11 Blindingly Fast Cars Under $100,000

While going fast in a car is an easy thing to do when money is no object, that doesn’t mean one needs to spend a small (or large) fortune to do so.

Listed here are 11 cars with starting MSRPs under $100,000 that are blindingly fast, yet don’t come with an acquisition cost that will have you going broke in the process.

Now don’t get me wrong—these cars aren’t cheap (some barely made the $100K cutoff), but they’re all fast and powerful and that’s the name of this game.

Before diving in, a few caveats:

One, eligibility is based on MSRP before extra charges such as freight, PDI and applicable taxes.

Second, this list is somewhat subjective as figures listed reflect data supplied by the manufacturers, not performance testing conducted by Wheels.ca. With that in mind, the cars are listed in alphabetical order and aren’t ranked in terms of outright speed and performance.

Third, getting on the list isn’t just about sheer torque and horsepower or 0-100 km/h times and top speed, but rather a combination of all those things.

Hey, I said it’s subjective, right?

Finally, this list isn’t exhaustive – there are other fast cars under $100,000 out there. But to keep the list at a reasonable length, I’d had to pare it down a bit. With that in mind, I’m including a few honourable mentions that also meet the criteria laid out here.

Without further ado here’s the list:

Base price: $82,500
Engine: 2.9L bi-turbo V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Layout: AWD
Horsepower: 444
Torque: 443
0-100 km / h: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed (km/h): 280

Powered by a 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 shared with the Porsche Panamera, the Audi RS5 offers a sub-four second 0-100 km/h time in a sleek coupe form that includes a performance-oriented interior featuring Audi’s virtual cockpit display.

Base price: $72,900
Engine: 2.5L turbocharged inline 5-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Layout: AWD
Horsepower: 400
Torque: 354
0-100 km / h: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed (km/h): 280

Audi’s legendary race-winning turbocharged 5-cylinder legacy lives on in the TT RS, with its 2.5-litre turbo inline five churning out an incredible 400 horsepower that can launch this compact coupe to 100 km/h in less than four seconds.

Price: $77,550 – $88,000
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 7-speed DCT
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 425
Torque: 406
0-100 km / h: 4.1 seconds (7-speed DCT)
Top Speed (km/h): 250

The quintessential sports sedan (which now includes coupe and convertible stablemates) is now in its fifth-generation and is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 425 horsepower and can gallop to 100 km in 4.1 seconds.

Base price: $66,245 – $68,545
Engine: 3.6L twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 8-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 464
Torque: 445
0-100 km / h: 3.9 seconds (6-speed manual)
Top Speed (km/h): 304

The compact Caddy V-Series coupe and sedan are no shrinking violets in the performance game as their numbers make clear. Both ATS-Vs also come loaded for bear with a weight-reducing carbon fibre hood, magnetic ride control, and Brembo brakes.

Base price: $93,485
Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 640
Torque: 630
0-100 km / h: 3.8 seconds
Top Speed (km/h): 322

Cadillac’s King of Hill performance machine produces a staggering 640 horsepower from a 6.2-litre supercharged LT4 V8 shared with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Standard kit includes magnetic ride control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires.

Base price: $80,390
Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 10-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 650
Torque: 650
0-100 km / h: 3.6 seconds (6-speed manual)
Top Speed (km/h): 306

The baddest Camaro of them all gets everything included with the ZL1 plus a few other goodies thanks to the 1LE performance package. These items include: Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control, 20-inch aluminum wheels and front splitter and rear blade spoiler.

Base price: $76,695 – $81,695
Engine: 6.2L V8
Transmission: 7-speed manual / 8-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 460
Torque: 465
0-100 km / h: 4.0 seconds (7-speed manual)
Top Speed (km/h): 282

Available with either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic, the mid-range ‘Vette offers the same small-block V8 go-fastness of the base car plus a few extras including functional brake ducts, unique 19-inch wheels, magnetic ride control and electronic limited-slip differential.

Base price: $78,195 – $78,695
Engine: 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual (Challenger) / 8-speed automatic
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 707
Torque: 650
0-100 km / h: 3.7 seconds (8-speed automatic)
Top Speed (km/h): 320

Nothing personifies the notion of ‘muscle car’ quite like Dodge’s twin Hellcats. Subtle, these cars are not. But they are quite fast, thanks to a 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8 that produces an eye-popping 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque. What else needs to be said, really?

Base price: $57,025
Engine: 5.0L V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 480
Torque: 420
0-100 km / h: 4.1 seconds
Top Speed (km/h): 262

In honour of the 50th anniversary of the Steve McQueen movie that made the Mustang famous, Ford has revived the Bullitt nameplate for its legendary pony car. This limited-edition model has some special kit including a performance open air intake, Mustang Shelby GT 350 intake manifold and a larger throttle body (87 mm) than the one used in the Mustang GT.

