People are going to describe the best performance cars in different terms. Some think that the highest horsepower means it’s the best performance car. Others only consider exotic brands to be among the best. And others feel that true performance is found in domestic muscle with few exceptions. Then there are people who want a driver’s car, something that combines power and handling.
Because it’s different strokes for different folks, these best performance cars aren’t going to be ranked. Think of it as a suggestion list if you want to have a blast behind the wheel of a car. One thing you can guarantee: each car earns its place on the list one way or another.
There are only flashes of the snobby attitude Jaguar gives off with most of its cars. The F-Type is a different animal, focusing on performance more than just giving an air of snootiness. The Jaguar F-Type SVR is a front-engine 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that winds up 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, so AWD is used to keep it all under control. Acceleration from 0 to 60 is 3.0 seconds flat, and that’s middle of the pack for our list.
What you did not expect is that the F-Type still has a rather soft suspension. That gives you the option to throw it around a bit, but it feels less controlled than some other models. A roaring exhaust sounds fantastic but can get a little annoying sooner rather than later. And yes, there are still some pretentious quirks inside, but you’ll get over them quickly.
Now this is quite a car. Perhaps the most well-rounded of the best performance cars, the NSX can do pretty much anything. From a standstill, it can chirp all four tires when you hit the gas in Sport Plus mode. When you get into corners, it can hold them better than virtually any other competitor. It’s been compared to a Porsche 918 but better, and that’s all without engaging Launch mode.
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The 2017 Acura NSX has a beastly 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque from its hybrid 3.5-liter twin-turbo mid-engine powertrain, and two electric motors power the front wheels for AWD. 3.1 seconds is its 0-to-60 time, which is good enough for us.
It’s our only rear-engine performance car in this review, and it’s one of the most iconic in the segment. The Porsche 911 evokes feelings based on its looks, its handling, its acceleration, and its exotic and quirky interior. It’s nimble, and fast, but it’s not the most comfortable car you can buy for nearly $200,000.
An H-67 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine makes 580 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque for a sprint to 60 in just 2.5 seconds. Top speed is 205 mph, which will do in a pinch I guess.
If all you’re looking for is a go-fast kind of car with decent handling, the Nissan GT-R Nismo is where it’s at. A whopping 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque bring the GT-R just under 3 seconds from 0 to 60. It’s from a front-engine, 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. So yeah, it’s fun to drive.
Suede and leather are standard, but there’s little else for stand-out refinement. It feels like you’re piloting a car in “Need for Speed.” An extremely capable, top performer? Yes. Nearly $200k and minimal luxury options? I’ll pass.
If you want to experience a car unadulterated, there are extremely few that can stand up and hang with the Lotus Evora 400. A six-speed manual transmission lets you have the most input possible, and the word precise doesn’t do justice for the steering, brakes and throttle. It’s not the fastest in top speed (186 mph) or acceleration (0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds) but it’s thrilling driving in its basest form.
Part of the pinpoint accurate handling is thanks to only 3,212 lbs of weight, and the mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 3.5-liter supercharged V6 powertrain does its part too. Expect the interior to feel like a kit car, though, with an aftermarket feel.
The only domestic-made vehicle here is the Corvette Grand Sport, and it fits in quite nicely. This is the Corvette that makes 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, which surpasses only the Lotus Evora 400 in ratings. But specs a performance car do not make. Its acceleration from 0 to 60 happens in just 3.7 seconds. As a lay person, there’s nearly no seat-of-the-pants noticeable difference with some of the other higher HP cars.
The Corvette is the bang-for-your-buck model here. It’s the one that can keep pace on the highway or take on the Nurburgring. Thankfully, novice drivers can still appreciate the Corvette due to an onslaught of driving assists, most of which operate undetected.
BMW scavenges the most power possible from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6, achieving 493 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The M Performance vehicles are all top performers, so the stigma BMW drivers receive is unwarranted for the M4 GTS. The trunk-mounted wing looks a little out of place, but it’s forgivable when it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The 2017 BMW M4 GTS is as comfortable on a twisting road track as a city street with adept handling even with solely RWD. And once you’re inside, you get the same luxurious treatment as the standard 4 Series, albeit with M Performance accents. A top choice for certain.
It’s a car that feels like it was built for this market just so Mercedes could say they could do it. But, it works. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S is a great performance car, although without its 6.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8. It’s now a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 503 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It makes for a decent sprint to 60mph in 3.8 seconds.
Here’s the main problem with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S: it’s a luxury car first and foremost. The bells and whistles on the inside are why people buy it, and the performance is an afterthought. Odds are that most C63 S drivers will never test the limits of their car’s capability, and that’s a shame.
We round out with the 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus, a worthy competitor in the segment. Like a kids’ softball tournament, there are no winners or losers, otherwise this car just might be getting first place instead of a participation trophy.
The technology onboard is second to none including Audi Magnetic Ride, a 12.3-inch full-color cluster display, and an F1-inspired steering wheel. Carbon fiber accents are less cosmetic and more functional, and the fixed-mount carbon fiber wing is divine. 0 to 60 seconds is 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph are courtesy of a 610-hp naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 monster, and an exhaust that tells you all about it.
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