The 10 Most Powerful Four-Cylinder Cars On The Market Today

V6 and V8 engines are common in North America, but powerful and efficient four-cylinder cars, like Nissan's SR20DET in the Silvia, are also popular. These engines offer better fuel efficiency without sacrificing power—check out the 10 most powerful four-cylinder cars today.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro 2

The Chevrolet Camaro's 275-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine provides strong performance with great torque and minimal turbo lag. Despite a 5.4-second 0-60 mph time, it offers excellent fuel economy, reliability, and a price range of $25,000 to $33,000, making it a great daily driver.

2016 Audi S3 Volkswagen Golf R

The Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 295 horsepower, offering impressive performance. The Audi is slightly faster, but the Golf R is praised for its handling, lower price, and manual transmission, making it a favorite among drivers, especially in Canada.

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster

The 2017 Porsche 718, a modern take on a historic name, features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, with its Porsche PDK transmission praised for handling the power, and a more powerful model is also available.

2016 Subaru WRX STI

The 2016 Subaru WRX STI delivers 305 horsepower and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 159 mph. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, it continues the tradition of exceptional performance, offering an engaging driving experience and handling on winding roads.

2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The 2016 Ford Mustang EcoBoost features a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower, outperforming traditional V6 muscle cars. With impressive quarter-mile times of 13.9 seconds and better fuel efficiency, it offers great value and power compared to V6 or V8 models.

2016 Volvo XC90 T6

The Volvo XC90 features a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 316 horsepower, offering impressive performance for a seven-passenger SUV. Praised for its safety, build quality, and spacious interior, it blends power with practicality for both road trips and daily driving.

2017 Ford Focus RS

The 2017 Ford Focus RS delivers 350 horsepower from a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph. Packed with features like Recaro seats, Brembo brakes, and adjustable suspension, it offers impressive performance and value for driving enthusiasts.

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S

The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S features a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 350 horsepower, reducing the 0-60 mph time to 4.2 seconds and reaching a top speed of 177 mph. With improved handling and a 12.5-second quarter-mile, it outperforms the 2017 Shelby GT350R and Mustang GT.

2017 Volvo S60/V60 Polestar

The Volvo Polestar delivers 362 horsepower from its twin-charged 2.0-liter engine, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. With excellent handling, safety features, and a sleeper car persona, it offers an outstanding driving experience despite its higher price.

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45/GLA45

The 2016 AMG Mercedes, with 380 horsepower, can reach 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, outperforming cars like the 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8. Known for its aggressive styling and exceptional performance, this sports car has earned rave reviews and is priced between $60,000 and $80,000.