
The term “sports car” is a fluid one. Purists insist it defines a vehicle bred explicitly for performance and competition first and foremost. Casual enthusiasts may consider the term appropriate for any passenger car with mildly elevated dynamics or simply a sleek and spicy design.
Wherever you fall on the spectrum, one truth is undeniable: A genuine sports car triggers the lizard brain and nurtures a highly focused and instinctual conversion between driver and machine. In short, it makes driving fun and engaging, no matter the price. By that measure, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R stand shoulder to shoulder with sports cars of all stripes regardless of price.
Case in point: Forbes Wheels Car of the Year panelists favorites were the Golf GTI and Golf R, 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman