Top 10 Affordable Sports Cars in Australia 2024

Whether you’re looking to tackle the twisties on a weekend drive or explore the limits of grip on the track, there’s a wide range of thrilling yet affordable sports cars available in 2024 that won’t break the bank.

Let’s explore your best options in the world of affordable sports cars with a look at ten of our favourites on sale in 2024.

Hyundai i30 N Sedan

Starting from $32,000*

Hyundai is no stranger to value, which very much extends to the company’s sports car portfolio, headlined by the cracking little i30 N hatchback and sedan.

With power supplied by a willing turbocharged four-pot, agile handling and a trick differential that transforms a typically boring front-wheel drive layout into a heap of fun, the i30 N remains one of the leading affordable sports cars in 2024.

Everything from the rally-inspired styling to the cracks and pops of the variable exhaust gives the i30 N range tonnes of personality matched by some seriously impressive abilities on the track.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 206kW/392Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 5.3 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 8.2L/100km

• Boot Space: 381 - 464L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG 4 X-POWER

Starting from $59,990*

When it comes to sheer value for money, the battery-electric MG 4 stands unbeaten when it comes to brutal acceleration that would make many exotic supercars blush.

For the same price, there’s nothing that can touch the MG 4 X-Power’s power and straight-line performance thanks to a pair of electric motors at the front and rear that slingshot it up to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

While it doesn’t offer the same cornering abilities as a bonafide sports car, the MG 4 X-Power does well to handle the weight from its battery and remains a great package to carve corners at such a reasonable price.

• Engine: Dual electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 320kW/600Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 3.8 seconds

• Driving Range: 385km from 64kWh battery  

• Boot Space: 363L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru BRZ

Starting from $43,790*

Subaru has stuck with the purists’ approach to the BRZ, giving buyers a sporty two-seater coupe with a rear-wheel drive platform and the option of a manual transmission to keep enthusiasts happy.

Co-developed with the Toyota GR86, the Subaru BRZ offers a healthy mix of lively handling while remaining comfortable enough to live with on a daily basis, meaning your sports car desires won’t come at the expense of your spine.

While it’s not the fastest straight-line package, the BRZ offers immense fun at accessible speeds that are a celebration of what sports cars are made for.

• Engine: 2.4-litre Boxer four-cylinder 

• Power & Torque: 174kW/250Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 6.20 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 8.8 - 9.5L/100km

• Boot Space: 201L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Starting from $56,090*

Nearly five decades and eight generations later, the VW Golf GTI remains a heavy-hitter in the world of affordable sports cars.

While prices have admittedly moved north in recent years, the Golf GTI’s versatility and premium appointments mean that you’re unlikely to feel short-changed when you step inside and start carving through corners.

The Golf GTI’s spirited engine and sporty suspension package make it a dream in the corners while offering a truly best-of-both-worlds approach to motoring that makes it lovely on a daily drive to work.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 

• Power & Torque: 180kW/370Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 6.4 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 7.0L/100km

• Boot Space: 374L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda MX-5

Starting from $41,520*

The Mazda MX-5 is a car that has, for decades now, proved that you don’t need a heap of power or a six-digit price tag to be one of the world’s leading sports cars.

Famed for its back-to-basics approach to sporty motoring, the MX-5 range is lightweight, handles like it’s on rails and offers a super dynamic rear-wheel drive platform that is perhaps the perfect car to learn the ropes of performance motoring.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 135kW/205Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 6.3 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 6.8L/100km

• Boot Space: 130L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback

Starting from $64,990*

The Ford Mustang range is bigger than ever before, with the company giving buyers a slice of its iconic sports coupe package at an affordable price tag with the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost Fastback.

While it’s down four cylinders on the iconic V8, the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback still packs a mighty punch from its turbocharged four-pot that proves the perfect match for a rear-wheel drive platform.

• Engine: 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 232kW/475Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 5.8 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 9.4L/100km

• Boot Space: 408L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota GR Corolla

Starting from $64,190*

If you’re looking for one of the most hardcore hot hatches anywhere on the market, look no further than the latest creation from Toyota’s performance skunkworks, the GR Corolla.

In what can only be described as a road-going rally car, the GR Corolla offers immense acceleration mixed with extremely lively handling thanks to the clever adjustable all-wheel drive system that means you can throw its tail out when the mood strikes.

• Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder 

• Power & Torque: 221kW/370-400Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 5.29 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 8.4 - 8.6L/100km 

• Boot Space: 213 - 229L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru WRX

Starting from $45,990*

The Subaru WRX is one of the most famous names in the motoring world, and while it’s not quite the fire-breather it used to be, it remains a great performer with a surprising amount of practicality.

This means that the WRX is one of the more versatile packages that can still get the heart thumping when pushed, with the bonus of a sports wagon variant complete with a huge boot that means you don’t have to leave the family behind.

• Engine: 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 202kW/350Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 6.0 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 8.5 - 9.9L/100km

• Boot Space: 414 - 492L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan Z

Starting from $75,800*

True to the original, the latest Nissan Z gives buyers access to some seriously impressive performance figures in a sporty, two-seater coupe that is a treat for the eyes and ears.

In a nod to enthusiasts, Nissan offers the Z with the option of a manual transmission that lights up the rear wheels with the help of an immense 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 unit in a super playful yet user-friendly package that is a treat behind the wheel.

• Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 

• Power & Torque: 298kW/475Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 5.1 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 9.8 - 10.8L/100km

• Boot Space: 241L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Honda Civic Type R

Starting from $72,600*

While it certainly doesn’t come as cheap as it used to, the Honda Civic Type R lives up to its original design brief and extracts every possible ounce of performance from a front-wheel-drive platform.

With a heap of weight-shedding measures over the normal Civic, brand-new suspension hardware, limited-slip differential, forged wheels, active exhaust and a six-speed manual transmission, the Civic Type R is one seriously impressive package.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

• Power & Torque: 235kW/420Nm

• 0-100km/h Time: 5.4 seconds

• Fuel Economy: 8.9L/100km

• Boot Space: 410L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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If you’re looking to upgrade to an exciting yet affordable sports car package, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

* Prices accurate at time of writing.