It has come to my attention, primarily via repeated requests from law enforcement officials and clergypersons, that we make an effort to define what a “sports car” is as definitively as possible. There’s just been too many fights, too many families torn asunder because of a collective inability to agree on an acceptable taxonomy of this category of automobile. They’re right. For far too long we’ve been talking about this very important category of car in the most vague and confusing terms, and we need to solve this problem.
I think most people, even people not particularly interested in cars (fools whom I, with Mr.T-like compassion, pity), have some image that pops into their head when they think of the general category of “sports car.” It’s usually something fast, loud, sleek, and often, red. And while all of those can be properties of what we’d consider a sports car, the truth is a lot more nuanced.
Just in case you don’t believe this is a grave issue threatening the foundations of our society, allow me to direct you to this clip from the long-running animated show Family Guy that I happened to see somewhere online and got me thinking about this issue:
Now, this clip, a bit of well-known popular media that has been shared countless times, does manage to encapsulate the basic issue: people seem to have very different ideas of what a “sports car” is. For the record, I think Peter is completely wrong here; a Miata is a sports car, and I’ll outline why soon. I mean, Peter’s an idiot, but we all knew that.
With that in mind, let’s try to get some clarity here. We’ll start with the broad strokes:
An Overarching Definition of a Sports Car
A “sports car” is an automobile designed and intended to provide an engaging on-road driving experience while performing duties of general transportation. A sports car has two-doors and no rear seat, or at most a minimal/occasional back seat. Any drivetrain layout (front, mid, rear, RWD, FWD, AWD, transverse, longitudinal, etc) is acceptable for all sports car subcategories unless otherwise noted.
Overall speed is not necessarily a requirement, but the car must have as its primary purpose to be engaging and pleasurable to drive via some combination of its design and engineering. The type of drivetrain is not relevant, nor is the power source (electric, gasoline, steam, whatever is fine) but the car’s intent must be one that centers the joys of driving for its own sake.
I think that covers the essence of why sports cars exist. They’re not about fast, necessarily, but they are about fun.
That said, there are a number of sub-categories of sports car, and I think the differences in these sub-categories are what have caused the most confusion for people, who are quick to assume that one category defines the entire genre. This is not so. Everything that follows is a type of sports car:
Fundamental:
These are sort of the closest to the platonic ideal of a sports car that most people conjure up when they hear the words. These are, like all sports cars, two-door cars, primarily two-seaters, usually hardtops (but can have a convertible version), may have any engine location, and their size varies, but they’re not too small. They have dramatic styling, usually of a traditional sports car look, sleek and low and with a long hood and a short rear deck. Practicality is not a significant concern, but these can be daily driven without too many compromises.
Examples: Jaguar E-Type, Corvette, Audi TT, Datsun Z, Porsche 911/356/928, Acura NSX, Ferrari 328 GTS, Lotus Esprit
Roadster:
Perhaps the first true category of sports car. Quite small, open-topped (though fixed-roof variants can fit in), power is less important than the overall handling and driving experience, which leverages the small size and light weight to create a very visceral and connected experience. Sometimes the power can be comically low, like how a Bugeye Sprite makes only 43 horsepower.
Examples: 1898 Bollée, Mazda Miata, Toyota MR-2, Porsche Boxster, Speedster, 914, MGB, Austin-Healey Sprite/3000, Triumph Spitfire/TR series, Crosley Hot Shot
Hot Hatch/Hot Mods:
Cars that started as some other category (economy hatchback, family car, etc) or were designed with more practicality/utility but have upgraded performance and a driving enjoyment focus. These are the only category that did not start as a sports car from the initial design stage.
Examples: VW Golf GTI, Dodge Omni GLH, VW Scirocco, Renault R5 Turbo, Hyundai Veloster, Mini Cooper, Chevy Corvair Monza
Muscle Car/Pony Car:
I know some groups make distinctions between Pony and Muscle cars, but I think they’re part of the same basic category. The main focus is on power, large engines (especially V8s but not exclusively), lots of noise and drama, straight-line performance over handling. Almost always RWD, at home peeling out of a Dairy Queen parking lot.
