The best overall track-day car in 2027 is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Car and Driver recorded 2:34.2 for the 2026 ZR1 at VIR, the fastest in its Lightning Lap list, and Chevrolet lists the 2027 ZR1 from $198,000. The best value is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata at $30,730, and the 2027 Corvette Z06 is the cheaper way into a mid-engine car at $121,800. Prices exclude destination where the maker says so.
First-time track-day drivers who want the lowest price in this list
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2027 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Best value
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Best V8 coupe
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Best four-door
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Best hot hatch
2026 Honda Civic Type R
The ranking
1
2027 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Answrs VerdictRecord lap, record price.
Lightning Lap time: 2:34.2 for the 2026 Corvette ZR1 at VIR, the fastest in the 362-car Lightning Lap listStarting MSRP: $198,000 for the 2027 Corvette ZR1; Chevrolet says MSRP excludes destination freight chargePower: Chevrolet lists 1,064 horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 5.5-L LT7 V8
The 2026 Corvette ZR1 ran 2:34.2 at VIR, the fastest of the 362 vehicles in Car and Driver's Lightning Lap list. Chevrolet lists the 2027 ZR1 from $198,000, excluding destination freight, with 1,064 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-L V8.
Go ifDrivers who want the fastest lap time in the Car and Driver list and can pay $198,000
Skip ifYou want a track car under $100,000
Why #1 over #2: Its 2:34.2 lap is quicker than the Z06 at 2:38.6.
2
2027 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Answrs VerdictBest Corvette for the money.
Lightning Lap time: 2:38.6 for the 2023 Corvette Z06 at VIRStarting MSRP: $121,800 for the 2027 Corvette Z06; Chevrolet says MSRP excludes destination freight chargePower: Chevrolet lists 670 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 5.5-L LT6 V8 with an 8,600 rpm redlineWeight: Chevrolet lists a dry weight of 3,500 pounds for the coupe
The 2023 Corvette Z06 ran 2:38.6 at VIR. Chevrolet lists the 2027 Z06 from $121,800, excluding destination freight, with 670 horsepower and a dry weight of 3,500 pounds for the coupe.
Go ifTrack-day regulars who want a mid-engine car with a 2:38.6 lap and a price well below the ZR1
Skip ifYou need a four-seat car or a price under $100,000
Why #2 over #3: It ran 2:38.6 against 2:44.1 for the 911 GT3, at $121,800 against $235,800.
3
2027 Porsche 911 GT3
Answrs VerdictPrecise, pricey.
Lightning Lap time: 2:44.1 for the 2025 911 GT3 at VIRStarting MSRP: $235,800 for the 911 GT3; Porsche says MSRP excludes options, taxes, delivery, processing and handling feePower: Porsche lists 502 hp from the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-sixTransmissions: Porsche offers a 7-speed PDK and a 6-speed GT Sport manual
The 2025 911 GT3 ran 2:44.1 at VIR. Porsche lists the GT3 from $235,800, excluding options, taxes, delivery, processing and handling, with 502 hp and a choice of 7-speed PDK or 6-speed GT Sport manual.
Go ifDrivers who want a manual-available, naturally aspirated flat-six built for track use
Skip ifYou want the most speed per dollar; it costs $235,800
Why #3 over #4: It ran 2:44.1 against 2:47.9 for the CT5-V Blackwing.
4
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Answrs VerdictFour-door track weapon.
Lightning Lap time: 2:47.9 for the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing with Precision Package at VIR; 2:48.4 for the 2026Starting MSRP: From $98,900 for the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing on Cadillac's pagePower: Cadillac lists 668 HP from a 6.2L supercharged V8
The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing with Precision Package ran 2:47.9 at VIR, and the 2026 ran 2:48.4. Cadillac lists the 2026 CT5-V Blackwing from $98,900 with 668 HP from a supercharged 6.2L V8.
Go ifBuyers who need four doors and a 668 HP supercharged V8 for track days
Skip ifYou want a lighter, smaller track car
Why #4 over #5: It ran 2:47.9 against 2:51.2 for the Mustang Dark Horse.
5
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Answrs VerdictBest V8 for the price.
Lightning Lap time: 2:51.2 for the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse at VIRStarting MSRP: $65,080 for the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse; Ford says it excludes destination and delivery chargesPower: Ford lists a V8 engine kicking out 500 horsepower
The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse ran 2:51.2 at VIR. Ford lists the 2026 Dark Horse at $65,080, excluding destination and delivery, with a 500-horsepower V8.
Go ifTrack-day drivers who want a V8 coupe at about $65,080 before destination
Skip ifYou want a mid-engine car or the quickest lap
Why #5 over #6: It ran 2:51.2 against 2:56.2 for the Z NISMO.
6
2027 Nissan Z NISMO
Answrs VerdictNISMO brakes, manual option.
Lightning Lap time: 2:56.2 for the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO at VIRStarting MSRP: $67,260 for the 2027 Z NISMO, with no price difference between the six-speed manual and nine-speed automaticBrakes: Nissan says all 2027 Z NISMO models get GT-R-derived two-piece rotors that save 19 pounds of unsprung weight
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO ran 2:56.2 at VIR. Nissan prices the 2027 Z NISMO at $67,260 with no price difference between manual and automatic, and says it gets GT-R-derived brake rotors that save 19 pounds of unsprung weight.
Go ifDrivers who want a NISMO-tuned coupe with a manual and upgraded brakes
Skip ifYou want the fastest lap for the money; the Mustang Dark Horse was quicker
Why #6 over #7: It ran 2:56.2 against 2:58.8 for the Civic Type R.
