The prices of cars are going up significantly, but so are the features you get with the additional cost. Sure, there are base options for most models with a simpler design and a lower price, but where is the fun in a base model? Today, we are looking at 28 of the fastest and best cars you can get for under $50,000, which is a pretty generous amount for today's car market. So $50,000 may still be a bit of an outlandish price tag for a car to the average person, but these are the best and fastest cars you can find around that fall near or under the 50K limit.
Updated April 2022: You can buy a lot of car for $50,000. While it still may not be enough for a late model supercar, it's still a massive chunk to work with. Fast used cars are getting cheaper every day. That's why we've had to update this list to include more of the fastest cars out there for less than $50,000.
Some of the cars we will see are more luxurious and come from high-end names that always fetch a high price, while others are just top-of-the-line submodels. Either way, you can not get a car for under $50,000 faster than these 28 cars, which is pretty impressive. Considering how fast cars have gotten over the past couple of years, even with such a big budget, they even make a sports version of the Camry now.
28 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Who says an SUV can't be fast? Certainly not Alfa Romeo, whose Stelvio is rated as one of the fastest SUVs for less than $50,000. The Stelvio puts out a massive 505 horsepower thanks to an optional 2.9L V6, but even the standard Stelvio puts out 280 horsepower and a 0-60 from 5.5 seconds.
Alfa prices the Stelvio from $45,500 and intends it to compete with the likes of BMW and Audi. While the name isn't as well known as the German counterparts, the Stelvio is pure Italian beauty.
27 Tesla Model 3
Tesla shook up the car world when it released an EV that had a range that competed with the standard gas-powered cars of the day. Since the release of the $100,000 electric vehicle, the sprint for an affordable model has attracted buyers worldwide. Enter the Model 3.
Starting at $46,990, the Model 3 starts well below the $50,000 budget. However, with tax credits, the starting price ends up being below even $40,000. It features 480 horsepower, instant torque delivery, and a 0-60 of as little as 3.1 seconds with the performance battery. The long-range version will make the spring to 60 in around 5 seconds.
26 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
We're still not sure the world needs a crossover-styled Mustang, yet it exists regardless. The Mach-E is an all-electric subcompact SUV that pushes up to 480 horsepower and delivers a 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. Several battery options exist, and charging times can take almost 95 hours with a standard 110v outlet.
The Mustang Mach-E starts out at $43,895; again, being an EV, the tax breaks bring the Mach-E into reasonable price territory. Regardless of the weirdness, the Mach-E will be a mainstay of the EV world for quite some time, perhaps ushering in an electric muscle car future.
25 2021 Chevy Camaro SS
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Of course, we had to see the mighty Camaro SS on here, as it is known for its power, aggressive style, and for a moderate price. It sells for $38,695 and comes with a gigantic 6.2L V8 that pushes out 455 horses. It is capable of going from 0-60 mph in only 4 seconds and even clocks in at 12.3 seconds for the 1/4 mile.
This bad boy is one of the most powerful cars for the price on the market today. It is available in both manual and automatic.
24 2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350
The Mustang has been an iconic muscle car for decades, and you can not drive down the street without seeing at least two. But the GT350 is not just another Mustang, with an absolutely ferocious 5.2L V8 motor that gives out 526 horsepower.
The GT350 sells for $47,795, which is not too bad considering the amount of power it comes with. It has a manual option and an automatic option that comes with launch control.
23 2022 Mercedes AMG CLA45
Next up, we have the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45, and it has a hefty price tag of $48,950, falling just inside our criteria today. The AMG CLA45 features a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that pushes out a very commendable 382 horsepower. This bad boy can go from 0-60 mph in only 3.9 seconds, making it well worth the money if you are looking for speed.
It also comes with all the luxuries one would expect from a Mercedes, from the leather interior to the up-to-date navigation and sound system, and it is all wrapped up in a rather sleek design.
22 2020 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The Nissan Z series has been a fan favorite ever since it started, and the 370Z Nismo is now the talk of the town. It has a pretty hefty price of $45,490, but for that price, it comes with a ferocious 3.7L V6 that gives the 370Z a mighty 350 horsepower. The manual 370Z Nismo can go from 0-60 mph in only 4 seconds, while the automatic version takes around 4.5 seconds.
This is the height of the Z series for now, and it comes with all the goodies anyone could want, from a fantastic interior with gadgets galore to a sporty trim package that gives it a unique and aggressive look.
21 Dodge Challenger SRT 392
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The Dodge Challenger needs no introduction, as it is one of the most popular muscle cars on the market today. The Challenger SRT 392 is something entirely unique, though, with a Hemi 6.4L V8 engine that cranks out a jaw-dropping 485 horses and an equally stunning trim package.
The SRT 392 may not have the best fuel mileage, but the power and sounds you get from that Hemi engine are worth the extra fuel stops you have to make. The 392 has a selling price of $49,195, falling just under our 50k line. This car will definitely give you all the bang for your buck.