Examples: Camaro, Firebird, Corvette, AMC AMX, GTO, Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger, Ford Falcon (Aussie)
GT Car (with a Shooting Brake sub-subcategory):
These are fast cars designed primarily for long, high-speed cruising. A GT car is more comfortable and well-appointed than an average sports car, has an actually usable back seat, decent cargo-holding ability, and this category includes Shooting Brakes, those two-door sporty-intended station wagons.
Examples: Jensen Interceptor, Citroën SM, Aston Martin DB series, Buick GNX, Reliant Scimitar GTE, Facel-Vega, Nissan GTR
Supercar:
These are the flashiest prima donnas of the sports car world, and, ironically, are probably the least likely to actually be driven. They have exotic engineering, dramatic styling, are wildly expensive, attention-grabbing, and generally have ridiculous doors that prioritize drama over usability. High power, high status, high visibility, and the lowest day-to-day usability of any sports car.
Examples: Ford GT, most Lamborghinis, most Ferraris, Pagonis, Spykers, Aston Martin Vanquish
Close, But Not Quite
Sporty Car:
That “y” is doing a lot of work here. Sporty cars have much of the look and feel of a sports car, but without the engineering to make them perform in genuine sports car ways. The best-known example of these Sporty Cars may be the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia; it looked like a sleek little sports car, but was just a Beetle under the skin, which VW played up in ads:
Really, that ad sums this category up pretty well. And it’s not a bad thing! These cars can be delightful and appreciated! They can also be modified to become true sports cars with aftermarket parts or modifications, so I think there is some class mobility possible here.
Examples: Toyota Paseo, VW Eos, VW Karmann-Ghia, Toyota Sera, Nissan Figaro, Mercury Capri (later one), Triumph Stag, Chevy Monza
Track car/Actual Racing car
Because their primary purpose no longer includes basic transportation or on-public-road use, these are not in the sports car category. Once it has enough track-focused modifications (roll cage, stripped interior, race exhaust, etc) these cars become track-only beasts, and are a different category.
Personal Luxury Cars
I mostly included this one because I wasn’t quite sure what to do with Thunderbirds or Toronados and similar cars. They’re not quite driving-pleasure-focused enough to be GT cars, but that’s what they’re closest to, I think. The focus of these cars seems to be comfort and style, so that keeps them out of the sports car category.
Sports Sedans
If it has four doors, I think it needs to be something other than a sports car. So while all those BMW M5s or those Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class sedans may be as fast and fun to drive and capable as any actual sports car, I think part of the core essence of a sports car is just two doors at most, so these Sports Sedans should be in their own separate category.
Would you like these categories on a chart? I hope so, because I made one:
There! I’m glad we got all that sorted out. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there with different ideas and thoughts on this, and legally I have to leave automotive taxonomies open for public debate for three years before it gets codified into officialdom and carved into marble tablets that will be stored at the Smithsonian, so now’s your time to talk! Have at it!
My dad said that anything with a heater or roll up windows was not a sports car.
I don’t think anything substantially based on something non-sporty can be made into a sports car; it has to be intrinsic.
No hot hatches, no sport trucks or SUVs, and arguably no ‘60s muscle cars with plebeian bones.
I believe it’s pronounced shports car in this context.
Hot hatch.
I am stirring the pot and am saying that the 1983 – 1987 Dodge Charger (and Plymouth Turismo) should be slotted into the Hot Hatch section. While the Shelby editions might be comparable to a Camaro or Mustang , the volume sellers competed better against the VW Scirocco which is in this category. Plus it lines up with the Omni GLH.
When I bought my 1991 Geo Metro in 1995, one insurance company tried to charge me an exorbitant rate and said it was a sports car because it was a 2-door and had a 5-speed.
