Sedans with the Most Horsepower for 2023
These are the sedans ranked by their maximum horsepower based on iSeeCars' analysis of all new and used models within the last 5 years.
The small and compact car with the most horsepower is the Volkswagen Golf R (315 hp), with the BMW M3 being the luxury small and compact car with the most horsepower (543 hp). The Kia Stinger ranks #1 for the midsize cars with the most horsepower (368 hp).
The luxury midsize car with the most horsepower is the Cadillac CT5-V (668 hp) and the large car with the most horsepower is the Dodge Charger (807 hp). Topping the list for the luxury large cars with the most horsepower is the Cadillac CTS-V (640 hp), while the Toyota Crown ranks first for the hybrid cars with the most horsepower (340 hp).
The luxury hybrid car with the most horsepower is the Porsche Panamera (Plug-in Hybrid) (690 hp), with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid being the plug-in hybrid cars with the most horsepower (PHEV) (260 hp). The Porsche Panamera (Plug-in Hybrid) ranks #1 for the luxury plug-in hybrid cars with the most horsepower (PHEV) (690 hp).
The electric car with the most horsepower is the Lucid Air (1,050 hp), which is also the luxury electric car with the most horsepower. The BMW i4 ranks #1 for the small and compact electric cars with the most horsepower (536 hp).
Sedans aren’t as dominant in the car world as they used to be, but a wide range of sizes and price ranges are still available for four-door fans. Many of these models feature high performance powertrains, including twin-turbocharged or supercharged engines and advanced rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems. The result is supercar-like specs and extremely capable performance from cars that can still carry four or more people in comfort.
Examples of these performance cars include everything from smaller, low-cost four-cylinder sedans like the Volkswagen Jetta GLI to high-end luxury sedans like the Mercedes-AMG E63 with its twin-turbo V8 engine. In between are muscle cars like the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye with a 700-plus horsepower V8. Most modern sports sedans feature an automatic transmission, but you can still find a manual transmission in a few models, including the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.
For electric vehicle fans, the ever-expanding new-car fleet of electric cars includes performance sedans like the Audi RS e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan from traditional automakers. Newer, EV-dedicated brands, such as Lucid and Tesla, are make some of the quickest and most powerful sedans you can buy, including the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S Plaid. With their advanced electric motors providing instant torque from a standstill, these electric sedans can get to 60 mph faster than most sports cars.
In fact, fans of high-horsepower cars should keep in mind that torque is what actually turns a vehicle’s wheels and provides forward (or reverse) motion. Because electric vehicles can deliver torque immediately, they feel quicker than most internal combustion cars at low speeds and often deliver faster zero-to-60 times. Generally speaking, torque is what moves a car at lower speeds while horsepower is what keeps it moving and accelerating at higher speeds.
Below you’ll find the highest horsepower sedans in 13 categories, ranked by their maximum horsepower. These lists also include maximum torque ratings, new and used car pricing, fuel efficiency ratings, and cargo space.
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).