Base price: $84,600 – $93,700
Engine: 4.0L biturbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 503
Torque: 516
0-100 km / h: 4.0 seconds
Top Speed (km/h): 290

The C 63 in its most track-capable form features a spit-snarling 4.0-litre biturbo V8 that pushes 503 horsepower that can launch the car to 100 km/h in four seconds. ?The car also looks the performance part with unique 19-inch wheels, bodywork and AMG-finished interior.

Base price: $92,600 – $99,250
Engine: 2.5L turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 7-speed PDK (automatic)
Layout: RWD
Horsepower: 365
Torque: 309
0-100 km / h:? 4.6 seconds (7-speed PDK)
Top Speed (km/h): 290

The spiciest 718 Boxster / Cayman brings a powerful 2.5L turbo boxer 4-cylinder engine to the party along with a slew of unique details such as more aggressive bodywork, 20-inch wheels, and an interior finished primarily in Alcantara to create a more high-performance character.

Honourable mentions:

Audi RS 3, BMW M2, Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 / GT 350 R

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10 Best Interiors Of 2018: $100,000 To $1 Million

Just hit the lottery? Here are the best interiors to travel in style.

Modern cars are becoming ever more luxurious and brimming with tech features, even at an affordable price. We have covered our favorite car interiors below a $50,000 price, as well as more expensive interiors in the $50,000 to $100,000 price segment. Now it is time to leave reality behind, by focusing on cars with a $100,000 to $1,000,000 price tag. These are some of the nicest car interiors in the world, so choosing a top 10 wasn't easy.

McLaren 720S

The McLaren 720S doesn't just have one of the best interiors on the market, it may simply be the best car on the market. That's because unlike other supercars, the 720S is extremely comfortable. Visibility is fantastic and the entire interior is filled with leather and metal. Getting in and out is a bit tricky, but once you are in the 720S can trick you into thinking you are driving a large luxury car, not a mid-engine supercar.

Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe/Convertible is actually one of the least prestigious cars on this list, because it isn't built by an "exotic" car company. This doesn't prevent it from having one of the best interiors at any price. The AMG S63 and S65 models in particular have some of the best seats fitted to any production car - equipped with heating, ventilation, and multiple massage modes. Almost every surface in the S-Class is metal, leather, wood, or carbon fiber, and the coupe/convertible models feature a more stylish interior than the sedan.

Rolls-Royce Phantom

When it comes to luxury, almost nothing compares to the opulence of a Rolls-Royce. There are a number of Rolls models we could have chosen from, but we went with the tried and true Phantom. Rolls-Royce has brought the Phantom into the 21st century, with new digital displays, and more high tech entertainment in the rear seats. Classic Rolls-Royce fans need not worry, because the interior is still filled with enough wood and leather to drive eco mentalists nuts.

Bentley Continental GT

Bentley has always been a sportier, luxury counterpart to Rolls-Royce. The new Continental GT shows Bentley's signature blend of sport and luxury in a highly unique way. We particularly love the new infotainment display, which can rotate to show analogue gauges or a blank wood panel.

Lamborghini Urus

We didn't know how to feel about Lamborghini launching a new SUV model, but after sitting in the Urus, our hesitation faded away. The basic structure looks reminiscent of some new Audi models like the A6 and A8, but Lamborghini styled it in such a way that the shared layout is barely recognizable - unlike a certain SUV from a competing Italian luxury brand.

Land Rover Range Rover

Several exotic automakers have jumped into the SUV market, including Bentley, Maserati, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce. These automakers all make very lovely interiors, but they are all competing at a much higher price point than one of the best SUVs on the market: the Land Rover Range Rover. The Range Rover has recently been updated with a new dual screen layout from the Velar, and continues to be one of the nicest interiors on the market.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Some buyers who spend six-figures on a car don't just want it to be comfortable, they want it to feel sporty as well. Aston Martin has always built some of the most unique interiors, and the British marque has knocked it out of the park with the new DBS Superleggera. The infotainment is shared with Mercedes, so it will work properly, and Aston has given the rest of the interior a unique flare with some interesting leather stitching.

Ferrari 812 Superfast

The Ferrari 812 Superfast may be a 789 horsepower monster, but it is also what is known as a Grand Tourer (or GT car). A GT is a car built to cover long stretches of highway at high speed, while keeping the driver comfortable. Ferrari has managed to keep the minimalist look found on its other models, while also offering a level of luxury expected on a GT car.

Audi R8

Since it was unveiled back in 2006, The Audi R8 was known as the every day supercar. Unlike older supercars, the R8 had plenty of headroom and a reasonable trunk up front. The latest R8 continues to be a comfortable daily driver, and has improved with a new driver focused layout - including Audi's fully configurable Virtual Cockpit display.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

When you spend six figures on a car, you expect it to have basic features like navigation and a radio, but these features also add weight. Track focused cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS are not luxurious, but are pathological in their pursuit of speed. The GT3 RS doesn't have a radio, but you can have Porsche put it back in for you if you so desire. We particularly love the sport bucket seats on the Weissach Package, which can be optioned in a cool green color.

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10 Best Interiors Of 2018: $50,000 To $100,000

The luxury segment keeps getting nicer.

Last week, we brought out a list of the 10 best interiors of 2018 for less than $50,000. Our list included the Kia Stinger, Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Ram 1500, Volkswagen Golf GTI/R, Ford Mustang, Volvo S60/V60, Mercedes C-Class, Audi TT, and Lexus ES350. For the sake of fairness, we wanted to divide this list into price categories. This way the Accord wouldn't be judged the same way as a $100,000 car. Now we have chosen our 10 favorite interiors of the year in the $50,000 to $100,000 price bracket (based on starting MSRP).

2018 Range Rover Velar

SUVs are taking over the market, but surprisingly represent just three of the 10 cars on our list. Without a doubt, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar is one of the best interiors on the market today. The upmarket materials are indicative of a Range Rover, and the new dual-screen layout looks elegant and high tech.

2018 Jaguar I-Pace

We thought about including a Tesla on this list, but instead opted for a new EV on the market: the Jaguar I-Pace. The electric Jag borrows some DNA from its Range Rover Velar corporate cousin, but brings its own unique style. We love the design of the HVAC screen, and would give Jaguar the edge in interior design over Tesla. The Tesla interior is just a tad bland for the price.

2018 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator was an automotive afterthought just a few short years ago, maligned for being little more than a gussied up Ford Expedition. Now Lincoln is struggling to keep up with demand because the redesigned SUV is just so nice. We love the layout of the new interior, as well as the unique color schemes that Lincoln offers. The Navigator is the new benchmark in the full-size SUV category.

2018 Lexus LC500

Sports cars are dying off in favor of SUVs, which may explain why only two performance models cracked this top 10 list. The LC500 came out of left field, and shocked us with what Lexus was capable of designing. Both inside and out, the LC is one of the most unique cars on the road. The interior looks like it was plucked from a space ship in the year 2218. Too bad the infotainment system feels three years out of date.

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV

There are many performance sedans for less than $100,000 that we could have chosen for this list, but only one with beautiful Italian flare. The Alfa Romeo Giulia may not have the most technically advanced interior in the segment, but we love the metal paddle shifters and carbon fiber bucket seats in Quadrifoglio version.

2018 Porsche Panamera

The remaining five cars on our list are premium four-door sedans, though one is also available as a wagon. The original Porsche Panamera was criticized for having too many buttons on the dashboard, but the second generation has replaced those with touch-sensitive controls. Touch controls can sometimes be annoying to operate, like in many Cadillac models, but Porsche has found a way to make them work well in the Panamera.

2018 Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E-Class is the only mid-size sedan to crack our list. While the more expensive S-Class is slightly nicer, the recently redesigned E-Class blows away the rest of its competitive set, enough to make this list. The new E-Class coupe, which has a slightly different interior, takes the Mercedes design level up a notch. We love the dual-screen layout and the string of pearl air vents on the dash. Mercedes also makes the best speaker grilles, which other automakers have been quick to copy.

2018 Kia K900

Among this impressive list, only one car comes from a non-luxury marque. The Kia K900 is a flagship sedan, which offers S-Class levels of luxury for half the price. Though the materials are slightly less impressive than the most expensive luxury cars on the market, the K900 makes up for it with an extremely impressive price tag relative to its competitors.

2018 Lexus LS500

Lexus holds the distinction of being the only automaker to have two cars on our list. The LS500 is the company's flagship sedan, and has a very different interior than its LC sibling. Unfortunately, the LS suffers from the same lackluster infotainment system as the LC, but makes up for it with one of the best looking interiors on the market.

2018 Audi A8

The Audi A8 has always been one of the most understated cars in the premium sedan segment. Now, it's one of the most technology-latent car in its segment thanks to a new interior design. The climate controls are now handled by a touch screen, as is the main infotainment system. These two screens combine with the excellent virtual cockpit display to offer an insanely customizable interior.

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