Once I explained to them that it had like 52 horsepower and it was a 3-cylinder, they agreed that it was not a sports car and adjusted my rate to something more affordable.
I had a ’93. Drove it like a sports car sometimes, but no, it was definitely not.
The Vauxhall C10 deserves more than a mention. It was sold latterly as the “Prince Henry”. It was a sporting car, it’s close relative, the 30/98 was possibly the first sports car. Able to travel at 100 mph while entertaining both driver and passengers but equally able to visit friends at home it set a very high bar indeed. The last one was built in 1915.
I think that the essence of sports car is the entertainment factor, my big Bentley is almost a sports car, it’ more GT though, getting up to date, I think that a well sorted TR 6 hits a sweet spot. Much as like the idea of TVR’s and the like, the enjoyment is often tempered by the not wanting to die thing.
So my truck has two doors, no back seat, requires full attention while driving lest I need to use the aging brakes or dodge an incoming Durango so certainly engaging…
A 1966 Chevrolet C10 is a sports car
I think the definition of sportscar should include that it is (or was when manufactured) legal to drive on the street. This rules out race cars, side-by-sides, etc.
That’s mentioned in there!
Hmm. No, I think ‘Sports Car’ is like taxi; it’s a statement of design intent and not taxonomy. That’s why it’s so hard to pin down by describing physical attributes.
What about two-door sport trucks? like the Ford Lightning, Dodge Ram SRT-10 and such.
The only category listed above that is REALLY a sportscar is the Roadster. The other categories are NOT sub-categories of the Sportscar. They are their own categories. For example, a Muscle Car is absolutely NOT a sportscar. Strictly speaking, a sportscar does not have a usable back seat, so the long-hood 911 pictured is a GT car. As much as I love hot hatches such as the GTI, they are NOT sportscars either.
Torch, you are a glutton for punishment. But, I agree with you.
So, is a dune buggy a sports car? Driving pleasure seems to be at the heart of it (or maybe fleeing sandworms). What about the Chrysler Sebring? Two doors, top drops, but I wouldn’t think sports car.
No heater, no doors, no windows, not much cargo space, noisy, leaks water, and it might kill you if you push it hard enough? Of course it’s a sports car.
I know, I get that it says it right in the name, yet I swear and still believe now I never thought of the GTR as a grand tourer. For top end GTs my mind goes Bentley right away, which is a very different type of car from a Japanese track scalpel that you can register for road use.
I feel the same way. The Grand Tourer category gets messy quickly. Though when I think of a GT car my mind immediately goes to a Porsche 911, Mercedes AMG GT, or an Aston. Not the GTR
I can agree with most of this, except a couple:
The Omni GLH violates your own overarching definition by ONLY coming as a 4 door. I don’t count small rear doors like the Veloster and RX-8.
I would never consider the Buick GNX a GT car, it’s more of a muscle car. GNs and GNXs were well known for beating up on Mustangs and Camaros on the streets when new.
My last car was an MGB. My current car is a ’73 TR6. These are both perfect sports cars for me. As far as cars go, these are the only two I’ve had since 1983.
So is a Mazda RX8 a sports sedan or a sports car? It sort of has 4 usable doors and sort of fits 3 comfortably. (4 if one of them has no legs)
I take legs now, I give you fins in two weeks.
The RZ8 is better, in fact it’s two better!
I have to disagree on hard drawing the line at 2 doors. The e36 m3 coupe and 4 door are the same car. There is no reason to discriminate against doors
another example of door-number-hegemony is some classic muscle cars like chevelles and coronets have 4-doors so must be excluded from the clade.
maybe muscle cars aren’t sports cars?
I’m sure there’s a 1 of 1 Chevelle SS454 sedan or something, but 60’s and 70’s muscle cars were pretty much exclusively 2-doors, they just happened to be related to non-muscular 4-door variants. *Australian* muscle cars on the other hand, were very frequently sedans and as per Torch, are on the table (see Aussie Falcon)
End doorscrimination!
