Human beings are biologically hardwired with a need for speed. So whether we run, swim, or ride bikes, we like to do it fast. And we especially love to drive fast cars.
There’s just something about driving a fast car that gives you that euphoric feeling of being on top of the world. But let’s face it, we can’t all afford to buy the fastest cars on the market. A lot of them cost thousands and even millions of dollars.
Are there even cars the average Joe can afford? Well, yes. There are quite a lot of relatively affordable cars.
For this list, we are giving you a definitive list of the fastest cars under $50,000.
#10 Mercedes-Benz AMG A 35
Speed: 4.6 seconds
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $47, 900
Country of Origin: Germany
Year First Manufactured: 2018
photo source: Mercedes-Benz
The high-performance version of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the Mercedes-Benz AMG A35.
The AMG model can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and boasts a 302-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Sales-wise, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has already been a massive success for the German automaker, and the CLA 35 turns up the heat. The most potent production four-cylinder in use is detuned for the CLA, which results in 295 pound-feet of torque. Standard Mercedes luxury is also included. And all of this for only $47,900.
Did You Know:
The biggest market for AMG® models worldwide is the United States. Almost 11,300 AMG® vehicles are sold annually.
#9 Kia Stinger GT
Speed: 4.6 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $36,590 Country of Origin: South Korea Year First Manufactured: 2017
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Taking the next spot on the list is the GT1 trim of the Kia Stinger sports sedan. The performance-focused GT1 model, which boasts a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 368 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, can now be purchased for only $36,590.
With 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, the GT1 is more potent than the base model’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The Kia Stinger GT1 has a good 0 to 60 time of 4.6 seconds. Although all-wheel drive is an option, the Stinger comes standard with rear-wheel drive.
Did You Know:
Gregory Guillaume, the head designer at Kia, says that the look of a Coca-Cola bottle inspired the Stinger’s design.
#8 Genesis G70
Speed: 4.5 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $39, 150 Country of Origin: South Korea Year First Manufactured: 2019
photo source: Flickr
The eighth spot on the list belongs to the small luxury automobile Genesis G70.
With 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, the 3.3T version of the Genesis G70’s twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds.
Did You Know:
You don’t have to press the park button to turn off the Genesis G70. Instead, you can turn off the engine once you have come to a complete stop and the auto hold feature has engaged, and the vehicle will put itself into the park without any intervention from you.
#7 Audi S3
Speed: 4.5 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $46, 800 Country of Origin: Germany Year First Manufactured: 1999
photo source: Top Gear
With a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, the luxury performance S3 sedan from Audi is next on our list.
The Audi S3’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. In addition, it achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the interstate.
The S3 has a starting price of $45,945 and comes standard with a dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
Did You Know:
When the Audi S3 first came out in May 1999, it was overshadowed by the TT Coupe, another car made by the same company.
#6 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
Speed: 4.5 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $47,650 Country of Origin: United States Year First Manufactured: 2015
photo source: Flickr
The $47,650 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. A 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque powers the American sports car.
The Challenger R/T Scat Pack only gets 14 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the interstate, so don’t expect to get good gas mileage. However, because Brembo brakes are standard on the Challenger, it’s not just about straight-line speed.
Did You Know:
The Scat Pack was initially made in 1967 for Dodge’s line of cars for 1968 and has been in the archives until 2014 when it was updated.
#5 Volkswagen Golf R
Speed: 4.3 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $44,090 Country of Origin: Germany Year First Manufactured: 2002
photo source: Car and Driver
Another all-wheel drive compact with a fire-breathing four-cylinder engine edges out the CLA. The Volkswagen Golf R is brand-new for 2022 and gains 315 horsepower from the 2.0-liter turbo engine.
Although a six-speed manual transmission is standard, the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. While some owners can go even reach 4.3 seconds with stock vehicles.
In addition, the Volkswagen’s five-door body style, seating for five, and roomy rear hatch make it possibly the most practical vehicle on the list. The price for the Golf R begins at $44,090.
Did You Know:
R-model cars have an “R” badge on the grille, front fenders, and trunk to show the car’s trim level.
#4 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
Speed: 4.3 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $41,490 Country of Origin: United States Year First Manufactured: 2015
photo source: Flickr
The Charger Scat Pack option has a 485-horsepower V8 engine and unique features such as a stronger suspension, a limited-slip rear differential, and Brembo brakes.
It has a 4.3 second 0-60 time thanks to its 6.4 liter Hemi V8 engine.
Fender flares, an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, performance tires, and 20-inch black wheels are among the enhancements of the Scat Pack Widebody variant.
Did You Know:
The model is said to be named after Frank Sinatra’s close group of friends, known as the Rat Pack.
#3 BMW M2
Speed: 4.1 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $49, 900 Country of Origin: Germany Year First Manufactured: 2016
photo source: Flickr
The high-performance 2-Series variant, the BMW M2, comes in third. According to company estimates, this all-wheel drive rocket accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
The designers of the M2 used a lot of aluminum in the front and rear axles to make the car lighter. For example, the control arms, wheel carriers, axle subframes, and stiffening plate weigh 5kg less than if steel had been used on the front axle.
A turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet torque powers the 2022 M240i xDrive Coupe. Like many contemporary BMWs, we suspect that’s conservative, but for now, that’s sufficient to give it the last position on this list.
The starting price of $49,900 also barely falls within the cap.
Did You Know:
It is the first vehicle in its class to get a genuine ‘M’ chassis; the 1M Coupe, which it replaced, was a finely calibrated version of the M135i that came before it.
#2 Chevrolet Camaro
Speed: 4.0 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $37,995 Country of Origin: United States Year First Manufactured: 1966
photo source: AutoDeal
The Chevrolet Camaro is our runner-up. It has often been dubbed as the “everyman’s sports car.” The base edition of the Chevy Camaro is equipped as standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 275 horsepower and tops out at 155 mph.
Customers can select higher trims, such as the LT1 and 1SS, which have a 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine and 6-speed manual transmission, for less than $40,000.
With a time of exactly 4.0 seconds for the sprint to 60 mph, the well-known Chevrolet Camaro deserves a spot at the top of our list. When outfitted with the 10-speed automatic transmission necessary to attain the 4.0-second record, the Camaro LT1 can be purchased for as little as $39,090.
The vehicle’s 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 455 lb-ft of torque. There are more potent versions of this pony car, just like the Mustang and Challenger, but none cost less than $50,000.
Did You Know:
The vehicle was named Panther while still in the planning and development stages. The Panther logo was featured on the 1965 concept car, keeping its name up until a few weeks before the production model was released.
#1 Ford Mustang GT
Speed: 3.9 seconds Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $38, 045 Country of Origin: United States Year First Manufactured: 1964
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The fastest vehicle under $50,000 is the Ford Mustang GT, which takes the top spot with a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.
The GT trim comes with a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds when equipped with the GT Performance package, which is the highest-performance trim available for less than $50,000.
Summer tires, Brembo front brakes, heavy-duty front springs, chassis bracing, a larger radiator, modified chassis and stability control, and a Torsen limited-slip differential are all included in the GT performance package.
With a starting price of $38,045, the Mustang is also one of this list’s more reasonably priced options.
Did You Know:
The Ford Mustang has been around for more than 50 years, and during that time, it has been featured in over 33,000 different films.