Curious About the Top Performance Cars Loved by Women? Let’s See the Powerful Rides That Impress!
As women are making their mark in every industry, the automotive world is no exception. While cars are not necessarily gender oriented, some brands and models seem to resonate more with women.
Let’s take a look at the Women’s World Car of the Year awards, judged exclusively by an all-female panel. When it comes to the Performance Cars segment, a standout category, there are showcased some models that truly impress.
These awards were created in 2009 by Sand Myhre from New Zeeland and the votes are based on the same criteria as any other top car guide: quality, safety, price, design, ease of driving, or environmental impact.
What top-performance cars do women adore?
1. Ford Mustang
We know Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic cars in the world and most of us are familiar with it being a favorite among women.
The Mustang was named the top choice by 17 judges from 14 countries in 2016, and it was picked as the car women admire the most. Introduced for the first time in 1964, the Mustang made an impression through six generations. In 2022, Ford presented the seventh generation, supposed to debut in 2024.
Moreover, the electric Mach-E didn’t go unnoticed and it was named Large Car of the Year in 2022. Ford continues to catch women’s hearts with their stylish, performance-driven vehicles.
2. Audi RS 3
Audi RS 3 took the title of Best Performance Car at the Women’s World Car of the Year in 2023.
The current model has evolved through three generations and it’s powered by a 2.8-liter five-cylinder engine. It delivers 395 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Impressively, it goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph.
In addition to the RS 3, Kia Niro was also voted as the World’s Best Car by 63 professionals in 43 countries.
3. Ferrari F8 Spider
As the successor to the 488 lineup, the Ferrari F8 is for sure one of the top performance cars out there, earning a special spot on the Women’s World Car of the Year back in 2021.
The convertible F8 Spider offers both incredible performance and stunning looks. It features a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and it delivers 720 horsepower, 568 lb-ft torque and it accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. The Ferrari F8 Spider reaches a top speed of 211 mph.
While the F8 got its recognition in 2021, the Supreme Winner Award went to Land Rover Defender.
4. Porsche 911
This is one of the most beloved sports cars of all time, so no surprise that it was given the Best Performance Car title at the Women’s World Card of the Year 2020.
Introduced in 1964, the 911 was always a dominant force in the automotive world. With a high-performance, rear-engine, this sport car is available in four body styles: convertible, coupe, Targa top, and speedster.
Porche Taycan also earned recognition the same year as it won both the World Performance Car and World Luxury Car awards.
5. Mercedes-AMG GT
Back in 2015, the Mercedes-AMG GT brought home the Best Performance Car award and impressed judges with its sleek design and powerful performance. You can find it as a coupe, roadster, or four-door coupe version. This car continues to stand out.
After its second facelift, it delivers impressive power with its 4.0 V8 engine able to produce 523 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque.
AMG GT accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and reached a top speed of 193 mph. 2015 was a great year for Mercedes, as another model, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class got the title of Best Luxury Car and it followed the Supreme Winner award the previous year.
6. Audi e-Tron GT
2022 included multiple electrified and electric cars. We already mentioned the Ford Mach-e, and another great car that took the spotlight was the fully electric BMW iX.
The Best Performance Car award went to the Audi e-Tron GT, a car launched in 2020.
It was advertised as delivering “exhilarating performance without sacrificing innovative technology. This great performance car has up to 522 horsepower (529 ps) with boost engaged and it races to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It drives as far as 236 mi before needing to be charged.
Bring some joy to your inner child with the Hot Wheels version—a fun way to celebrate this iconic car!
7. Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin introduced the Rapide which won the Best Performance Car in 2011. The Rapide was available from 2010 to 2013, it’s a four-door, four-seated saloon powered by a 5.9-liter V12 engine. It delivers 470 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.
This car can accelerate from 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds and it reaches a top speed of 188 mph.
Rapide S, Rapide E, and Rapide AMR variants were included in the Rapide line. These were a range of options for performance enthusiasts.
8. Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R started as a high-performance hatchback in 1997 and the latest version, based on the sixth-generation Civic, was unveiled in 2022.
The current generation of Civic Type R has a 2.0-liter L4 engine and it delivers 311 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. What a notable increase, compared to the version that won the Best Performance Car award in 2014. From 2007 to 2011 it produced 222 horsepower, but it was still standing out when it came to performance.
9. Porsche 718 Boxter S
This model of Porsche was introduced in 1996 and it was upgraded to a 3.3-liter in 2007.
The current model features a 2.5-liter flat-four turbocharged engine that produces 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft torque.
Porche Boxster S won the Best Performance Car title in 2013 at the Women’s World Car of the Year awards, and it solidified its place as a top choice for performance enthusiasts.
10. Audi S3
Proven to be a reliable car and a preferred choice for women with the brand winning the Performance Car award three times in the last 10 editions. Presented along with the RS 3 and e-Tron GT, the Audi S3 won the award in 2014.
This model was first introduced in 1999 as a three-door hatchback and it has seen constant upgrades over the years, The last generation debuted in 2020.
2014 recognized the S3 as the fastest four-cylinder Audi at the time. Featuring a 2.0-liter TFSI, it produced back then 296 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
More Than Just a Drive
Performance cars are more than machines. They symbolize ambition, freedom, and exhilaration, so there is no surprise that these qualities resonate with women around the globe.
From the roaring engines of the Mercedes-AMG GT to Audi’s e-Tron innovation, these are all vehicles that represent progress, not only in engineering but also in the growing visibility of women in the automotive world.
It’s incredibly inspiring to see how these award-winning cars are celebrated by women across generations and borders, continuing to push boundaries. Whether it’s the audacious design of a Ferrari or the timeless appeal of a Porche, these cars are reminders that performance is more than about speed, it’s about the way they make us feel.
Great cars steal hearts, inspire and empower women to take the wheel and they prove once again that the joy of driving belongs to everyone.
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