cars news 10: The 21 Quickest Production Cars MotorTrend Tested in 2018

Every year MotorTrend instrument-tests more than 200 car, truck, and SUV variants in an attempt to evaluate every new vehicle on the market. From the most affordable subcompacts to the most expensive luxury cars, we drive them all. As December draws to a close, let’s take a look back at the quickest cars we tested in 2018—the 21-car sub-4.0-second club.

Read about the quickest cars we tested in 2017 right here.

21. 2018 Ford Mustang GT (3.9 sec)

We still prefer the manual version, but if you’re only interested in straight-line speed, the 10-speed automatic is the way to go. It’s also crazy to realize we live in a time when the Mustang GT is a sub-4.0-second car.

20. 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Wide Body (3.9 sec)

Take a Hellcat, add the Demon’s wider fenders, give it Demon-width tires, and you have a recipe for one seriously quick Challenger. It was even more impressive in the quarter mile, laying down a time of only 11.9 seconds.

19. 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Pack (3.8 sec)

The Turbo version of any Porsche is going to be quick, but we were still impressed by how quickly the Performance Pack–equipped Macan Turbo accelerated. If only we could convince Porsche to offer a Macan Turbo S next.

18. 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T (3.8 sec)

The 911 Carrera T doesn’t have any more power than the base 911, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a handling-focused bargain of a sports car that also happens to be one of the quickest cars we tested all year.

17. 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (3.8 sec)

Rear-wheel drive. 505 hp. 0–60 mph quicker than a wide-body Hellcat. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio really is a ridiculous car in the best ways possible.

16. 2019 Aston Martin Vantage (3.8 sec)

The Vantage’s new look might be controversial, but there’s no denying it’s a fantastic driver’s car. It might even be the best-handling Aston Martin we’ve ever driven. Thanks to an AMG-sourced V-8, it’s also seriously quick.

15. 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (3.6 sec)

The 718 Cayman S nearly won our 2017 Best Driver’s Car competition, and if the GTS had competed this year, it would have given the podium finishers a real run for their money. Oh, and it just so happens to be quicker than the Vantage.

14. 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (3.5 sec)

Like the Mustang GT, the Camaro ZL1’s automatic transmission is the one to get if you want to go fast in a straight line. But as quick as its 0–60 time is, its quarter-mile time of 11.5 seconds is even more impressive.

13. 2018 Audi TT RS (3.4 sec)

Yes, this Audi is built on the same platform as a Volkswagen Jetta, but don’t let that fool you. The TT RS is a real performance car. For proof, look no further than its AMG GT R–tying 0–60 time.

12. 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R (3.4 sec)

AMG developed the GT R specifically to conquer the Nurburgring, but in the process, it also created a 577-hp monster that will run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. Well done.

11. 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4 Quadrifoglio (3.3 sec)

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is bigger, heavier, and no more powerful than the Giulia. But the magic of all-wheel drive means it’s a full half second quicker to 60 mph than the Giulia. Consider us impressed.

10. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Supercharged (3.3 sec)

If the Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 0–60 time is exactly the same as the Stelvio’s, where does the extra 202 hp go? Quarter-mile times. The Trackhawk runs it in 11.7 seconds, 0.2 second quicker than the 1,200-pound-lighter Alfa.

9. 2018 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Performance (3.2 sec)

All-wheel drive and the instant torque of electric motors make for one heck of a combination. Despite not being nearly as quick as the Model S P100D, the Model 3 Performance can outrun an impressively long list high-performance cars.

8. 2017 Porsche 911 GTS (3.1 sec)

As much as we love the 911 T, there’s no denying the acceleration advantage the GTS has. The difference is even bigger over the quarter mile, where the GTS’ 11.3-second time is nearly a full second quicker than the T’s.

7. 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 (3.1 sec)

Like the AMG GT R, the 911 GT3 is built to lay down fast lap times. And like the GT R, that means it also accelerates incredibly quickly. The difference is the 911 GT3 is 0.3 second quicker to 60 mph.

6. 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+ (3.0 sec)

If you’ve ever driven an AMG-badged E-Class, it should be no surprise that the 603-hp E 63 S is a top-10 finisher on this list. But what you might not expect is for the wagon variant to be 0.2 second quicker than the sedan.

5. 2018 BMW M5 (P Zero PZ4) (3.0 sec)

For the first time ever, the BMW M5 comes with all-wheel drive. It has a rear-drive mode for burnouts and power slides, but with 600 hp going to all four wheels, it’s just as quick as the E 63 S. In the quarter mile, it’s even slightly quicker.

4. 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (3.0 sec)

With 755 hp sent exclusively to the rear wheels, the Corvette ZR1 is the very definition of “traction-limited.” But when you finally do get it to hook up, it’ll run to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat on its way to a 10.8-second quarter mile.

3. 2018 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo S E-Hybrid (2.8 sec)

Compared to most other cars, the E 63 S wagon is an acceleration monster. Yet the top-spec Panamera Sport Turismo is somehow even quicker. Who would have guessed that a hybrid wagon could run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds?

2. 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast (2.8 sec)

It’s almost impossible to write about the 812 Superfast’s acceleration without mentioning its name. And yes, its 0–60 time is quite quick. What’s more impressive, though, is that it ran the quarter mile in 10.4 seconds at 138.6 mph. Superfast, indeed.

1. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (2.6 sec)

Currently, the 691-hp GT2 RS is the most powerful 911 ever sold to the public. It also set a production car lap record at Big Willow, obliterated a McLaren 720S’ production car lap record at Laguna Seca, and nearly won Best Driver’s Car 2018. The GT2 RS’ win here is just more icing on the cake.