10 Daily Drivers With Bite

2015 Porsche Panamera Turbo

You need a car that can eat up the miles to and from work every single day. On the other hand, you want a car that’s not going to put you to sleep when the time comes to enjoy yourself behind the wheel. Fortunately, there are a number of automobiles out there that offer precisely that delicate mixture of pleasure and practicality, vehicles can put in a respectable daily driving performance while also offering a wild streak that can satisfy even the most demanding enthusiast. Let’s take a quick look at 10 daily drivers with bite.

1) 2015 Ford Mustang GT

All new for this model year, the 2015 Ford Mustang GT is a far cry from the era when muscle cars were at best bouncy bone-rattlers when riding over anything but the smoothest pavement. The Ford Mustang GT’s suspension system provides great steering response and comfort, and the fastback offers solid power from its 435-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Also capable of generating 400 lb-ft of torque, the Mustang GT’s mill is yoked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, and posts solid highway fuel mileage of 25 mpg to go with a blazing 4.5-second sprint to 60 miles per hour.

2) 2015 BMW M3

The 2015 BMW M3 sedan is the proverbial “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” To most of the world, the BMW M3 sedan comes across as a respectable, four-door luxury car. To those in the know – and more importantly, to anyone in the driver’s seat – the M3 sedan is most notable for its almost telepathic handling and twin-turbocharged six-cylinder power that serves up 425 horses and 406 lb-ft of twist. The M3’s output is managed by either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automated manual. A 3.8-second zero to 60-mph time ensures acceleration that can only be described as “breathtaking,” while a host of premium features help to make each and every drive to the office as pleasant as possible.

Photo by BMW

3) 2015 Jaguar XJ

The 2015 Jaguar XJ’s high end luxury status conceals the fact that, underneath its extensive list of luxury features and slickly-styled outward appearance, this full-size sedan is a serious high performance contender. The 2015 Jaguar XJ features an aluminum chassis, surprisingly communicative steering for a vehicle of its size and pricing that makes it somewhat of a steal in the executive car segment. The XJ also comes with either a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, producing 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, or a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine that is good for 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. The 2015 Jaguar XJ is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can opt for all-wheel drive instead of the standard rear-wheel drive.

4) 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS

The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS is another retro-themed sports coupe that visually reminds owners of its muscle car past while delighting their other senses through a generous investment in modern technology. The Chevrolet Camaro SS features two six-speed transmission choices (manual and automatic) and an efficient, yet powerful V-8 engine. This 6.2-liter unit delivers 426 ponies and 420 lb-ft of torque, allowing for the vehicle to launch itself to 60 mph in five seconds flat, and it also offers 24 mpg while cruising down the highway. The latter figure makes it a more than viable driver even for those facing longer daily commutes.

5) 2015 Audi S4

The 2015 Audi S4 enjoys an advantage over some of the other vehicles on this list, as it provides full-time quattro all-wheel drive as standard equipment. This makes the Audi S4 a formidable option for owners who live in areas where winter weather can sometimes discourage spirited driving. In addition to offering one of the finest interior designs in the industry, the Audi S4 also benefits from a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that makes use of a supercharger to help produce 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The S4 can be ordered with a torque-vectoring differential that further enhances its handling prowess, but even in stock form the sedan can reach 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. Considering that the sedan gets 27 mpg on the highway, its clear as to why the Audi S4 has such a loyal following amongst luxury sport fans.

6) 2015 Dodge Charger R/T

The 2015 Dodge Charger R/T offers full-size sedan shoppers the chance to sample a car that is both a comfortable cruiser and a legitimate performer when the go-pedal is pushed to the floor. The exterior styling gives the Dodge Charger an aggressive look, and its 5.7-liter V-8 engine puts out a hearty 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. The 2015 Charger R/T features an eight-speed automatic transmission and deliver a 0-60-mph time in 5.3 seconds. All-wheel drive is offered as an option with the large four-door automobile.

7) 2015 Hyundai Genesis

Fully redesigned for this model year, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 adds a dash of vigor to the attractively-priced full-size luxury sedan, and it’s loaded up with even more high-end features than before. It comes powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 that produces 420 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque – enough motivation to rocket the large sedan to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The compulsory eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and efficient. Highway fuel mileage for the plus-size Genesis checks in at 23 mpg, which is good for the class.

8) 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG can be thought of as a gilded hammer, a full-on luxury sedan that packs in neck-breaking acceleration (0-60-mph in 4.4 seconds), sports car-level handling and subtle, yet important styling changes that separate the E63 AMG from other E-Class offerings. The centerpiece of the E63 AMG is its exceptional engine, a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that grinds out 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. Sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission that can be manually controlled via paddle shifters, this enormously potent edition of the E-Class still somehow manages to return a highway fuel economy rating of 23 mpg.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

9) 2015 Lexus RC F

The Lexus RC F is a new model that was just introduced for 2015, and it is without a doubt the most engaging coupe to drive in the Japanese luxury automaker’s lineup, and its aggressive styling updates are a good match for the car’s potency. The Lexus RC F comes with the kind of steering and suspension technology required to keep a high-powered coupe glued to the pavement, and the engine bay also dazzles thanks to the installation of a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that is tuned to provide 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is relied on to channel the RC F’s exceptional thrust and help to deliver a zero to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds.

10) 2015 Porsche Panamera Turbo

The 2015 Porsche Panamera is the first sedan to be produced by the renowned sports car builder. As such, the Porsche Panamera is capable of delivering thrills that are nearly on par with the company’s iconic 911 coupe. The Panamera, which can be ordered in a number of different engine and drivetrain configurations, truly shines when found in Turbo trim. The Porsche Panamera Turbo’s twin-turbo, 4.8-liter V-8 engine squeezes out 520 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and the vehicle also comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and all-wheel drive and can hit 60 mph in a shocking 3.7 seconds. Not bad for a four-door luxury car.