10 Budget-Friendly V6 Sports Cars That Leave V8 Rivals in the Dust

A massive V8 engine doesn’t always make sense. They are heavier, more expensive, and require more engine space than smaller engines. Sometimes, you can get all the power and performance you want out of a V6-powered sports car. Cars with these smaller engines tend to be a little quicker than those with naturally aspirated V8 models, especially when you’re looking for affordable options. You’ll get more bang for your buck with these more affordable V6 sports cars than their naturally aspirated V8 rivals.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book. This list is sorted by 0–60 times from slowest to fastest.

2006 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro

0-60 MPH Time: 5.5 Seconds | Average Price: $10,000

This little luxury sports car is often overlooked and easily dismissed, but it shouldn’t be. The 2006 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro is an excellent choice when you want to drive a roadster that feels light and quick on the road. It should be easy to find the TT for a good price, especially one from the early days.

The 2006 model of this Audi was the final year for the generation, and the brand sent the TT out in style. This meant offering a Special Edition model with two-tone paint, 18-inch wheels, and the 3.2-liter V6 engine under the hood.

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

0-60 MPH Time: 5.3 Seconds | Average Price: $9,149

The 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a large sports coupe, giving the driver and front passenger more room to relax and stretch out. With the larger engine, this car is a rocket on wheels, delivering impressive performance, especially when you consider the affordable price .

Hyundai added some important features to the 2014 Genesis Coupe, including fog lights, heated outside mirrors, keyless ignition, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. These safety and convenience features only add to the impressive quality, and this sports coupe delivers exhilarating driving when you get behind the wheel.

2024 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT

0-60 MPH Time: 5.2 Seconds | Average Price: $30,900

The base version of the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro, which is the 1LT model, is quick and easy to fit into your budget. This iconic muscle car has finished its time in production, but that doesn’t stop you from having a fantastic car that can be enjoyable for many years.

Eventually, this Chevrolet muscle car will be a classic, but for now, it’s a power-oriented rocket with impressive handling and faster sprint speeds than some cars with V8 engines. If the base model doesn’t suit you, the V6 engine is offered on several trims, giving you some great features for your driving experience.

2018 Kia Stinger GT

0-60 MPH Time: 5.0 Seconds | Average Price: $34,590

The 2018 Kia Stinger GT represents a huge step forward for the brand. This car brings the perfect balance of aggression and gracefulness to give you a car that stands out among sedans. You don’t expect a sporty sedan from Kia, and then they went and made the Stinger and changed the rules of the game.

The GT version of this Kia sedan delivers an incredible 365 horsepower and has an available AWD setup to give you the power where you want it. The Stinger challenges luxury-branded models in terms of performance and presence, making it one of the most fun and engaging sports sedans offered.

2010 Audi S4

0-60 MPH Time: 4.9 Seconds | Average Price: $9,099

The 2010 Audi S4 was the second year of its generation, which meant that the first-year issues were fixed, giving this car new features and new styling for your driving pleasure. For this generation, the S4 no longer used a V8 engine but instead received power from a supercharged V6, making it a fun and exciting sports sedan that you can drive and enjoy every day.

The new power plant for this Audi sports sedan is more powerful from a torque standpoint than the outgoing V8. That translates into a slightly better sprint time and improved fuel mileage thanks to fewer cylinders and a lighter engine.

2020 Nissan 370 Z NISMO

0-60 MPH Time: 4.9 Seconds | Average Price: $45,790

If you want a little more power than the standard version offers, the 2020 Nissan 370Z NISMO is the way to go. This version sends 350 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque to the wheels, giving you the most powerful version of this car available. The NISMO trim also has improved performance features to make it more active on the road and track.

This Nissan sports car is a stellar performer and strikes the ideal balance in the market. If you don’t want to drive a tiny coupe and aren’t looking for a high-powered performance machine, the 370Z NISMO could be the right car for you to have a lot of fun from behind the wheel.

1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

0-60 MPH Time: 4.8 Seconds | Average Price: $22,000

The sleek style and pop-up headlights make the 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 a stunning sports car that can be had for a reasonable price these days. You might have difficulty locating this car , but if you look for it and the Dodge Stealth, you’ll have a chance at finding the sports car you want to drive with a terrific V6 powertrain.

This Mitsubishi sports car made it seem like the brand was about to have a stronghold in the American market, but that changed after the 10-year run for the 3000GT was over. Still, you can find this car for a good price and enjoy the quickness, amazing style, and pure fun baked into this incredible sports car.

2025 Nissan Z

0-60 MPH Time: 4.5 Seconds | Average Price: $42,970

The 2025 Nissan Z is the latest model in the long line of Nissan Z cars. It delivers excellent power and performance from its base model, which uses a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission to provide you with an old-school driving feeling in a modern and advanced sports car .

Add the NISMO package to your Nissan sports car, and you’ll have a car that tears up the track while delivering amazing on-road performance and fun. The Z still has an understated presence, but the base model can be had for an affordable price, giving you a great sports car that doesn’t have to show off.

2014 Jaguar F-Type S

0-60 MPH Time: 4.2 Seconds | Average Price: $23,590

The 2014 Jaguar F-Type S was the first roadster from the brand in 40 years, bringing a thrilling blend of style, performance, and luxury to the market. This is a lustful car, providing a sonorous engine note that makes you swoon as soon as you see it. The F-Type is easy to hear coming, and you’ll want to turn your head when one is in your area.

This Jaguar was the next generation of the E-Type, which was made in the 1960s and 1970s. The 2014 F-Type was only offered as a convertible, but that’s certainly not a knock on this car or the incredible sounds it makes. When you’re looking for Jaguar performance, the F-Type S is what you want to drive.

2010 Nissan GT-R

0-60 MPH Time: 3.5 Seconds | Average Price: $40,000

The 2010 Nissan GT-R was in its fourth year of production under its new name, which dropped the Skyline name from the mix. The new and improved GT-R set racetrack records and ripped off countless sprints that were quick and impressive. This car rockets off the line and is one of the quickest cars in its price range .

The development period that created this Nissan supercar allowed it to be an amazing V6-powered car that could easily rival top V8 models. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 is nothing to sneeze at. Today, you can get this model for a fraction of what it cost when new, making it an incredible bargain in the sports car world.