10 Best Undercover Sports Cars

2018 Buick Regal GS hero ・ Photo by Buick

Undercover sports cars are models that are quicker or handle better than you would expect at first blush. These are what you might also call "sleepers." In other words, cars that concentrate on performance without adding too much unnecessary flash like spoilers, scoops, big wheels, huge exhausts or body kits.

Whether you’re trying to keep your car’s true potential hidden from your significant other, the police, your nosy neighbors, the insurance company, or just society in general, the expert editors at Autobytel have come up with a list of ten of the best undercover sports cars that should do the trick. Read on to see if any of our picks are right for you or if any surprise you with their hidden performance cred.

10) 2017 Lincoln MKZ

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ is a great sleeper, and while handling isn’t spectacular in tight corners on the open road, the MKZ acquits itself well, earning it a spot on our list of ten undercover sports cars. The available twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 puts out 400 hp in all-wheel drive models, while front-wheel drive models have to make do with 350 hp. A 6-speed automatic is the only transmission available, and while it works well in most situations it could be quicker, and if it had a few extra gears, we wouldn’t complain. The MKZ is a bit porky (unlike some of its competitors it has to make do with a mostly steel body), but the run to 60 miles per hour still only takes around five seconds.

Photo by Lincoln

9) 2018 Buick Regal GS

If you are an automotive history buff you’ll know that the Buick Regal was once available with some serious performance traits. While the new version doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by old models like the Grand National, the upcoming 2018 Regal GS does make a good undercover sports car. Power comes from a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine and is sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission and an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. GS models also get Brembo front brakes, GS-exclusive high-performance seats, a sport flat-bottom steering wheel and an available head-up display. To up the style a little bit without being too obvious the GS also comes with unique sport front and rear fascias, side skirts, and rear spoiler as well as a sport-tuned exhaust system.

Photo by Buick

8) 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar

We are suckers for a faster-than-normal wagon (as you’ll see by the number of them of on our list of ten undercover sports cars), and the 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar definitely qualifies. The turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generates an impressive for its displacement 362 hp, which is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters). Compared to the normal V60, the Polestar’s chassis is lower by 15mm, the springs are 15% stiffer, the steering is quicker, there’s a front strut brace, and the anti-roll bars and rear dampers are upgraded. And of course, you still get all of the typical active and passive safety features that you’d expect from a Volvo.

Photo by Volvo

7) 2017 Mazda3

Other than the overtly sporty MX-5 Miata, just about any of the vehicles built by Mazda could make our list of the ten best undercover sports cars. But we’ve chosen the 2017 Mazda3. Its low cost of entry (starting at $17,845) means that the smiles per dollar ratio are off the chart. Neither of the available engines is particularly powerful, but both get the job done and are fun to wring out - especially when paired with the available manual transmission. The excellent chassis and suspension help make up for any lack of power, and the Mazda3 is remarkably quick through the corners. Hopefully one day a Mazdaspeed model will return, because as sporty as it is the Mazda3 is begging for more power.

Photo by Mazda

6) 2017 Toyota Yaris iA

We mentioned earlier that any of the cars built by Mazda could make our list of the ten best undercover sports cars, and the Toyota Yaris iA is no exception. Yes, you read that correctly, the Yaris iA sedan (but not the inferior Yaris hatchback; the iA part is key) is built by Mazda. Power isn’t the iA’s strong suit, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 106 hp, though you do get a choice of a six-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic (the only option available, everything else is included in the car’s $15,950 MSRP). Despite the meager amount of thrust the Yaris iA can make up time in the corners (and put a smile on your face) with surprisingly good handling.

Photo by Toyota

5) 2018 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop

People have been underestimating the diminutive MINI ever since the first version was introduced in 1959 (though to prove them wrong it would later go on to win multiple rallies). The new version hasn’t been that successful in racing, but in John Cooper Works trim it is plenty quick to earn it a spot on our list of ten undercover sports cars. Power comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is turbocharged to make 228 hp. Both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatics are available, and with either transmission, 60 miles per hour should arrive in around six seconds. If you can deal with the ride (which couldn’t be called comfortable on anything but the best pavement), the 2017 MINI John Cooper Works is a tremendously fun car.

Photo by MINI

4) 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

Most people know that the GTI and especially the Golf R are sporty cars, but the Golf SportWagen is more practical and despite having a considerably less powerful engine, still fun to drive. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower, mated to a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that can send power to the rear wheels when needed is available. The sprint to 60 miles per hour takes a reasonable seven seconds or so, and the SportWagen handles much like its less practical hatchback siblings. We wish there was a SportWagen GTI, but the regular version makes our list of ten undercover sports cars.

Photo by Volkswagen

3) 2018 Cadillac CT6

Without any overly aggressive body parts (unlike some of Cadillac’s ‘V’ models), the 2017 Cadillac CT6 3.0-liter Twin Turbo Luxury flies under the radar, making it a shoe-in for our list of ten undercover sports cars. It has plenty of power thanks to its 404-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, and the only transmission option is an eight-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels (unfortunately no rear-wheel drive models are offered with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo mill). Optional features that you can add to make your CT6 handle a little better include Magnetic Ride Control, performance brake linings, and active-rear steering. If you want your CT6 to be slightly less undercover, you can opt for a flush-mounted rear spoiler and the Ground Effects Package.

Photo by General Motors

2) 2018 Jaguar XF SportBrake

It seems that our worries about the extinction of the sporty wagon were wrong as there are numerous ‘estates’ on our list of ten undercover sports cars, but the 2017 Jaguar XF SportBrake is by far the sportiest of them all. With its swooping roof, the wagon’s design is more about style than function, yet there is still plenty of room for cargo. The SportBrake S gets its propulsion from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that’s good for 380 hp, and all models use an 8-speed automatic transmission and come with all-wheel drive. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes just over five seconds, and much like the XF sedan, the SportBrake is willing to play through the corners.

Photo by Jaguar

1) 2018 Lexus LC 500h

The 2017 Lexus LC500h is on our list of ten undercover sports cars, but it might be better to call it an undercover Lexus or an undercover hybrid, because it looks (and goes) nothing like what you’d expect from either a hybrid or a Lexus. The hybrid powertrain uses a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 and a permanent-magnet electric-drive motor to generate a total of 354 hp, which is sent to the rear wheels using an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable transmission paired with 4-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 30 mpg overall, which isn’t bad for a car that can reach 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds and go on to hit a top speed of 155 mph.

Photo by Lexus