2018 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack
485 hp | $39,995 | U.S. News Score: 7.9/10
While the 707-horsepower Charger Hellcat gets all of the attention, it’s the 2018 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack that offers the best horsepower-to-price value in the lineup. For less than $40,000, buyers can get a roomy four-door sedan with a 485-horsepower V8 under the hood.
The R/T Scat Pack also features 14.2-inch Brembo front brakes, an active exhaust system that helps it create a throaty rumble to announce its power, and Dodge Performance Pages in its UConnect infotainment system. The performance pages display information about the powertrain’s output, g-forces, and timing information for when you are driving the car on a track or drag strip.
Our ranking of large cars has the 2018 Charger scored near the bottom of the pack.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS V6
335 hp | $27,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
You don’t have to put a V8 in the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro for the car to be a lot of fun. With a price tag well below $30,000, the Camaro 1LS V6 gives you 335 horsepower. It’s only about a $1,500 upgrade over the 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder base engine.
The Camaro earns a spot in the top half of U.S. News Best Cars’ ranking of sports cars. The Camaro 1LS comes standard with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports a 4G LTE data connection, an onboard Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Chevy offers the V6 Camaro with a 1LE performance package that includes Brembo brakes, a high-capacity cooling system, a performance exhaust system, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, and 20-inch black wheels with run-flat high-performance tires.
2018 Ford Fusion Sport
325 hp | $33,845 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 Ford Fusion Sport packs a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 325 horsepower. All-wheel drive comes standard, as does a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The powertrain provides a level of performance found on few rivals in the segment.
A more aggressive front end, 19-inch alloy wheels, wider tires, a quad-tip dual exhaust, and a subtle rear spoiler give the Fusion Sport a different look from the rest of the Fusion lineup. Under its skin, the Fusion Sport includes suspension dampers that continuously adjust to road conditions and larger anti-roll bars.
In our competitive ranking of midsize cars, the Fusion holds a spot just below the segment leaders. It earns an above-average predicted reliability rating of four out of five.
2018 Honda Civic Type R
306 hp | $34,100 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
The 2018 Honda Civic Type R is an aggressively styled lightweight hatchback with a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces more than 300 horsepower. It’s only available with a crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission. In our ranking of compact cars, the Civic earns a spot near the top of the list.
There’s more to the Type R than just the engine. It also features a front suspension design that helps to eliminate the torque steer common to high-power front-wheel-drive cars. Adaptive suspension dampers allow the car’s ride and handling to be tweaked for different driving and road conditions.
The Civic Type R comes standard with a navigation system plus support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2018 Subaru WRX STI
305 hp | $36,095 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The 2018 Subaru WRX STI takes the already solid performance of the all-wheel-drive WRX and amps it up with a 305-horsepower turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine, a sophisticated SI-Drive powertrain management system, and a driver-controlled center differential. For 2018, the STI receives a few front-end styling enhancements and LED steering-responsive headlights.
There are three trim levels of the WRX STI available: the base model, a WRX STI Limited model with a host of additional standard features, and a limited-edition WRX STI RA model with significant performance upgrades and reduced weight.
Our ranking of compact cars has the 2018 Subaru WRX scored about halfway down the list.
2018 Lincoln MKZ 3.0T
400 hp | $45,810 | U.S. News Score: 7.4/10
Even when you equip a 2018 Lincoln MKZ Reserve with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel drive, it's still one of the more affordable models in the luxury midsize car class. For around $46,000, you get a well-equipped luxury sedan with all-wheel drive and 400 horsepower.
Opt for front-wheel drive, and you'll save $2,890, but your power drops to 350 horsepower.
The Lincoln MKZ Reserve trim level comes standard with HID headlights, an adaptive suspension, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the intuitive SYNC 3 infotainment system, and a 10.1-inch customizable gauge cluster display.
