6 cars that look fast but are slower than a Toyota Camry
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Some cars look like they’re itching for a lap around the Nürburgring. Sharp lines, oversized spoilers, flashy exhaust tips, maybe even a flat-bottomed steering wheel for dramatic effect. But under all that sporty dressing, the actual performance can be surprisingly tame.
If a car looks like it belongs in “Fast & Furious” but tops out at 125 miles per hour, that’s not exactly scorching. For comparison, a 2024 Toyota Camry XSE V6 can hit about 135 mph, and it doesn’t wear racing stripes. So when we say these cars look fast but aren’t, we’re talking about models that underdeliver compared to the image they project.
6 cars that look fast but are really slower than a 2024 Toyota Camry XSE V6
One example is the 2006 to 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It looked the part with a wide stance and bold curves. But the base model made just 162 horsepower and topped out around 130 mph. The GT version added a 263-hp V6, but with front-wheel drive and a chunky curb weight, it was more of a grand tourer than a genuine performer.
Then there’s the Scion tC, a car aimed at younger buyers who wanted affordable style. It had a panoramic roof, coupe styling, and Toyota reliability. But with a 2.4L four-cylinder and 161 horsepower, its top speed was about 127 mph. Sporty? Sort of. Fast? Not really.
The Chevy Cruze RS proves that body kits do not equal speed. This trim added flair (spoilers, chrome, snappy wheels) but kept the same 1.4L turbo engine as other trims. That meant about 138 horsepower and a top speed of 124 mph. Stylish for sure, but more of a commuter than a corner carver.
The Dodge Dart GT looked sharp with its big wheels and paddle shifters. But it had a 2.4L engine with 184 horsepower and could manage about 130 mph. That’s decent for a compact sedan, but the visual drama suggested something closer to a hot hatch. It wasn’t.
Then there’s the 2000 to 2005 Toyota Celica GT. The Celica legacy includes genuine performance icons, but the seventh-generation GT trim wasn’t one of them. These cars had aggressive styling and a rally-ready vibe, but its 1.8L engine only made 140 horsepower. Top speed? Roughly 125 mph. The GT-S version did better, but the base model didn’t live up to the hype.
Lastly, the Hyundai Veloster. Early base models, not the later turbocharged or N versions, had a 1.6-liter engine with 132 horsepower and a top speed of about 125 mph. The design was all angles and edges, but the performance couldn’t keep up with the promise.
To be clear, these cars aren’t bad. In many cases, they’re reliable, fun to drive, and easy to live with. But if you’re expecting racecar performance from a sporty appearance, some models serve as a reminder: don’t judge a car by its spoiler.
