Every 2019 Luxury Sports & Performance Car Ranked from Best to Worst
If money is no object, you might as well have the fastest, best-performing vehicle possible right? All of these cars are showpieces, and many would probably be more at home on a racetrack than a city street.
In fact, the cheapest of these (the Audi TT) starts at $45,500. Prices for all quickly rise if you chose anything other than the base model (most versions sold aren’t the base model). The majority are around $100,000. If you are more budget-conscious, then you might be better off looking at our non-luxury Sports & Performance ranking. In the meantime, you can always, browse, hope, and dream…
We rank 14 luxury sports & performance cars from best to worst by combining their ratings on driving performance, standard features, design, and value.
14. 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Compared to the cars that most people drive back and forth to work, the 4C Spider is speedy with taut handling. But when you start comparing it to other rivals within the same vehicle class, it falls down to the bottom of the list with its small cabin and the poor quality of its materials. You are paying at least $70,000 for this car, after all. It should look like it. We also found the suspension a little too stiff on the road.
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13. 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class
Two-seater convertibles have seen better days. Unfortunately for Mercedes, they don’t sell very well anymore. It doesn’t help that the SLC-Class isn’t winning any awards with its cramped cabin and dated interior. In reality, it makes sense that the interior hasn’t been updated as this is the last year of the SLC. And no, there isn’t any planned successor waiting in the wings. Your last chance at having this type of vehicle from Mercedes is the Final Edition offering of the roadster.
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12. 2019 Nissan GT-R
The 2019 Nissan GT-R is as powerful as they come. With up to 600 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque, this speedster seems more at home on the racetrack than city streets. Unfortunately, the only “luxury” part of the GT-R is the price. All that engine power comes at a premium price well over $100K, but the interior materials and features don’t match that of other competitors. A better equipped and more luxurious Porsche, for instance, can be had for cheaper.
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11. 2019 Audi TT
The Audi TT’s sweeping dome design is iconic the world over. However, thanks to slowing sales, Audi has announced that this third generation will be the last and that it will be replaced with an electric vehicle in the near future. In the meantime, the 2019 TT has all the state-of-the-art tech a driver could want in the cockpit, but the actual driving dynamics don’t stand out in the class anymore. Also, forget about using those tiny back seats.
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10. 2019 Acura NSX
The 2019 Acura NSX is speedy with a newly improved suspension for this model year. Acura should be commended for improving the driving dynamics, but they could have also paid a little bit more attention to the interior. The cabin is comfortable, but the infotainment input demands all your attention (when it should be focused on the road ahead). There are also few options for buyers to customize their NSX the way that is just right for them.
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9. 2019 Jaguar F-Type
The 2019 Jaguar F-Type is as sleek and stylish as ever. Even more good news is that some more advanced safety features are now standard for 2019. However, the infotainment system is unintuitive, and we found the seats uncomfortable. The seats! Of a sports car! It’s a shame because the F-Type is particularly exhilarating to drive, otherwise.
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8. 2019 BMW Z4
After a three year absence, the Z4 is back and better looking than ever! The front end is aggressive and the deep front fender vents are sporty. Even though it’s a two-seater, the interior cabin is spacious and well-appointed. As one of our lower-scoring BMWs, however, we found that the Z4 doesn’t have particularly athletic handling, which we found puzzling given its coupe size.
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7. 2019 BMW 8-Series
The 8-Series is brand-new for 2019 and essentially replaces the outgoing 6-series. There’s a model for whatever you need. Prefer solid handling? Go for the coupe. Need a more spacious back seat? Opt for the Gran Coupe (pictured here). Like the open air? There’s a convertible option. The downside? The 8 is expensive, and even some cheaper 5- and 7-series models are more decked out.
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6. 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Near the middle of the pack is the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. We’ll get the bad out of the way first. We aren’t fans of the infotainment layout, but maybe we are just finicky? What is definitely noticeable is noise leaking into the cabin. And no, it’s not the roar of the engine; it’s unwanted wind whistling. But speaking of that engine, it powerful and a joy to listen to. And in true Mercedes style, the SL has a comfortable ride and just as comfortable seats.
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5. 2019 Lexus LC
To call the interior of the Lexus LC luxurious is actually probably an understatement. Finishes are top-tier, and all the expensive tech that you could want is available (even if it is distracting sometimes). The roomy interior is filled out with spacious and comfortable seats. And when it comes to handling, the LC floats down the road without a care in the world.
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4. 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT
New for 2019 is a 4-door “coupe” offering. We’ll skip over that (because…why?) and stick to talking about the true coupe. If you’re pondering about a GT purchase, this is the one you want anyway. There are an array of powerful engines to choose from, the handling almost reads your mind, and this may be our favorite interior of any car in the class. The interior design is simply superb.
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3. 2019 Porsche 911
Like most Porsche’s, the 911 is a joy to drive. It features outstanding handling, powerful engines, and an upscale interior this is as intuitive as it is comfortable. Yes, the back seats are cramped, but just leave the kids at home. Porsche also has good reliability scores, so you’re making a good investment when you’re plopping down this much money for a new car.
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2. 2019 Chevrolet Corvette
New for 2019, the ZR1 trim is back for the Corvette (and much appreciated). There’s actually a useable trunk (in the non-convertible model), comfy seats that hug driver and passenger, and plenty of power to go around (it reaches up to 755 hp!). The incredible handling also makes us wonder why Chevy is keeping it all to the Corvette and not incorporating it into other models.
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1. 2019 Porsche 718
The 2019 Porsche 718 is our cream of the crop. The luxurious interior is straightforward, instantly useable, and features high-class finishes. The cabin is spacious and comfortable. The engines are powerful, and the handling is sublime. It truly is our pick for the most fun vehicle to drive (take that Tesla)! It also has above-average reliability ratings and starts at nearly $20,000 less than other rivals (looking at you Lexus LC and BMW 8-series).
(image via Facebook)
