10 Most Inexpensive Cars With 300 Horsepower

2019 Nissan 370Z front three quarter ・ Photo by Nissan

We live in a time of fast cars. Once you move beyond the smallest, cheapest economy cars, most models are at least offered with an engine making at least 200 horsepower. That’s enough power for confident acceleration at rates that would have been worldbeating just a decade or two ago.

But you don’t have to settle there. You can demand a higher tier of performance — 300 horsepower — and still find vehicles that are relatively affordable. You can choose among sporty models that are designed to excite, big comfortable sedans striving for effortless performance, and vehicles that blend both. Here are the 10 most inexpensive cars with 300 hp.

1. 2020 Ford Mustang

The 2020 Ford Mustang is the least expensive car available with 300 horsepower. Its base engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that Ford calls “EcoBoost,” and it makes 310 horsepower and an even mightier 350 lb-ft of torque — all at a base price of $26,670.

The Mustang is a rear-wheel-drive coupe or convertible that combines retro flavor with modern performance, including more capable handling than most past Mustangs. This engine is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic. You can also upgrade the Mustang to a 5.0-liter V8 with a whopping 460 horsepower for just $35,630, which is less than some of the other cheapest 300-hp cars on our list.

Photo by Ford

2. 2020 Chevrolet Camaro

Like its Mustang rival, the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and is a retro-styled rear-wheel-drive coupe or convertible. However, the Camaro’s base engine (on the $25,000 1LS model) makes 275 horsepower — not the mighty 300 hp that would qualify it for this list. For that extra zip, you need the Camaro’s optional V6. But fortunately, that engine is also affordable. You can get a V6 Camaro for as little as $27,095 as an option on the 1LT trim.

The Camaro’s optional V6 is a 3.6-liter that makes 335 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque, and you can pair this engine to a 10-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The Camaro rides and handles with more polish than the Mustang, but the Ford has a more usable rear seat and superior outward visibility.

Photo by General Motors

3. 2020 Dodge Challenger

The 2020 Dodge Challenger joins its counterparts from Ford and Chevy among the least expensive cars with 300 horsepower. Like with Ford, it’s the base engine that already achieves that figure, though like with Chevrolet, that’s a six-cylinder rather than a four.

Priced from $27,995, the Challenger comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 305 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration won’t match the similarly powerful Mustang or Camaro, because the Challenger is a bigger and heavier vehicle. On the flip side, this rear-drive coupe (with optional all-wheel-drive) does provide a far roomier interior, with space even for adults in the backseat. And with the V6 engine, you can choose the optional all-wheel-drive over the standard rear-wheel-drive. Plus, you can get performance to match the Challenger’s brash styling for as little as $34,595 — the starting price for the V8-powered R/T model. The V8 is also available with a six-speed manual transmission, while the V6 comes only with an eight-speed automatic.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

4. 2020 Nissan 370Z

The 2020 Nissan 370Z is in its final year before a complete redesign, but this aging rear-wheel-drive sports coupe is a fantastic performance bargain right now. Priced from just $30,090, it offers a great-looking body wrapped around a two-seat interior, powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine making 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

The 370Z may not have the fanciest dashboard, the slickest infotainment system, or all the latest safety technology. And having no backseat is a practical limitation. But it’s fast, it handles with precision, and it’s less expensive than many cars with far less power. Buyers can choose a seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual.

Photo by Nissan

5. 2020 Toyota Camry

The Camry is sometimes considered the embodiment of bland family transportation, but for more than a decade, this front-wheel-drive mid-size sedan has offered ferocious acceleration from its available V6 engine. And this year, Toyota has upped the performance ante even more.

The new 2020 Toyota Camry TRD trim level is the least expensive Camry to get 300 hp, costing $31,040. It shares the same 3.5-liter V6 engine with the Camry XLE and XSE trim levels, but they cost several thousand dollars more; all make 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, and share an eight-speed automatic transmission. The TRD also brings a stiffer and lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, revised steering, and sportier styling details. The result is an unexpectedly quick, agile, and aggressive-looking Camry that still offers spacious seating for five.

Photo by Toyota

6. 2020 Chevrolet Impala

Not all inexpensive cars with 300 hp emphasize sporty performance. The 2020 Chevrolet Impala front-wheel-drive full-size sedan is all about doing everything well, but without exuberance. It drives with a poise that belies its massive dimensions, and its 3.6-liter V6 makes 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque — plenty of power for effortless merging and relaxed cruising.

It’s a formula that’s gone out of style, though, as several full-size sedans have been discontinued in recent years. The Impala is on that list, too; 2020 will be its final model year. But for now, you can enjoy its spacious interior, polished driving dynamics, and 305 horsepower for as little as $31,620.

Photo by General Motors

7. 2020 Dodge Charger

Another full-size sedan isn’t in any danger. That’s the 2020 Dodge Charger, which is essentially a four-door version of the Dodge Challenger. It doesn’t share the Challenger coupe’s retro styling, but it’s still a performance machine — and it strikes an assertive presence even if you stick with the standard V6 engine instead of one of its optional V8s.

Charger prices start at $29,895, but you need to upgrade from the base SXT trim to the $31,995 GT model to reach the magic 300 hp (the SXT makes a practically identical 292 hp). This 3.6-liter V6 also provides 264 lb-ft of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Charger isn’t the roomiest full-size sedan you could buy, but it’s bigger than most affordable cars with this much horsepower. You get standard rear-wheel-drive and optional all-wheel-drive. 

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

8. 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is the brand’s flagship sedan. Although it has less real-world interior space than the less expensive Altima, the front-wheel-drive Maxima is Nissan’s leading sedan for luxury and performance.

Priced from $34,250, the Maxima comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired to a CVT automatic transmission. Its exterior and interior design aren’t everyone’s idea of luxury, but this car’s chunky styling ensures it’s not lost in a sea of generic sedans — and its powerful engine and agile handling back up that impression. Comfortable, supportive front and rear seats are another Maxima perk.

Photo by Nissan

9. 2020 Toyota Avalon

Once known for its quiet, relaxing comfort, the Toyota Avalon has evolved into a direct Maxima rival, with more aggressive styling and sharper handling than before. And it shares its 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and available TRD performance model with the smaller Camry.

Compared to the Maxima, the Avalon has a bigger backseat and a few nicer interior details, but the main difference between the two will be your own aesthetic preferences. Or maybe the Maxima’s lower base price — the Avalon starts at $35,875 — will tip the scales in its favor. And note that unlike on the Camry, the Avalon’s performance models cost several thousand dollars more than the base luxury-focused XLE.

Photo by Toyota

10. 2020 Infiniti Q50

Most luxury sports sedans available for less than $40,000 — or even $50,000 — have a four-cylinder engine making about 250 horsepower. That’s not the case with the 2020 Infiniti Q50, which starts at $36,300 with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 as standard equipment, sending 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The Q50 isn’t the newest sedan in its class, with less-sophisticated infotainment and interior appointments compared to the latest Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. But when you’re looking for speedy acceleration at relatively affordable prices, Infiniti delivers a healthy dose of luxury and agility as part of the bargain. The Q50 comes standard with rear-wheel-drive, with all-wheel-drive available as an option. 

Photo by Infiniti