Surprising Powerhouses: 2023’s Sleeper Cars with Hidden Performance
Evan Simms
Sleeper cars are those that don’t look fast but offer incredible performance when compared to their mild-mannered counterparts.
You’ll never expect the power and speed found in these amazing machines. The automotive world has been turned upside down with the onslaught of EVs. This change brings about many new cars to the mix, some of which offer much better performance and driving features than you might expect. Adding a few of these EVs to the list, we’ve got a list of sleeper cars that can bring you the excitement and joy you want on the road while flying under the radar.
2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – Stylishly Fast
The Q4 symbol on the rear of this Ala Romeo SUV tells you it’s quick and packed with 505 horsepower. That’s about the only thing on this SUV that symbolizes the power and performance offered in the Quadrifoglio trim. In addition to the powerful engine, this SUV had a set of carbon ceramic brakes, quad exhaust tips, and a performance suspension. The Stelvio is great for family hauling, packing the cargo you need, and it’s a comfortable luxury SUV, but that added boost of power and fun makes it even better.
2023 BMW 240i – Quick BMW Fun
The BMW 240i isn’t the M2 version, but it delivers the power, drive, and classic BMW fun that you expect in a small sports coupe. The aggressive body elements found on the M2 aren’t present in the 240i, making it one of the most fun and drivable sleeper cars in the market. This small and mighty BMW coupe packs more than 300 horsepower but avoids wearing the aggressive features associated with a high-end sports coupe.
2023 Subaru Legacy Touring XT – You’ll Never See This Car Coming
Stepping up to the XT trim means a change of powertrains from a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine to a turbocharged version that packs some serious heat. This powertrain makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, giving this Legacy some serious power. Toss in the benefits of the standard AWD and impressive features that make this car fun to drive, and you’ve got a car that flies under the radar with ease. No one looks at the Legacy as a performance machine, but it’s hard to deny what the Touring XT includes.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance – It’s Not The Base Version
Tesla hides this sleeper car by offering it with the same exterior elements as the base model. The Performance version delivers 450 horsepower and instant torque for incredible acceleration and tons of fun. The Tesla Model 3 Performance also includes some software that makes sliding around on the road much easier, increasing the level of fun offered in this car. Take this car out for a great drive on the road and see what an EV brings to the party.
2023 Genesis G70 3.3T – Classy Looks, Impressive Performance
The Genesis G70 hit the market with a bang when it first arrived. This luxury car brings the heat, especially if you step up to the higher-powered 3.3T version with a strong 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 365 horsepower. Genesis created a high-performance sedan that doesn’t look different from the 4-cylinder variant, which makes the 3.3T model a true sleeper on the track. This car wakes up the competition when they see it rocket off the line and leave them behind.
2023 Audi S8 – A Big Sedan With Tons of Fun
Most might not look at the Audi S8 and think sleeper car until they realize how much power and performance is packed into this car. The S8 is the high-performance variant of the A8, and it brings a strong twin-turbocharged V8 engine that provides 563 horsepower of performance and fun. This is a large luxury sedan that has everything you want when you’re ready to show up and show off.
2023 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered – Can a Wagon Bring the Heat?
We don’t often think of wagons as being high-powered performance machines, but this Volvo is a fast and impressive wagon. Whether you need to bring the kids to an activity in a hurry or want to carry cargo and go fast to begin your weekend project, the Volvo V60 can get the job done This wagon has 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque from the combination of a twin-turbocharged engine and a rear-mounted electric motor. The V60 Polestar can be one of the most exciting cars you’ll drive.
Which of these seven sleeper cars do you want to drive?
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