These Cars May Be Plain, but Their Horsepower Is Anything but That
Most cars look normal, even boring. But some hide serious power under the hood. These cars surprise everyone when they hit the gas. You won’t see the speed coming from these 35 plain cars with unexpected horsepower. Keep scrolling to find your next ride.
Toyota Camry V6
The Camry is a simple family car. But its V6 engine has 301 horsepower. It surprises just about anyone who challenges it. It’s also smooth, reliable, and quick, even though most people see it as nothing more than a plain car.
Honda Accord V6
The Honda Accord V6 has a surprising 278-horsepower engine under the hood. It looks pretty normal, like any other mid-size car, but accelerates faster than you’d expect. Drivers very rarely guess that this car can really move and handle well.
Ford Fusion Sport
The Ford Fusion Sport sticks to the road, accelerates quickly, and makes traffic lights exciting. Why, you ask? Well, it has everything to do with the V6 engine that produces 325 horsepower. It might look like a regular car, but it’s super fast.
Chevrolet Malibu V6
Chevrolet’s Malibu is a normal-looking car. But it’s hiding a 305-horsepower engine under the hood. If you want a car that quickly leaves others behind at stoplights, the Malibu is it. It’s comfortable, fast, and practical. Do you really need anything more?
Hyundai Sonata 2.0T
What do you get when you combine a 2.0L turbo engine and a Hyundai Sonata? A car that delivers 425 horsepower. It’s smooth, fun to drive, and handles corners well. On the outside, it looks normal, but anyone riding it will be blown away by its speed.
Kia Optima GT
The Kia Optima GT feels pretty sporty without looking over the top. It’s got a 290-horsepower engine that surprises your friends when you put your foot down. Sure, it’s not the fastest car on our list, but it has earned its place.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Volkswagen’s Jetta GLI is a simple compact car. But it has a 228-horsepower turbocharged engine that accelerates faster than you can say ‘Jetta!’ It handles like a sports car, all while keeping a calm, everyday appearance.
Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf R is a cute hatchback that blends in easily. You won’t guess that it has 292 horsepower and all-wheel drive just by looking at it. It stays under the radar in a parking lot full of plain cars but accelerates like a hot hatch should.
Subaru Legacy 3.6R
256 horsepower in a car that looks like a regular family sedan? Yes, please! Subaru’s Legacy 3.6R is full of surprises, and we’re not just talking about its speed. It also has a flat-six engine that makes it handle like a dream.
Subaru WRX STI
The Subaru WRX STI hides over 310 horsepower from its turbo engine. It looks like a modest compact sedan, but launches away from stoplights like a jet. This car is ready for fun anytime and handles snow or rain like a champ.
Mazda6 Grand Touring
Mazda’s Grand Touring accelerates smoothly, handles corners well, and still looks calm in traffic. And it’s all thanks to the turbocharged 250-horsepower engine. Your friends won’t expect the speed that comes from this normal-looking car.
MazdaSpeed6
It’s easy to overlook the MazdaSpeed6 in a parking lot. But its supercharged 274-horsepower engine shocks everyone. It accelerates quickly, sticks to corners, and hides its speed in a mid-size sedan look. No one expects the speed that this baby puts out.
Acura TL SH-AWD
The TL SH-AWD looks like a luxury sedan. But that 305-horsepower V6 surprises just about everyone. It hugs corners with all-wheel drive, glides on smooth roads, and stays quiet while moving fast. People see calm elegance, but it’s quick.
Acura RLX
The RLX blends in anywhere. Its 310-horsepower engine, on the other hand, stands out when you push the gas. It keeps its speed under wraps. People notice style, not speed, until you show them just what the Acura RLX can do.
Infiniti G37
Infiniti’s G37 doesn’t shout speed, but anyone behind the wheel feels the thrill hidden under a calm exterior. The V6 engine packs 330 to 400 horsepower, and looks like a normal luxury sedan. You’d never guess it performed so well.
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
The Infiniti Q5 Red Sport 400 has a 400-horsepower V6 that’s all business. It has a quiet, almost elegant look, but it rockets off the line and makes fast driving feel effortless. Anyone judging it by its looks is in for a shock.
2006 Chevrolet Impala SS
The Impala SS looks like a big family car that’s got space for the kids, the dogs, and the groceries. You’d never guess it had a 303-horsepower V8 engine hiding under the hood. This car is smooth on the road and hides its muscle really well.
