupe that embodies the essence of Ferrari's mid-engined sports cars. Its sleek and aerodynamic design is a testament to Ferrari's commitment to both beauty and performance. Under the hood, a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivers a staggering 663 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. This power is coupled with a 163-hp electric motor, creating a combined output of 830 horsepower. The 296 GTB can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 mph.

The 296 GTS, on the other hand, is a convertible that offers the same exhilarating performance as the GTB, but with the added thrill of open-air driving. Its retractable hardtop seamlessly integrates into the car's design, preserving its sleek silhouette when closed and transforming it into a roadster when open. The 296 GTS is just as fast as the GTB, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 203 mph.

Both the 296 GTB and 296 GTS offer a unique blend of performance, efficiency, and driver engagement. The hybrid powertrain provides a powerful and responsive driving experience, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The chassis is meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional handling and agility, ensuring a thrilling driving experience on any road.

What Makes It Special

The Mazda MX-5 Miata, affectionately known as the Miata, is a legend in the world of affordable sports cars. Since its debut in 1989, it has consistently delivered a pure and engaging driving experience that's captivated enthusiasts worldwide. The current generation, known as the ND, stays true to the Miata's core values: lightweight construction, a responsive chassis, and a focus on driver engagement. It's a car that's all about the joy of driving, the connection between car and driver, and the simple pleasure of a winding road.

Under the hood, the MX-5 Miata houses a lively 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower. 1 While that may not sound like much in today's world of high-horsepower machines, the Miata's lightweight design and perfectly balanced chassis make it feel much quicker than the numbers suggest. The engine loves to rev, and the six-speed manual transmission is a joy to use, with its short throws and precise action. The Miata's steering is light and communicative, providing excellent feedback to the driver. And with its rear-wheel-drive layout and perfectly balanced weight distribution, the Miata is eager to dance through corners, providing a level of agility and responsiveness that few cars can match.

What truly sets the Miata apart is its ability to make you feel alive behind the wheel. It's a car that encourages you to push it, to explore its limits, and to savor every moment of the driving experience. Whether you're carving canyons, cruising along the coast, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon drive, the Miata delivers a level of pure driving enjoyment that's hard to find in any other car, regardless of price. It's a testament to the fact that driving pleasure isn't about horsepower or technology; it's about the connection between car and driver, and the Miata delivers that connection in spades.

What Makes It Special

The IONIQ 5 N is not just another electric SUV; it's a statement. Hyundai's N division, known for injecting serious performance into everyday cars, has turned its attention to the already impressive IONIQ 5, creating a truly electrifying driving experience. This isn't just about raw power, though it has plenty of that with a dual-motor setup delivering over 600 horsepower and a sub-4-second 0-60 mph time. It's about how that power is delivered, with precise handling, a dedicated "N Grin Boost" for an extra surge of acceleration, and even a simulated gear-shifting experience to mimic the feel of a high-performance combustion engine.  

But the IONIQ 5 N isn't just about going fast in a straight line. It's been engineered to handle corners with agility and poise, thanks to a reinforced chassis, upgraded brakes, and a sophisticated electronically controlled suspension. Hyundai N has even included features like "N Drift Optimizer" and "N Torque Distribution" to allow drivers to explore the car's playful side and control its power delivery with precision. This is an EV that wants to be driven hard, and it provides the tools and technology to make that an exhilarating experience.  

Beyond the performance upgrades, the IONIQ 5 N retains the practicality and style of the standard model. It still boasts a spacious and futuristic interior with ample cargo space, making it suitable for everyday use. The exterior receives a sporty makeover with aggressive styling cues, larger wheels, and distinctive N badging. The IONIQ 5 N is a compelling package that proves electric vehicles can be both practical and incredibly fun to drive. It's a game-changer that sets a new benchmark for performance EVs.

What Makes It Special

The Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is back for 2025, and it's bringing a symphony of performance and style to the luxury sports car segment. This sleek and powerful machine, a direct descendant of the SLS AMG, embodies the pinnacle of AMG engineering and design, offering a thrilling driving experience for every enthusiast. The GT Coupe lineup caters to a variety of tastes and preferences.

The entry-level GT 43 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering a respectable 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the GT 55 boasts a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, generating 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. And for the ultimate in performance, the GT 63 unleashes the full fury of the AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo, producing a monstrous 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.  

But the GT Coupe's performance story doesn't end there. The range-topping GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE introduces a groundbreaking plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines the handcrafted AMG V8 with a powerful electric motor. This technological marvel delivers a combined output of 831 horsepower and a mind-boggling 1,033 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful production cars in the world. With a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE redefines what's possible in a hybrid sports car.  

What Makes It Special

The 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing stands as a testament to Cadillac's commitment to exhilarating performance and driver engagement. This compact sport sedan packs a serious punch with its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating a potent 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission, a rarity in today's world of automatics, allowing for a truly connected and engaging driving experience. For those who prefer lightning-fast shifts, a 10-speed automatic is available as an option.  

But the CT4-V Blackwing is more than just raw power. Its chassis has been meticulously tuned to provide exceptional handling and agility. Adaptive dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, and performance-tuned steering work in harmony to deliver a thrilling driving experience on both road and track. Large Brembo brakes provide confident stopping power, while Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires provide tenacious grip. The CT4-V Blackwing's aggressive styling, with its aerodynamic elements, quad exhaust tips, and optional carbon fiber packages, further hints at its performance potential.

Inside the cabin, the CT4-V Blackwing offers a blend of sportiness and luxury. Supportive sport seats with microfiber inserts hold occupants in place during spirited driving, while a thick-rimmed steering wheel and a configurable digital instrument cluster enhance the driver-focused environment. Despite its performance focus, the CT4-V Blackwing remains a comfortable and practical daily driver, with ample space for passengers and cargo. With its combination of thrilling performance, sharp handling, and everyday usability, the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking a true driver's car.