10 Fastest Cars Under $50k

2016 Subaru WRX STI rear view ・ Photo by Subaru

There's an old expression in the world of high performance: Speed costs money; how fast do you want to go? Well, fortunately for those of us who have to carefully budget out our go-fast fix, there are a growing number of sporty automobiles that check in at under $50,000. These cars hail from the luxury, the economy, and the sports car segments of the vehicle market, but they all have one thing in common: they go fast, for not very much money in comparison to more exotic fare. Let's take a look at 10 of the fastest cars under $50k.

1) 2016 Audi S4 — MSRP $49,200

The 2016 Audi S4 might not be the full-out performance model that it once was, but it still packs plenty of firepower for its price. The Audi S4 sedan is motivated by a 3.0-liter V6 that is supercharged to help it generate a respectable 333 horses and 325 lb-ft of torque. Quattro all-wheel drive is of course standard with the Audi S4, and buyers can choose between either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. A torque-vectoring rear differential (optional) helps the S4 reach 60 mph in roughly 4.7 seconds.

2) 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack — MSRP $39,995

The 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack follows a well-respected formula in the muscle car business: stuff an enormous V8 engine under the hood of a family sedan and call it a day. Okay, so it's not quite that simple — the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack also gains trim-specific tweaks to go with its horsepower — but there's no denying that the major charm of this sedan is its 485-horsepower, 6.4-liter 8-cylinder motor. Also capable of producing 475 lb-ft of torque, that thrust is channeled to the rear wheels via a stout 8-speed automatic transmission, allowing the car to leap to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.

3) 2017 Ford Mustang GT — MSRP $32,645

The 2017 Ford Mustang GT isn't designed just to be quick in a straight line, as this track-ready coupe comes with an independent rear suspension system along with a long list of modifications to its braking and cooling systems that help keep it potent lap after lap. Of course, drag racers will be all-too-happy with the Ford Mustang GT’s 435-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, an engine that also delivers 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 Mustang GT also offers launch control, when ordered with the manual transmission, to help this pony simply leap off the line and make it to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Photo by Ford

4) 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec — MSRP $29,900

It's not quite as brutish as others on this list, but the 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec wraps Korean muscle in a similarly fullsize package. This car takes the affordable luxury concept in a rapid direction thanks to the availability of the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 R-Spec 3.8-liter V6 engine. This unit provides 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and its 8-speed automatic transmission shuttles enough of that output to the rear wheels to allow the automobile to sprint to 60 mph in a healthy 5.2 seconds. Also on board with the R-Spec trim are a stiffer suspension system and quicker steering in order to properly take advantage of its extra performance.

5) 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS — MSRP $36,300

The fully redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS is all about delivering maximum speed on a minimal budget. One of the most affordable vehicles on our list of the fastest cars under $50k, the Chevrolet Camaro SS takes retro styling cues from its glorious ‘60s past and merges them with modern design techniques to create what is essentially a rolling burnout machine. Shoehorning a 6.2-liter V8 engine between the front fenders of almost any car is a recipe for performance, and in the Camaro SS it generates 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque when ordered with the vehicle's standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional 8-speed automatic. When launched hard, the SS blows past 60 mph in five seconds.

Photo by Chevrolet

6) 2016 Subaru WRX STI — MSRP $34,695

The Subaru WRX STI offers would-be rally racers the chance to drive one of their idols. Inspired by generations of World Rally Championship entries from Subaru, the WRX STI is motivated by an advanced turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that boosts out 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission harnesses that output, while standard all-wheel drive (complete with a driver-controllable center differential) ensures that maximum traction is achieved at any throttle position. The Subaru Impreza WRX STI takes about five seconds to hit 60 mph.

Photo by Subaru

7) 2016 Nissan 370Z NISMO — MSRP $41,990

The 2016 Nissan 370Z NISMO sharpens the fine edge of the already fun-to-drive 370Z base model. The 2-door sports coupe features a suspension system and brakes that are a clear upgrade over the entry-level Z car, along with a distinct aero package that further sets the 370Z NISMO apart from its roots. Power is also up, thanks to a massaged version of Nissan's 3.7-liter V6 that offers 350 horses and 276 lb-ft of twist. A further benefit of the NISMO is that its 6-speed manual transmission automatically blips the throttle when downshifting, which makes for smoother driving at high speeds. The Nissan 370Z NISMO can hit 60 mph in just five seconds.

Photo by Nissan

8) 2016 BMW M235i — MSRP $44,150

The 2016 BMW M235i is a compact luxury coupe that brings out the full potential of its turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder motor. The BMW M235i pushes up the boost when compared to the standard 235i, which means that its 3.0-liter mill provides 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. This drivetrain helps ensure a sub-5-second rip to 60 mph. A pair of transmissions — a s6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic — can be had with the M235i, and the car is available in coupe and convertible body styles.

9) 2016 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design — MSRP $44,200

The 2016 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design might at first seem like an unusual entry on a list of the fastest cars under $50k, as the Swedish automaker is not widely known for producing high performance vehicles. The Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is in many ways the herald of a new design philosophy for the company, and it represents the apex of speed in Volvo showrooms. The 4-door sedan is built around a turbocharged, 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that grinds out 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, and combined with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the car can reach 60 mph in five seconds.

10) 2016 BMW 340i — MSRP $45,800

BMW’s second entry on this list of the fastest cars under $50k, the 2016 340i is a small sedan that offers a carefully calculated blend of luxury and performance. The 340i features 320 horsepower in the form of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. It’s not the fastest car on this list, nor is it the cheapest. But this BMW 3 Series also offers plenty of comfort and style along with its power.