10 Underrated Sleeper Cars You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

10 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Turbo

0-60 mph time: 7.0 seconds

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is arguably one of the most hated cars of all time. But due to its hatred, the PT Cruiser GT Turbo is one of the least suspecting fast cars ever built that will probably even give the 2025 Toyota MR2 a run for its money.

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Turbo Engine And Performance Specs

Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes out 220 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 7 seconds flat. It might not be as quick as the E60 BMW M5 with its awesome V10 engine, but it’ll keep up with cheap sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GT86.

9 2010 Chevrolet HHR SS

0-60 mph time: 6.1 seconds

Throughout the late ’90s and the 2000s, carmakers experimented and built some extremely unique cars. Some of these highlights include the Porsche Carrera GT, the V10-powered BMW E60 M5, the Plymouth Prowler, and our next entry, the Chevy HHR SS.

2010 Chevrolet HHR SS Engine And Performance Specs

Although many believed the HHR SS featured a V8 engine, the fast panel van had a similar engine to that of the Cobalt SS; a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger. With 260 hp and 2660 lb-ft of torque, the front-wheel-drive 2010 Chevrolet HHR SS van reaches 60 mph from a dig in only 6.1 seconds.

8 2003 Volvo V70 R

0-60 mph time: 5.9 seconds

Volvo builds some of the safest cars with the best crash test ratings, but many overlook Volvo’s performance figures. The Volvo V70 R is the perfect example of a surprisingly fast estate.

2003 Volvo V70 R Engine And Performance Specs

Despite having a massive body that weighs 3,708 lbs, and enough space to accommodate 5 passengers and their luggage, the 2003 Volvo V70 R does 0-60 mph in as little as 5.9 seconds. It’s all thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that churns out 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

7 2009 BMW 335d (E90)

0-60 mph time: 5.7 seconds

The BMW E90 is already one of the best German sedans that’ll last you 500,000 miles. However, when the E90 features one of the most powerful and most reliable diesel engines ever, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo M57 straight-six, it’s also one of the best value-for-money sleeper cars you can buy.

2009 BMW 335d Engine And Performance Specs

The BMW 335d’s turbo diesel engine generates 282 hp and 482 lb-ft of torque, and in turn, it rockets the four-door sedan to 60 mph from a standstill in only 5.7 seconds.

6 2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed6

0-60 mph time: 5.7 seconds

Back in the day, Mazdaspeed was essentially Mazda’s performance division. Although they’re absent in today’s day and age, their legacy still lives on with those few who know what difference they made. Take for instance the Mazdaspeed6; a US-sold sleeper car that shares the same specs as its JDM version.

2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed6 Engine And Performance Specs

Although the Mazdaspeed6 looks like an ordinary Mazda6, it houses a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-pot with 274 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. In turn, this allows the 2006 Mazdaspeed6 to go from 0-60 mph in as little as 5.7 seconds. For now, this remains the best Mazda sleeper car, until the 2024 Mazda compact truck becomes available.

Related: How Mazda’s Upcoming RX-9 Could Change The Sports Car Landscape

5 2006 Infiniti M45

0-60 mph time: 5.1 seconds

Many of you might not recognize the Infiniti M45 due to its rarity, but it shares many of its parts with other JDM cars, especially Nissan. For example, the 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 called the VK45DE makes an appearance in the JDM Nissan President.

2006 Infiniti M45 Engine And Performance Specs

The V8 powering the 2006 Infiniti M45 generates 335 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque and renders Infiniti M45 models somewhat JDM sleeper cars with muscle car spirit. After all, the JDM sedan weighs nearly 4,000 lbs but still does 0-60 mph in just north of 5 seconds.

4 2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8

0-60 mph time: 4.9 seconds

Dodge is no stranger to building fast, practical cars, just look at the Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody or Durango Hellcat. But back in the experimental 2000s, Dodge built an estate version of the Charger and called it the Magnum. Soon thereafter they squeezed a naturally aspirated 6.1-liter Hemi V8 underneath its hood.

2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Engine And Performance Specs

As a result, this elongated American V8 station wagon reached 60 mph from stationary in less than 5 seconds. If this isn’t one of the coolest American sleeper cars ever, we don’t know what is.

3 2004 Jaguar S-Type R

0-60 mph time: 4.9 seconds

European car manufacturers sculpt some of the greatest sleeper cars ever, but many forgot the Jaguar S-Type R existed in the first place. The S-Type R houses a gas-guzzling naturally aspirated V8 as opposed to modern powerful luxury cars with four-cylinders.

2004 Jaguar S-Type R Engine And Performance Specs

With nearly 400 hp and lb-ft of torque, this elegant British sedan also does 0-60 mph in just less than 5 seconds. In conclusion, the 2004 Jaguar S-Tyoe R is one of the coolest V8 sleeper sedans on the used market.

2 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

0-60 mph time: 4.6 seconds

We know the Pontiac G8 GXP isn’t as understated as other entries on our list. However, even its quad exhaust tips, large wheels, and hood vents won’t have you believe that these sleeper cars will leave supercars in the dust with a top speed of 185 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds.

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Engine And Performance Specs

With a typical listing price of $24,875 according to Kelley Blue Book, 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP sedans are excellent affordable sleeper sedan alternatives to the BMW M5.

Related: We Love The Challenger Hellcat, But These 10 Sleepers Can Keep Up With It

1 2023 Volkswagen Arteon R Shooting Brake

0-60 mph time: 4.6 seconds

Most of us know the Volkswagen Golf R is an excellent sleeper car and hot hatch. However, one VW that’s often overlooked is the Arteon; evermore so is the Arteon Shooting Brake. And VW did us the favor by fitting the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon R Shooting Brake with a similar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the Golf R.

2023 Volkswagen Arteon R Shooting Brake Engine And Performance Specs

The Arteon R has 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque at its fingertips. When combined with all-wheel-drive, the 2023 Arteon R Shooting Brake achieves a 0-60 mph time of only 4.6 seconds.