2026 CarExpert Choice Awards: Best Luxury Sports Car

Luxury sports cars sit at a particular intersection of the market, vehicles engineered for outright performance, but finished and equipped to the standard buyers expect from premium brands. The best examples show that speed and comfort aren't mutually exclusive, offering genuine dynamic ability alongside the polish and technology associated with premium ownership.

Our Best Luxury Sports Car category recognises the models that best combine outright performance, dynamic ability, craftsmanship and everyday liveability. Judged by CarExpert's automotive journalists and grounded in real-world testing, this award reflects CarExpert's role as a trusted source of practical, independent car advice, giving Kiwi buyers a clear guide to the vehicles most worth considering.

Winner: Chevrolet Corvette

Taking out the 2026 CarExpert Choice Award for Best Luxury Sports Car is the Chevrolet Corvette.

Sold in New Zealand through GMSV, the Corvette offers a level of outright performance that would typically require a considerably larger budget elsewhere in the market.

Its mid-engine layout is central to that case, delivering sharp turn-in, a well-controlled rear end and a level of balance more commonly associated with cars in a higher price bracket.

We chose the Corvette because it backs up that performance with genuine everyday usability. The cabin represents a clear step up in materials and technology over previous generations, and the ride is more composed than its performance figures suggest, making it a car that holds up to regular use rather than one suited only to occasional outings.

It's a distinctive proposition in this category, with a character that sets it apart from its more understated European rivals, but the substance underneath is what earns it top spot: a well-resolved sports car that delivers strong performance without the price tag typically attached to it.

For buyers wanting genuine sports car performance without moving into exotic pricing, the Corvette is the strongest option on sale.

Finalist: BMW M2

Joining the shortlist as a finalist is the BMW M2.

The M2 continues BMW's traditional M car formula — a characterful six-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and compact dimensions — resulting in a car that's as rewarding on a back road as it is straightforward to live with day to day. It's the most focused of this year's finalists, with a firmer ride than some rivals and a manual gearbox still available for buyers who want the most involved version of the experience.

Finalist: Porsche 911

Rounding out the finalists is the Porsche 911.

The 911 remains the reference point against which sports cars in this category are measured, offering a well-judged balance of everyday usability and track-focused capability, backed by strong build quality and a design that has evolved carefully over successive generations. Its range now spans more accessible Carrera variants through to the track-honed GT3, all built on the same fundamentally sound platform.

See the full list of winners here.