The term “sleeper car” is used to refer to a vehicle with an unassuming look that is faster than it appears. Not all fast cars or performance models look the part. If you’re shopping for used cars and want something that hides under the radar, this list is for you. Let’s take a look at five sleeper cars that will open your eyes with impressive performance.
Buick Regal GS – 310 Horsepower
Buick is known for building sleeper cars. Many of the brand’s models don’t look sporty at all, but under the hood is some impressive power. The 2010 Regal GS with a manual transmission is one of these. However, you don’t have to go back that far when the 2018 Buick Regal is more common and sports a 3.6-liter V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower. It also boasts an excellent chassis for all that speed. It doesn’t look like a sports sedan, but it has classic lines and plenty of power.
Cadillac XTS V-Sport 410 Horsepower
The XTS V-Sport by Cadillac looks even less like a performance model than the Buick, but it features a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 under the hood that delivers 410 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It also has AWD. According to performance tests by Car and Driver, the XTS V-Sport can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It may not look fancy or aggressive, but other drivers will certainly notice its passing power on the highway.
Chevrolet SS – 415 Horsepower
Each car on this list looks more unassuming than the previous one. The Chevy SS is a true sleeper. Its exterior hides in generic sedan clothing and it’s easily confused with the Impala due to its staid looks. However, the SS uses a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 that makes 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy SS probably fits the term sleeper car more than almost any other modern vehicle. It’s a four-door sedan with hardly any standout features or aggressive sporty accents, and yet, you’ll know its power when it accelerates on the highway.
Ford Taurus SHO – 365 Horsepower
Not to be outdone, Ford is also known for a definite sleeper model in the Taurus SHO. Like the Chevy SS, the Taurus SHO comes in a fairly neutral four-door sedan layout. It doesn’t have an aggressive grille or anything that you might perceive as sporty. However, from 2010 to 2019, the Taurus SHO offered a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that made 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available was a six-speed automatic with AWD. There was also a Performance Package that added mostly hidden parts like upgraded brake pads and a revised steering setup.
Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring – 494 Horsepower
Part of being a sleeper vehicle is that it doesn’t look fast. There’s probably nothing that looks less fast than a bulky SUV like the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring. However, under the hood, this big SUV sports a twin-turbo V6 combined with an electric motor that makes 494 horsepower and a whopping 630 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to give it a very impressive zero to 60 mph time of right around 5 seconds. If you’ve been keeping track, that’s faster or equally as fast as the Cadillac mentioned earlier.
If you’re looking for used cars that are fast but don’t look it, these five models are worth checking out.
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