The best overall lightweight sports car in 2027 is the Mazda MX-5 Miata: Mazda USA lists 2,366 lb with the manual, 181 hp and a 2026 starting price of $30,730 before a $1,315 destination charge. The best value is the Toyota GR86 at $31,500 for the 2027 model with 228 hp and a listed 2,811 lb. The lightest car here is the three-wheel Morgan Super 3 at 1,400 lb dry, from $53,937.98. Every weight and price is the maker's own, with the model year named.
3,486 lb for the 2026 Z Sport with the manual and 3,549 lb with the automatic, per Nissan's press kit; the heaviest pick here
Buyers who want 400 hp and a manual at $42,970
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Best value
Toyota GR86
Lightest
Morgan Super 3
Best with a hard roof
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Most power
Nissan Z
Best all-wheel drive
Toyota GR Corolla
The ranking
1
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Answrs VerdictLightest mainstream car.
Curb weight: 2,366 lb with the manual transmission and 2,405 lb for the Grand Touring with the 6-speed automatic, per Mazda USAStarting MSRP: $30,730 for the 2026 Miata Sport; Club is $34,230 and Grand Touring is $36,030; Mazda says MSRP excludes a $1,315 destination chargePower: 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinderMaker wording: Mazda calls it "a lightweight sports car" on its own page
Mazda USA lists the 2026 MX-5 Miata at 2,366 lb with the manual transmission and 2,405 lb for the Grand Touring automatic. The Sport starts at $30,730, the Club at $34,230 and the Grand Touring at $36,030, before a $1,315 destination charge. A 2.0-liter four makes 181 hp and 151 lb-ft, and Mazda calls the car a lightweight sports car.
Go ifDrivers who want the lowest listed curb weight of any four-wheel pick here, 2,366 lb, for $30,730
Skip ifYou want a fixed roof; Mazda sells that as the RF, which lists 2,467 lb
Why #1 over #2: It lists 2,366 lb from $30,730, lighter than the GR86's 2,811 lb and priced below its $31,500.
2
Toyota GR86
Answrs VerdictBest-value coupe.
Curb weight: 2,811 lb for the 2027 GR86 with the 6-speed manual and 2,833 lb for the GR86 Premium, per Toyota's full specs pageStarting MSRP: $31,500 for the 2027 GR86; the GR86 Premium is $34,400; Toyota's page does not say whether destination is includedPower: 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from a 2.4L four-cylinder boxer engineDrivetrain: Rear-wheel drive; Toyota says it combines lightweight agility, tight cornering and rear-wheel-drive thrills
Toyota's 2027 GR86 starts at $31,500 and the Premium at $34,400. Its full specs page lists 2,811 lb for the GR86 and 2,833 lb for the Premium, both with the 6-speed manual. A 2.4L boxer four makes 228 hp and 184 lb-ft to the rear wheels. Toyota's page does not say whether destination is included.
Go ifBuyers who want a hardtop coupe with 228 hp starting at $31,500
Skip ifYou want an open roof; the GR86 is a coupe
Why #2 over #3: It makes 228 hp from $31,500, against 181 hp for the Miata and 228 hp from $36,140 for the BRZ.
3
Subaru BRZ
Answrs VerdictTwin of the GR86.
Curb weight: 2,842 lb with the manual and 2,886 lb with the automatic for the 2027 BRZ Limited; the tS lists 2,855 lb with the manualStarting MSRP: $36,140 for the 2027 BRZ Limited and $38,770 for the tS; Subaru says MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registrationPower: Subaru says its 2.4-liter boxer engine puts down 228 horsepowerTransmission: An automatic is optional on the Limited and not available on the tS
Subaru lists the 2027 BRZ Limited at $36,140 and the tS at $38,770, excluding destination, tax, title and registration. Curb weight is 2,842 lb with the manual and 2,886 lb with the automatic for the Limited; the tS lists 2,855 lb with the manual. Subaru says the 2.4-liter boxer puts down 228 horsepower.
Go ifDrivers who want the same 228 hp rear-drive layout as the GR86 with a Subaru badge
Skip ifPrice matters most; the BRZ starts at $36,140 against $31,500 for the GR86
Why #3 over #4: It matches the GR86's 228 hp, but starts at $36,140 against $31,500 for the GR86.
4
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
Answrs VerdictMiata with a hardtop.
