Fastest 4-Cylinder Cars

Small Engines, Big Speed

These days, you don’t need a big engine to go fast. There are a number of four-cylinder cars that have been able to achieve quickness off the line thanks to turbocharging.

Turbocharged four-cylinder engines often achieve better fuel economy than six-cylinder engines with the same horsepower, making them attractive to buyers concerned about fuel efficiency.

Read on to find out which four-cylinder cars are some of the fastest available at dealerships today and to see how they rate in U.S. News & World Report rankings.

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2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia

0-60: 5.1 sec | 280 HP | 24/33 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

Alfa Romeo’s new sedan only has four cylinders under its hood, but its engine puts out a lot of power. The Giulia’s all-aluminum turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine can deliver 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque to get the car from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

With performance like that, it’s no surprise that the Giulia is one of U.S. News & World Report’s top luxury small cars. It has precise handling and standard leather seats. For even more fun behind the wheel, you can upgrade to the six-cylinder Giulia Quadrifolgio. 

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2017 Audi S3

0-60: 4.6 sec | 292 hp | 21/28 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The sportier version of the Audi A3, the 2017 S3, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 292 horsepower.  The compact sedan gets from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The S3 is tuned to give a driver a sportier drive than they’ll find in the A3.

The Audi S3 isn’t individually rated by U.S. News & World Report, but its sister-car, the A3, is. Compared to other luxury small cars, the A3 earns middle-of-the-road ratings due to its cramped back seat and tiny trunk. Other models, like the BMW 3 Series, offer more room.

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2018 Subaru WRX STI

0-60: 4.8 sec | 305 hp | 17/22 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The Subaru WRX STI isn’t the best compact car on the market today, but it is one of the most fun to drive. Powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the car makes 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque. It gets to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.8 seconds.

All that power comes at a cost. The WRX is not very fuel-efficient. It also has poor reliability ratings. The WRX ranks in the middle of U.S. News & World Report’s compact car rankings.

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2017 Volkswagen Golf R

0-60: under 5 sec | 292 hp | 23/30 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The highest-level performance variant of the Volkswagen Golf, the Golf R is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a whopping 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It gets to 60 mph from a standstill in less than five seconds.

All that power isn’t just for the track. The highly rated Golf has a cabin that is outfitted with high-end materials. It was named a finalist for U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Compact Car for Families award.

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2017 BMW 3 Series     

0-60: 5.4 sec | 248 hp | 23/34 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The BMW 3 Series has a good combination of performance and luxury appointments, giving drivers access to the power they’re looking for while riding in style. Under the hood of the 330i is a strong turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that moves the 330i from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard.

The 3 Series is one of U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked luxury small cars. Its ratings are in close competition with similar offerings from BMW – the 4 Series and the 2 Series.

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2017 Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman

0-60: 4.9 sec | 300 hp | 22/29 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are beasts on the streets. Powered by identical turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, the sports cars make 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. They get from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The two cars are generally highly rated because they offer a good combination of performance and luxurious interior appointments. U.S. News’ reviews tout the models’ impressively agile handling.

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2017 Chevrolet Camaro

0-60: 5.4 sec | 275 hp | 22/31 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro beats many models off the line with its 5.4-second zero to 60 mph time. The Camaro is well-equipped for hot rodding, even in the base model, with its 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the Camaro as one of the best sports cars you can buy. It has good fuel economy and precise handling.

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2017 Ford Focus RS

0-60: 4.6 sec | 350 hp | 19/25 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

If you’re a true driver, the 2017 Ford Focus RS has a lot of qualities you’ll likely love. Its strong turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine makes 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive sedan comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and can get from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

In its non-RS variant, the 2017 Ford Focus is a good compact car. It hasn’t received any upgrades since 2016, and compared to other vehicles in its class there is not much legroom in the second row. 

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2017 Honda Civic Type R

0-60: TBD | 306 hp | 22/28 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

The zero to 60 mph time of this Civic isn’t out yet, but considering it just achieved the title of “world's fastest front-wheel-drive production car” for its lap around the Nürburgring, it’s safe to say it belongs on this list. The 2017 Honda Civic Type R’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine makes 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The Type R shares many features and equipment with the mass-production Honda Civic and will be sold alongside the model on dealer lots. The Civic is one of the best compact cars on the market, according to U.S. News & World Report analysis.

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2017 Alfa Romeo 4C

0-60: 4.1 sec | 237 hp | 24/34 mpg city/hwy (Details Below)

Capable of reaching a top speed of 160 mph, the 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a 237-horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. It can get drivers from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds thanks in no small part to the car’s output of 258 pound-feet of torque.

The 4C is a sporty vehicle that is best as a track car. Its precise steering and quick handling make track driving enjoyable. On the streets, the car quickly moves from fun to a nuisance as the cabin fills with noise and the firm ride and heavy steering make driving long distances uncomfortable.

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2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

0-60: 5.8 sec | 241 hp | 45/61 mpg-e city/hwy (Details Below)

There’s a speedster standout in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and it may not be the model you’re first to think of. Within their bevy of four-cylinder engine offerings, the C350e Plug-in Hybrid Sedan comes up with the fastest with a zero to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. The C350e is that quick thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that is helped by a 60kW electric motor.

Thanks to its powerful engine lineup and well-crafted, luxurious interior, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the top rated luxury small cars in U.S. News rankings.

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More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Is a four-cylinder car right for you? Use our new car rankings to find out which model is best for your needs. Before you buy, use our Best Price Program to help you find the dealer in your area with the best price. On average, the Best Price Program can save you over $3,000 on a new car.

Zero to 60 mph times are from manufacturer data and Car and Driver.