Performance cars

The fast versions: power, torque, engine and drivetrain for 46 hot hatches, performance saloons and Japanese legends, with head-to-head comparisons.

Head to head

Hot hatches

Small, front-driven (or all-wheel-drive) hatchbacks tuned for speed without losing everyday usability.

Ford Focus RS

Mk3, 2015–2018

345 hp 440 Nm 4.7 s

2.3L inline-4, AWD

Honda Civic Type R

FL5, 2022–present

324 hp 420 Nm 5.4 s

2.0L inline-4, FWD

Volkswagen Golf R

Mk8, 2020–present

316 hp 420 Nm 4.7 s

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Toyota GR Yaris

GXPA16, 2020–present

257 hp 360 Nm 5.5 s

1.6L inline-3, AWD

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Mk8, 2020–present

242 hp 370 Nm 6.3 s

2.0L inline-4, FWD

Performance saloons

Family-sized four-door cars with supercar-level power.

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance

W206, 2023–present

671 hp 1020 Nm 3.4 s

2.0L inline-4 plug-in hybrid, AWD

BMW M3 Competition

G80, 2021–present

503 hp 650 Nm 3.9 s

3.0L inline-6, RWD

Lexus GS F

URL10, 2015–2020

470 hp 530 Nm 4.6 s

5.0L v8, RWD

Lexus IS F

USE20, 2007–2014

417 hp 505 Nm 4.7 s

5.0L v8, RWD

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR

CZ4A, 2007–2015

296 hp 422 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Toyota Aristo V300 Vertex

JZS161, 1997–2005

276 hp 435 Nm

3.0L inline-6, RWD

Honda Civic Type R

FD2, 2007–2010

222 hp 215 Nm

2.0L inline-4, FWD

Honda Accord Euro R

CL7, 2002–2008

217 hp 206 Nm

2.0L inline-4, FWD

JDM legends

Japanese-market performance icons of the 1990s that built the tuner scene.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

R34, 1999–2002

276 hp 392 Nm

2.6L inline-6, AWD

Toyota Supra RZ

A80, 1993–2002

276 hp 451 Nm

3.0L inline-6, RWD

Nissan Skyline GT-R

R32, 1989–1994

276 hp 353 Nm

2.6L inline-6, AWD

Nissan Skyline GT-R

R33, 1995–1998

276 hp 368 Nm

2.6L inline-6, AWD

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Mäkinen Edition

CP9A, 2000–2001

276 hp 373 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR

CT9A, 2005–2007

276 hp 392 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Toyota Chaser Tourer V

JZX100, 1996–2001

276 hp 378 Nm

2.5L inline-6, RWD

Toyota Mark II Tourer V

JZX100, 1996–2000

276 hp 378 Nm

2.5L inline-6, RWD

Toyota Soarer 2.5GT-T

JZZ30, 1991–2000

276 hp 363 Nm

2.5L inline-6, RWD

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

GDB, 2000–2007

276 hp 392 Nm

2.0L flat-4, AWD

Toyota Celica GT-Four

ST205, 1994–1999

252 hp 304 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Nissan Silvia Spec-R

S15, 1999–2002

247 hp 275 Nm

2.0L inline-4, RWD

Toyota MR2 Turbo

SW20, 1989–1999

242 hp 304 Nm

2.0L inline-4, RWD

Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

RNN14, 1990–1994

227 hp 304 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Honda Integra Type R

DC5, 2001–2006

217 hp 206 Nm

2.0L inline-4, FWD

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

E39A, 1987–1992

202 hp 284 Nm

2.0L inline-4, AWD

Nissan 180SX Type X

RPS13, 1996–1999

202 hp 275 Nm

2.0L inline-4, RWD

Honda Integra Type R

DC2, 1995–2001

197 hp 181 Nm

1.8L inline-4, FWD

Honda Prelude Type S

BB6, 1996–2001

197 hp 216 Nm

2.2L inline-4, FWD

Honda Civic Type R

EK9, 1997–2000

182 hp 160 Nm

1.6L inline-4, FWD

Honda Civic SiR

EG6, 1991–1995

158 hp 150 Nm

1.6L inline-4, FWD

Toyota Starlet GT Turbo

EP82, 1989–1996

133 hp 160 Nm

1.3L inline-4, FWD

Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex

AE86, 1983–1987

128 hp 149 Nm

1.6L inline-4, RWD

Toyota MR2 G-Limited

AW11, 1984–1989

128 hp 149 Nm

1.6L inline-4, RWD

Sports coupes

Two-door performance coupes and roadsters, from rear-drive Japanese classics to modern V8 grand tourers.

Nissan GT-R

R35, 2007–2025

562 hp 637 Nm 2.8 s

3.8L v6, AWD

Lexus RC F

USC10, 2014–2025

470 hp 530 Nm 4.5 s

5.0L v8, RWD

Lexus LC 500

URZ100, 2017–present

470 hp 540 Nm 4.7 s

5.0L v8, RWD

Nissan Fairlady Z Version ST

Z34, 2008–2020

331 hp 365 Nm

3.7L v6, RWD

Nissan Skyline 370GT Coupe

V36, 2007–2016

325 hp 360 Nm

3.7L v6, RWD

Mazda RX-7 Type RS

FD3S, 1991–2002

276 hp 314 Nm

1.3L twin-rotor rotary, RWD

Nissan Fairlady Z Version T

Z33, 2002–2008

276 hp 363 Nm

3.5L v6, RWD

Nissan Skyline 350GT Coupe

V35, 2003–2007

276 hp 363 Nm

3.5L v6, RWD

Honda S2000

AP1, 1999–2005

247 hp 218 Nm

2.0L inline-4, RWD

Figures are manufacturer claims for the market shown on each page and vary by trim, year and test method. We leave a figure blank rather than guess.