Top 10 Cheapest New Supercars You Can Actually Buy in 2027

1. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

It ranks first because it's the cheapest car on this list with genuine supercar architecture, starting around $68,300 for a mid-engine coupe with an aluminum spaceframe. The naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8 makes 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft, and Chevrolet quotes 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds with the Z51 package and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. That combination of price and mid-engine layout undercuts every other car here by tens of thousands of dollars.

It's for buyers who want mid-engine handling and supercar looks without giving up a front trunk, everyday usability, and dealer-network servicing. What it trades away is exotic-badge prestige and the higher power ceiling of the Z06 ranked just below it. Compared with the Lotus Emira in second place, the Stingray is roomier, more comfortable on long drives, and considerably cheaper to insure and maintain.

2. Lotus Emira

It ranks second because its entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder trim starts near $80,000, keeping a genuine mid-engine sports car under six figures. Built on Lotus's bonded-aluminum tub, the base Emira uses a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbo four making 360 horsepower, while an optional supercharged V6 pushes 400. It's also the last Lotus built with no hybrid or electric assistance, giving it specific collector appeal.

This one suits drivers who prioritize steering feel and chassis balance over raw straight-line speed, and who can accept a smaller dealer network and less cargo room than the Corvette just above it. It gives up the Corvette's V8 soundtrack and daily-driver ease for a lighter, more focused feel. Against the Corvette Z06 just below it, the Emira is slower but noticeably cheaper to buy.

3. Chevrolet Corvette Z06

It ranks third because roughly $106,395 buys a genuine flat-plane-crank, naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 making 670 horsepower — output that rivals cars costing twice as much on this list. Chevrolet quotes 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds and a top speed near 195 mph. It's the highest-output naturally aspirated production V8 ever sold in the U.S., a genuine engineering flex at this price point.

It's built for buyers who want track-capable performance without stepping into six-figure European pricing, trading the base Stingray's fuel economy and softer ride for a high-revving engine that demands premium fuel and closer attention at the track. Compared with the Lotus Emira just above it, the Z06 delivers far more raw power for roughly $26,000 more. Against the Mercedes-AMG GT just below it, it's cheaper and quicker.

4. Mercedes-AMG GT

It ranks fourth because Mercedes revived the two-door GT nameplate for 2024 at roughly $142,900, pairing a hand-built twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 469 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Mercedes quotes 0-60 mph in about 3.9 seconds. The cabin brings genuine grand-touring comfort — heated and cooled seats and a full digital cockpit — that none of the three cheaper cars ranked above it offer.

This one fits buyers who want long-distance comfort alongside supercar styling and don't mind a front-mid-engine V8 layout instead of a mid-engine one. It gives up the Corvette Z06's power-per-dollar and the Emira's lightweight feel for a heavier, more luxurious grand tourer. Against the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS just below it, the AMG GT trades outright track focus for everyday comfort and refinement.

5. Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

It ranks fifth because roughly $149,650 buys a genuine motorsport-derived package: a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six making 493 horsepower, a fixed rear wing generating real downforce, and a 7-speed PDK-only gearbox tuned purely for lap times. Porsche quotes 0-60 mph in about 3.2 seconds. It's arguably the most track-honed car on this entire list, sports-car badge aside.

It suits drivers chasing lap times over comfort — there's no manual option, minimal sound insulation, and a firm ride that makes long highway trips tiring. Compared with the Mercedes-AMG GT just above it, it's louder, harsher, and far more focused, with none of the AMG's grand-touring manners. Against the Aston Martin Vantage just below it, the GT4 RS is cheaper and sharper but less luxurious inside.

6. Aston Martin Vantage

It ranks sixth at a starting price near $192,986, which buys a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 built with AMG that produces 656 horsepower — a real step up from the Porsche GT4 RS just above it. Aston Martin quotes 0-60 mph in about 3.4 seconds. It's the first genuinely exotic badge on this list, hand-assembled in Gaydon, England, which explains the jump in both price and prestige.

It's for buyers who want an exotic marque and a usable interior without stepping past $200,000, trading some of the GT4 RS's track precision for GT-style comfort and modern infotainment. Compared with the Maserati MC20 just below it, the Vantage is a front-engine coupe rather than a mid-engine exotic, so it gives up mid-engine drama for a more traditional, road-biased driving feel.

7. Maserati MC20

It ranks seventh because roughly $225,000 buys genuine mid-engine exotic architecture with dihedral doors, a feature none of the six cheaper cars on this list have. Its in-house Nettuno twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 621 horsepower using F1-derived pre-chamber combustion technology, and Maserati quotes 0-60 mph around 2.9 seconds. It's the first car on this list built entirely around a carbon-fiber tub.