The MKZ earns a spot at the bottom of our luxury midsize car rankings due to its overly cushy ride and lack of rear seat room.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
455 hp | $55,495 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
You might not consider the Corvette’s price tag affordable, but compared to most competitors in the luxury sports car class, the Corvette is a steal. Even the base Stingray model comes with a 455-horsepower V8 under its long hood. You can get a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette holds a spot about a third of the way down our ranking of luxury sports cars. You can even opt to pick up your Corvette at GM’s Bowling Green, Kentucky plant.
Brembo high-performance brakes come standard on the base Stingray model, as do leather seats and a host of connectivity and infotainment features. The Corvette even offers enough cargo capacity for a weekend golf outing, which is a rare trait in this class.
2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman Quad Cab 4x2
305 hp | $31,695 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
The Tradesman model of the redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6, 305-horsepower, a mild-hybrid system, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its hybrid system improves mileage while making the truck’s auto stop/start system work seamlessly.
The Tradesman trim level is the no-frills base model of the truck. It seats up to six in its standard extended cab configuration and features durable vinyl upholstery. Push-button start comes standard, as does Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, and a UConnect infotainment system with a 5-inch screen.
Our ranking of full-size pickups currently has the redesigned Ram at the top of the list. A regular cab model is expected to be announced at a future date.
2018 Genesis G80 5.0
420 hp | $57,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
With a long list of standard features and a base engine that cranks out 311 horsepower, the 2018 Genesis G80 is a strong contender in the luxury midsize class. Higher trims produce up to 420 horsepower at prices that are below comparable rivals. To get a V8 with more than 400 horsepower in any midsize luxury rival, you’ll be spending at least $70,000.
All Genesis G80 models come standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, navigation, and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. It seats five passengers, with leather upholstery included on all models.
The 2018 Genesis G80 holds a spot near the top of our luxury midsize car ranking.
2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
400 hp | $52,000 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
Topping the 2018 Infiniti Q60 sports coupe lineup is the Red Sport 400. As the name suggests, it carries a responsive twin-turbo V6 that produces 400 horsepower. It comes standard with rear-wheel drive, or you can upgrade to all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000.
The Q60 Red Sport 400 comes with larger brakes than its siblings, plus an upgraded suspension, highly-supportive semi-aniline leather upholstery, paddle shifters, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Our ranking of luxury small cars shows the 2018 Q60 near the bottom of the list. Its success is dampened by an infotainment system that isn't up to modern expectations and fuel efficiency that lags rivals.
2018 Volkswagen GTI
220 hp | $26,415 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
Yes, the 2018 Volkswagen GTI only has 220 horsepower, but it is also one of the least expensive cars on this list, and you can extract the maximum amount of fun out of each of those ponies when you equip the GTI with the slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission.
The GTI features a firmer suspension system than the 2018 Volkswagen Golf on which it is based. An available adaptive suspension damper system allows you to tune the GTI's ride for road conditions and your level of driving fervor.
Our ranking of compact cars has the 2018 GTI scored just below the segment leaders.
2018 Nissan 370Z
332 hp | $29,900 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
The 2018 Nissan 370Z might be an aging relic in a segment that rewards high-tech features and sophisticated performance components, but its 332-horsepower V6 engine and under-$30,000 starting price still make it a compelling option if you’re looking for a no-frills go-fast car.
Though the 370Z is available with a seven-speed automatic transmission, purists should opt for the standard six-speed manual. It offers a trick rev-matching downshift function that makes for smooth gear changes and can make even novice drivers look good. The 370Z’s suspension is tuned for enthusiastic driving and is firmer than some buyers might find acceptable.
2018 Chevrolet Impala LS V6
305 hp | $28,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
Finding a car with more than 300 horsepower for under $30,000 is a challenge, but the 2018 Chevrolet Impala meets that goal when you equip a base LS model with a 3.6-liter V6. The Impala holds a spot about two-thirds of the way down our ranking of large cars.
