The 1991 Acura NSX is the best sports car of 1991, with the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 at #2 and the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo at #3. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the best value: US$13,995 for the base model at US launch.
200 bhp (149 kW) from the turbocharged 2.0 L 3S-GTE (US)
Mid-engine turbo balance in a two-seater
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1991 Acura NSX (NA1)
Best value
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)
Most power
1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4)
Best all-weather
1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
Best racing pedigree
1991 BMW M3 (E30)
The ranking
1
1991 Acura NSX (NA1)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe benchmark sports car of 1991.
Horsepower: 270 hp (274 PS) from the 3.0 L C30A VTEC V6 (manual cars before the 1997 update)Chassis: The first production car with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque, saving nearly 200 kg (441 lb) over steel in the body aloneEngine first: The world’s first production car engine with titanium connecting rodsPrice: $61,000 for the NSX in an AutoWeek comparison test against the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4Target: Built to meet or beat the Ferrari 328 and 348 while offering superior reliability and a lower priceNorth America: Sold under the Acura brand starting in November 1990
The NSX was the first production car with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque, and its 3.0 L C30A VTEC V6 made 270 hp with the world’s first titanium connecting rods in a production car engine. Honda built it to match the Ferrari 328 and 348 with better reliability and a lower price, and Acura began selling it in North America in November 1990.
Go ifBuyers who want exotic mid-engine performance with Honda engineering
Skip ifYou need four seats or a low price (AutoWeek’s test NSX cost $61,000)
Why #1 over #2: Its aluminium chassis and titanium-rod VTEC engine broke more new ground than the ZR-1’s bigger V8.
2
1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4)
Photo: MrWalkr / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most powerful car on this list.
Horsepower: 375 hp (280 kW) from the LT5 V8Engine: Lotus-designed 5.7-liter DOHC 32-valve aluminum-block LT5 V8, assembled by Mercury MarinePerformance: Road & Track: 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a tested top speed of 179 mph (288 km/h)1991 change: 1991 Corvettes got the convex rear fascia and square taillights, while the ZR1 kept its third brake light above the rear windowProduction: 6,939 ZR1 models built over six model years
The ZR-1’s Lotus-designed LT5 was a 5.7-liter DOHC 32-valve aluminum V8 making 375 hp, assembled by Mercury Marine. Road & Track ran 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and recorded 179 mph. For 1991 the base Corvette adopted its rear styling, and 6,939 ZR1s were built in all.
Go ifTop speed and big-V8 power from a US-built sports car
Skip ifYou want the ZR1 to stand out (1991 base Corvettes got its rear styling)
Why #2 over #3: Its 375 hp LT5 tops the 300ZX Twin Turbo’s 300 bhp.
3
1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32)
Photo: Cjp24 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe award-winning twin turbo.
Horsepower: 300 bhp (224 kW) from the twin-turbo VG30DETT 3.0 L V6Ten Best: On Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for seven consecutive years, every model year it was sold in the USAward: Motor Trend’s 1990 Import Car of the YearSteering: Turbo cars had Super HICAS four-wheel steering and two-mode adjustable suspensionTop speed: Governed to 155 mph (249 km/h)
The Z32 Twin Turbo used a VG30DETT V6 with 300 bhp, plus Super HICAS four-wheel steering and two-mode suspension. Motor Trend named it 1990 Import Car of the Year, and it made Car and Driver’s Ten Best list for seven consecutive years.
Go ifA twin-turbo grand tourer with a long awards record
Skip ifYou want an unrestricted top speed (it was governed to 155 mph)
Why #3 over #4: Its 300 bhp beats the Carrera 2’s 247 hp, and its Ten Best run spans every US model year.
4
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe air-cooled classic.
Horsepower: 247 hp (250 PS) at 6,100 rpm from the 3.6 L M64 flat-sixNew car: Considered 85% new versus the Carrera 3.2; the rear-drive Carrera 2 joined the range in 1990911 firsts: Power steering and ABS were standard on a 911 for the first time, and coil springs replaced torsion barsPerformance: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds (manual); top speed 260 km/h (162 mph)Weight: 1,375 kg (3,031 lb) for the Carrera 2 (DIN)
The 964 was considered 85% new over the Carrera 3.2. Its 3.6 L M64 flat-six made 247 hp, and power steering, ABS and coil springs came to the 911 for the first time. A manual Carrera 2 ran 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and topped out at 162 mph.
Go ifA classic air-cooled 911 with modern brakes and steering
Skip ifYou want the most power here (247 hp trails the turbo cars)
Why #4 over #5: It brought ABS, power steering and coil springs to the 911 for the first time, a bigger milestone than the 3000GT’s.
5
1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe all-wheel-drive tech showcase.
Horsepower: 300 hp (224 kW) at 5,500 rpm from a twin-turbo 3.0 L DOHC V6Price: $34,423 for the 1991 3000GT VR-4 in an AutoWeek comparison testTest result: AutoWeek: 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, beating the $61,000 Acura NSX’s 5.3 secondsTechnology: Full-time all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and an Active Aero Control System with automatic front and rear spoilersProduction: Approximately 86,151 3000GTs built
The VR-4 combined a 300 hp twin-turbo V6 with full-time all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and active aerodynamics. In an AutoWeek test, the $34,423 1991 VR-4 hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, ahead of the $61,000 NSX.
Go ifAll-weather twin-turbo speed with four seats
Skip ifYou want rear-wheel drive (it is front-engine with all-wheel drive)
Why #5 over #6: Its 300 hp and all-wheel drive give far more performance than the Miata’s 115 bhp.
6
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value of 1991.
