In an era of ever-heavier cars, lightness is a thrill all its own. This ranking lists the 15 lightest sports cars of 2024 by curb weight, led by the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. It takes the top spot with the lightest curb weight of 2,341 lbs — well under the segment average of 3,948 lbs. That's better than 99% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 skyactiv-g producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,359 lbs — 18 lbs heavier than the #1 spot. That's better than 99% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.0L inline-4 producing 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,496 lbs — 137 lbs heavier than the #2 spot. That's better than 98% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.4L flat-4 boxer producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,811 lbs — 315 lbs heavier than the #3 spot. That's better than 97% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.4L h4 producing 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,820 lbs — 9 lbs heavier than the #4 spot. That's better than 97% of sports cars.
Powered by a 6.0L twin-turbo v12 producing 852 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,822 lbs — 2 lbs heavier than the #5 spot. That's better than 96% of sports cars.
Powered by a quad electric motors producing 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,932 lbs — 110 lbs heavier than the #6 spot. That's better than 95% of sports cars.
Powered by a 5.2L v10 producing 631 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 2,952 lbs — 20 lbs heavier than the #7 spot. That's better than 95% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.0L turbo flat-4 producing 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,020 lbs — 68 lbs heavier than the #8 spot. That's better than 94% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.0L turbo flat-4 producing 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,032 lbs — 12 lbs heavier than the #9 spot. That's better than 93% of sports cars.
Powered by a 4.0L twin-turbo v8 producing 740 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,062 lbs — 30 lbs heavier than the #10 spot. That's better than 93% of sports cars.
Powered by a 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,181 lbs — 119 lbs heavier than the #11 spot. That's better than 92% of sports cars.
Powered by a 3.5L supercharged v6 producing 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,200 lbs — 19 lbs heavier than the #12 spot. That's better than 91% of sports cars.
Powered by a 6.5L v12 producing 829 horsepower and 514 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,274 lbs — 74 lbs heavier than the #13 spot. That's better than 91% of sports cars.
Powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo v6 producing 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. Curb weight: 3,303 lbs — 29 lbs heavier than the #14 spot. That's better than 90% of sports cars.
Full Comparison: Lightest Sports Cars by Curb Weight in 2024
| # | Sports car | Curb Weight | Price | HP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 2,341 lbs | $28,050 | 181 hp |
| 2 | 2024 Mazda Miata | 2,359 lbs | $28,985 | 181 hp |
| 3 | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF | 2,496 lbs | $37,230 | 181 hp |
| 4 | 2024 Toyota GR86 | 2,811 lbs | $29,300 | 228 hp |
| 5 | 2024 Subaru BRZ | 2,820 lbs | $30,465 | 228 hp |
| 6 | 2024 Pagani Utopia | 2,822 lbs | $3,400,000 | 852 hp |
| 7 | 2024 Rivian R1S | 2,932 lbs | $78,000 | 835 hp |
| 8 | 2024 Lamborghini Huracán | 2,952 lbs | $267,000 | 631 hp |
| 9 | 2024 Porsche Boxster | 3,020 lbs | $66,300 | 300 hp |
| 10 | 2024 Porsche Cayman | 3,032 lbs | $64,700 | 300 hp |
| 11 | 2024 McLaren 750S | 3,062 lbs | $324,000 | 740 hp |
| 12 | 2024 Toyota Supra | 3,181 lbs | $51,340 | 255 hp |
| 13 | 2024 Lotus Emira | 3,200 lbs | $93,900 | 400 hp |
| 14 | 2024 Ferrari Daytona SP3 | 3,274 lbs | $2,250,000 | 829 hp |
| 15 | 2024 McLaren Artura | 3,303 lbs | $237,500 | 671 hp |
The Bottom Line
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata takes the top spot with 2,341 lbs. The 2024 Mazda Miata is a close second. All 15 sports cars listed here beat the 2024 segment average of 3,948 lbs.
Why Curb Weight Defines the Lightest Sports Cars of 2024
Lightness is the oldest performance trick there is. Shedding mass sharpens handling, shortens braking distances, quickens steering response, and improves efficiency, the core lightweight philosophy that drivers prize over raw power. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata headlines this ranking, and affordable rear-drive coupes and roadsters cluster just behind it, delivering outsized fun per dollar without ever topping the horsepower charts. As EVs and ever-growing feature content add mass across the industry, genuinely light cars are increasingly rare and worth celebrating.
Read the list with two cautions. First, distinguish street-legal sports cars from extreme track-only specials, which achieve very low weight but are not vehicles you can register and drive home. Second, body style and trim swing the scales: hardtop, automatic, and higher trims typically weigh more than a base soft-top manual of the same car. Ultimately, power-to-weight, not weight alone, determines the performance you actually feel.
Keep these in mind
- Separate street-legal sports cars from track-only specials.
- Remember hardtops, automatics, and top trims add weight over a base manual.
- Balance lightness against cargo space, ride comfort, and daily practicality.
- Compare power-to-weight, and check safety ratings and feature content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lightest sports car in 2024?
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the lightest by curb weight on our 2024 list. Among street-legal models, compact rear-drive roadsters and coupes remain the benchmark for low mass.
Why does a lighter sports car feel better to drive?
Less mass means quicker direction changes, stronger braking, sharper steering, and better efficiency. A light car responds more eagerly to inputs, which is why enthusiasts value lightness over sheer horsepower.
Do hardtop or automatic versions weigh more?
Usually, yes. A folding hardtop, an automatic transmission, and higher trims all add weight compared with a base manual soft-top, so the lightest version of a given car is typically the simplest one.
Is the lightest car the best handling one?
Low weight helps, but power-to-weight, suspension tuning, tires, and balance all matter. A featherweight roadster can feel more alive than a heavier, more powerful car, yet weight alone does not guarantee the best handling.