Just because the Impala LS is a base model, don’t think that it is stripped. Every Impala comes with an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports a high-speed data connection, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Push-button start, three USB ports, and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
310 hp | $25,680 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
Not long ago, the idea of a buying a four-cylinder Mustang would have been considered insulting to purists. However, the four-cylinder turbocharged engine found in the base model of the 2018 Ford Mustang cranks out a healthy 310 horsepower – and does it with an affordable price.
Though the refined powertrain doesn’t provide the rumble you expect from a pony car, it certainly provides the thrust that buyers demand. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, while a smooth and efficient 10-speed automatic is available.
The Mustang holds the top spot in our ranking of sports cars.
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6
301 hp | $34,950 | U.S. News Score: 9.3/10
You might be surprised to see a mainstream midsize sedan on a list of high-horsepower cars, but the 2018 Toyota Camry is available with a powerful and refined 3.5-liter V6 that produces 301 horsepower. The V6 can be fitted to luxurious XLE and sporty XSE trim levels. Few models in the midsize sedan class still offer V6 engines.
The 2018 Camry is one of our top-ranked midsize cars. It is the winner of both our 2018 Best Midsize Car for the Money and Best Midsize Car for Families awards. In addition to a predicted reliability score that is well above-average, it comes with an array of advanced safety and driver assistance features that are expensive options on most rivals.
Used Performance Cars
If you shop carefully, you can find affordable prices on used cars with excellent performance. By looking at certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, you can see cars that come with the protection of warranty coverage, without the high cost of buying a new car.
Many CPO cars are lease returns that have just a few years' worth of driving under their belts. You may even find some exceptionally high-performance vehicles, such as Cadillac CTS-V trims, Mercedes-AMG vehicles, or BMW M models, as certified vehicles.
Our rankings of used cars can help you identify the best cars to consider. Before you purchase a high-performance used car, it is critical that you get a prepurchase inspection and a vehicle history report.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Your car-buying journey should begin with research about what car to buy, how to buy it, and how to pay for it. Our new car rankings and reviews and used car rankings and reviews can help you find just the right vehicles to meet your needs and dreams.
The next step is getting a great deal on your new ride. The expert researchers and journalists of U.S. News Best Cars track the best incentives available from automakers. Buyers should check out our new car deals page to see the best financing and cash back offers available. For lease customers, our lease deals page highlights money-saving incentives.
Whether you choose to buy or lease, you should take advantage of the U.S. News Best Price Program, where we connect you to local dealers with guaranteed savings. On average, buyers save $3,106 when they use the program.
15 Cheap New Cars With Lots of Horsepower
2018 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack - 485 hp | $39,995
2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1LS V6 - 335 hp | $27,400
2018 Ford Fusion Sport - 325 hp | $33,845
2018 Honda Civic Type R - 306 hp | $34,100
2018 Subaru WRX STI - 305 hp | $36,095
2018 Lincoln MKZ 3.0T - 400 hp | $45,810
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - 455 hp | $55,495
2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman Quad Cab 4x2 - 305 hp | $31,695
2018 Genesis G80 5.0 - 420 hp | $57,000
2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 - 400 hp | $52,000
2018 Volkswagen GTI - 220 hp | $26,415
2018 Nissan 370Z - 332 hp | $29,900
2018 Chevrolet Impala LS V6 - 305 hp | $28,990
2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost - 310 hp | $25,680
2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 - 301 hp | $34,950
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Real Horsepower, Reasonable Price
When your lust for power is intense – but your finances aren’t – you can still find some great vehicles. From sedans with potent engine options to trucks and affordable sports cars, you can find vehicles that can break from the pack without breaking your budget.
We’ve listed some of the best options to get tons of power for decent prices on the following slides. We’ve included powerful models from a wide range of price points, so you’re sure to find something that works for you. If we wanted to get scientific about it, we’d say these cars offer the best horsepower-to-price ratios in their classes – though recommending a fast car is just as much art as science.
Note that our scores are frequently updated as new information is available, so the scores listed here may not match the scores you see on each vehicle’s review page.