Horsepower: 115 bhp (86 kW) from a 1.6 L DOHC fourPrice: US$13,995 for the base model at US launchWeight: 980 kg (2,160 lb) without optionsChassis: Double-wishbone suspension at all four wheels and four-wheel disc brakesLegacy: The MX-5 has become the world’s best-selling sports car
The NA Miata used a 1.6 L DOHC four with 115 bhp, double wishbones at all four corners and four-wheel disc brakes, and weighed 980 kg without options. The base model cost US$13,995 at US launch, and the MX-5 has become the world’s best-selling sports car.
Go ifAffordable open-top fun in a light roadster
Skip ifYou want straight-line speed (115 bhp is the lowest here)
Why #6 over #7: Its US$13,995 launch price makes it the value pick over the RX-7.
7
1991 Mazda RX-7 Turbo (FC)
Photo: Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary pick.
Horsepower: 200 hp (149 kW) for the Series 5 Turbo (1989–1992); 205 PS in Japan after the Series 5 faceliftEngine: 13B rotary with a twin-scroll turbocharger and an air-to-air intercoolerJapan: Only the turbocharged engine was offered in the Japanese market1991 edition: The Winning Limited, 1,000 units released in September 1991 to mark the Mazda 787B’s Le Mans winRacing: The RX-7 took the IMSA GTO Championship in 1991
The Series 5 RX-7 Turbo was rated at 200 hp from a 13B rotary with a twin-scroll turbo and intercooler. In Japan only the turbo engine was offered, and the 1,000-unit Winning Limited arrived in September 1991. The RX-7 also took the 1991 IMSA GTO Championship.
Go ifRotary-engine character in a turbo coupe
Skip ifYou want a piston engine
Why #7 over #8: Its 200 hp turbo rotary out-powers the E30 M3’s 192 hp.
8
1991 BMW M3 (E30)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe touring-car legend.
Horsepower: 192 hp (143 kW; 195 PS) with a catalytic converter; 197 hp withoutFinal year: Production ran from March 1986 to June 1991Purpose: A homologation special for DTM and Group A touring car racingProduction: 17,970 E30 M3s builtRacing: Won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994
The E30 M3 was built as a homologation special for DTM and Group A racing, with 192 hp in catalytic-converter form. Production ended in June 1991 after 17,970 cars, and it won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994.
Go ifA four-cylinder touring car legend in its last year
Skip ifYou want a six-cylinder or turbo engine
Why #8 over #9: Its touring-car record, including the 1991 24 Hours Nürburgring, outweighs the Supra’s.
9
1991 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe turbo six grand tourer.
Horsepower: 231 hp (172 kW) from the turbocharged 7M-GTE six as introduced; 1989 changes added 2 hp1991 changes: Five-spoke 16-inch wheels and the oval Toyota logo in place of the front Supra emblemJapan: The JZA70 got a 2.5-litre 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo rated at 276 hpChassis: Double wishbone suspension front and rearRoof: A targa top was offered in all model years
The A70 Supra Turbo used the 7M-GTE six, rated at 231 hp as introduced, with double wishbone suspension front and rear and an available targa top. For 1991 it got five-spoke 16-inch wheels and the oval Toyota logo, while the Japanese JZA70 used a 276 hp 2.5-litre 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo.
Go ifA rear-drive turbo six with a targa option
Skip ifYou want a mid-engine car
Why #9 over #10: Its 231 hp turbo six beats the MR2 Turbo’s 200 bhp.
10
1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo (SW20)
Photo: Rutger van der Maar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mid-engine turbo.
Horsepower: 200 bhp (149 kW) from the turbocharged 2.0 L 3S-GTE (US)Arrival: The second generation reached North America in early 1990 as a 1991 modelPerformance: US MR2 Turbo: 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.7 secondsHandling: Suspension, tires and power steering were changed for 1993 after reports of snap-oversteerStyling: Some called it a “baby Ferrari” for design cues like the Ferrari 348
The SW20 MR2 reached North America in early 1990 as a 1991 model, and the US Turbo’s 3S-GTE made 200 bhp. It ran 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds; Toyota revised the suspension, tires and steering for 1993 after reports of snap-oversteer.
Go ifMid-engine turbo balance in a two-seater
Skip ifYou want the later handling changes (made for 1993)
How we ranked these
We ranked each 1991 car on period performance, engineering significance and lasting reputation, using each model’s documented specs, test results and history: the technology leaders first, then the turbo grand tourers and lighter sports cars. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 1991?
The Acura NSX. It was the first production car with an all-aluminium semi-monocoque, and its 3.0 L VTEC V6 made 270 hp with titanium connecting rods.
Which 1991 sports car was the best value?
The Mazda MX-5 Miata. The base model cost US$13,995 at US launch and weighed 980 kg without options.
What was the fastest sports car of 1991?
Of these ten, the Corvette ZR-1. Road & Track recorded a top speed of 179 mph, and its LT5 V8 made 375 hp.
Was the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 quicker than the Acura NSX?
In an AutoWeek comparison test, the $34,423 3000GT VR-4 reached 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, beating the $61,000 NSX’s 5.3 seconds.
Horsepower as published (Supra: as introduced) at a glance
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA)115 hp
1991 BMW M3 (E30)192 hp
1991 Mazda RX-7 Turbo (FC)200 hp
1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo (SW20)200 hp
1991 Toyota Supra Turbo (A70)231 hp
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964)247 hp
1991 Acura NSX (NA1)270 hp
1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (Z32)300 hp
1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4300 hp
1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (C4)375 hp
Horsepower as published (Supra: as introduced), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
