2018 Ford Mustang GT Premium
More American muscle at its finest. Again, it isn’t the best winter sports car, but it’s worth a mention. The 2018 Ford Mustang looks phenomenal with its new digs, and it’s an awesome sports car in the summer. Why not drive it all year round? We wouldn’t try it with a Shelby, though.
Under the hood you’ll get a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 that makes 460 horsepower. You have the choice of a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, although the auto trans is probably best for winter use. Also, make the most of your purchase with the Torsen limited-slip diff in the back. Factory-equipped 18-inch all-season tires will do in a pinch. If you opt for the upgraded 19- or 20-inch wheels, you’ll desperately need winter tires when it gets cold.
Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated seats are standard equipment. A heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and remote engine starter are options that you’ll want to indulge if you plan on making the Mustang GT Premium your year-round car.
2018 Infiniti Q60
Not to be outdone, the 2018 Infiniti Q60 makes a case for being the best winter sports car this year. As a major plus, it offers its Intelligent All Wheel Drive system on the entry-level PURE trim. It’s paired with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for 208 horsepower. While it’s certainly not going to win races against most of these other sports cars, it could probably handle itself more respectably on the road.
Tires from the factory are 19-inch all-season run-flats that, while not the worst out there, should probably be changed off for some winter rubber. It comes equipped with the bare essentials at the base level, giving you heated outside mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control. You have to step up to higher trims to get heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
The purist will absolutely adore the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF in winter conditions. This is one of the few two-seater sports cars that can be truly driven as intended in the winter, so long as it’s properly equipped with winter tires. It has, by far, the lowest horsepower rating at just 155 horsepower from its 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder, but it’s still a blast to drive.
Being a rear-wheel-drive coupe, the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF offers the driving enthusiast either a six-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The manual transmission might be the better option for winter driving with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential.
Heated seats, rain-sensing wipers and heated outside mirrors are standard equipment on the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring. Despite its lack of wintry options, it’s still a thrill a minute to drive in the white stuff.
