Top 10 Sports Cars 2015 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best sports car of 2015 was the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C7), our Best Overall pick at a 2015 MSRP of $78,995 — a supercharged 650-horsepower machine that delivered genuine supercar performance for roughly a third of a supercar's price. The smartest buy of the year, our Best Value pick, was the Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S twins at a 2015 MSRP of $25,695, a featherweight rear-drive coupe that taught more about car control than anything else you could buy new.

The 2015 model year was a watershed. Ford finally gave the all-new S550 Mustang an independent rear suspension after fifty years of solid-axle stubbornness. Chevrolet's C7 Stingray had hit its stride and spawned the brutal Z06.

And Dodge dropped a hand grenade into the muscle-car world with the 707-horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat, the most powerful production car America had ever sold. A decade later, several of these cars are already climbing in collector circles. This is how they stacked up, then and now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each car on how it actually felt to drive, what it cost in period dollars, and how it has aged. The breakdown:

• Driving fun and handling — 30%. The heart of any sports car. Steering feel, balance, and how alive the car felt on a good road.
• Performance — 20%. Horsepower, 0-60 mph, braking, and track capability.
• Value in period — 15%. What you got for the 2015 MSRP relative to rivals.
• Reliability — 15%. Long-term ownership headaches, or the lack of them.
• Legacy — 10%. What the car meant to its maker and to enthusiasts.
• Collectibility now — 10%. How the used and collector market treats it in 2025-2026.

Sources for specs and pricing include period road tests from Car and Driver and MotorTrend, manufacturer press releases, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book archives, Wikipedia model pages, and current valuation data from Hagerty and Bring a Trailer auction results.

1. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C7) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2015 MSRP: $78,995 | Best for: the buyer who wanted supercar pace without supercar money

The Z06 was the performance bargain of the decade. Its 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 made 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, hammering from 0-60 mph in roughly 2.95 seconds with the available eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive, available seven-speed manual, and a chassis that could pull over 1.2 g on the skidpad made it a genuine Porsche and Ferrari hunter for a fraction of the price.

It ran hot on track in early cars, a fair knock, but on the road and the dyno nothing near the money touched it. Clean low-mile examples now trade in the high-$60,000s to over $80,000 on Bring a Trailer, meaning many have barely depreciated.

Pros:

• Supercar acceleration for roughly a third of supercar money
• 650 hp and 650 lb-ft from a tractable, torque-rich V8
• Manual transmission still available for purists
• Strong value retention as an emerging modern collectible

Cons:

• Early cars could overheat under sustained track use
• Interior plastics trailed the German competition

Verdict: The most car for the money sold in 2015, full stop, and the clear Best Overall.

2. Porsche 911 Carrera GTS (991)

2015 MSRP: $114,200 | Best for: the driver who wanted one car to do everything brilliantly

The 991-generation 911 Carrera GTS was the connoisseur's pick. Its 3.8-liter naturally aspirated flat-six made 424 horsepower and sent it to 60 mph in about 4 seconds, but the numbers undersold it. The GTS blended daily usability, a sublime chassis, and a soundtrack the later turbo cars would lose.

Available as coupe or cabriolet, rear- or all-wheel drive, with a manual or the brilliant PDK dual-clutch. As the last of the naturally aspirated mainstream 911s before the 2017 turbo switch, the GTS is already a quietly desirable used buy.

Pros:

• Naturally aspirated flat-six with a glorious top end
• Everyday usable yet track-credible
• Manual or PDK to taste
• Last NA 911 Carrera, a meaningful collector hook

Cons:

• Steep 2015 MSRP and pricey options
• Maintenance costs match the badge

Verdict: The benchmark all-rounder, and the one to own if budget allowed.

3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

2015 MSRP: $47,795 | Best for: the track-day enthusiast who wanted a flat-plane scream

The GT350 was the most serious Mustang Ford had ever built. Its hand-assembled 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank "Voodoo" V8 revved to 8,250 rpm and made 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It reached 60 mph in about 4.3 seconds but lived for corners, with MagneRide dampers and sticky Michelin Cup tires.

Built in tiny numbers for 2015 as a 50th-anniversary car, it is the most collectible modern Mustang. Values have held strong and the early cars command premiums on Bring a Trailer.

Pros:

• 8,250-rpm flat-plane V8 unlike anything else in the class
• Track-bred handling with MagneRide
• Manual only, exactly as it should be
• Shelby name carries real collector weight

Cons:

• Firm ride and loud cabin for daily use
• Early-build cars are scarce and pricey

Verdict: A future blue-chip collectible that was also savage fun new.

