10 Top Cars with 200 Stock Horsepower

2017 INFINITI Q50 exterior rear profile on road ・ Photo by Infiniti

A decade or two ago you'd have had to buy a sports car (and opt for the most powerful engine) if you wanted a vehicle with more than 200 horsepower, but today, that amount of power comes by default in a wide array of cars, from compact luxury cars to open-top sports cars. The editors at Autobytel have narrowed the list down to 10 of our favorites, and all have more than 200 horsepower (and less than 250) from the standard engine that comes in the base trim level. Read on to see our list of the top 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock, sorted by power.

Buick Cascada

The 2-door Buick Cascada convertible (with seating for five) is the first car on our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock, and it just barely makes it onto the list. The only engine option is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that makes an even 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. The relatively hefty curb weight of nearly two tons means that the small engine has to work hard, so fuel economy is rated at a fairly dismal 23 miles per gallon combined (using premium fuel) and the run to 60 miles per hour takes over eight seconds.

Photo by General Motors

Acura ILX

The Acura ILX is a 4-door compact luxury sedan that just barely makes it onto our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock. Thrust for all versions comes from a normally-aspirated 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that makes 201 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque that is sent through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front wheels. Unlike most other dual-clutch transmissions, Acura's version uses a torque converter (similar to the one found in a normal automatic transmission) for smooth starts. Fuel economy comes in at 29 miles per gallon combined (on premium fuel) and the run to 60 miles per hour takes around 6.5 seconds.

Photo by Acura

Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 siblings are 2-door sports cars that make our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock. Both models use a normally-aspirated 2.0-liter flat-4 engine that produces 205 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque (when paired with the standard 6-speed manual transmission) that is sent to the rear wheels through a Torsen limited-slip differential. The sprint to 60 miles per hour is completed in the low 6-second range, and while the combination of rear-wheel drive and low weight make the BRZ and 86 a joy to drive, fuel economy is rated at only 24 miles per gallon combined (using premium gas) despite the smallish engine.

Photo by Toyota

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Coupe

Mercedes-Benz's most affordable model, the CLA250 Coupe, is a compact 4-door luxury "coupe" that takes the fourth spot on our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock. Power from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that makes 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque is sent to the front wheels by a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The run to 60 miles per hour takes 6.9 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 29 miles per gallon combined (on premium fuel). All-wheel drive models are available if you have more to spend, as is a sporty AMG version with a handcrafted engine that has almost twice as much power.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Infiniti Q50 2.0t

The Infiniti Q50 is a 4-door compact luxury car that makes our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock, even in its base 2.0t trim. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder puts out 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque that is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. If those numbers seem familiar, it's because the Q50 2.0t uses engines supplied by Mercedes. The run to 60 miles per hour takes around seven seconds, and combined fuel economy is 26 miles per gallon (on premium). There are more powerful engines available, or if you're more interested in a coupe, there's the Infiniti Q60 2.0t.

Photo by Infiniti

Audi TT

The Audi TT is a 2-door sports car that is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that makes 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. All models use a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to all four wheels using the quattro all-wheel drive system, making the TT a surprisingly good (and fun) all-weather car. Fuel economy is rated at 26 miles per gallon combined (using premium fuel) and the run to 60 miles per hour takes 5.3 seconds. If you're looking for something a little quicker, the TTS offers more power, while the TT Roadster is available for those who prefer open-top motoring.

Photo by Audi

Alfa Romeo 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a 2-door mid-engine sports car powered by a 1.75-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine. While that engine might have been anemic a few years ago, it manages to pump out 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (albeit with some turbo lag), all of which is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. That combo is good enough to get the 4C to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds while fuel economy is rated at 28 miles per gallon combined (using premium fuel). For a bit more cash, the drop-top 4C Spider is also available.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE is a compact luxury sports sedan that comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that makes 240 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. Behind the engine sits an 8-speed automatic transmission that directs power to the rear wheels. The run to 60 miles per hour takes 6.5 seconds, and fuel economy is rated at 24 miles per gallon combined (using the recommended premium fuel). All-wheel drive and several different engine options (including a diesel with less horsepower but more torque) are available for a bit more money, but it's the base model that makes our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E FWD

The Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E FWD is a compact executive car, and though it is due for replacement, it still makes our list of 10 cars with 200 stock horsepower. Base versions use a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that makes 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Fuel economy is rated at 29 miles per gallon combined (and the S60 is the only car on our list that recommends regular fuel), and accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour takes around six seconds. More money will get you all-wheel drive and more powerful engines.

Photo by Volvo

Lexus RC Turbo

The Lexus RC Turbo is a luxury coupe that holds the honor of being the most powerful car on our list of 10 cars with 200 horsepower stock. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine makes 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The run to 60 miles per hour takes 7.3 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 26 miles per gallon combined (using premium fuel). More powerful engines are available in the RC, or if you're looking for something a bit more practical, similar engines are also available in the IS and GS.

Photo by Lexus