The Most Affordable Supercars in 2018

Supercar Performance at Average Car Prices

What defines a supercar? They are usually ultra-expensive sports cars that aim for the pinnacle of street-legal performance, bridging the gap between the racetrack and the road (via a luxury showroom).

Here at U.S. News & World Report, we typically deal with far more attainable cars, but what common cars offer performance that starts to tread into supercar territory?

The following 10 cars are all found on our site and offer supercar performance in one way or another for sub-supercar prices. Considering the lower price, something has to give, so these cars might be particularly good at one thing, but not others.

For instance, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat has supercar-caliber horsepower, but it's heavy, so its acceleration is sub-supercar level, and its handling is unimpressive. On the opposite side of the coin, the Porsche Boxster S has so-so horsepower but phenomenal handling.

Read on to learn about these affordable supercars – the attainable dream car you’ve been looking for might be a few slides ahead.

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2017 Dodge Charger Hellcat

What Makes It Super: 707 hp | $65,945 (Details Below)

Considering the headlines the “Hellcat Twins” have been grabbing, their place on this list should come as little surprise. They are the pure definition of affordable horsepower, and an indicator that Dodge might be having the most fun of any automaker.

Underneath the large air intake is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, churning out an immense 707 horsepower, put to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. 

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2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat

What Makes It Super: 707 hp | $62,495 (Details Below)

We’d be remiss in featuring the Charger Hellcat without highlighting its two-door sibling. These muscle cars are more than just straight-line power, as they feature Bilstein three-mode adaptive damping suspension. The driver can select between Auto, Sport, and Track suspension modes.

Unlike other modern muscle cars, the Challenger and Charger have plenty of cabin space, a roomy back seat, and a spacious trunk. The Hellcats also feature FCA’s intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, available with Dodge performance pages, which feature tracking for zero to 60 times, G-force data, and more.

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2017 Mustang Shelby GT350R

What Makes It Super: Race-Ready Hardware | $63,495 (Details Below)

From first glance, it’s clear the Mustang GT350R is no ordinary ‘Stang. The large rear wing, revised front aerodynamics, blacked-out grille, and unique racing stripes are backed up by a V8 engine making 526 horsepower, allowing it to get from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds.

The Shelby GT350R is also the first production car to use carbon fiber wheels, which are wrapped in grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The suspension is also tuned to be sportier than the Mustang GT or even the non-R GT350 variant, making this a monster on the road or the track.

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2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

What Makes It Super: Track-Conquering Engine and Suspension | $61,140 (Details Below)

It is incredible to see the performance wars that the American “Big Three” have been embroiled in the last several years. More than just making big power, these cars are supremely dynamic. The Camaro ZL1 is no different, and its 650-horsepower supercharged V8 is just the tip of the iceberg.

Power is put to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or an available 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The result is a 0 to 60 time of just 3.5 seconds. Magnetic Ride Control (used in the Corvette and other world-class sports cars) and an electronic limited-slip differential ensure the ZL1 is a corner carver as well as a tire-burner.

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2017 Tesla Model S P100D

What Makes It Super: Faster From 0-60 Than $1-Million Sports Cars | $140,000 (Details Below)

Sure, the Tesla Model S P100D has a starting price of around $140,000, so it isn’t quite “low-cost.” However, it has features like few cars out there, including self-driving technologies and an enormous 17-inch touch screen.

What really makes the Model S P100D a bargain supercar is its all-electric dual-motor powertrain, which allows it to get from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. That is just about unbeatable, even among exotic gasoline cars costing over $1 million.

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2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

What Makes It Super: 0-60 in 2.9 sec | $83,450 (Details Below)

Even in its base form, the ‘Vette is a low-cost supercar rival. But in its range-topping Z06 form, the Corvette is a supercar-killer.

The base Corvette engine is a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower. The Z06 puts a supercharger on top of the 6.2-liter V8, helping it generate 650 horsepower. The result is a Chevy that can go from zero to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. That certainly sounds like supercar-level speed to us.

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2017 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

What Makes It Super: 200 mph … in a Sedan | $85,995 (Details Below)

Previous iterations of the CTS-V have amounted to a street-brawler in a business suit. While the CTS-V has become more refined, its performance prowess is still undeniable. Its 640-horsepower supercharged V8 makes it a worthy rival to the world’s top performance-luxury sedans.

Handling and braking are sharp, with a very precise steering feel. With the Magnetic Ride Control and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, the CTS-V is a performance beast. GM claims a zero-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds, and a top track speed of 200 mph.

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2017 Nissan GT-R

What Makes It Super: 0-60 in 2.9 sec | $109,990 (Details Below)

When the Nissan GT-R first arrived on the scene, it was billed as a low-cost Porsche 911 competitor. The price may have gone up as Nissan has updated the GT-R through the past handful of years, but it continues to offer world-beating performance at a lower price.

The beating heart of the GT-R is a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, sending 565 horsepower through a six-speed dual clutch transmission, which functions as an automatic with paddle shifters. That power is put to the road through an advanced all-wheel drive system. It all helps the GT-R get from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds.

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2017 Porsche Cayman S

What Makes It Super: Precise, Midengine Handling | $66,300 (Details Below)

Porsche purists may call the 911 the ultimate sports car, but its engine hangs off the rear. The Cayman, on the other hand, puts the six-cylinder powerplant in a true midengine layout.

The Cayman S features a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 350 horsepower – more than enough for this taught runabout. That power is matched to exceptional handling and incredibly balanced steering.

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

If any of these vehicles on this list ignite your need for speed, head over to our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are offering. You can even compare any of these vehicles with others in our new car rankings to find the right car for you.

Once you’re ready to buy, be sure to use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area offering the lowest prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.