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The Porsche 911 enjoys one of the most faithful cult followings. It is, oftentimes, referred to as the benchmark for practical, high-performance sports cars and for a good reason. The 911 is also surprisingly versatile. Between all different versions of the car, which are over 20, there is a Porsche 911 for every budget and need.
That said, Porsche's craftsmanship and heritage commands a premium, not everyone is willing to pay. Granted, the 911 offers great value for money when compared to the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini, but even the base 992.2 Carrera is not to everyone's pocket. Luckily, there are alternatives that pack similar or even greater performance than the base Porsche 911, for a fraction of the price.
I understand not everyone needs to have the Porsche badge to go fast nor wants to pay the $120,100 sticker price, which is why I compiled this list of current and upcoming models that can give the Porsche 911 Carrera a run for its money.
Toyota GR Supra
The fifth-generation Toyota Supra, as controversial as it might be in the eyes of JDM fans, is a capable sports car. The B58 3.0-liter engine is a powerhouse and while it would, likely, never become as legendary as the 2JZ, it responds extremely well to basic mods. At $57,345, the GR Supra starts as less than half the base-model Porsche 992.2 Carrera price.
At the same time, the Supra almost matches the horsepower of the 911 Carrera and while making more torque. Toyota Supra recently got a swan-song model in the A90 Final Edition, which is even more powerful, but would likely come with a hefty price tag, of around $87,000, which is still less than what Porsche will charge you for the entry-level 911.
2025 Toyota GR Supra performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged, inline-six
- Power: 382 horsepower at 5,800-6,500 RPM
- Torque: 368 pound-feet at 1,800-5,000 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed PDK automatic/ 6-speed manual, RWD
- Curb weight: 3,399 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 4.2-3.9 seconds
- Top speed: 163 mph
BMW M2
You can get an M-car from BMW for almost half the price of the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera. The BMW M2 is the brand's entry-level performance coupe and it packs a serious punch. Its S58 inline-six engine packs a lot more power than the 992.2 Carrera, although some would say “Porsche horsepower is different". I give that away to the inherent advantages of the rear-engine setup, the immense engineering, and the fact Porsche sometimes downplays the output figures.
Regardless, the BMW M2 G87 starts at $66,075, and offers you roughly 3.5 times better horsepower-per-dollar ratio. That said, one aspect where the M2 is severely lacking is traction, which is why the official 0 to 60 mph time is identical to the 992.2 Carrera. Moreover, the Porsche is more consistent in achieving it.
2025 BMW M2 performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo, inline-six
- Power: 473 horsepower at 6,250 RPM
- Torque: 405 pound-feet 2,650-6,130 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual/ RWD
- Curb weight: 3,759-3,814 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph (limited)
Nissan Z NISMO
Nissan Z's more track-focused variant, the NISMO, seems like a better comparison for the 992.2 Carrera. Tweaked chassis, more aggressive, rubber, more power, and heftier sticker price than the regular Z, make it a worthy rival. Granted, the Nissan badge doesn't carry nearly enough prestige (unless it's a GT-R), but the bang-for-buck ratio is a strong argument.
At $65,750, the NISMO Z is way more affordable than the 911 Carrera, but ambitiously-priced for a Nissan that rides on what is, essentially, a 20-year-old platform. Like the base-model Porsche 911, the Nissan Z NISMO is automatic only.
2025 Nissan Z NISMO performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo, V-6
- Power: 420 horsepower at 6,400 RPM
- Torque: 382 pound-feet at 2,000-5,000 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 9-speed MCT automatic
- Curb weight: 3,703 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
- Top speed: 165 mph
Lotus Emira
One of the pricier propositions comes from Lotus. The Emira is unusually refined compared to the brand's previous offerings like the Elise or Exige, which are minimalist by comparison. The mid-engine Emira features a supercharged Toyota engine and can be had with a manual.
This is, actually, the 2GR-FE V-6 engine, which Toyota recently retired in favor of its new inline-four, turbo engine. There is also a version of the Lotus Emira, powered by Mercedes AMG's turbo-four engine. The Lotus Emira starts at $77,100, which is some $43,000 less than the 992.2 Carrera. Unlike its predecessor, the Lotus Evora, the Emira is strictly a two-seater.
