The Consumer Guide to 2010 Sporty/Performance Cars
by Ed Piotrowski
2010 Sporty/Performance Car Lineup
 Base Price Range: $22,680-$33,745 EPA MPG Range: 16-29 Body style: 2-door coupe The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro marks the return of this General Motors division's iconic "pony car." Camaro suffers from the usual sporty-car vices of poor visibility and a somewhat claustrophobic interior. It balances that with very good power and generally civilized road manners. The V6 version is surprisingly refined, while the V8 successfully draws upon the spirit of its late-1960s ancestor. Though not head-and-shoulders better than any of its rivals (retro-flavored or otherwise), it's still worth your consideration. |
 Base Price Range: $22,735-$41,230 EPA MPG Range: 13-25 Body style: 2-door coupe The 2010 Dodge Challenger is available as a new, limited-edition "Plum Crazy" model. The rest of this retro-styled sporty car lineup sees no major changes otherwise. Challenger is not an ideal choice for those looking to save on gas, at least in V8 form. That said, Dodge's muscle machine comes off as more practical than Chevy's Camaro. The lower-priced SE and R/T models are the best choices in this lineup. |
 Base Price Range: $20,995-$51,325 EPA MPG Range: 14-26 Body Styles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible The 2010 Ford Mustang is revamped with new styling, an upgraded interior, and more V8 power. Mustang brings welcome new features and much-needed interior improvements while maintaining this storied pony car's fun-to-drive persona. The V6 offers surprisingly good performance despite being down on power when compared with most V6 sporty cars. GT versions offer invigorating V8 performance for the price of some V6-powered rivals, but they're not quite as composed or outright agile. |
 Base Price Range: $22,000-$32,000 EPA MPG Range: 17-30 Body Style: 2-door coupe The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe marks the return of a sporty car to this Korean automaker's lineup. Hyundai's first rear-wheel-drive performance car offers compelling performance at competitive prices. The rakish body shape brings with it the typical passenger- and cargo-space compromises, and the overall driving personality is not as invigorating as some class rivals. Still, among rival sporty/performance cars, the Genesis Coupe is a well-rounded machine that strikes a good balance among acceleration, affordability, ride comfort, and handling. |
 Base Price Range: $22,810-$29,350 EPA MPG Range: 21-28 Body Style: 2-door convertible The 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata is largely unchanged. This two-seat convertible offers the choice of a manual-folding soft top with a heated-glass rear window, or a power-folding hardtop. This car delivers as much driving enjoyment--if not outright power--as two-seat sports cars costing thousands more. MX-5 combines open-air driving fun with surprising practicality, including a remarkably well-engineered retractable hardtop. Some versions are a bit pricey, but resale values are strong. |
 Base Price Range: $26,495-$32,660 EPA MPG Range: 16-23 Body Style: 4-door coupe The 2010 Mazda RX-8 lineup is slightly revised. RX-8 delights for its exceptional handling ability and slick-shifting manual transmission. The rotary engine that makes this car unique is its biggest liability, however. It feels underpowered and delivers subpar fuel economy. Interior comfort also fails to impress, and somewhat lofty sticker prices further diminish this sporty car's appeal. |
 Base Price Range: $18,800-$34,000 EPA MPG Range: 23-37 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback, 3-door hatchback, 2-door convertible The 2010 Mini Cooper is largely unchanged. Minis may look like economy cars, but they're actually sporty driving machines that brim with character and are available with a dizzying array of personalizing accessories. The Base models have no surplus of power, but S and John Cooper Works versions are jackrabbit quick. All handle with the agility of sports cars that cost thousands more. Ride is a sore point on most models, as is rear-seat room on all but the Clubman. The JCW model offers the best performance but at a stiff price premium. Thus, the more reasonably priced Base and S Minis are our picks. |
 Base Price Range: $20,699-$32,599 EPA MPG Range: 16-28 Body Styles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is largely unchanged. Cramped, noisy, and difficult to see out of, Eclipse sacrifices much for the sake of style. No version possesses the handling poise of rivals that benefit from lighter weight and/or rear- or all-wheel drive. Still, Eclipse's sporty character, powerful available V6, and a convertible model hold some appeal for buyers who favor youthful exuberance over-balanced performance. |
 Base Price Range: $29,930-$41,820 EPA MPG Range: 18-26 Body Styles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible The 2010 Nissan 370Z lineup gains a new convertible body style. The hatchback is largely unchanged for 2010. Though smaller on the outside than the 350Z it replaces, the latest generation of Nissan's iconic "Z car" feels more grown up. While it's on the noisy side, its strong acceleration, potent handling, and refined interior more than make up for that deficit. It might seem expensive, but for all its performance, Base 370Z models are actually something of a bargain. The Base coupes best represent this car's attributes. Roadsters are not refined enough to justify their high price tags. Only serious driving enthusiasts need apply for the NISMO. Its handling is a notch above the standard car, but its noise and stiff ride are too overwhelming to make it useful as a daily driver. |
 Base Price Range: $17,000-$17,800 EPA MPG Range: 20-29 Body Style: 2-door hatchback The 2010 Scion tC is largely unchanged. This is a solid hatchback that combines sporty performance, surprising space, and lots of standard features--all at bargain prices--which earn it a high rating. Dealer-installed accessories provide ample scope for personalizing, but can fast inflate delivered prices. |
 Base Price Range: $31,615-$35,200 EPA MPG Range: 21-31 Body Style: 2-door convertible The 2010 Volkswagen Eos is largely unchanged. Its strengths are a comfortable ride, fine handling, and the choice of open-air driving or hardtop security. Its weaknesses include a tight rear seat and minimal cargo room. Overall, Eos bests its two main retractable-hardtop-convertible competitors. It starts several thousand dollars less than the Volvo C70 but delivers comparable performance. |
 Base Price Range: $23,290-$24,990 EPA MPG Range: 21-32 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback, 4-door hatchback The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is redesigned, with freshened exterior and interior styling. This sporty hatchback continues to be available with front-wheel drive and either 2 or 4 doors. Both body styles retain the previous model's turbocharged 200-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Transmissions also carry over and include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. |
 Base Price Range: $18,540-$26,170 EPA MPG Range: 20-29 Body Styles: 2-door hatchback, 2-door convertible The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is largely unchanged. The retro styling has its drawbacks and the 5-cylinder engine is no prize. New Beetles are entertaining and reasonably practical funmobiles. Convertibles sacrifice some of the hatchback's passenger and cargo space, but reward with a particularly expansive open-air feel. They're pricey, however. |
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