Many people prefer cars that are overly stunning and readily attract attention. Cars like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, for example, are designed to attract attention with not just their lavish looks but also their boisterous personality and incredible performance. Owning a car for that purpose alone is a matter of personal preference, and that's perfectly okay.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are the drivers who like having a lot of horsepower at the press of the gas pedal without drawing too much attention to themselves. The cars they drive meek in the looks department, but that doesn't imply they're any less powerful. In fact, some of them can blow the wheels off a Mustang in a straight line.
Many carmakers take pride in packing as much outrageous horsepower as they can into some of their most ordinary-looking vehicles. These are the cars that you never notice coming, but suddenly they whiz by you with a booming exhaust noise, earning the nickname “sleepers” or “Q-cars” outside the states. These cars pack a strong punch and can outperform much more expensive sports cars.
10 Mazda 3 Turbo Hatch - 130 MPH
With the turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder under the hood, the Mazda 3 is a true sleeper: it has plenty of on-demand power, outstanding handling under mild driving and only an enlarged set of tailpipes reveals its identity. Driving a sleeper like the Mazda 3 turbo is the coolest thing for those who live for the thrill of the open road.
The ecstatic sense of driving a one-of-a-kind muscle car that's large on power but not flashy, then deploying it against other cars driven by egotistical drivers, is unmatched. Its top speed is also not very indicative of the car's capabilities, as it's able to hit 60 mph as fast as a Mustang, in just 5.6 seconds.
9 Genesis G70 – 145 MPH
Roads teeming with sports sedans such as the Mercedes-AMG C63, BMW M3, and Audi RS4 make it difficult for the Genesis G70 to stand out. Thanks to a nose badge resembling a cheap Aston Martin knockoff, the clumsily styled upmarket Hyundai Genesis G70 3.3T is often overlooked as another imported luxury car fighting for attention in a highly competitive market segment.
In terms of performance, the base turbo-four engine delivers adequate results, while the optional twin-turbo V6 engine produces 365 hp and delivers impressive acceleration off the line. The only transmission available is an eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition, buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
8 Volkswagen Golf GTI – 155 MPH
Take an upright hatchback body design and add a bit extra power, sport-tuned suspension, and a good set of wheels. In a nutshell, that's the GTI. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a great example of an achievable sleeper car. It's still a bargain compared to other equally capable vehicles despite the car's advancements in speed, refinement, and price.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a sporty car that embodies the original concept of a "hot hatch." It boasts a top speed of 155 mph, making it the fastest Volkswagen model currently available. Additionally, it features a 6-speed DSG automatic transmission capable of revving to 8,000 rpm and shifting gears as quickly as 6.1 seconds from 0-60 mph.
7 Jeep Cherokee SRT Trackhawk - 160 MPH
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to pull the HEMI out of a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and cram it into a Jeep, the Jeep Cherokee SRT Trackhawk is the answer. This beast of a powertrain produces 707 hp and 646 lb-ft of torque, enough to drive the 5,300-pound vehicle from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds.
Marketed as the “world’s most powerful SUV," the Jeep Cherokee SRT Trackhawk is for those who enjoy a sporty and adventurous lifestyle and who want to be able to get from the city to the mountains in record time, regardless of the weather conditions they encounter.
6 Kia Stinger GT – 167 MPH
When it comes to purchasing a sports car, speed is a critical factor, and the Kia Stinger GT is one luxury sports sedan that checks all the boxes for the features you want in your sports sedan. The optional twin-turbo V6 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in an astounding 4.4 seconds. In addition, the eight-speed automatic transmission works well with the engine, delivering rapid and precise shifts.
Few, if any, drivers will compare the Stinger to the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS, or Porsche Panamera. Nonetheless, the Kia's appealing package and promising performance strengthen the notion that, if you can get over brand snobbery, this fresh-faced newcomer just might be the year's sleeper cheap performance sedan.
5 BMW Alpina XD4 – 167 MPH
The BMW Alpina XD4 doesn't bowl you over with an intimidating appearance, but it's capable of so much more than it's initially given credit for. The BMW ALPINA XD4 blends the popular attributes of a SAV with the sleek and dynamic design of a Coupe. The performance stats are astounding, with the BMW ALPINA XD4 sprinting from 0 -60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 170 mph.
If you like a high-performance car but aren't a fan of attention-grabbing or brash styling, the XD4 is the perfect car for the job.
4 Subaru WRX STI – 174 MPH
The WRX is equipped with powerful low-profile tires, massive brakes, and ultra-firm, premium suspension components. Additionally, the all-wheel-drive system and quick throttle response make this car a joy to drive. After it was made available to the public, it quickly became the poster child for affordable performance. Apart from the all-wheel-drive and radical suspension, the WRX is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Don't be deceived by the lack of the other four-cylinder engines; this beast produces over 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque with no turbo lag. The WRX's lone disadvantage, which is actually a plus because it furthers our sleeper mission, is its appearance. This thing is truly hideous. Subaru's eggheads know how to build a fast, tight-handling ride, but they have no concept of aesthetics.
3 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon – 180 MPH
If you're in a base Dodge Challenger V6, prepare to be embarrassed by this boring car. The E63 S Wagon is the ultimate street package, with stealth aesthetics and hell-fire power under the hood. The E63 S wagon's sneakiness is one of its main selling points. This is precisely what a "sleeper car" is. It manages to elude detection, seeming to the untrained eye to be just another E-Class wagon.
Sure, there are more than a dozen telltale signs that this isn't your typical soccer mom wagon, but most people won't notice them. Only those who are familiar with the AMG formula will immediately recognize it as an E63 S.
2 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio – 191 MPH
Alfa Romeo's Giulia Quadrifoglio is the company's fastest model, racing from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 191 mph. That’s supercar territory from an unassuming-looking sedan! Under the hood of the Quadrifoglio lies a turbocharged V6 Ferrari engine. Yes, it's a V6, and unless you consider the 1960s Dinos, Ferrari is notoriously and historically opposed to employing less than eight cylinders in its road cars.
However, it's no secret that the Quadrifolglio's engine is based on the 3.9-liter V8 from the Ferrari 488, albeit with two fewer cylinders. So, at $78,830, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a sleeper Ferrari sedan at a quarter of the price of one sporting a yellow shield and a black horse.
1 Tesla Model S Plaid – 200 MPH
The Tesla Model S Plaid is unquestionably one of the fastest sleds on the hill. What better candidate for a sleeper car than a vehicle that scarcely makes a sound yet is the world's fastest-accelerating sedan? When gearheads see the Plaid emblem, they know exactly what they're looking at, but most people will just see a car that looks like any other Tesla. The aforementioned inconspicuous emblem and some larger wheels are among the few indications that this car is capable of obliterating anything in its path.
It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds and achieve a claimed top speed of 200 mph thanks to its three motors, which create 1,020 hp. Additionally, independent testing revealed that it can achieve quarter-mile times in the low eights, which is astounding for a four-door sedan with seating for five.