In an unprecedented year that saw multiple industries grind to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic, the auto industry still managed to roll out some tasty dishes for the public. The sports car scene, in particular, excelled in 2020, buoyed in part by these ten models identified as the best of their kind in 2020.

The task of picking out just ten models proved more complicated than could have ever been thought, but that's largely a product of too many worthy choices. But these ten stood out for all the reasons that make sports cars great. They're fast, powerful, fun to drive, and much more affordable than going the exotic car route. It doesn't hurt that all these models are lookers, too.

Sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche will always be found on a list of great sports cars, no matter what year is being discussed. However, those are not the only two good options within the segment. Even though the demand for two-seat sports cars is not as high as you might think, they are coveted by a select few.

Those few keep the car industry moving forward, trying to improve the design while taking over more than just a corner of the market. As of yet, there are no true winners or losers when it comes to a viable 2020 sports car, so let's take a look at a few that might interest you so a choice can be made and research can be done.

Updated on April 10, 2023: 2020 has come and gone, but some great sports cars were still produced for the model year. The only difference is that instead of looking at them from a new car perspective, they will be used cars that must be checked before buying. No point in not refreshing and adding to the list, though, so the original five models are still here, with five more added on that you may not have considered before.

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10 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8: The True American Sports Car

For historical and legacy purposes, the C8's status as the first-ever mid-engine Corvette is enough to make it one of the year's most-talked-about sports cars. But the 'Vette C8 didn't make it in this list specifically because of that reason. The C8 is here because it's more than just a historical Corvette; it's also a monster on the road.

As a sports car, the Corvette C8 checks all the boxes of a proper sports car. But what takes it to another level is its ability to play Dr. Jekyll as well as it does Mr. Hyde. It can be smooth and civilized around town if you're not going all-out in the Corvette C8. More potent versions like the ZR1 will probably shed the civilian clothing, but base levels and those equipped with the Z51 package thrive in having dual personalities.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 specifications

9 2020 BMW M2: The Sports Car Made For Luxury Lovers

The 2020 BMW M2 features everything that makes BMW what it is as an automaker and wraps it all up in one relatively affordable package. You'll get no complaints from its manic 405-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine. Throw in a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, a throaty exhaust, and the dynamic suspension of a legitimate M car, and it's not an exaggeration to say that the BMW M2 offers the best of what a BMW M car is all about.

The 2020 M2 isn't without its flaws — the rear seats don't offer enough space for adults — but there aren't many sports cars today that you can claim to be perfect. For the money you're spending — the BMW M2 starts at $58,900 — the M2 is arguably the best M car in the market today.

BMW M2 specifications

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8 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman: A Sports Car For All Ages

If you're after the pure enjoyment of driving a sports car, the 718 Cayman is one of the best ones in the market today. You can choose among three different engines offering four different states of power, as well as a long package menu that addresses anything from aesthetic, aerodynamic, and performance needs. You can do a host of different things with a 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman that won't lead to you filing for bankruptcy.

The Porsche 718 Cayman is one of the best rear-wheel-drive sports cars in the market. It's incredibly agile for a vehicle that sits at the bottom of Porsche's lineup. It's responsive on the road, particularly on twisty corners. It accelerates like a dream, too, thanks partly to Porsche's world-famous PDK automatic transmission. It can also sustain high-end speeds without you feeling uncomfortable about it.

Porsche 718 Cayman specifications

7 2020 Lexus LC: An Underrated Luxury Sports Car

When it comes to the most underrated sports cars in the market today, the Lexus LC is one of the first models thought of. For starters, it boasts a powerful 5.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That equates to a lot of fun on the open road. Speaking of which, the open road is where the LC really turns it up. It's not just fast, but it can switch its driving characteristics from lively to refined (and vice versa) depending on what you want to get out of it.

You're not compromising the overall driving experience because Lexus set the LC up to behave like a proper grand tourer. The 2020 Lexus LC is sporty and luxurious at the same time without one element overshadowing the other. It really is one of the most well-balanced sports cars in the market and deserving of its place on this list.