4. Porsche Cayman GTS (981)

2015 MSRP: $75,200 | Best for: the purist who valued balance over brute force

Many testers quietly believed the mid-engine Cayman GTS was the best-handling Porsche of 2015. Its 3.4-liter flat-six made 340 horsepower, good for 0-60 mph in the mid-4-second range, but the mid-engine layout gave it balance the 911 couldn't match. Rear-wheel drive, manual or PDK, and steering that talked back constantly.

Porsche kept it deliberately a half-step behind the 911 on paper, yet on a back road few cars of any price were more satisfying. Clean manual examples are appreciating.

Pros:

• Mid-engine balance that flattered every driver
• Naturally aspirated flat-six before the four-cylinder turbo era
• Manual or PDK, both excellent
• Appreciating as enthusiasts catch on

Cons:

• Pricey for a "junior" Porsche
• Deliberately power-capped to protect the 911

Verdict: The driver's choice, and arguably the most rewarding car here.

5. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

2015 MSRP: $59,995 | Best for: the buyer who wanted the most horsepower per dollar in America

Dodge exercised the nuclear option. The 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 made an absurd 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft, the most powerful production car America had ever built. With the eight-speed automatic it hit 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds and ran the quarter in the low 11s, all from a rear-drive coupe you could buy at a Dodge dealer for under sixty grand.

It was heavy and a handful in the wet, but as a pure horsepower-per-dollar statement nothing came close. Early low-mile cars are already collectible.

Pros:

• 707 horsepower for under $60,000
• Most powerful American car of its day
• Genuine muscle-car theater and noise
• Strong used demand for clean examples

Cons:

• Heavy and tricky to put the power down
• Thirsty and a handful in the rain

Verdict: Outrageous value in raw output, and an instant icon.

6. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C7)

2015 MSRP: $55,995 | Best for: the buyer who wanted 90% of the Z06 for a lot less money

The standard C7 Stingray was the value backbone of the Corvette range. Its 6.2-liter LT1 V8 made 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds with the available seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive, a sharp new chassis, and a cabin that finally felt worthy of the price made it a credible Porsche rival at Mustang-adjacent money.

It was the car that re-established the Corvette as a world-class sports car rather than just a fast bargain.

Pros:

• 455 hp for mid-$50,000s
• Seven-speed manual available
• Huge real-world pace for the money
• Improved interior over the C6

Cons:

• Some interior touchpoints still felt cost-cut
• Ride could be busy on rough roads

Verdict: The sensible Corvette, and a brilliant performance value.

7. Jaguar F-Type R

2015 MSRP: $99,000 | Best for: the buyer who wanted drama, noise, and style above all

The F-Type R coupe was the most charismatic car of 2015. Its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 made 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft, firing it to 60 mph in about 4 seconds with one of the most theatrical exhaust notes ever fitted to a road car. Rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, and styling that stopped traffic.

It was less surgically precise than a Porsche, but no car here had more personality. Depreciation has made used examples a tempting, if maintenance-intensive, indulgence.

Pros:

• 550 hp and a soundtrack that defined the car
• Stunning coupe styling
• Genuine grand-touring pace and comfort
• Heavy depreciation makes used buys tempting

Cons:

• Running costs and depreciation sting
• Less precise than the German benchmarks

Verdict: Buy with your heart; it rewards you every drive.

8. BMW M4 (F82)

2015 MSRP: $65,125 | Best for: the buyer who wanted a fast, usable everyday coupe

The first F82 M4 swapped the old V8 for a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six making 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft, hitting 60 mph in about 4 seconds with the seven-speed dual-clutch (a six-speed manual was standard). Rear-wheel drive and surgically capable, it was the most usable performance coupe here, equally happy commuting or lapping.

Critics dinged its slightly synthetic steering and grabby throttle, but the breadth of ability was immense. It remains a strong used buy with the manual the one to seek.

Pros:

• Twin-turbo torque and effortless real-world speed
• Manual or dual-clutch available
• Daily-usable and practical
• Strong braking and track stamina

Cons:

• Steering feel felt a touch artificial
• Throttle response could be abrupt

Verdict: The smart all-rounder for buyers who drive every day.

9. Nissan 370Z NISMO

2015 MSRP: $41,990 | Best for: the buyer who wanted old-school analog muscle on a budget

By 2015 the 370Z was an elder statesman, and that was the charm. The NISMO trim's 3.7-liter V6 made 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft, reaching 60 mph in about 5 seconds, sent rearward through a six-speed manual with rev-matching. Heavy steering, a firm ride, and zero electronic insulation made it an honest, analog sports car at a time when everything else was getting softer and more digital.

It was never the sharpest tool, but it delivered genuine rear-drive thrills for the money and reliability the Germans envied.

