10 Fastest Muscle Cars

2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Dark Blue Race Track Rear Quarter ・ Photo by Ford

Muscle cars are the kinds of cars that many people dream of owning. They look bold and aggressive, and they generally sound that way, too — whether they’re passing you on the street or you’re lucky enough to sit behind the wheel. There’s just something about a muscle car that makes you turn and stare. Automakers are continually improving muscle cars, making them faster and giving them more features each year, but which ones are the fastest? Here are the 10 fastest muscles cars you can buy based on how quickly they can go from 0 to 60 mph, listed in descending order.

2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS sits just below the powerful ZL1 in the Camaro lineup. It’s not quite as fast as its big brother, but it’s far from slow. Power for the Camaro SS comes from a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed manual transmission with active rev matching. There’s also an available 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The Camaro SS will go from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. There are selectable drive modes including tour, sport, snow/ice, and track to optimize the Camaro’s performance for current conditions. Stopping power comes from performance 4-piston Brembo brakes both front and rear. The starting price on the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS coupe is $37,995.

Photo by Chevrolet

2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

There are multiple versions of the 2018 Ford Mustang, but if you want fast, then you want the Mustang Shelby GT350. This is the most racetrack-capable Mustang ever and it comes with features like a Track Package with an aluminum tower-to-tower brace; high-downforce decklid spoiler; engine oil, transmission, and differential coolers; and a MagneRide damping system. Power for the Shelby GT350 comes from a naturally aspirated direct-injected 5.2-liter V8 engine with 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed manual transmission. Start it up and the whole neighborhood will hear, especially if you flip the exhaust switch to Sport mode. The 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 goes from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Pricing starts at $57,240.

Photo by Ford

2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

The 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R gives Ford’s pony car a second spot on our list. Power still comes from a naturally aspirated direct-injected 5.2-liter V8 engine with 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed manual transmission. The difference comes in what Ford added and what Ford took away. The GT350R has more aggressive chassis tuning, lighter carbon fiber wheels, and wider tires. What’s gone is the back seat, air conditioning, audio system, and other equipment that isn’t needed if your focus is posting a blistering time out on the track. These changes make the GT350R faster than its twin with a 0-60 time of only 3.9 seconds. Pricing starts at $64,740.

Photo by Ford

2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320

The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 is a street-legal muscle car focused on the drag strip. It even takes its name from the quarter-mile distance of 1,320 feet. Power comes from a 6.4-liter V8 that produces 485 horsepower with 475 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include an SRT-tuned adaptive damping suspension with drag mode, line lock, transbrake, and torque reserve. Inside, the only seat is the one for the driver to keep weight down, but rear and front-passenger seats are available as a $1 option. The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 goes from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a starting price of $45,980.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro is a fast muscle car in any trim, but if you’re looking for the fastest Camaro money can buy, then you need to look at the ZL1. Power comes from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed manual transmission with rev matching. Those who prefer the easy way have the option of a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The Camaro ZL1 will go from 0-60 mph in a brisk 3.5 seconds. When you decide to take your foot off the gas, the ZL1 has six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo performance brakes. Starting price for the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is $62,495.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

The 2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is unique on our list. While the rest of the muscle cars are coupes, the Charger is a sedan that can just as easily take the kids to school as burn up the track on the weekend. Power comes from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque paired to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. New this year is a performance grille with dual inlets to feed cool outside air into the engine compartment. It also gets launch assist, line lock, an after-run chiller, and a torque reserve feature. The 2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has a starting price of $65,345 and posts a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat gets updates this year to both its design and its performance numbers. Front and center, there’s a new dual-snorkel hood that provides better air intake and at the same time pays homage to the muscle cars of the 1970s. Power comes from a 6.2-liter V8 engine that now boasts 717 horsepower with 656 lb-ft of torque. You have your choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. Standard features include adaptive damping suspension, launch assist, torque reserve, launch control, SRT drive modes, and SRT performance pages. The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is priced from $58,650 with a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is a new trim, and it’s the most powerful vehicle in the Dodge lineup. Under the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter high-output V8 engine with 797 horsepower and 707 b-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Dodge also gave the SRT Hellcat Redeye 25 major component upgrades to ensure it’s ready for peak performance. You just know this thing is going to be fast. It also gets a subtle design change to the Hellcat logo with a red eye that’s a nod to its name and lets everyone know you’re driving a serious muscle car. The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye starts at $69,650 and posts a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is available as a widebody, and it’s the fastest version of non-Redeye Hellcat you can buy, if only by a smidge. Power comes from the same 6.2-liter V8 engine with 717 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque, but the widebody has a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds. That’s 0.1 seconds faster than the standard body, but a win is a win. In addition to that extra bit of speed, the widebody is a more imposing muscle car. The widebody package adds fender flares that increase the Challenger’s overall width by 3.5 inches. There are also split-five spoke, forged aluminum wheels that further add to the widebody’s presence. Pricing starts at $64,650.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody

The 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is also available as a widebody and, just like the SRT Hellcat Widebody, shaves 0.1 seconds off the 0-60 time compared to the standard body. That means you can go from 0-60 mph in all of 3.4 seconds. In any guise, the Hellcats are at the top of the heap when it comes to muscle cars. The big difference between the standard body and widebody is the fender flares, which make this Challenger wider by 3.5 inches. There’s also a price bump of $6,000 that brings the starting price to $75,650.

Photo by Dodge