Curb weight: 2,467 lb with the manual and 2,513 lb for the Grand Touring automatic, per Mazda USAStarting MSRP: $38,750 for the 2026 RF Grand Touring with the manual; the automatic is $39,720 and Club starts at $42,200; Mazda says MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees and a $1,315 destination chargePower: 181 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, the same as the soft topRoof: A retractable hardtop operated by a switch in the center console that retracts into a dedicated compartment
The 2026 MX-5 Miata RF has a retractable hardtop that retracts into its own compartment. Mazda USA lists 2,467 lb with the manual and 2,513 lb for the Grand Touring automatic, with the manual Grand Touring at $38,750 and Club from $42,200, before a $1,315 destination charge. Power is 181 hp, the same as the soft top.
Go ifBuyers who want a Miata with a hard roof and are fine with 2,467 lb
Skip ifYou want the lowest weight and price; the soft top lists 2,366 lb from $30,730
Why #4 over #5: It adds a hardtop at 2,467 lb, still lighter than the Civic Type R's 3,188 lb.
5
Morgan Plus Four
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictHand-built roadster.
Curb weight: 2,233 lb, which Morgan USA lists as dry weight rather than curb weightStarting MSRP: $92,995 from; Morgan USA says it excludes sales tax and destination charges, and its page does not state a model yearPower: 255bhp at 4400 rpmPrice list: Morgan USA links a 2026 Plus Four price list for the United States
Morgan USA lists the Plus Four from $92,995, excluding sales tax and destination, and gives 2,233 lb as a dry weight with 255bhp at 4400 rpm. Its page does not state a model year, and a 2026 U.S. price list is linked. Because dry weight leaves out fluids, it is not directly comparable with the curb weights above.
Go ifBuyers who want a hand-built open Morgan roadster at 2,233 lb
Skip ifYou need a true curb weight; Morgan lists only dry weight, which excludes fluids
Why #5 over #6: It is a hand-built open Morgan at 2,233 lb, where the Supersport is listed at 2,520 lb and $119,995.
6
Morgan Super 3
Answrs VerdictLightest here.
Curb weight: 1,400 lb, which Morgan USA lists as dry weight; the lowest figure on this listStarting MSRP: $53,937.98 from; Morgan USA says it excludes sales tax and destination chargesPower: 118 bhp from a 1,432cc three-cylinder engine with a five-speed manualLayout: Three wheels, with power sent straight to the single rear wheel; Morgan calls it a three wheeled Morgan
Morgan USA lists the Super 3 at a dry 1,400 lb from $53,937.98, excluding sales tax and destination. Its spec sheet gives 118 bhp from a 1,432cc three-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual, and Morgan says power goes straight to the single rear wheel of this three wheeled Morgan.
Go ifAnyone who wants the lightest car here, 1,400 lb, and accepts three wheels
Skip ifYou want four wheels; the Super 3 has a single rear wheel
Why #6 over #7: It is the lightest here at 1,400 lb and costs $53,937.98, against $92,995 for the Plus Four.
7
Morgan Supersport
Answrs VerdictPriciest Morgan here.
Curb weight: 2,520 lb, listed by Morgan USA as pending final certificationStarting MSRP: $119,995 from; Morgan USA says it excludes sales tax and destination chargesPower: 255bhp at 4400 rpm
Morgan USA lists the Supersport from $119,995, excluding sales tax and destination, at 2,520 lb with the note that the weight is pending final certification. Power is 255bhp at 4400 rpm, the same output as the Plus Four.
Go ifBuyers who want a Morgan with the Plus Four's 255bhp at 2,520 lb
Skip ifYou want a certified weight; Morgan marks this one pending
Why #7 over #8: It lists 2,520 lb with 255bhp, lighter than the Civic Type R at 3,188 lb, though Morgan marks its weight as pending.
8
Honda Civic Type R
Answrs VerdictMost power per dollar.
Curb weight: 3,188 lb for the 2026 Civic Type R, with a 62/38 front/rear weight distribution, per Honda NewsStarting MSRP: $46,895 for the 2026 Type R with the 6-speed manual per Honda's January 6, 2026 release; Honda says the price excludes a $1,195 destination chargePower: 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed manual and rev-match controlWheelbase: 107.7 inches
Honda News lists the 2026 Civic Type R at 3,188 lb with a 62/38 front/rear weight distribution, 315 hp, 310 lb-ft and a 6-speed manual with rev-match control. Honda's January 6, 2026 release lists the manual at $46,895, excluding a $1,195 destination charge.
Go ifBuyers who want 315 hp and a four-door hatchback body
Skip ifYou want the lowest weight; it lists 3,188 lb, well above the 2,366 lb Miata
Why #8 over #9: It makes 315 hp at 3,188 lb, against 300 hp at 3,296 lb for the GR Corolla.
