If cars were people, the ones on this list would be the nimble gymnasts of the auto world: Light on their feet, quick to respond, and capable of making even the most mundane drives feel like a high-wire act. Exceptional handling separates a good car from a great one, and the 12 vehicles we’re about to dive into are some of the best in the business.
Mazda MX 5 Miata
The Mazda MX 5 Miata is like the fun-size candy bar of the sports car world: Small, sweet, and surprisingly satisfying. This lightweight roadster is known for its near-perfect 50 – 50 weight distribution and razor-sharp steering. Whether you’re zipping around city streets or tackling twisty backroads, the Miata responds to every input with a grin-inducing eagerness. It’s a car that makes you feel like a driving hero even if your only competition is the morning traffic.
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is the equivalent of a seasoned athlete who is experienced, finely tuned, and always ready to perform. With its rear engine layout and rear-wheel drive, the 911 shouldn’t handle as well as it does, yet Porsche has turned this quirky configuration into a masterpiece of balance and control. Whether on the track or taking the scenic route home, the 911 feels glued to the road, offering precision that few cars can match. It’s no wonder the 911 has been setting benchmarks for handling for decades.
BMW M3
If the Porsche 911 is the seasoned athlete, the BMW M3 is the prodigy, winning trophies since they were in diapers. The M3 combines the practicality of a sedan with the performance of a sports car, making it a go-to choice for driving enthusiasts who also need to carry the kids to soccer practice. The secret sauce. A finely tuned suspension, sharp steering, and a chassis that feels like it was designed to hug every corner. The M3 doesn’t just handle well. It makes you look good doing it.
Lotus Elise
The Lotus Elise is what happens when you take the concept of less is more and apply it to a sports car. Weighing in at just over 2,000 pounds, the Elise is all about minimalism, no frills, just thrills. Its lightweight design and mid-engine layout give it a level of agility that’s hard to beat. Every corner feels like a dance move, every turn a pirouette. The Elise might not have the creature comforts of other cars on this list, but when it comes to handling, it’s a masterclass in the art of driving.
Subaru WRX STI
If the road were a battlefield, the Subaru WRX STI would be the warrior charging into the fray with a battle cry. This car’s all-wheel drive system, rally-bred suspension, and turbocharged engine make it a force to be reckoned with, especially when the road gets rough. Gravel, mud, snow, bring it on. The WRX STI’s handling is all about grip and control, no matter the conditions. If you’re the type who likes to drive like every day is a stage of the World Rally Championship, this is your ride.
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 is the kind of car that makes you want to shift gears just for fun. With a screaming, high-revving engine and a chassis that feels like it’s hardwired to your brain, the S2000 is all about precision. The car’s near-perfect weight distribution and responsive steering make every drive an exercise in finesse. It’s a car that rewards smooth inputs and sharpens your driving skills. If handling were a martial art, the S2000 would be a black belt.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is like that one friend who’s effortlessly cool and always seems to know the best spots in town. But don’t be fooled by its stylish looks. This Italian beauty has a serious wild side. With a Ferrari-derived engine under the hood and a chassis that’s as sharp as a tailored suit, the Giulia Quadrifoglio delivers handling that’s as thrilling as precise. It’s the kind of car that makes every drive feel like a grand tour through the Italian countryside, even if you’re heading to the grocery store.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is the all-American sports car giving European exotics a run for their money. With its mid-engine layout and a chassis honed for performance, the Stingray is a handling powerhouse. It’s got the muscle to power through straightaways and the finesse to carve through corners. The result: A car at home on the track as it is on a weekend road trip. The Stingray proves you don’t need to cross the Atlantic to find exceptional handling.
Ford Mustang Mach 1
When you think of a muscle car, you probably imagine straight-line speed and smoky burnouts. But the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is here to change that perception. With upgraded suspension, sticky tires, and a chassis that’s been fine-tuned for handling, the Mach 1 is a muscle car that loves to corner. It’s got all the brawn of a classic Mustang but with the agility to confidently take on twisty roads. This is a car that can flex its muscles without breaking a sweat.
Toyota GR Supra
The Toyota GR Supra is the result of a collaboration between Toyota and BMW, and it’s a sports car that’s all about balance. The GR Supra handles like a dream with a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout, and a chassis tuned for precision. It’s responsive, agile, and playful. Whether tackling your favorite twisty road or hitting the track, the Supra delivers handling that inspires confidence. It’s proof that good things happen when automakers put their heads together.
McLaren 720S
The McLaren 720S isn’t just fast. It’s agile: With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and a suspension system that feels like it’s straight out of a science fiction movie, the 720S is a hypercar built to handle anything the roads throw at it. Every corner is an opportunity to experience the car’s incredible balance and precision. It’s like the 720S can read your mind, responding to every input with lightning-fast reflexes. If you’re looking for a car that handles like it’s on rails, the 720S is the ultimate choice.
Audi R8
The Audi R8 is like the Swiss Army knife of supercars: versatile, capable, and always ready for action. With its all-wheel-drive system and mid-engine layout, the R8 delivers handling that’s as secure as it is exhilarating. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or attacking a mountain pass, the R8’s handling is confidence-inspiring. It’s a car that feels planted in any situation, making it a favorite among those who want supercar performance with everyday usability.
11 Cars that are Known for Breaking Down Regularly
No car company wants to deliver a dud. However, even though companies try their best to deliver excellent cars, some cars turn out to be lemons, breaking down frequently. This creates problems for both the consumer and the manufacturer.
11 Cars that are Known for Breaking Down Regularly
