Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower for 2023
These are the compact cars ranked by their maximum horsepower based on iSeeCars' analysis of all new and used models within the last 5 years.
The compact car with the most horsepower is the Volkswagen Golf R with a maximum of 315 hp at 5600,5900 rpm and torque of 280 lb-ft at 1900 rpm or 295 lb-ft at 2000 rpm. Behind the Golf R is the Toyota GR Corolla with a max of 300 hp at 6500 rpm and torque of 273 lb-ft at 3000 rpm. Ranked #3 is the Hyundai ELANTRA N which has a maximum of 276 hp and torque of 289 lb-ft at 2100 rpm.
The compact car with the most horsepower is the Volkswagen Golf R with a maximum of 315 hp at 5600,5900 rpm and torque of 280 lb-ft at 1900 rpm or 295 lb-ft at 2000 rpm. Behind the Golf R is the Toyota GR Corolla with a max of 300 hp at 6500 rpm and torque of 273 lb-ft at 3000 rpm. Ranked #3 is the Hyundai ELANTRA N which has a maximum of 276 hp and torque of 289 lb-ft at 2100 rpm.
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Max Horsepower: 315
- Torque: 280 lb-ft or 295 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 300
- Torque: 273 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention Coming soon
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Safety Not Available
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Max Horsepower: 276
- Torque: 289 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Max Horsepower: 271
- Torque: 258 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 9.3 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 250
- Torque: 320 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 250
- Torque: 320 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.9 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 241
- Torque: 273 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 228
- Torque: 258 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
9. Honda Civic (coupe)
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Max Horsepower: 205
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 9.0 / 10
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Value Retention 9.1 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 195 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.8 / 10
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Value Retention 7.9 / 10
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Safety 8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
12. Hyundai VELOSTER
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Max Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 195 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
13. Hyundai ELANTRA GT
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Max Horsepower: 201
- Torque: 195 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.8 / 10
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Value Retention 9.1 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 180
- Torque: 177 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.3 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
16. Volkswagen Beetle
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Max Horsepower: 174
- Torque: 184 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Max Horsepower: 169
- Torque: 151 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 169
- Torque: 151 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
-
Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 6.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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Max Horsepower: 158
- Torque: 184 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
21. Chevrolet Cruze
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Max Horsepower: 153
- Torque: 177 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
22. Chevrolet Cruze (hatchback)
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Max Horsepower: 153
- Torque: 177 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.2 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 152
- Torque: 145 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.7 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 149
- Torque: 146 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.9 / 10
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Value Retention 7.5 / 10
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Safety 9.1 / 10
25. Volkswagen Golf
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Max Horsepower: 147
- Torque: 184 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 8.2 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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Max Horsepower: 78
- Torque: 74 lb-ft
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 7.7 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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How We Rank These Cars
The Cars with the Most Horsepower lists rank vehicles by their maximum horsepower.
The maximum horsepower is the highest horsepower across all trim levels for a given vehicle model. In the event there is a tie, we use iSeeCars proprietary rating of the overall quality of the car (iSeeCars Score) to break the tie.
The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability | 33.3%
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention | 33.3%
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety | 33.3%
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).