Looks can belie performance. Aero is important and all, but not every fast car is going to look like “it is speed.” Some cars look like downright derps, but still rip.
We asked our readers what they thought were the slowest-looking fast cars, and here are their answers:
Here is a regular car entry:
The last Ford Taurus SHO
[...]
0-60 5.2s
mid-high 13s quarter mile.
Submitted by: oz4
Lotus Carlton. It’s a Vauxhall (or Opel depending on the country) Omega sedan with a twin-turbo I6 making almost 400hp. Top speed is nearly 180mph.
Submitted by: As Du Volant
Any newer Camry with a V6 or an older RAV4 that had the V6. I had a 2010 RAV4 with the V6 and for a time, it was the quickest car in Toyota’s lineup.
Submitted by: Gamblour
[...]
That smoke is the clutch and not the head gaskets
Submitted by: Orange Torana
Never understood why this car just wasn’t more popular, TBH.
And
because it’s ridiculous. i wish i had bought one.
Submitted by: MaximilianMeen, BonaContention, epochellipse
Any Tesla is deceptively fast
Submitted by: SennaMP4
This?
[...]
Submitted by: jb21
The Tango EV. Apparently it had a 0-60 time of under 4 seconds while looking like someone took a normal car and squished it.
Submitted by: Citric
GMC Syclone! Even with plastic cladding and menacing red scratch graphics, it still looks like a small boxy pickup.
Submitted by: Sid Bridge
Any rental car. Regardless of the 0 to 60 time, I’m going to find it.
And
P.J. O’Rourke had it right on this one: The fastest car is any rented one.
(Between this question and the off-road one, I’m beginning to see a pattern...)
Submitted by: HumptyDance, jrhmobile, Rockchops, among others
[...]
And
I’ve seen one of these in real life. They are so rare where I live, yet I like them.
Submitted by: Dr.Kamiya, ArtistAtLarge
Volvo V70R seems like it’s gotta be on this list, especially if it’s first-generation (could also expand this entry to include the pre-1997 850 T-5R’s). Holds that old boxy Swedish look (plus, Jalop sensibilities notwithstanding, it’s a friggin’ wagon), with a 0-60 time under 7 seconds even in the late ‘90s.
A ~250hp brick.
Submitted by: UncleTravelingMatt
There is a weird little group of people who boost the hell out of Honda Odysseys. I’m thinking specifically about the 1000 HP Bisimoto Honda Odyssey.
If tuner cars don’t count, the old non-AMG V8 E class Mercedes were very quick and unassuming looking.
Submitted by: NEBcruiser(cheering for Brandon)
Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge.
0-60: 4.2 seconds
1/4 mile: 12.8 seconds @ 107.8 mph
Drop the hammer doing 30 mph and the way it pushes you back in the seat is absolutely hilarious.
Submitted by: RoRoTheGreat