Lexus LC specifications

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6 2020 Toyota Supra: An Affordable Daily Driver Sports Car

Let's be honest. The Toyota Supra was a bit of a letdown when it first came out in 2019. Fast forward to 2020, and it's a different story altogether. This year, Toyota raised the output of the Supra's 3.0-liter engine from 335 horsepower to 382 horsepower and from 365 pound-feet of torque to 369 pound-feet of torque. It also added four exhaust headers for the 21MY Supra on top of returning the suspension to include new bump stops that effectively reduce the potential for the Supra to oversteer.

The Supra's interior is a bit of a surprise, too, especially for a car that's supposed to be a cheaper alternative to the European sports car contingent. The 2020 Toyota Supra boasts an interior dressed in high-end materials with metal accents and padded upholstery contributing largely to its refined look. Soft plastic is still scattered in the interior, but Toyota Supra lovers made peace with that long ago.

Toyota Supra specifications

5 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Royalty Of Affordable Sports Cars

One of the most affordable sports cars on the market is the Mazda Miata. The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata gives a few trim level options, with the sport version being the lowest and the 100th Anniversary Edition Miata being the best. However, they all come standard with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that can push out 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

This may not seem like a lot, but when talking about a sports car, all that is really needed is excellent handling and acceleration when coming out of a sharp corner, which the MX-5 Miata has. Even though a manual transmission is standard, getting a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel was an option for smoother high-revving shifts.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Specifications

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4 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT: A Rare Sports Car With V-8 Power

Most performance car enthusiasts are all too familiar with the in-house group of adrenaline lovers that take Mercedes-Benz cars to the next level. The AMG group has created something new for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG; the GT version that offers a turbocharged 4.0L V-8 under the hood.

The basic 2020 AMG GT is the one that will be found most often because the two high-end trim levels, the GT-C and GT-R, were advanced versions of the car designed for the track. As such, they had limited production numbers. The one awesome thing about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-C is that it has rear steering and is a power option between the other two variants.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Specifications

3 2020 Audi TT: An Underappreciated Modern Sports Car

Audi is not generally a brand that people look for when wanting to check out a cool sports car, but the 2020 Audi TT and its variations will change minds in a hurry. The main problem with the TT is that its unique design is not truly sporty or luxurious but a combination of both.

That is why consumers either love or hate the Audi TT, all based on eye appeal. Under the hood, though, can be found a turbocharged four-cylinder that can get up and go when accelerating out of a corner or from a standstill. It is definitely not the quickest sports car of 2020, but it is one of the most understated, inside and out.

Audi TT Specifications

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2 2020 Acura NSX: Is A Luxury Car In Design, But A Sports Car In Production

The top subject today for consumers around the world is the switch over to hybrid cars and trucks and then all the way over to all-electric vehicles that do not put off any of the harmful carbon emissions that the ICE versions do. The 2020 Acura NSX came ahead of the big push by a year or two by offering a hybrid system with one motor in the back to work in tandem with the 3.5L turbocharged V-6 and two motors on the front to drive the front tires.

This makes the NSX one of the few all-wheel-drive sports cars on the market in 2020. Acceleration is not a problem for this modern beast, and since the interior is so luxurious and user-friendly, the car is marketed as a luxury car but bought as a sports car.

Acura NSX Specifications

1 2020 Nissan GT-R: A Modern Sports Car Dinosaur

The 2020 Nissan GT-R does not look much different from previous years because the carmaker has decided not to modernize it. This gives it the reputation of being a dinosaur in the world of modern cars, but once you climb behind the wheel and give it some gas, all the thoughts of an old car that needs to be refreshed will disappear.

The acceleration is a neck lurching 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60, and if it is not limited to 155 mph, it can go up to 196 mph. The best thing about the Nissan GT-R is that it has a Track Edition and a NISMO, which gives you even more bang for your buck.

Nissan GT-R Specifications