9
Toyota GR Corolla
Answrs VerdictAWD hot hatch.
Curb weight: 3,296 lb for the 2026 GR Corolla and 3,303 lb for the GR Corolla Premium Plus, per Toyota's full specs pageStarting MSRP: $40,520 for the 2026 GR Corolla per Toyota; the page does not say whether destination is includedPower: 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6L three-cylinder turboDrivetrain: All-wheel drive with a manual transmission on both trims
Toyota lists the 2026 GR Corolla at 3,296 lb, and 3,303 lb for the Premium Plus, from $40,520, with 300 hp and 295 lb-ft from a 1.6L three-cylinder turbo and all-wheel drive. Toyota's page does not say whether destination is included.
Go ifDrivers who want all-wheel drive and 300 hp from a three-cylinder turbo
Skip ifYou want the lightest car; it lists 3,296 lb
Why #9 over #10: It lists 3,296 lb and all-wheel drive, against 3,486 lb for the Nissan Z.
10
Nissan Z
Answrs VerdictMost power, most weight.
Curb weight: 3,486 lb for the 2026 Z Sport with the manual and 3,549 lb with the automatic, per Nissan's press kit; the heaviest pick hereStarting MSRP: $42,970 for the 2026 Z Sport and $52,970 for the Performance; Nissan says MSRP excludes tax, title, license and a $1,295 destination chargePower: 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Sport and Performance; the NISMO makes 420 hpTransmission: A 6-speed manual on the Sport and Performance; the NISMO uses a 9-speed automatic
Nissan's 2026 Z press kit lists 3,486 lb for the Sport with the manual and 3,549 lb with the automatic. The Sport is $42,970 and the Performance $52,970, excluding tax, title, license and a $1,295 destination charge, with 400 hp and 350 lb-ft; the NISMO makes 420 hp.
Go ifBuyers who want 400 hp and a manual at $42,970
Skip ifWeight matters; at 3,486 lb it is heaviest on this list
How we ranked these
We started from the earlier Top 10 Lightweight Sports Cars list and kept the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, which have U.S. maker pages with weight and price. The Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster were replaced because Porsche's U.S. 718 page lists only the 718 Spyder RS as unavailable for order and we found no current U.S. price or spec there. The Lotus Emira has no curb weight on its U.S. pages, the Corvette page lists none either, BMW says Z4 production ends in March 2026, and we found no U.S. maker page for the Alpine or Fiat Spider from the earlier list. Replacements are the Miata RF, three Morgan models, the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla and Nissan Z. Ranking is our editorial judgment of light weight against price. Weights are each maker's own; Morgan lists dry weight and marks the Supersport as pending certification. Prices are starting MSRP with the model year named. Five picks also appear on our /cars/best-sports-cars-2027/ list: the Miata, GR86, BRZ, Civic Type R and Nissan Z. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best lightweight sports car in 2027?
On our ranking, the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Mazda USA lists the 2026 Miata at 2,366 lb with the manual and from $30,730 before a $1,315 destination charge, with 181 hp.
What is the best value lightweight sports car?
The Toyota GR86. The 2027 GR86 starts at $31,500 with 228 hp and a listed 2,811 lb curb weight with the manual, per Toyota. The 2026 Miata Sport is $30,730 before destination.
What is the lightest car on this list?
The Morgan Super 3 at 1,400 lb dry weight, a three-wheeler from $53,937.98 per Morgan USA. The lightest four-wheel pick with a listed curb weight is the Mazda MX-5 Miata at 2,366 lb; Morgan lists the Plus Four at a dry 2,233 lb.
How much does a Mazda MX-5 Miata weigh?
Mazda USA lists 2,366 lb with the manual and 2,405 lb for the Grand Touring automatic. The RF hardtop lists 2,467 lb with the manual and 2,513 lb for the Grand Touring automatic.
Weight of each pick, lb (curb weight; Morgan lists dry weight) at a glance
Morgan Super 31,400 lb
Morgan Plus Four2,233 lb
Mazda MX-5 Miata2,366 lb
Mazda MX-5 Miata RF2,467 lb
Morgan Supersport2,520 lb
Toyota GR862,811 lb
Subaru BRZ2,842 lb
Honda Civic Type R3,188 lb
Toyota GR Corolla3,296 lb
Nissan Z3,486 lb
Weight of each pick, lb (curb weight; Morgan lists dry weight), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
