We may not all understand exactly what automobile horsepower means, we generally understand that more horsepower can give you more speed. Currently-available vehicles offer horsepower ratings from less than 100 to more than 700 in some high-performance cars.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) lists the 10 2019 model-year vehicles with the most horsepower in each of 12 body types. We have reviewed vehicles in five categories — coupes, convertibles, SUVs, crossovers, and pickups — to provide a thumbnail sketch of the top two performers in each segment. Why these five segments? Because convertibles and coupes are typically thought of as the speediest cars, while SUVs and crossovers are among the best-selling vehicles in the United States. These may be fast cars, but they are not the fastest. Here are the fastest cars on Earth.
The convertibles and coupes with the most horsepower, according to KBB, are familiar brands: the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro and Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The Challenger is almost 900 pounds heavier than the Corvette coupe.
Among the SUVs, the top two vehicles are all-wheel drive. Both are heavier than even the Dodge Challenger, and both come with an 8-speed automatic transmission. As with the coupes, the second-place Jeep Trackhawk overcomes a weight disadvantage with a more powerful engine.
Crossovers are generally smaller and lighter than SUVs and typically get by with somewhat smaller engines. Both of KBB’s most powerful SUVs are built by Mercedes-Benz and use the same engine.
Pickups are not known for their speed, but the best selling vehicles in the country use their horsepower to generate high levels of torque, giving these trucks the capability to haul or tow big loads. The F-350s that top 2019 model year pickups in horsepower both use the same engine and both are capable of towing up to 16,700 pounds in a basic dual-rear-wheel model with all-wheel drive.
Vehicles with big engines are not known for their fuel economy, and none of these vehicles break that mold. All except the pickups post U.S. EPA fuel-economy ratings between 13 and 16 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. These are not necessarily the kindest vehicles for the environment. Here are America’s most eco-friendly vehicles.
| Vehicle | Type | Horsepower | Top Speed (mph) | 0 to 60 mph | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellcat Redeye coupe | Coupe | 797 @ 6,300 rpm | 187 | 3.7 sec | $72,976 |
| Corvette ZR1 coupe | Coupe | 755 @ 6,300 rpm | 212 | 2.85 sec | $119,995 |
| Corvette ZR1 convertible | Convertible | 755 @ 6,300 rpm | 212 | 2.85 sec | $123,995 |
| Camaro ZL1 convertible | Convertible | 650 @ 6,400 rpm | 190 | 3.55 sec | $68,495 |
| Jeep Trackhawk | SUV | 707 @ 6,000 rpm | 174 | 3.5 sec | $88,145 |
| Maserati Levante Trofeo | SUV | 590 @ 6,250 rpm | 187 | 3.7 sec | $171,475 |
| Mercedes-AMG GLE | Crossover | 577 @ 5,500 rpm | n/a | 4.1 sec | $111,195 |
| Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S | Crossover | 577 @ 5,500 rpm | 137 | 4.3 sec | $113,995 |
| F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab | Pickup | 385 @ 5,750 rpm | n/a | n/a | $68,335 |
| F-350 Super Duty Super Cab | Pickup | 385 @ 5,750 rpm | n/a | n/a | $53,780 |
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