2025 Lotus Emira performance specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter, DOHC, supercharged V-6
- Power: 400 horsepower at 6,800 RPM
- Torque: 310 pound-feet at 3,500 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 6-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual/ RWD
- Curb weight: 3,284 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 4.0-4.1 seconds
- Top speed: 180 mph
Toyota Celica GR Sport
Toyota is bringing back many of its iconic nameplates. The Japanese carmaker is currently working on the next Toyota Celica, which will feature exciting new features. Chief among them is Toyota's new turbocharged engine, which will be shared with many upcoming Toyota and Lexus models, including the MR-2 and next-generation Supra.
Moreover, the 2026 Toyota Celica is bringing back a key feature of the iconic Celica GT-Four and will be built without help from another company. We know the engine will develop 400 horsepower, which puts it in the same performance segment as the Porsche 992.2 Carrera.
We also know that Toyota's partnership with ExxonMobil passed successful tests, with synthetic fuels, which the new engine could use, without modifications. While not yet confirmed, the 2026 Toyota Celica will be priced in the region of $50,000- $60,000.
2026 Toyota Celica GR Sport performance specifications
- Engine: 2.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged, inline-four
- Power: 400 horsepower
- Torque: 405 pound-feet
- Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual, AWD
- Curb weight: TBA
- 0-60 mph: approx. 3.9 seconds
- Top speed: TBA
Mercedes AMG CLE53
Mercedes retired three of its models and replaced them with the stylish CLE. The classic two-door coupe is closer in size to the E-Class coupe. The wheelbase is almost identical too. The best part is that the range-topping AMG CLE53 starts at $75,450, which is almost $45,000 less than the base 911 Carrera. The CLE53 makes use of the company's new, M256, inline-six engine.
The front-engine setup makes the Mercedes luxury coupe more practical than the 911 as it has more usable back seats and a more generous cargo area. The 0 to 60 mph time is also comparable to the rear-engine sports car. The only downside is the weight. At over 4,200 pounds, don't expect the AMG CLE53 to be quite as nimble as the near-700-pound lighter Porsche 992.2 Carrera.
2025 Mercedes AMG CLE53 performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged, inline-six
- Power: 449 horsepower at 5,800-6,100 RPM
- Torque: 413 pound-feet at 2,200-5,000 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 9-speed automatic, AWD
- Curb weight: 4,244 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph (limited)
Toyota GR MR-2
Like the Celica, Toyota's mid-engine MR-2 is also making a comeback. The two models will debut around the same time and will share many traits. Among those are the 400-horsepower turbo-four engine and all-wheel-drive system, which will be a version of the GR-Four system, found in the GR Yaris pocket rocket and Toyota GR Corolla hot hatchback.
In true tradition, the new Toyota GR MR-2 will be a lightweight two-seater that promises near-supercar performance. The mid-engine Toyota will be positioned above the Celica GR, which also means it would cost more. The 2026 Toyota GR MR-2 is expected to start at around $70,000.
2026 Toyota GR MR2 performance specifications
- Engine: 2.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged, inline-four
- Power: 400 horsepower
- Torque: 405 pound-feet
- Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual, AWD
- Curb weight: TBA
- 0-60 mph: approx. 3.9 seconds
- Top speed: TBA
BMW M4 Competition
The BMW M4 Competition is a true supercar slayer. If you opt for the company's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, you are looking at a sub-three-second 0 to 60 mph time (if conditions allow). The best part is that the 2025 BMW M4 Competition would set you back $84,195, which is a bargain, given the Bavarian model's performance.
The potent S58 inline-six engine is conservatively tuned, so the hardware allows for extra power to be unlocked with only basic mods. The all-wheel-drive system only adds 110 pounds. As a bonus, the M4 offers a more practical interior and 15.54 cubic feet of trunk space, versus the 992.2 Carrera's 4.77.
2025 BMW M4 Competition performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, turbocharged, inline-six
- Power: 510 horsepower at 6,250 RPM
- Torque: 4,79 pound-feet at 2,750-5,500 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 8-speed automatic, RWD/ AWD
- Curb weight: 3,803-3,913 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 3.7-2.9 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph (limited)
About the author
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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