As you may have noticed, things are getting more expensive. And cars are no exception. There was a time in the not-too-distant past when £50,000 would give you a huge choice of powerful new sports cars.

But those days are gone. Well, actually not quite. If you’re canny, there are still some new and nearly new cars that can inject some serious fun into your life without the budget straying into supercar territory. We’ve been a little flexible with the definition of a sports car, but all of these will plaster a smile across your face.

Whether you’re after the finesse of a lightweight roadster, the punch of a turbocharged coupe, or the instant torque of an electric hot hatch, there are still exciting options when it comes to machines built not just for speed, but for style, handling and the pure joy of driving.

Cupra Born VZ (new)

Price (from): £44,625                       Why we like it:

0-62 mph: 5.6 seconds                    - 322bhp and an agile chassis

Top Speed: 124 mph                        - Big 79kWh battery for decent range

Powertrain: Electric (FWD)           - Premium interior with cutting-edge tech

Toyota GR86 (used)

Price (from): circa £31,000                       Why we like it:

0-62 mph: 6.4 seconds                             - Rear-wheel-drive dynamics

Top Speed: 140 mph                                 - Manual gearbox option

Powertrain: Petrol (RWD)                       - A proper modern driver’s car

Hyundai i20N (used)

Price (from): c£23,000                       Why we like it:

0-62 mph: 6.2 seconds                      - Affordable, high-revving fun

Top Speed: 143 mph                          - Loads of standard kit

Powertrain: Petrol (FWD)                 - More fun than many bigger hot hatches

What to Consider When Buying a Sports Car Under £50k

When you’re thinking about what car to spend your hard-earned cash on, there are a few things to think about. Sure, you want the thrills behind the wheel, but how should you balance performance versus practicality? A two-seater might not be the best option if you need to carry people and stuff – decide how much comfort and space you’re willing to sacrifice for your adrenaline rush.

Think about the gearbox, too. Many purists prefer the engagement of a manual gearbox, but if you’ll be using your car in traffic everyday, maybe an automatic would be better.

Electric Sports Cars Under £50k

If you’re after something thrilling and battery-powered for less than £50k, then your options are limited – but growing. We’ve included a couple of our favourites in the above list, but there are some honorable mentions to add, including some that come in under budget if you buy used.

There are numerous benefits to a sporty EV – instant torque and low running costs being the obvious ones – but they can also be expensive to buy, often a bit pricey to insure, and they’re heavy compared to equivalent petrol models.

A sporty car under £50,000 doesn’t have to mean compromise. From agile and exciting roadsters and hot hatches to razor-sharp EVs and used performance icons that cost less than you might have thought, there’s a huge variety of exciting models to explore.

Why not test drive a few, and have a look at these tempting lease offers? However you spend your budget, you can enjoy the best of both value and adrenaline without breaking the bank.