Sleeper cars are some of the coolest rides on the road—no flashy spoilers, no unnecessary decals, just raw power hiding in plain sight. Back in the golden days of muscle car drag races, folks would build sneaky-fast cars to hustle the unsuspecting. But these days, you don’t need a wrench and a secret garage to pull off the same trick. Automakers have been delivering sleepers straight from the factory—cars that look like they belong in a Costco parking lot but pack enough power to leave sports cars shaking in their boots.

Here are four legends that’ll blow the doors off your expectations (and your neighbors’ Camry).

Volvo T-5R/850 R (1995-97)

From the outside, the Volvo 850 R looks like the ultimate dad-mobile—a boxy wagon designed to haul kids, groceries, and maybe a Golden Retriever or two. But under that unassuming sheet metal is a turbocharged 2.3L inline-5 that churns out 240 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to its adjustable sport suspension and lightweight design, it’ll blast from 0-60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and corners like a BMW.

The wagon version deserves special praise because it’s just so unapologetically Volvo—an automotive brick. Nobody expects it to be fast, and that’s exactly the point. The sedan variant is cool, too, but the wagon? That’s the ultimate sleeper. If wagons were superheroes, this one’s secret identity would fool even Clark Kent.

Volkswagen Phaeton (2004-06)

The Volkswagen Phaeton is the perfect car for people who hate attention but love luxury. From a distance, it looks like a slightly larger Passat. But pop the hood on some trims, and you’ll find the heart of a Bentley—literally. The top-tier version packs a 6.0L W12 engine that churns out 444 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, hitting 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Oh, and let’s not forget the absurd engineering that went into this car. It had air suspension with Continuous Damping Control, a cabin so well-insulated you could hear your own thoughts, and four-zone climate control so advanced it could chill or heat your cupholders. Why didn’t VW slap an Audi badge on it? Or a Bugatti badge? Who knows. But if there was ever a car for undercover billionaires, this is it.

Buick Regal GS (2012-20)

When you think of Buick, you probably picture something parked at the early-bird special or gliding down the slow lane of the highway. But don’t let that fool you—the Regal GS is more of a dark horse than a golden oldie. It comes with a 3.6L V6 engine pumping out 310 horsepower, a stiffened suspension for sharp handling, and custom 19-inch wheels that look way too cool for a Buick badge. It is even more powerful than its predecessor, the legendary Buick GNX muscle car of the 1980s.

But here’s the best part: it’s still as practical as you’d expect from a Buick. It’s comfortable, refined, and, most importantly, a sleeper through and through. Looking for a car that can do it all—and smoke a few unsuspecting sports cars while you’re at it? Explore Buick Regal GS listings and discover how to surprise everyone, including yourself.

Ford Taurus SHO (2010-19)

If the Taurus is the ultimate mild-mannered family sedan, the Taurus SHO is the ultimate way to make everyone late for soccer practice. This thing hides a 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 making 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque under the hood. That’s enough grunt to hit 0-60 mph in just over 5 seconds—and enough torque vectoring wizardry to corner like it’s on rails.

The Taurus SHO started life as a police interceptor, which means it was literally built to catch the bad guys. When Ford made it available to the public, it instantly became the perfect sleeper for anyone who wanted Mustang-level power in a package that could also slide under the radar. Check out Ford Taurus SHO listings and give your daily commute the plot twist it deserves.