Hot hatches fall in the same category as sorts sedans for me. They are sporty versions of something intended for a completely different purpose.
That said, I think a two Jeep CJ/wrangler would be a sports car by the basic definition. The 4-door wranglers are sports cars that were morphed into sedans.
Yeah. That definition also includes my 78 Bronco. Its even fun to drive around … Until it’s time to fill the tank again.
On the spectrum of car types the roadster must be the purest form of sports car since they’re not much good for anything else.
Also, not seeing the four doors sports car on the list. Where’s the Maxima? And the Altima wants a word.
They’re good for commuting.
If you like being rained on, sure. The other types of sports cars on this list are better choices for commuting.
Most have folding roofs these days.
Those aren’t really roadsters though.
Miatas, Boxsters, MGBs, TR 6, 7 and 8 and such aren’t roadsters?
Technically yes. As are apparently bicycles and horses:
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/roadster
But as the former owner of a TR-3 I draw a different line where the cutoff between “convertible” and “roadster”. If anything I’d say the Jeep wrangler is more roadster than a Miata.
Also, “4 Door Sports Car” is a marketing oxymoron.
It’s just a sports sedan.
Disagree. A sedan is still a car, so a sports sedan is a sports car.
No. Get out.
Pretty sure your average Altima is driven a lot more like a sports car than your average Lamborghini or Ferrari.
I once carried a lemon tree home in my Mercedes-Benz CLK Convertible – and another time a small dresser.
Is it a truck now?
Yes, by definition:
Truck (American )
Any of various forms of vehicle for carrying goods and materials, usually consisting of a single self-propelled unit but also often composed of a trailer vehicle hauled by a tractor unit.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/truck
I will agree with you on that point.
In my typology of this (yes, I’ve thought about this before), Vettes have to be from the C5 era and up to qualify as pure sports cars. Previous gens sat at the intersection of pony car and muscle car, possibly with a very slight dash of sports car.
My alternative, graphical version of the complete set of performance cars has nodes for muscle, pony, sports, and exotic. Hot hatches for instance sit between pony and sports.
Except First Gen Corvettes were not Pony/Muscle cars – they were Roadsters.
I also would not classify a C8 as a Pony/Muscle either. Hell the C8 ZR1X is a “poor mans” super car (I used quotations as it still cost like 200-250k) but holy hell is that fast and would destroy a lot of the super cars out there.
Totally. Just like how pre-s197 Mustangs were usually firmly pony cars, but the Boss 302 sits between pony and sports, and the Boss 429, between pony and muscle.
sport sedan is not on the chart.
good catch
i agree that’s the proposed category, but it’s not listed in the chart with the other close but not quite: ‘sporty cars, ‘personal luxury cars’ & ‘actual track/race cars’
My old ’83 Toyota 4X4 truck was advertised as “the sports car of trucks” by Toyota USA back in the day.
It was light, compact, had a small wheelbase, two seats, and a stick. Unloaded, it was pretty peppy with that old 22R able to deliver decent torque low down in the rev range, and it sounded like a pissed off yard tractor when the secondary throttle valve opened up.
Two things:
Would a Jeep Wrangler meet meet your definition? If so, not sure it would work…
(and speaking from past ownership experience that, personally, it very much was not built for practical transportation)
There is no joy in driving a Wrangler. There is joy in where a Wrangler can take you, but no joy in the driving of said Wrangler.
I bought mine mainly as a 4-door convertible for the family. It brought short bursts of joy from that between breakdowns. Your point is taken though, as it was excellent at beating the joy out of the experience
Offroadster
Somebody or other (apparently not Enzo Ferrari, though it’s said to be him) called the Jeep America’s only true sports car.
I have heard it called, “The last American Roadster*” because it has a windshield you can fold down.