Launch times have reached the point where a stoplight can feel like a drag strip. Published tests from several outlets show hybrids, electric cars and gasoline performance models all chasing the same two-second barrier. Here are ten cars that sprint to highway speed faster than most people can finish saying the number.
Help yourself and the planet: The Cool Down makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet, with smart, simple changes to save more and waste less in your everyday life.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport: Hypercar Benchmark
Carscoops lists the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport reaching 60 mph in 2.2 seconds.
A hypercar built around top speed still posts a launch time in the low twos. Readers comparing figures should remember that timing methods, surfaces and rollout rules differ between publications. Testing methods vary between outlets, including rollout and surface conditions. Numbers like these are best read as a ranking guide. Readers who enjoy the numbers can compare results from several outlets to see how consistent each car is.
2. Ferrari SF90 Stradale: The Quickest Here
Yahoo Autos’ list of quickest-accelerating cars has the Ferrari SF90 Stradale reaching 60 mph in 2.0 seconds.
The plug-in hybrid supercar sets the pace for this group. Such a number depends on grippy pavement and ideal conditions, so everyday drivers should not expect to repeat it casually. Tire wear and heat can slow repeated runs noticeably. Insurers and tire shops often notice performance trims. A test-drive in a performance model reveals more about daily manners than a stopwatch can. Independent verification of any claimed time is always worth the extra reading before drawing conclusions.
3. Tesla Model S Plaid: Plaid Reality Check
Yahoo Autos’ list measures the Tesla Model S Plaid at about 2.1 seconds to 60 mph, against Tesla’s claimed 1.99.
The measured time lands slightly behind the manufacturer’s claim, a common gap between marketing and independent testing. Both numbers are still extraordinary for a full-size sedan. These times reflect closed or ideal conditions rather than ordinary commutes. Numbers like these are best read as a ranking guide. Enthusiasts may also weigh handling, braking and ownership costs next to straight-line speed.
4. Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS: Gas Car at Speed
Edmunds’ quickest gas cars list has the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS reaching 60 mph in 2.81 seconds.
All-wheel drive helps a rear-engine sports car put power down on launch. Among gasoline-only entries on this list, it posts the quickest time. A fast launch feels dramatic, but daily comfort and running costs deserve equal weight. Insurers and tire shops often notice performance trims. Checking the exact trim helps, since lesser versions usually post slower times. Independent verification of any claimed time is always worth the extra reading before drawing conclusions.
5. Bentley Flying Spur Speed: Luxury Sedan Sprinter
Edmunds’ quickest gas cars list has the Bentley Flying Spur Speed reaching 60 mph in 3.29 seconds.
A large luxury four-door reaching that mark shows how far sedans have come. Anyone interested may want to compare comfort and cargo room against the lighter, quicker sports cars nearby. Insurance and tire expenses tend to climb with performance. Numbers like these are best read as a ranking guide. The difference between two and three seconds feels large on a launch, though both are rare territory.
6. BMW M3 Competition xDrive: Compact Sedan Rocket
The BMW M3 Competition xDrive reaches 60 mph in 3.15 seconds, according to Edmunds’ quickest gas cars list.
Adding all-wheel drive to a performance sedan helps traction off the line. It remains a usable four-door, which gives it a different appeal from two-seat exotics. Different publications may list slightly different numbers for the same car. Insurers and tire shops often notice performance trims. Buyers should check warranty terms, as repeated hard launches can strain drivetrains. Independent verification of any claimed time is always worth the extra reading before drawing conclusions.
7. Audi RS 6 Performance: Station Wagon Surprise
Edmunds’ quickest gas cars list has the Audi RS 6 Performance reaching 60 mph in 3.27 seconds, in a station wagon.
Family-friendly cargo space and supercar-adjacent acceleration rarely share a roof. Buyers considering it might check insurance and tire costs, which tend to rise with performance. Anyone curious should look for independent testing before relying on a single claim. Numbers like these are best read as a ranking guide. Seeing a result from more than one source adds confidence in the ranking.
8. Porsche Taycan Turbo GT: Electric Grand Tourer
Edmunds’ quickest EVs list has the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT reaching 60 mph in 2.17 seconds.
Instant electric torque lets the Taycan match far more exotic machinery. Repeated launches can tax a battery, so real-world performance depends on temperature and charge level. Driving habits will determine how often such acceleration is even usable. Insurers and tire shops often notice performance trims. Anyone tempted by the figure should consider the cost of tires, brakes and fuel or electricity. Independent verification of any claimed time is always worth the extra reading before drawing conclusions.
9. Lucid Air Sapphire: Lucid’s Sapphire Sprint
Edmunds’ quickest EVs list has the Lucid Air Sapphire reaching 60 mph in 2.26 seconds.
A luxury electric sedan posting that figure undercuts many gasoline sports cars. Prospective owners may want to see whether the test conditions match their own driving. Launch control and traction systems often matter as much as horsepower. Numbers like these are best read as a ranking guide. Track days and public roads are different settings, and the numbers belong to the former. Independent verification of any claimed time is always worth the extra reading before drawing conclusions.
10. GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X: Four-and-a-Half-Ton Sprinter
Edmunds’ quickest EVs list has the GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X reaching 60 mph in 3.52 seconds despite weighing about four and a half tons.
The slowest time here is still remarkable given the mass involved. The result shows that electric torque can overcome weight, though braking and tire wear are worth considering. Heavier vehicles also tend to stress brakes and tires harder. Insurers and tire shops often notice performance trims. Comparing price, practicality and speed together gives a fairer sense of value.
Help yourself and the planet: Get The Cool Down →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- Neanderthals in Spain carved a wooden object that matches nothing archaeologists have ever found
- The FAA wants $2.39 million from a flight school it says flew a Cessna about 280 times with an unapproved part
- A $1 billion gas plant planned for Superior, Wisconsin, has been abandoned
- Shaq spent $1.3 million on three Rolls-Royce Phantoms to prove a point to a salesman
