The 10 Fastest Cars You Can Buy (New Or Used) for Under $25k
A speedy car doesn’t have to come with an expensive price tag. Click here for the fastest cars you can buy for under $25,000.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
At $23,790 and with a top speed of 131 mph, the
Kia K5 LXS
tops our list as the very cheapest fast car. If you’re going for the affordable car with the very best top speed, you’re looking at the Honda Civic Sport
, which tops out at 140 mph. These aren’t your only options, though! Hyundai, Mazda, and Chevy make fast, affordable cars capable of reaching at least 130 mph, and all under $25,000. You have even more choices if you’re shopping for used fast cars!
Although the price of new vehicles (especially sports cars) keeps going up, you don’t have to sacrifice your budget for the high-speed car of your dreams. Let
Jerry
, the trustworthy car insurance
app, be your guide! We’ve got the fastest-performance vehicles you can afford with a $25,000 budget. We’ll also tell you how to save on sports car insurance with our licensed insurance comparison super app
, so keep reading!Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThe fastest sports cars you can buy new for under $25,000
The average new vehicle currently costs you above $47,000—but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great deal on a speedy, entry-level sports car. Here are six super-fast cars under $25,000 that caught our eye, listed from most expensive to cheapest.
5. 2022 Chevy Camaro 1LT: 130 mph from $25,000
The new
Chevy Camaro
1LT squeaks onto our list, although you might see it priced closer to $26,000 with tax and fees. You’ll notice immediately that the Camaro feels like a classic muscle car. The 1LT trim speeds from zero-to-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds with a 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine! The Chevy Camaro is available with a six-speed manual or eight- or ten-speed automatic transmission and the option of a V8 engine. While more power gets you more speed, it will probably push you over your budget, and the base model is enough to leave others in the dust!
4. 2022 Mazda3 2.5 S: 137 mph from $24,115
The
Mazda3 2.5 S
shows that you don’t have to sacrifice performance and handling to get a sporty, affordable car. Although it takes 8.1 seconds to go from zero to 60, the Mazda3 packs power. The 2.5-liter engine packs 155 horsepower, and the optional turbocharged engine gets you from zero to 60 mph in 6 seconds!If smooth handling and optional all-wheel drive are important to you, the Mazda3 is a great pick. Not only is it slightly faster than the Chevrolet Camaro, but it’s got decent acceleration, engaging handling, and responsive braking. Just wait until you take this nimble Mazda out on the curves!
3. 2022 Hyundai Sonata: 131 mph from $24,150
Hyundai might not spring to mind when you think fast car, but it should! The
Hyundai Sonata
doesn’t present itself as a typical sporty sedan, but it’s stylish, comfortable, and just as fast as the Chevy Camaro. The Sonata SE zips from zero-to-60 mph in 7.9 seconds, which is all the more impressive since it gets its power from a simple 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Drivers looking for all-wheel drive will be disappointed, but the front-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmission give you a lot of bang for your buck—191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque!
2. 2022 Honda Civic Sport: 140 mph from $23,950
Honda
is known for making high-quality reliable vehicles, but don’t forget that it has a history of manufacturing engines. The Honda Civic Sport steals top speed on our list even with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It takes around 9.2 seconds for the Civic Sport to go from zero-to-60, but it boasts a 140 mph top speed. These powerful specs paired with Honda design and affordability led U.S. News to name the Honda Civic Sport the “Best Compact Car for the Money.”
1. 2022 Kia K5: 130 mph from $23,790
Here’s another surprise on the list—a
Kia
! The K5 can hold its own with the flashier Camaro, but with a nicer price tag. The K5 LXS turbocharged four-cylinder engine speeds from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, but if you want to shell out a couple thousand more for the K5 GTS
trim, you’ll get from zero-to-60 in an impressive 5.7 seconds!If fuel efficiency is important to you, the Kia K5 is a solid pick. The K5 averages between 27 and 29 mpg in the city and 37 to 38 mpg on the highway, depending on the trim. As for performance, it delivers power and comfort but might not be as fun to drive as its flashier rivals.
Fast used cars for under $25,000
The above list gives you a good idea of new cars within your $25,000 budget, but you have even more options when it comes to cheap used sports cars. Here are some of the best and fastest used cars, all under $25,000.
Best used roadster: 2019 Fiat 124 Spider
- KBB fair market range: $23,100 to $25,900
- 0 to 60: 6.8 seconds
- Top speed: 134 mph
The 2019
Fiat 124 Spider
delivers an iconic Italian design with Japanese bodywork for a nimble, quick roadster that won’t break the bank.Best used muscle car: 2020 Dodge Challenger SXT
- KBB fair market range: $23,400 to $26,000
- 0 to 60: 6.1 seconds
- Top speed: 152 mph
Dodge always delivers on power and performance, and the 2020
Dodge Charger SXT
is no exception. While the used price goes up for upgraded models, you can steal a fantastic deal on the base trim.Best used hot hatch: 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI
- KBB fair market range: $25,400 to $28,000
- 0 to 60: 5.6 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
If you can find a deal on a used
Golf GTI
, you’re in for a treat! This fun-to-drive hot hatch boasts 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.Best used AWD sports car: 2021 Mazda3
- KBB fair market range: $21,100 to $22,600
- 0 to 60: 6.9 seconds
- Top speed: 131 mph
We know—the Mazda3 is already on our new list, but we couldn’t resist adding it to the used list, too! It’s got some of the best handling and drive performance of any all-wheel drive vehicle. Car and Driver even named the 2021 Mazda3 the Editor’s Choice winner, beating out Audi and BMW.
Best used hatchback coupe: 2021 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R Spec
- KBB fair market range: $22,000 to $23,500
- 0 to 60: 7.4 seconds
- Top speed: 147 mph
Check out the 2021
Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec
if the 2022 Veloster (starting at over $32,000) is out of your price range. It features grippy performance tires and a tremendous 1.6-liter engine that delivers 201 horsepower.MORE: The fastest cars you can buy—for under $30,000
How to find cheap car insurance fast
Now for the bad news: faster cars are usually more expensive to insure due to their increased risks of an accident or violation. Fortunately, it's easier than you think to find an excellent policy that you can easily afford—just use
Jerry
!Download the free Jerry app and answer a few quick questions. In just 45 seconds, Jerry scans quotes from over 55 of the nation’s top insurers and delivers the best deals to you. Choose the policy and price you like, and our team of experienced agents will finalize your new plan and help cancel your old
car insurance
.“Jerryblew my mind, honestly. From start to finish, using the app took me 10 minutes and I ended up with $100 of savings a month. Best of all, customer service answered all my questions about rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.” —Savanna R.
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