2014 Chevrolet SS
Chevrolet’s 2014 SS keeps a low profile. The 415-horsepower V8 engine, on the other hand, isn’t shy. Step on the gas, and the engine growls. It’s solid, fun, and quick. Most people assume it’s just another Chevy. And, boy, are they wrong.
Ford Taurus SHO
Anyone for a Ford that launches quickly, handles corners with ease, and looks like a regular office sedan? The Taurus SHO has a 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 that changes everything you thought you knew about this car. It’s a stealthy surprise!
Dodge Charger R/T
The Charger R/T isn’t anything special to look at, but it hides a very big surprise under the hood - a 370+ horsepower HEMI engine. It’s got that hidden strength that surprises anyone judging it by its size. This one’s a true sleeper.
Chrysler 300C SRT8
The 300C SRT8 looks almost stately and calm. But the 425-horsepower HEMI makes it come to life. It accelerates quickly without showing off. People expect nothing more than a luxury cruiser, but it proves it’s packing some serious muscle.
2010 Buick GS
Buick’s GS looks like an old-school cruiser. It glides quietly until you hit the gas, and that 415-horsepower V8 wakes up. It’s comfortable, super practical, and secretly playful. And it’ll give you a fun, little thrill whenever you want it.
Toyota Avalon V6
The 268-horsepower V6 engine in the Toyota Avalon is quicker than you’d expect for a big family car. It also rides smoothly, handles nicely, and doesn’t draw too much attention. You get the speed while everyone else just sees a normal sedan cruising by.
Honda Accord Sport 2.0T
Honda paired a normal-looking commuter car with a 252-horsepower turbo engine when it produced the Accord Sport 2.0T. It blends in with traffic perfectly, but behind the wheel, it’s ready to have some fun and add some pep to your otherwise boring drive.
Ford Focus ST
The Focus ST is small and plain. It zips around corners, accelerates sharply, and leaves unsuspecting cars behind. How? It all comes down to the 252-horsepower turbo engine. On the outside, it’s just another commuter. Under the hood? It’s a beast.
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo
The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo is not your average grocery-getter. It’s got a 260-horsepower engine that moves it fast. It also accelerates quickly and surprises just about anyone who challenges it at the stoplight. It’s small and fun, and really comes alive on the road.
Dodge Dart GT
Dodge’s Dart GT is tiny and very basic. It’s also light and quick thanks to the 184-horsepower turbo. People see a practical little car. But, behind the wheel, it shows a lively side that makes even the boring errands feel a little more exciting.
Volkswagen Passat V6
The Passat V6 looks like just another boring family sedan. And yes, it is great for commuting, but it’s the engine that makes it stand out. The V6 280-horsepower engine hides some serious kick. Only owners know it has some hidden fun.
Hyundai Genesis 3.8
Hyundai is not really known for speed. But the Genesis 3.8 changed all that. It came with a 348-horsepower V6 that surprised anyone who thought it was just another luxury cruiser. It’s elegant on the outside, and secretly lively under the hood.
Kia Stinger GT
The Stinger GT might look normal, but the engine says otherwise. This Kia has a 365-368 horsepower turbo V6 that moves fast. Under that calm, quiet exterior lies a strong, playful car that’s way more fun than it actually looks.
Volvo S60 Polestar
The only thing serious about the Volvo S60 Polestar is its 345-horsepower turbo engine. While everyone sees a quiet luxury car, only owners know that it’s ready to deliver some real excitement at any time, and when you least expect it.
Audi S4
Audi’s S4 surprised anyone who thought it was a normal car. People see a classy Audi, but behind the wheel, it’s ready to play a little with its 333-horsepower twin-turbo. It accelerates quickly and corners just as smoothly. Talk about a surprise!
Audi S6
Don’t be fooled by the calm and classy exterior of the Audi S6. A 450-horsepower engine waits quietly under the hood. Yes, it looks understated, but this car will have you accelerating at every stoplight just to show off what it can do.
BMW M550i XDrive
The M550i xDrive handles like a sports car. The 523-horsepower V8 engine might just have something to do with it. The BMW feels great on the open road. And while everyone sees calm luxury, you’ll enjoy serious power at every turn.
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Smooth and classy are just two words we’d use to describe the E63 AMG. It’s elegant on the outside, but hides serious muscle in the form of a 518-horsepower V8 engine that’s just waiting to go. It surprised anyone who underestimates it.
