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Sports cars are thrilling vehicles to drive, with their quick acceleration, fast speed, and maneuverability. However, quite often, sports cars have two drawbacks. They tend to be expensive and get low fuel economy. There are some notable exceptions, though. Check out the seven best sports cars for affordability and high gas mileage.

Sports cars with a low price and high fuel economy

Front angle view of red 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata, affordable sports car with high gas mileage
2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

Getting a sports car doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to break the bank, whether it’s from the initial purchase or the money you have to pay for gas. Here are the seven best sports cars that are both affordable and get high fuel economy:

1. 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata ($27,650 MSRP; up to 26 city/35 highway mpg)
2. 2022 Ford Mustang ($27,470 MSRP; up to 21 city/31 highway mpg)
3. 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI ($29,880 MSRP; up to 25 city/34 highway mpg
4. 2022 Subaru BRZ ($27,995 MSRP; up to 21 city/30 highway mpg)
5. 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ($31,295 MSRP; up to 26 city/37 highway mpg)
6. 2022 Toyota GR86 ($27,700 MSRP; up to 21 city/31 highway mpg)
7. 2022 Honda Civic Si ($27,500 MSRP; up to 27 city/37 highway mpg)

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Affordable and efficient

One of the best sports cars for affordability and high fuel economy is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata. It has a starting price of $27,650 MSRP and gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 26 city/35 highway mpg. On top of that, the MX-5 delivers a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience — with its excellent handling, low weight, and competent handling. Also, the MX-5 has a beautiful exterior design. 

2022 Ford Mustang: The iconic sports car is budget-friendly

Front angle view of gray 2022 Ford Mustang, affordable sports car with high fuel economy
2022 Ford Mustang | Ford

Another good sports car with a low price and respectable efficiency is the 2022 Ford Mustang, which starts at $27,470 MSRP. While the Mustang offers more expensive gas-guzzling variants with a V-8 engine, the ones equipped with the base-level turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder get an estimated fuel economy of up to 21 city/31 highway mpg, as detailed by CARFAX.

The respectable efficiency of the Mustang EcoBoost doesn’t mean that it isn’t strong on the performance front, for it churns out an impressive 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. 

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI: A ‘hot hatch’ that’s affordable and gets high gas mileage

Front angle view of gray 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 VW Golf GTI | Volkswagen

With a starting price of $29,880 MSRP, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI “hot hatch” is not too harsh on your budget. Also, with an estimated fuel economy of up to 25 city/34 highway mpg, it’s a gas-sipper compared to most other sports cars.

Along with its affordability and efficiency, the Golf GTI provides excellent handling, confident braking, precise steering, and a peppy turbocharged engine. Also, it offers plenty of interior space, with comfortable seating for five passengers and a maximum cargo capacity of 34.5 cu-ft.

Sports cars that are affordable and get high gas mileage include the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2022 Ford Mustang, 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2022 Subaru BRZ, 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2022 Toyota GR86, and 2022 Honda Civic Si. If you want driving excitement with affordability and efficiency, then take a closer look at any of these sports car models. 

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.