6 Best German Sports Cars in 2019

Engineered for Speed and Driving Excitement

When your country is linked by a highway network with no speed limit, the cars you make have to be pretty special. German sports cars prove that engineering a vehicle for life on the Autobahn can have a magical effect, no matter where you call home.

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi all vie for the hearts and minds of driving enthusiasts who favor sharp handling and strong engines, without sacrificing ride comfort, safety, or the latest in technology. From the legendary Porsche 911, to the recently returned BMW 8 Series, the best German sports machines don’t sacrifice everyday usability in the name of headline-grabbing specs.

We’ve compiled a list of the models that stand out most of all, ranked on their overall performance and the sheer driving pleasure each one provides. The best part is that none of these cars delivers anything close to a dull experience, each has plenty of great attributes (though some shine brighter than others). Keep reading to see which German sports car ranks above the rest when it comes to pure performance.

2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC

Price Range: $48,950-$63,900 | Horsepower Range: 241-385

Whether you’re looking for a sunny open-top cruiser for relaxing drives or a pint-size performance machine with a supercharged six-cylinder engine under the hood, the Mercedes-Benz SLC is a good choice. However, the SLC is starting to show its age.

The standard 241-horsepower engine may not get your pulse racing, and the cabin is looking dated with its myriad of buttons scattered around the dash. But spend a little extra money and you can get the 385-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 found in the AMG SLC 43. You might forgive those aging cabin controls once you hit the gas pedal and get pushed into your seatback.

2019 Porsche Boxster

$59,000-$82,800 | Horsepower Range: 300-365

The Boxster might outwardly look like a relaxed convertible cruiser, but this Porsche is pure sports car. Thanks to having an engine mounted almost directly in the middle of its chassis, the Boxster has superb weight balance and handling that shames sports machines with more than double the horsepower.

The Boxster’s engine is a turbo-four that serves up 300 horsepower in its standard tune. This allows the base Boxster to scoot from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Power upgrades in the Boxster S and GTS models add more punch to straight-line speed, though every example of this drop-top Porsche is a joy to drive.

2019 BMW 4 Series

$44,600-$69,150 | Horsepower Range: 248-425

The 4 Series delivers the sharp handling you expect to find in a BMW performance vehicle. This is an exceptionally well-rounded coupe and convertible. With a wide range of engines, the 4 Series can easily transform into a tire-smoking sports car. Stick with the base 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder in the 430i, however, and you’ll find a more serene driving experience. This engine is fine for everyday driving, but the turbocharged six-cylinder offered in the 440i is the one we’d choose for a significantly more engaging experience.

Of course, there is always the 425 horsepower turbo-six that comes with the highly-tuned M4. This model accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 4.0 seconds flat, and represents the upper reaches of the 4 Series performance envelope.

2019 Porsche Cayman

$56,900-$80,700 | Horsepower Range: 300-365

Like the Boxster, the Porsche Cayman has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s mounted directly behind the two-passenger cockpit. The Cayman has handling that borders on the telepathic, the car responds instantly to driving inputs and provides incredible feedback through the steering wheel.

While some rivals offer small rear seats, the Cayman (like the Boxster convertible) is strictly a two-seater. The cabin is luxurious and offers plenty of space for two adults, however. Punchy and torque-rich turbocharged engines give the Cayman plenty of power, no matter if you choose the standard model or the range-topping GTS.

2019 Audi A5

$44,200-$74,200 | Horsepower Range: 248-444

Comfort and performance are perfectly balanced in the Audi A5. The A5 exhibits finely-tuned engineering in a relatively affordable package with smooth steering and a business class-like cabin. The entry-level engine is a peppy 248-horsepower turbo-four that propels any of the three available body styles (coupe, convertible, and four-door Sportback) with ease.

Unlike many of the cars listed here, the A5 comes standard with all-wheel drive across all trim levels. At the upper end of this Audi’s performance spectrum is the RS 5 model. The RS 5 is equipped with a 444-horsepower twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, which helps accelerate the car from zero to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. The top speed of the RS 5 is 174 mph.