The 10 Cheapest Cars with High Horsepower in 2022
Cheap cars with high hp, like the Nissan Z and the Toyota Camry TRD, are this year’s hottest trend.
Written by Lindsey Hoover
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Start your engines! In 2022, you can find plenty of options for cheap cars with high hp, including the Nissan Z, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger SXT RWD, Toyota Camry TRD, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Elantra N, Hyundai Kona N, Chevrolet Camaro, Subaru Legacy, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Having a need for speed shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Thankfully, manufacturers from Toyota to Volkswagen are making it easy for car enthusiasts everywhere to find cheap cars with a lot of horsepower.
But don’t go scouring the internet just yet.
Trusted comparison tool
and car insurance
super app Jerry
has compiled a list of 10 cars—all under $35,000 MSRP—capable of 240 to 400 hp.We’ve kept you waiting long enough—let’s get down to business. Here’s everything you need to know about the cheapest cars in 2022 with 400 horses or less under the hood.
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2022 Nissan Z
MSRP: $34,995
Horsepower: 400
Though it’s technically a 2023 model, the Nissan Z is slated to go on sale in spring 2022. And if the rumors are true, orders for one of the most iconic sports models of all time are already in motion. It’s been nearly a decade since Nissan released an updated Z model, so there’s much to celebrate.
When it launches, the 2022 Nissan Z will come with a standard (whopping!) 400 horsepower engine. Nissan also hinted that the vehicle will be powered from the rear wheels by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6.
And just for kicks, the model comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. If you prefer shifting your own gears, fear not. An automatic transmission is also available.
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2022 Ford Mustang
MSRP: $27,205
Horsepower: 310
Ford’s pony car just got a whole lot better. Ditching its old 8-cylinder engine for a 4-cylinder one, the 2022 Ford Mustang weighs less than its previous counterparts. But don’t sweat, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost V4 engine delivers 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
That means you’ll have more power than those pony lovers driving older models. We’ll try to keep up.
2022 Dodge Challenger SXT RWD
MSRP: $30,430
Horsepower: 303
Powered from the back with rear-wheel drive, the Dodge Challenger SXT RWD has a 3.6-liter V6 engine up front and gets its kicks from 303 horsepower—all for about $30,000. Its body type is a coupe, making it perfect for those that want to be a little sleek and stylish. The model also comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Dodge Challenger SXT RWD is no lightweight either—its body packs a punch!
2022 Toyota Camry TRD
MSRP: $33,485
Horsepower: 301
All hail the sport-tuned Camry TRD. Camry’s new and improved model comes standard with a 301 horsepower V6 engine. Its eight-speed automatic transmission is covered by a racecar-like body, meaning you’ll have heads turning to check out the rear spoiler and pair of exhaust pipes featured on the 2022 model.
Other snazzy features include 18-inch rims and larger front brake rotors than previous prototypes. All this from a four-door sedan!
2022 Hyundai Sonata
MSRP: $25,195
Horsepower: 290
If you’re looking for value without compromising style, the
Hyundai Sonata
may be for you. The N Line boasts a 2.5-liter V4 turbocharged engine. And let’s not forget about horsepower. With 290 horses under the hood of your car, the Sonata will have you wondering why you didn’t take notice of this great value sooner.2022 Hyundai Elantra N
MSRP: $31,900
Horsepower: 276
Giving other performance sedans a run for their money,
Hyundai’s Elantra N
packs 276 horses and 289 lb-ft of torque under its hood. The starting price? $31,900. If you’re a car junkie, then you’ll love that the base model comes standard with a manual transmission. If you prefer automatic, we suggest checking out the eight-speed dual-clutch option. You’ll be paying about $1,500 more.
Whichever you choose, both come with front-wheel drive and are sure to smear a smile across your face.
2022 Hyundai Kona N
MSRP: $34,200
Horsepower: 276
Don’t let the unique-looking front fender of the Kona N intimidate you. Hyundai built this model to produce 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine provides power to all four wheels, giving you full control of the road.
But that’s not the fun part.
On the Kona N steering wheel, there’s an N Grin Shift (NGS) button, meaning you’ll get a quick extra 10 horsepower boost anytime you feel the urge to press it. Take us for a ride?
2022 Chevrolet Camaro
MSRP: $25,000
Horsepower: 275
Another pony car for under $30,000? Now that’s something to celebrate.
The 2022
Chevrolet Camaro
offers a 275 horsepower turbocharged V4 engine. If you’re looking for a little more power, you can level up your Camaro to a 335 horsepower V6 engine. Of course, the upgrade will cost you. The Camaro has been a classic for ages, and at this price, anyone can buy a piece of class.
2022 Subaru Legacy 2.4T Limited XT
MSRP: $35,455
Horsepower: 260
Though it’s priced at just over $35,000, we wanted to include the 2022 Subaru Legacy 2.4T Limited XT. This style is one of the most popular trim levels available for this five-seater vehicle.
The 2.4-liter H4 turbocharged engine is powered by 260 horses and features all-wheel drive. This midsize sedan is perfect for families desiring comfort and safety. And don’t worry mom and dad, you can still take it out for a joyride when the kids are sleeping.
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
MSRP: $30,540
Horsepower: 241
The snazzy hot hatch known as the Volkswagen Golf GTI is getting a well-deserved makeover in 2022—and that includes some much-desired power. The new GTI has a 2.0-liter engine with 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen left you the option of choosing a manual transmission as well, but if you prefer automatic, you’ll be overjoyed with the seven-speed dual-clutch that’s available.
Need some more trunk space for your valuables? Volkswagen also offers the Jetta GLI. At just under $31,000 and featuring a 228 horsepower engine, compromise isn’t so bad.
Finding affordable car insurance
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQ
What does high horsepower mean?
When you hear someone bragging about the horses under their hood, what they are really talking about is how fast their car can go. Horsepower describes power and performance—it’s the amount of power your engine produces within a certain time period. That means the more horses you have under your hood, the faster you will be able to go.
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