It's aimed at buyers who want dramatic styling and a genuine exotic ownership experience without reaching Ferrari or Lamborghini pricing, giving up some everyday practicality compared with the Aston Martin just above it. Next to the Porsche 911 Turbo S just below it, the MC20 is lower volume and more visually dramatic but less all-weather capable, since it lacks all-wheel drive entirely.

8. Porsche 911 Turbo S

It ranks eighth at a starting price around $230,400, which buys a twin-turbo 3.7-liter flat-six making 640 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a Porsche-quoted 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds — the quickest car on this list to that benchmark. It also keeps usable rear seats and a real trunk, practicality that none of the more exotic cars ranked above it can match.

It suits buyers who want everyday, all-weather usability alongside genuine supercar acceleration, without the maintenance quirks of a low-volume exotic like the Maserati just above it. What it gives up is the mid-engine drama and visual exoticism of the cars ranked below it. Against the McLaren Artura just below it, the Turbo S is more practical and easier to live with daily.

9. McLaren Artura

It ranks ninth because roughly $237,500 buys McLaren's first series-production hybrid supercar: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 paired with an electric motor for a combined 671 horsepower, plus a short pure-electric range for quiet driving at low speed. McLaren quotes 0-60 mph in under three seconds. It's the most mechanically complex car on this list, carbon-tub construction and hybrid hardware included.

It's built for buyers who want cutting-edge hybrid performance and true supercar proportions, and who accept a firmer ride and a smaller service network than the Porsche just above it. Compared with the Lamborghini Temerario just below it, the Artura is far more efficient and quieter at low speed but gives up the theatrical, naturally-loud character many exotic buyers still want.

10. Lamborghini Temerario

It ranks tenth, and last, because its roughly $339,000 starting price is the highest on this list, buying Lamborghini's newest hybrid supercar: a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 combined with three electric motors for 907 horsepower total. Lamborghini quotes 0-60 mph in about 2.7 seconds. It's the only car here wearing a raging-bull badge, the exotic ceiling this entire ranking builds toward.

It's for buyers with the budget to skip everything else on this list and who want unmistakable exotic status alongside genuine hybrid-boosted performance. It trades away the McLaren Artura's relative subtlety and lower running costs for maximum visual drama and horsepower. Compared with the Artura just above it, the Temerario costs roughly $100,000 more for a louder engine, more power, and a far more famous badge.

How we ranked these

We ranked every mid-engine or exotic-brand halo car confirmed for 2027 model-year production by MSRP, then weighted horsepower-per-dollar, published 0-60 times under 3.6 seconds, and dealer-network availability in the U.S. A car only qualified if a manufacturer was actively taking retail orders, not a discontinued model still listed on secondhand sites or a track-only special edition with no street registration path.

We ignored destination fees, dealer market adjustments above sticker, insurance and maintenance costs, and resale depreciation curves, since those vary too much by region and dealer to rank fairly. Limited-run variants capped under 100 units worldwide were excluded even when cheaper, because most buyers can never actually purchase one. Used and certified pre-owned pricing was left out entirely; this list is new-car MSRP only.

Related questions

Is the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 really considered a supercar?

Yes, by most enthusiast definitions: it has a naturally aspirated flat-plane-crank V8 revving to 8,600 rpm, a 0-60 time near 2.6 seconds, and a mid-engine layout shared with cars costing three times as much. Chevrolet markets it explicitly against the Ferrari 458 and McLaren 570S on performance, not just other Corvettes.

Why isn't the Nissan GT-R on this list?

Nissan ended GT-R production after the 2024 model year with the Final Edition, so no new units are being built or sold for 2027. Remaining dealer inventory and used examples exist, but this ranking covers only currently-in-production new cars, which excludes discontinued nameplates regardless of how affordable leftover stock becomes.

What's the real difference between a sports car and a supercar?

Sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GR86 prioritize handling balance over outright speed and typically cost under $50,000. Supercars combine exotic materials, mid-engine or all-wheel-drive launch systems, sub-3-second 0-60 times, and styling built around aerodynamic function, usually starting well above $100,000 even at the affordable end.

Does the Lotus Emira count as a true supercar?

It's the most debated entry: the Emira uses a Toyota-sourced supercharged V6 or AMG turbo-four rather than an exotic engine, but its mid-engine chassis, carbon-fiber body panels, and sub-$100,000 starting price make it the spiritual successor to cars like the Ferrari 308. Most outlets classify it as an entry-level supercar.

Why did the Audi R8 disappear from affordable supercar lists?

Audi ended R8 production in 2024 without a direct replacement, citing emissions regulations that made a new naturally aspirated V10 unfeasible without hybrid assistance. No 2027 model exists to rank. Audi has hinted at an electric successor, but as of this writing nothing has reached showrooms.

How much does insurance typically cost on a sub-$150,000 supercar?

Expect $4,000 to $8,000 annually for a driver over 30 with a clean record, roughly double a standard luxury sedan, driven by higher repair costs and theft risk. Corvettes tend to price lower than European exotics like the Maserati MC20 because parts and labor are cheaper and more widely available at U.S. shops.

Are any of these cars available with all-wheel drive?

The Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and Nissan Z Nismo are among the few sub-$150,000 performance cars offering all-wheel drive or an AWD-equivalent hybrid setup for wet-weather traction. Most true mid-engine supercars in this price range, including the Emira and Cayman GT4 RS, remain rear-wheel drive only.

Will hybrid or electric supercars replace these gas models by 2027?

Some will: the McLaren Artura already uses a plug-in hybrid V6, and Maserati offers the MC20 in a fully electric Folgore variant. But the cheapest tier covered here, including the Corvette and Emira, stays purely gas-powered through at least the 2027 model year based on current manufacturer roadmaps.

FAQ

What is the cheapest new supercar you can buy in 2027?

The Lotus Emira, starting around $105,000, is typically the least expensive car that meets the mid-engine, exotic-materials definition of a supercar for the 2027 model year. The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 undercuts it on some configurations but is sometimes classified separately as a high-performance sports car rather than a true supercar.

Is the Corvette Z06 cheaper than the Corvette ZR1?

Yes. The Z06 starts around $112,000 while the range-topping ZR1, which adds a twin-turbocharged version of the same flat-plane V8 producing over 1,000 horsepower, starts near $175,000. Both share the same eighth-generation Corvette platform, but the ZR1 targets a higher top speed and track focus.

Can you get a supercar under $100,000 in 2027?

It's difficult with a straight face — most cars under $100,000 are fast sports cars like the Toyota GR Supra or Nissan Z Nismo rather than true supercars. The Lotus Emira starts just above that line, making sub-$100,000 genuine supercar shopping essentially nonexistent among new, in-production models.

How does the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS compare on price?

The Cayman GT4 RS starts around $149,650, positioning it between the Corvette Z06 and Corvette ZR1. It lacks a mid-engine V8 or V10, running a naturally aspirated flat-six instead, but its track-honed aerodynamics and lap times rival cars costing twice as much.

Why do Italian brands like Maserati cost more than American ones?

Labor costs, smaller production volumes, and import/tariff structures push European exotic brands higher even at comparable performance levels. A Maserati MC20 starts near $225,000 versus roughly $112,000 for a similarly quick Corvette Z06, despite both being mid-engine cars with comparable horsepower figures.

Do any of these cars qualify for a manual transmission?

Very few. Most 2027 supercars, including the Emira, Corvette Z06/ZR1, and Cayman GT4 RS, are automatic or dual-clutch only at this price point. The Emira briefly offered a manual on its four-cylinder variant, but supply has been limited and it is not guaranteed to continue.

What's the fastest 0-60 time among the cheapest supercars?

The Corvette ZR1 leads the affordable tier with a 0-60 time around 2.3 seconds thanks to its twin-turbo V8, narrowly beating the Z06's naturally aspirated version at roughly 2.6 seconds. The McLaren Artura and Maserati MC20 land in a similar 2.7-3.0 second range at significantly higher prices.

Should I wait for a used model instead of buying new in 2027?

Used pricing can save 20-30% on cars like the outgoing Audi R8 or Nissan GT-R, but you lose factory warranty coverage and miss newer safety and infotainment tech. For buyers wanting the latest chassis and emissions-compliant powertrain, new remains the safer bet despite the premium.

Are dealer markups common on these cars?

Yes, especially on the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 during their first production years, where dealer market adjustments of $10,000-$30,000 over MSRP have been widely reported. Lotus and Porsche allocations have seen smaller but still real markups; shopping multiple dealers or ordering early tends to reduce this risk.

Does horsepower alone determine which of these is the best value?

No — buyers should weigh horsepower-per-dollar alongside handling balance, daily drivability, and parts/service network size. A Corvette often wins on raw value, but a car like the Emira or Cayman GT4 RS may deliver a more engaging ownership experience despite lower peak output.

Sources

• https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette-z06
• https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette-zr1
• https://www.caranddriver.com/lotus/emira
• https://www.caranddriver.com/porsche/718-cayman
• https://www.caranddriver.com/maserati/mc20
• https://www.caranddriver.com/mclaren/artura
• https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/corvette-z06
• https://www.lotuscars.com/en-us/emira
• https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/718/718-cayman-models/718-cayman-gt4-rs/

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