Pros:

• 350 hp naturally aspirated V6
• Manual with rev-match standard
• Honest, analog driving feel
• Bulletproof reliability

Cons:

• Dated cabin and tech by 2015
• Firm, noisy on long trips

Verdict: A rugged, affordable old-school sports car with nothing to prove.

10. Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S 💎 BEST VALUE

2015 MSRP: $25,695 | Best for: the buyer who wanted the most driving fun per dollar, period

The BRZ and its Scion FR-S twin ranked last on raw pace and first on smiles per dollar, making it our clear Best Value. The shared 2.0-liter flat-four made just 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft, ambling to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds through a slick six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.

But the low weight, low center of gravity, and perfect balance made it the best handling teacher of its era. Underpowered, yes, but no car here let you explore its limits so safely or so cheaply. A modern-classic in the making and a used-market bargain.

Pros:

• Perfect balance and featherweight handling
• Cheapest entry into real rear-drive fun
• Slick manual and honest steering
• Easy, affordable ownership

Cons:

• Underpowered for highway passing
• Modest interior and road noise

Verdict: The purest cheap thrill of 2015, and the smartest money here.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2015 Sports Car (Then and as a Used/Collector Buy Now)

Buying one of these a decade on rewards patience and homework:

• Maintenance history matters most. A fully documented service record on a Porsche, Jaguar, or BMW is worth more than a few thousand fewer miles. Walk away from gaps.
• Watch for modifications. Tuned Hellcats, Corvettes, and M4s can hide abused drivetrains. Stock, unmolested cars command premiums and far fewer headaches.
• GT350 demand is real. The 2015 Shelby GT350 and GT350R were built in tiny numbers and command the strongest premiums of any car here. Verify build authenticity and originality carefully.
• Track use leaves clues. Inspect brakes, tires, and coolant systems on Z06s and M4s; a hard-tracked car can be a bargain or a money pit.
• Mileage matters less than nostalgia implies. These were durable modern cars, not fragile antiques. A well-kept 40,000-mile example is often a better buy than a garage-queen with 4,000 miles at twice the price — drive the good ones.

FAQ

What was the best sports car of 2015 overall? The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C7), for delivering 650 horsepower and near-supercar pace at a 2015 MSRP of $78,995 — unmatched performance per dollar that year.

What was the best value sports car of 2015? The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S twins at $25,695. They offered the most genuine rear-drive driving fun per dollar of anything sold new that year.

Which 2015 sports cars are collectible now? The Shelby GT350 and GT350R, the Corvette Z06, and early low-mile Challenger Hellcats are the strongest modern collectibles, with the GT350 leading on demand and price.

What made 2015 a landmark year for sports cars? The all-new S550 Mustang finally got independent rear suspension, the C7 Corvette spawned the 650-hp Z06, and Dodge launched the 707-horsepower Hellcat, the most powerful American production car of its day.

Was the Porsche Cayman GTS better than the 911? On a back road many testers thought so. Its mid-engine balance made it more rewarding to drive at legal speeds, though Porsche deliberately capped its power below the 911.

Which 2015 sports car is the most reliable used buy? The Nissan 370Z and the Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S twins, both proven, simple, and inexpensive to own compared with the German and British rivals.

Bottom Line

2015 was one of the great modern sports-car years. The Corvette Z06 won outright by delivering supercar pace for a fraction of supercar money, earning Best Overall. The Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S proved you needed neither big power nor big money to have the most fun, taking Best Value.

In between sat a remarkable spread — the analog GT350, the balanced Cayman GTS, the outrageous Hellcat, and the charismatic F-Type R. A decade later, several have stopped depreciating and started climbing. If you want one, the good news is the best of them are still attainable, and they drive every bit as well as the road tests promised.

Sources

• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Performance, HP & Engine Options — U.S. News
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — MotorWeek
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — Hagerty Valuation Tool
• 2015 Shelby GT350 Mustang Power Specs — Mustang6G
• 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R — Hagerty Valuation Tools
• 2015 Porsche 911 Specs — Kelley Blue Book
• 2015 Porsche Boxster GTS / Cayman GTS — Kelley Blue Book
• 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 0-60 Time & Specs — Zero Sixty Times
• 2015 Jaguar F-Type Review, Specs, Prices — The Car Connection
• 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (F82) Specs — Kelley Blue Book
• 2015 Subaru BRZ Performance, HP & Engine Options — U.S. News
• 10 Late Model Cars That Are Modern Collectibles — Hagerty Media

*Sports car review — 2015 sports car reviews, rating, best sports car 2015, and a retrospective review of the top modern-classic sports car picks for buyers.*