20 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been blowing up ever since it came out, and it is not hard to see why with the sleek design and power it comes with.
There are lower-end models with less power but all the luxury, and then there is the 3.8L V6 model that delivers 348 horsepower to the wheels. The V6 model goes for $36,740, which is not too bad at all considering the luxury you expect from Hyundai and the power that V6 creates.
19 Subaru WRX STI
The Subaru WRX STI has been known in the tuner world for a while, for some good reasons and some bad ones. It comes with a turbo 2.5L Boxer motor that gives it a respectable 305 horses.
It can go from 0-60 mph in just under 5 seconds, which is not the best time ever, but it is also not too bad when you consider the car sells for only $34,695. It also features a sleek design that will turn heads, especially with a bit of customization.
18 2018 Volkswagen Golf R
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The Golf has long been an iconic car for Volkswagen, with its trendy design and affordability. Then, of course, there are better options with a higher price, such as the R model. The Golf R goes for $38,995, making it way more affordable than some of our other cars featured.
It has a sporty turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder, which is very popular with smaller sports cars that delivers 292 horsepower to the wheels, which is nothing to sneeze at. It can go from 0-60 mph in just under 5 seconds, which is not too bad considering the price and the fact that it is still a Golf.
17 2016 Infiniti Q50S
Infiniti has been known for its unique blend of power and luxury and pretty luxurious prices. The Q50S will set you back $45,450, but it is well worth it for the 3.7L V6 that pushes 328 horsepower.
While the car may look like an excellent luxury vehicle, it actually has a demanding amount of power under the hood and can go from 0-60 mph in only 5.3 seconds, which is not too bad for a four-door car.
There is an AWD and RWD option, and rest assured that both come with all the commodities we expect from Infiniti.
16 2018 Audi A7
Audi has undoubtedly made a name for itself with sports cars, luxury sedans, and even their signature supercar, the R8. The Audi A7 falls somewhere in between, as does the price. It sells for $42,500.
The A7 can go from 0-60 mph in a surprising 4.4 seconds, and it will look amazing the whole time it does it. The A7 is one of the smaller Audi models, especially compared to other family sedans, but that small size is surely the reason it has such impressive acceleration times.
15 2020 BMW M235i
The BMW M235i is one of the smaller BMW models, but it does have a powerful 3.0L turbocharged inline six-cylinder motor that creates an impressive 325 horsepower.
The small size and the power of the M235i let it go from 0-60 mph in only 4.4 seconds. And, of course, it also comes with all the gadgets and comfort that is to be expected from a BMW. This car sells for $46,150, and while it may leave you wanting more power, it makes up for it with its sporty design.
14 2016 Ford Focus RS
The Ford Focus has always been known as a family car and a slow one at that. But then there is the Focus RS, which is a hatchback version that comes with a fresh design. It is capable of going from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
The new design and increased power have earned it a spot in the hearts of car enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike. The best part about it is that it comes with a price tag of only $37,000.
13 2020 BMW 228i
The BMW 228i may not feature an M series engine like the previous BMW we covered, but it does come with a turbocharged 2.0L 4 cylinder that cranks out 240 horsepower. While that may not be a lot of raw power, the 228i is a lighter and smaller model BMW, so it kind of balances out.
It does have a hefty price tag that may outweigh the power, selling for $33,800. This is a bit expensive considering the small amount of power, but it is still one of the fastest cars you can get for under 50k.
12 2017 Cadillac ATS-V
Cadillac has been tinkering with cars over the years with the CTS-V Coupe, and now they have figured out what to make, the ATS. It is a coupe that comes with all the timeless luxury of a Cadillac, as well as a 2.0L 4-cylinder that is turbocharged and creates 272 horsepower.
It may not have all the power of the CTS-V Coupe, but it is more spacious and has a new sleek design to it. The ATS-V sells for $40,000.
11 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
The Lancer is just another wannabe sporty sedan, but the Lancer Evolution has a reputation in the auto world, and for good reason.
The Evo X features a sleek and robust design and the 291 horsepower it creates. It can go from 0-60 mph in only 5 seconds, making it nothing to sneeze at, especially when you consider the price of only $38,000. It also comes with all the modern features we have all come to expect in our cars today.
10 2018 Volkswagen GTI
The Volkswagen GTI is one of the cheapest cars on our list today, coming in with a sale price of only $24,995. It is capable of going from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds due to its turbocharged 2.0L 4 cylinder motor that creates just over 200 horsepower.
It is just fast enough and cheap enough to make it on here, and it does have a nice design to it, but that price is just unbeatable.
9 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Miata is one of those sports cars that has always been a little slow, but when they revived the Miata, they also gave it a kick under the hood. Now, it features a 2.0L 4-cylinder that creates 155 horsepower, which is a decent amount of power for such a small car.
They also revamped the design of the Miata and gave it a more modern design. It has a selling price of $28,315, a seemingly fair price for the power and style you get from the Miata.