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Modern sports cars are efficient and economical, but they lack the raw performance that some of the old muscle cars have in abundance.

Modern cars are undeniably safer and more economical than ever before. Engines are getting smaller while pumping out similar performance figures at the same time. This makes it great for the environment, but also for automakers looking to stretch profits.

While these advancements are noteworthy, classic muscle cars of the past offer more raw performance than most modern sports cars. When it comes to actual power output and the feeling behind the wheel, classic muscle cars are a clear favorite.

Here’s a list of 10 modern sports cars that would be absolutely destroyed by classic muscle cars any day of the week.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 BMW Z4

BMW revived the Z4 model a few years ago with a modern design and an all-new powertrain. This powertrain was developed to be shared with Toyota for their upcoming sports car, the Toyota Supra.

While the Z4 was an impressive and much-needed update, it was designed more for luxury than performance. The new Z4 comes with an inline-six engine that can produce 255 HP. This is impressive but significantly lower than many of the classic muscle cars of the past.

The Toyota Supra was and still remains one of the most iconic sports cars to ever hit the streets. Toyota decided to upgrade the iconic sports car with an all-new model that would be based on the BMW Z4 powertrain.

This model came with the same performance figures as the Z4, but you can upgrade the powertrain to a 3.0-liter BMW engine that comes supercharged with 382 HP. Even with this upgrade, the Supra is designed to be comfortable and luxurious.

The Audi TT is arguably the best two-door sports car in its segment. The compact sports car comes with a relatively tame powertrain that still offers you a sporty feel behind the wheel.

The Audi TT features a driver-centered cockpit that includes a digital gauge cluster and no center console screen. Known as the Virtual Cockpit, this screen is the primary way to interact with the entire car. This makes the entire experience driver-focused, allowing the sports car to feel small, nimble, and sporty.

Related: 10 Reasons Why We Love The Audi TT

Designed with shared technology, the Toyota GT86 is Toyota’s compact sports coupe. The 184 HP powertrain may be less than most muscle cars but is still enough to have some fun on the road. The GT86 comes in an incredibly sporty package, making it perfect for those who want an affordable sports car.

The GT86 model comes with a few performance upgrades compared to the standard model. While many of the smaller upgrades aren’t immediately recognizable, the rear wing helps set it apart from the rest of the range.

Alfa Romeo is known for creating classics. The Alfa Romeo 4C was a modern attempt at creating a two-seater coupe that could deliver both luxury and performance in an elegant package.

While the car was accepted well at first, demand was not as expected. This led to Alfa Romeo discontinuing the car in 2020 with a total of under 10,000 units sold. This led to the value of these sports cars skyrocketing over the last few years.

Related: 8 Reasons Why We Love The Alfa Romeo 4C (2 Reasons Why We Wouldn't Buy One)

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the Japanese brand's most famous sports cars. While the brand is now presented as a family brand of SUVs and modern sedans, the new MX-5 was designed to pay homage to the models of the past.

While the new MX-5 comes with a stunning modern design, the performance is still miles behind some of the classic muscle cars of the past. The soft-top model takes 5.7 seconds to get to 60 mph, significantly slower than some of its competitors.

The SLK-Class is a compact roadster from Mercedes-Benz. Released back in 1996, there have been three generations of SLK roadsters over the years. The most modern being the third generation SLK that was introduced in 2011.

This model featured all the latest Mercedes had to offer including their new V6 and V8 engines. The SLK was also available with a manual gearbox, making it perfect for gearheads wanting a sporty roadster for Sunday drives.

Related: 8 Reasons Why We Love The Mercedes-Benz SLK (2 Reasons Why We Wouldn't Buy One)

The 2 Series from BMW was designed to replace the 1 Series Coupe models. These cars were designed to be sleek and modern coupes that have enough power to take on the occasional track day.

The new 2 Series modernized the look and feel of the 2 Series, including efficient and powerful powertrains as well. The M240i is the performance model that comes with 382 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque. While the new BMW 2 Series is a major improvement over the first generation, many gearheads prefer the older model.

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel-drive sports car that was developed under the union of Daimler and Chrysler. Launched in 2004, the two-door sports car was based on the initial concept by Eric Stoddard back in 2001.

This model came with a Mercedes-AMG engine that came in two configurations. The Limited and Base model came with a 3.2-liter engine that could produce 215 HP while the SRT-6 model came with a supercharged V6 that could produce 330 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque.

The Solstice was released back in 2006 for under $20,000. This made it one of the most affordable sports cars on the market. The Solstice came with a dynamic design that was available in both a coupe and convertible variant.

The Pontiac Solstice was also available with a manual transmission. However, the car did have a few drawbacks that owners did not appreciate. The most notable being the lack of space to make it comfortable enough to be a daily driver.

Nicholas is an avid motorsport lover from South Africa. He has been obsessed with all things automotive from an early age and managed to learn about the industry directly during his time at Mercedes-Benz. Nicholas also studied and worked in Germany, where he accumulated over five years of experience in the marketing and automotive industry. Nicholas is also a passionate Formula 1 fan, patiently awaiting Lewis Hamilton's 9th World Championship.