4 Cheapest Cars With Over 400 Horsepower Are Old-School Performance Bargains– With 1 Exception
Even as the horsepower wars bow out to hybridization and electrification, the market has no shortage of vehicles with well over 400 horsepower on tap. However, most high-powered cars carry a bloated price tag. Don’t fret; some of the cheapest cars with over 400 ponies under the hood cost under $50,000. What’s more, three are front-engine, gas-powered RWD performance cars, like the 2024 Ford Mustang GT and Nissan Z Sport. The last one, however, is a near-silent electric vehicle (EV).
These four vehicles are some of the cheapest cars on the market with over 400 hp
400 horsepower for under $50,000 is a tricky mix to find in today’s market. However, these four performers managed to check both boxes.
| Make and model | Starting price | Horsepower |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang GT | $43,090 | 486 hp |
| Chevrolet Camaro LT1 | $40,395 | 455 hp |
| Nissan Z Sport | $43,305 | 400 hp |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | $45,990 | 425 hp (equivalent) |
The 2024 Ford Mustang GT is the most powerful factory Mustang GT ever
The seventh-generation Ford Mustang GT hits the road as a 2024 model. That news arrives as Dodge and Chevrolet get ready to discontinue the Challenger and Camaro, respectively. Furthermore, the GT’s Coyote V8 and optional performance exhaust system put out 486 horsepower, 36 more than the outgoing Mustang GT.
Before it’s discontinued, the Chevrolet Camaro LT1 is a bona fide performance bargain
The Chevrolet Camaro LT1 continues to bring power to the people with one of the cheapest cars to produce over 400 horsepower. In fact, the entry-level V8 Camaro makes 455 horsepower and the same figure in torque. However, Chevrolet announced that the sixth-generation model will head out of production after the 2024 model year.
The Nissan Z Sport is a 400-horsepower sports coupe with old-school style
Nissan’s oh-so-cool retro Z Coupe produces 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbocharged V6. Better yet, the Z offers a manual transmission, meaning performance car fans who don’t want muscle cars will find engaging driver’s car dynamics in the tail-happy Z.
Better yet, the entry-level Z Sport starts at around $43,305. It’s a muscle-bound alternative to the Mk V Toyota GR Supra 3.0.
Shockingly, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range is one of the cheapest cars on the market with over 400 hp
The pre-Highland Tesla Model 3 Long Range produces 184 horsepower at its front electric motor and 241 in the rear. Altogether, the long-legged Model 3 trim produces 425 horsepower for under $50,000– just like the tire-roasting sports cars above. However, the Model 3 is ICE-free and boasts dual-motor AWD.
Of course, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 isn’t the only mid-range EV with over 400 horsepower at its disposal. For instance, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor produces well over 400 ponies and rides on eAWD, just like the Model 3.
