The 13 Fastest Cars Under $50,000

A decade ago, 300 horsepower was expected only from V-8 engines. Today, that’s the output of some 4-cylinder power plants. Thanks to direct fuel injection, turbocharging and other technologies, power and speed can be bought in a range of body styles, vehicle sizes and powertrain configurations. The result is that you no longer need to go for broke to hang with the big boys on the track.

Forbes searched the market for the fastest production cars that you can buy for under $50,000. This list was compiled based on manufacturer published 0-60 mph performance numbers, taking into consideration engine output, torque, vehicle weight and “wisdom of the crowds” when track times were unavailable for particular models. Unlike fuel economy, there are no government standards for performance testing. Not every manufacturer publishes its quarter mile-dash or 0-60 mph sprint time, as the ability to achieve and repeat them comes down to driver skill almost as much as engineering.

2015 Benz CLA45 AMG

Price: $48,500

Fuel economy: 23 city /31 highway mpg

The AMG treatment raises output of this compact sedan to 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making this luxury car the highest horsepower per liter you can buy in its class. A near $50,000 Mercedes is few people’s idea of a bargain, but for the money drivers get a powerful all-wheel drive five-seater with a sports-tuned chassis that nails the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds before hitting its electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph. And with solid fuel economy to boot.

2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang

Price: $47,795

Fuel economy: 14 mpg city/21 mpg highway/16 mpg combined

There is a saying that everyone has a Mustang story, and with the Shelby GT350 yours should be made on the track. The legendary Shelby Mustang is equipped with a 5.2-liter V8 engine that produces 526 horsepower, and 429 lb.-ft. of torque, making it one of the most powerful production vehicles you can buy on this list. This rear-wheel drive, four-seater can be equipped with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. To help drivers take full advantage of its power, this track-ready coupe is equipped with Electronic Line-Lock that keeps the front brakes locked while the Shelby is in gear as its rear tires warm, and launch control will help smooth the edges of the commensurate burn out.

2016 Ford Mustang GT

Price: $32,395

Fuel economy: 15 city / 25 hwy / 19 combined mpg (manual) 16 city / 25 hwy / 19 combined mpg (automatic)

This rear wheel drive four-seater is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, and is available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, making the original pony car still a formidable contender.

2016 Audi S4

Price: $49,200

Fuel economy: 17/26/20 (manual); 18/28/21 (automatic)

This performance version of the five-seater sedan will eat up the better part of a $50,000 budget, but for the money drivers will get 333 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque from a 3.0L, 6-cylinder supercharged engine that can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or dual clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. Both drivetrain configurations will complete the 0-60 mph dash in just 4.9 seconds, and the S4 tops out at an electronically controlled 155 mph. Audi Drive Select lets you fine-tune adaptive suspension, dynamic steering, and shifting and tailor to your preferences, and Quattro all-wheel drive helps provide traction and handling. Setting the luxury sedan further apart from its competitors is the available Audi connectivity package that offers in-vehicle Wi-Fi for up to eight passenger devices and Google Earth mapping and destination search.

2016 Nissan 370Z Nismo

Price: $41,990-$45,490

Fuel economy: 18 city/26 highway mpg

The 2016 Nissan 370z is equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers 350 horsepower and 276 lb.-ft. of torque, and is paired with either a 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, but numbers tell only part of this nimble coupe’s story. This performance treatment tacks on to the 370Z the Nismo aerodynamic body–with its tell-tale front and rear fascias, sills, and rear spoiler and diffuser–and it finishes it off with the Nismo-tuned dual exhaust. Peel away the souped up exterior and you’ll find a Nismo-tuned front suspension, shocks, springs, and stabilizer bar to deliver that agile cornering needed to help the 370z find and push its limit. Expect it make the 0-60 mph dash in the mid 4-second range.

2016 BMW M235i

Price: $46,150 to $46,150

Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway

This tight little coupe can hang with the big boys on the track thanks to its 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that churns out 320-hp engine and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. Equipped with launch control, the M235i xDrive bullets from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, which is a couple tenths of a second faster than its rear-wheel drive counterpart that clocks in at 4.6 seconds. Keep in mind, it’s also $2,000 more to have 4-wheel “Go.”