7
2026 Honda Civic Type R
Answrs VerdictPractical track-day value.
Lightning Lap time: 2:58.8 for the 2023 Civic Type R at VIRStarting MSRP: $47,395 starting MSRP for the 2026 Civic Type R on Honda's pagePower: Honda lists a 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter VTEC engine
The 2023 Civic Type R ran 2:58.8 at VIR. Honda's page lists the 2026 Type R from $47,395 with a 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
Go ifFront-drive fans who want a practical hatchback with a proven lap time
Skip ifYou want rear-drive or a V8
Why #7 over #8: It ran 2:58.8 against 3:07.1 for the GR Corolla.
8
2026 Toyota GR Corolla
Answrs VerdictAWD hot hatch.
Lightning Lap time: 3:07.1 for the 2025 GR Corolla at VIRStarting MSRP: $40,520 base MSRP for the 2026 GR Corolla; Toyota's page does not say whether destination is includedPower: Toyota lists 300 horsepower
The 2025 GR Corolla ran 3:07.1 at VIR. Toyota lists the 2026 GR Corolla from $40,520 base MSRP, and its page does not say whether destination is included. Toyota lists 300 horsepower.
Go ifBudget track-day drivers who want all-wheel drive and 300 horsepower
Skip ifYou want the quickest lap; the Civic Type R was faster
Why #8 over #9: It ran 3:07.1 against 3:11.1 for the BRZ tS.
9
2027 Subaru BRZ tS
Answrs VerdictBalanced, brake-equipped.
Lightning Lap time: 3:11.1 for the 2024 BRZ tS at VIRStarting MSRP: $38,770 for the 2027 BRZ tS; Subaru says MSRP does not include destination and delivery chargesEquipment: Subaru lists STI-tuned sport suspension and a Brembo high-performance braking systemPower: Subaru lists a 228-hp 2.4-liter boxer engine
The 2024 BRZ tS ran 3:11.1 at VIR. Subaru lists the 2027 BRZ tS at $38,770, excluding destination and delivery, with STI-tuned sport suspension, Brembo brakes and a 228-hp engine.
Go ifBeginners who want rear-drive balance and Brembo brakes under $40,000
Skip ifYou want lap-time speed; it needs more power to match the others
Why #9 over #10: It ran 3:11.1 against 3:15.6 for the MX-5 Miata.
10
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Answrs VerdictCheapest way in.
Lightning Lap time: 3:15.6 for the 2024 MX-5 Miata Club at VIRStarting MSRP: $30,730 for the 2026 MX-5 Miata Sport with manual; Mazda says MSRP excludes tax, title, license fees and a $1,315 destination chargePower: Mazda lists a 181 HP 2.0 Skyactiv-G engine
The 2024 MX-5 Miata Club ran 3:15.6 at VIR, the slowest time here. Mazda lists the 2026 MX-5 Miata Sport at $30,730 with a manual, excluding a $1,315 destination charge, with a 181 HP engine.
Go ifFirst-time track-day drivers who want the lowest price in this list
Skip ifLap time matters most; it was the slowest car here
How we ranked these
We chose ten distinct new cars on sale in the US for the 2026 or 2027 model year that Car and Driver timed in its Lightning Lap at Virginia International Raceway, with no more than two from one brand, and ranked them by that lap time, fastest first. Lap times come from Car and Driver's full results list; the tested model year is stated on each pick and may be older than the car on sale now, and the cars sit in different price classes, so the ranking is a guide, not a like-for-like test. Prices are the starting MSRP on each maker's page, or Nissan's pricing release for the Z NISMO. Honda's page lists $47,395 for the 2026 Type R, and we used it. Left out: the BMW M2 CS, whose US price we could not confirm on a BMW page, the Acura Integra Type S, whose price we could not confirm on an Acura page, and the Toyota GR Supra, whose page says the MkV Supra sunsets. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best track-day car in 2027?
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 posted the fastest time in Car and Driver's Lightning Lap list, 2:34.2 for the 2026 model, and Chevrolet lists the 2027 ZR1 from $198,000. For a lower price, the 2027 Corvette Z06 ran 2:38.6 and starts at $121,800.
What is the best cheap track-day car?
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport starts at $30,730 on Mazda's page, before a $1,315 destination charge. Car and Driver's Lightning Lap time for the 2024 Miata Club was 3:15.6, the slowest here but the lowest price.
How were these cars ranked?
By the Lightning Lap time Car and Driver recorded at VIR. The tested model year is stated on each pick and in some cases is older than the car on sale now, so treat it as a guide.
Is the Civic Type R or GR Corolla faster?
In Car and Driver's list the 2023 Civic Type R ran 2:58.8 and the 2025 GR Corolla ran 3:07.1. Honda's page lists the 2026 Type R from $47,395 and Toyota lists the 2026 GR Corolla from $40,520.
Starting MSRP of each track-day car from the maker's page at a glance
2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata30,730 USD
2027 Subaru BRZ tS38,770 USD
2026 Toyota GR Corolla40,520 USD
2026 Honda Civic Type R47,395 USD
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse65,080 USD
2027 Nissan Z NISMO67,260 USD
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing98,900 USD
2027 Chevrolet Corvette Z06121,800 USD
2027 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1198,000 USD
2027 Porsche 911 GT3235,800 USD
Starting MSRP of each track-day car from the maker's page, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
