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Sports cars are usually designed to showcase outright performance and put a big smile on the face of the driver. Many of these vehicles are surprisingly practical in everyday life wherever you live on the planet, but those fitted with AWD take usability to a whole new level.
Updated April 2023: All-wheel-drive performance cars are becoming more prominent in the car world, so we seek to keep this list as refreshed as possible alongside new car releases. In this guide, you’ll find the best all-around all-wheel-drive cars on sale right now.
As engineering improved and technology progressed, all-wheel-drive systems got better and better, to the point where most sports carmakers offer the option of AWD with their cars. BMW, for instance, offers the xDrive system on its sporty range of M cars. Meanwhile, Audi persisted with its Quattro system, and Mercedes-Benz developed its own 4MATIC technology. Most other companies simply call their versions AWD.
The sports car has evolved into an almost supercar-rivaling vehicle, to the point where even the smallest hot hatch can outrun a supercar from a decade ago in the 0-60 mph sprint – thanks to all-wheel-drive. Here are ten of the best AWD sports cars currently for sale on the market.
10 Audi TTS
The German marque’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z3, we believe the Audi TT is the perfect sports car for driving enthusiasts. Over the years, it has evolved into an exceptional competitor for some of the more powerful road racers, with many even referring to the hardcore TTRS version as a budget Audi R8.
Featuring a 2.5-liter five-cylinder block, the TT RS produces a whopping 394 hp and hits 60 in just 4.3 seconds. That’s bordering supercar speeds. Sadly, it is now part of a dying breed, as the current generation of both the Audi TT and the BMW Z4 will be the last of their namesakes. While Mercedes-Benz has already killed off the SLK and SLC, the 2023 Audi TT RS Iconic Edition will be the last hurrah of Audi’s sports car.
9 Lexus RC350 F-Sport AWD
The RC is the mid-range luxurious sports coupe in the Lexus line-up. Built on the same platform as the IS, the RC features the same engines. Those include a two-liter turbo inline-four, a naturally aspirated V6, and a big N/A V8 – the latter of which features tuning by Yamaha.
The AWD version we’re focussing on has the 3.5-liter V6, which chucks out 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s plenty fast enough, but its AWD system is what really gives it a spring in its step. The power comes in with minimal fuss, and that’s why we think you should consider the Lexus RC350 F Sport as your next potential buy.
8 Dodge Challenger GT AWD
The Dodge Challenger GT is less sports car and more budget V6 muscle car. The GT is the second-lowest trim – just above the base SXT – and features some improved interior pieces and more optional extras as standard. The exterior gets a more refined look and could be mistaken for an R/T when getting a quick glimpse.
The 3.6-liter V6 produces 305 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Not at all bad for the $33,845 starting price. But having been with us for so many years now, it does upset us that Dodge will be calling it curtains on the Challenger ahead of its rework as an electric car. Though, the upcoming Dodge Challenger EV does look every bit like a muscle car as its predecessor.
7 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Coupe
While Mercedes-Benz has consistently produced strong numbers for its range-topping C63 AMG models, but there was a market there for slightly less powerful ones to sit between the 63s and the entry-level versions. Duly, it introduced a V6-powered version with the ’43 AMG’ moniker. The smallest of the 43s was the C43 AMG Coupe – still on sale due to the delay of the new CLE-Class.
Not that that’s an issue, because we think the Mercedes-AMG C43 is the ultimate daily driver for gearheads, thanks to a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 360 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to either the rear or all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s a brilliant car for daily use, and its AWD system, paired with its pokey power plant, means it’s joyous enough on the right road.
6 Jaguar F-Type R
The Jaguar F-Type is one of the best-looking British sports cars since the original E-Type from 1961. The F-Type is currently in its second upgrade period after its launch in 2014 and now has a front end to pull it in line with the rest of the Jaguar brand. But like a few of the other cars on this list, it’s reaching its twilight. The last Jaguar F-Type is here, and we will miss it hugely when it’s gone.
The great feature of the F-Type is that it is available with all-wheel-drive on most models, apart from the entry-level 2.0-liter turbo. The big supercharged V8 model gets AWD as standard, while the V6 and detuned V8 versions keep it as an option. The F-Type is a gorgeous vehicle and a fantastic sports car that can easily keep up with the quickest AWD cars on the globe. So, with 2023 Jaguar F-Type R Coupes hovering at over $110,000, now may be a great time to buy.
5 BMW M240i xDrive
The BMW M240i is an awesome car. Granted, it isn’t quite the M2 – which was recently unveiled – but it has the driving dynamics of a proper M car. It may take some time to get used to the styling and the lack of usable rear seats, but there is no doubt that it is a much better sports car than it necessarily needs to be. Most of that does come down to the fact that BMW’s motto now simmers down to questionable looks, but superb technical performance.
The M240i features the same B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six as the other six-cylinder BMW cars, but this one produces 370 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Power splits to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the rear axle getting priority. BMW has recently made the M240i available with rear-wheel-drive, but still omitted the manual transmission – something the new M2 has, which is why we may just buy a BMW M2 instead of a Porsche Cayman.
4 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
Think of the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 as the slightly more luxurious and all-wheel-drive version of the new Nissan Z – which is essentially what it is. You can even have a look at what happens when the Nissan Z faces off against an Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. The RS400 features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing – as you might have guessed – 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.
That’s fired it right into the path of the Genesis G70, another superb option. But with more power and a 5.5-second 0-60 mph time, the Red Sport 400 is a touch faster than its South Korean counterpart and arguably boasts a more luxurious interior. Interestingly, the power goes to all four wheels via a Mercedes-sourced seven-speed automatic, while the other models in the Q60 range have to do with a JATCO-built seven-speed auto.
3 Audi RS5
The current generation of RS5 is the best one yet from Audi, but it does lack in one main area: the engine. Instead of featuring a vocal V8 unit, it has a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 — albeit from Porsche. The performance is certainly there, if not for the noise. That means the RS5 has matured into a softer car than some of its predecessors. Still, we believe every gearhead should drive the Audi RS5.
The RS5 also produces 444 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, sending all those angry German horses through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels via Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The RS5 is a beautiful vehicle both inside and out, but simply lacks the iconic soundtrack of previous RS5s.
2 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
The Porsche 911 is the best sports car on the market and has been for a long time, which is why we believe Jeremy Clarkson is wrong about the 911. Porsche has designed its most famous range to suit the needs of various customer types. So, in addition to increasing the engine size, adding turbochargers, and even making its award-winning sports car all-wheel-drive, the German giant will introduce a hybrid version in the near future.
Until that happens, one of the best options in the 911 range is definitely the Carrera 4S. It features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 444 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, sending power to all four wheels. The best part? The 911 is available with either the impressive eight-speed PDK automatic or a seven-speed manual transmission. For the money, a 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S is just about as good as it gets.
1 BMW M4 Competition xDrive
The BMW M4 Competition is one of the best sports cars on the market and may be the best of the all-wheel-drive versions out there. Sure, the M4 Competition is available as rear-drive only, but when you can easily and quickly switch between 4WD and 2WD at the click of a button, why wouldn’t you option xDrive?
The M4 Comp features the same S58 twin-turbo inline-6 as the normal M4 boosted to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft. The power goes through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Thanks to BMW’s rear-biased torque split, the M4 can do donuts even in 4WD mode. For anyone wanting some more fun, switch it to 2WD mode and watch the rear tires shred in true BMW hooliganism manner. You can even get a 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible — one of the best ways to enjoy the 503 hp.
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