This Is the Slowest Car in America

Special Report

Published: January 24, 2022 5:00 pm

Last Updated: January 25, 2022 7:33 am

Stories about cars are so popular that several media outlets have been supported by writing about them for years. At the head of this list are Motor Trend and Car and Driver, but hundreds more websites and magazines cover cars. Among the most written about aspects of individual models is how fast they are. Usually, this is measured by an old but arbitrary yardstick. How fast can a car travel from 0 to 60 miles per hour?

One subject the car media rarely covers is which are the slowest cars people can buy in America. Motor Trend’s slowest cars list includes every car it tested from the 2020 model year. According to the list, the slowest car is the 2020 Nissan Kicks SR, with a 0-60 time of 10.5 seconds.

Nissan markets the Kicks as a “fuel-efficient compact crossover.” Crossovers have become a large part of the U.S. car market as buyers drop sedans to buy crossovers and sport utility vehicles. The Kicks’ high fuel efficiency is another marketed advantage. The 2021 model gets 31 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway. The primary reason is its small 122 horsepower engine. On the other hand, these new cars have the worst fuel efficiency on the market.

Overall, the Kicks gets mediocre reviews from car media and research firms. U.S. News rates it 7.4 out of 10. So does Edmunds. Car and Driver gives it a slightly better 7.5 out of 10. These are the most and least dependable car brands in 2021.

The Kicks has a very low price point of $19,600, based on its manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Higher-end models of the car have prices approaching $25,000.

At the other end of the spectrum, most lists of fastest cars are dominated by highly expensive models from companies like Porsche and Ferrari. The American-built Chevy Corvette often makes these lists. Some of these can travel from 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds. They all have gasoline-driven engines.

These lists have been partially upended by extremely fast electric cars. The new Tesla Model S Plaid can go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.98 seconds, which arguably makes it the fastest car for sale in the United States. Meanwhile, the 15 slowest cars on this list go from 0-60 mph in 8.3 second or more.

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