Livable Sports Cars

As enjoyable as it is to take to the open road on a Sunday afternoon, come Monday's commute, a cramped two-door that bludgeons you with every bump in the road may not seem nearly as good an idea. There's good news, though: A number of sports cars manage to thread the needle between ride comfort and handling. If you're willing to spend top dollar, pricier models offer technologies — from advanced suspensions to variable-ratio steering — to have a comfortable ride without sacrificing driving fun.

From the least-expensive to the priciest, here are several sports cars that have impressed our editors for exceptional ride comfort, roominess, seating comfort and/or sightlines. We'll explain what attributes make each car stand out and some things you may have to sacrifice.

Scion tC, $17,000: Aging rather gracefully, the tC still proves something fun to drive can be had for cheap.

What makes it livable: When Toyota's youth brand first introduced the tC, we were impressed with its combination of BMW-like ride quality and overall driving composure. A large, fairly unobstructed rear window helps with parking-lot visibility, and the rear seats afford decent comfort for a coupe.

Where you'll still compromise: Besides the obvious — the backseat isn't quite sedan-sized, and you get the usual coupe blind spots — compromises are generally few. The tC is a relatively modest performer, of course, so perhaps we'd call this sports-car lite.

Dodge Challenger, $22,735 - $41,230: The Challenger is a big, comfortable car that's capable of moving fast when it needs to.

What makes it livable: Sharing a suspension with Chrysler's well-received 300 and Dodge Charger, the Challenger packs exceptional ride refinement in both the V-6 SE and V-8 R/T trims. It's a highway cruiser through and through, with light steering and a large backseat. You'll easily fit a week's luggage in the trunk, which isn't something we can say of the Challenger?s muscle-car competitors.

Where you'll still compromise: Chunky window pillars give the Challenger true sports-car blind spots so make sure you have plenty of clearance when parking.

Subaru Impreza WRX, $24,995 - $27,995: Once a bare-bones econo-rocket, the WRX has grown up; it's downright comfortable these days — and it still rocks.

What makes it livable: Available in sedan or cargo-swallowing hatchback versions, the WRX won't beat you up when driving over rough pavement, even after Subaru stiffened its suspension for the 2009 model year. Learn to tame the turbo lag and the drivetrain allows gut-busting acceleration or more settled, sensible driving around town. Standard all-wheel drive arguably makes the WRX the best car here to drive in any climate.

Where you'll still compromise: You paid for performance, so the WRX is no luxury car, even dressed up with amenities. Cabin materials are so-so, and the backseat is a bit cramped.

BMW Z4, $45,750 - $51,650 : The retractable-hardtop Z4 is better than its predecessor: It's quicker and better-looking, and it's quieter and more comfortable.

What makes it livable: We didn't expect BMW to marry expert handling with this sort of drivability. The Z4's optional adaptive M suspension delivers an unexpectedly supple ride, and the manual transmission is easy to work, even in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The cabin, enlarged with the convertible's 2009 redesign, no longer requires the driver to go through contortions to get in and out, and now the glove compartment actually holds stuff. Imagine that.

Where you'll still compromise: There's no backseat, and even with this year's larger storage compartments, there still isn't a whole lot of space to stash things. Watch those concrete parking blocks because its ground clearance is slim.

BMW M3, $54,850 - $66,500: The high-performance M3 has all the strengths of the 3 Series on which it's based, and its extra grunt doesn't come at the expense of drivability.

What makes it livable: Who'd have thought a 414-horsepower performer could work so well for the daily commute? The M3 is easy to shift, easy to drive, easy on the bumps — and sublime on the racetrack. Available as a coupe, sedan or convertible, this M promises to have the widest appeal yet.

Where you'll still compromise: The backseat is small, and the optional dual-clutch transmission, like all dual-clutch transmissions, responds quickly but doesn't get you going as smoothly as a traditional automatic does.

BMW 6 Series, $78,200 - $85,300: Available as a coupe or convertible, the 6 Series is a true grand touring machine. It's capable, but it hews more to the comfort side than, say, the less-compromising Porsche 911.

What makes it livable: Gobs of low-end power combine with excellent ride quality, a warmer interior than most BMWs and a fairly large trunk. The coupe's narrow C-pillars make for a manageable blind spot, and the car's styling is easy on the eyes.

Where you'll still compromise: The backseat is tight, and the coupe's front seatbelts like to fall off their clips — so you'll have to reach back and get them. You may want to stretch a bit before getting in.

Jaguar XK, $82,150 - $101,150: As sports cars go, the XK is an easy pill to swallow. (It is a pill that's at least $82,000, though, and it's one your HMO won't cover.)

What makes it livable: Jaguar's adaptive suspension is one of our favorites. It contains body roll in one corner and damps out bumps on the straightaway coming out. You needn't push any buttons to activate a sport mode; it just does everything you want it to. Ditto for the six-speed automatic: It's smooth and exceptionally responsive. The car's trunk is sizable as well.

Where you'll still compromise: The backseat is a technicality, and the curvaceous roof obscures large swaths of your sightlines. Not that you'd think of them, but Jaguar's cupholders aren't up to snuff.

Audi R8, $114,200 - $146,000: Believe it: The R8 could work as your only car. And, at more than $100,000 a pop, it might have to.

What makes it livable: It's easy to steer and shift gears, and standard Quattro all-wheel drive made quick work of Chicago streets when we drove the R8 in winter. Parking sensors are mounted low on the bumpers, so curbsides won't appear undetected. Keep the adaptive suspension in regular mode, and the R8 boasts pothole-friendly ride quality.

Where you'll still compromise: Mind you, it's best to still avoid those potholes. The R8 hugs the ground, which puts its lower extremities at risk of unexpected encounters with asphalt. For what you get — valets will park this alongside the the other supercars — the price is a steal, but six figures is still steep.