Horsepower and torque are two of the most popular ways to describe engines in high-performance cars, but what do they mean? What’s more important, horsepower or torque?
If you’re shopping for a high-performance car, it can be useful to know the answers to these questions before you invest your money in one of the highest horsepower vehicles on the market today.
Check out this list of some of the best 400 horsepower cars, and remember that these numbers represent peak engine output.
Also, not the type of car that best suits your needs, driving style, and daily commute.
1. 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged
Despite being one of the more expensive SUVs on this list of best 400 horsepower cars, the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged is well worth the price tag.
It offers a long list of features for drivers looking for speed, including 380 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque from its Supercharged V8 engine.
Plus, with all-wheel drive, a 510-horsepower model will be available for an extra $4,000 in the spring. We don’t know what will if that doesn’t make you excited about this machine’s capabilities.
2. 2017 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
This list starts off with one of the best 400 horsepower cars ever made: the 2017 Bugatti Veroce Grand Sport Vitesse. It has a top speed of 261 mph and 1,200 horsepower and goes from 0-60 in 2.4 seconds.
This incredible car is even more impressive when you know that it was designed to drive on either normal roads or race tracks, unlike many other supercars that are only intended for race tracks or have not been engineered to be used as road cars at all.
3. 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
The 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat may be the most powerful car you can buy today. It produces an astonishing over 400 horsepower from its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, enabling it to hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, on its way to a quarter mile time of 11.4 seconds at 125 mph.
The only drawback is that this power comes at a price: the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat starts at $65,290.
The pricing jumps steeply from there, topping out with a ludicrous $88,380 for the Challenger SRT Demon–if it’s still available when you’re reading this.
4. 2017 Cadillac CTS-V
To really put these guys to the test, we put them up against an old-school favorite: a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.
And not only did this Cadillac CTS-V absolutely smoke that previous generation car, but it also beat out some of the newest models in its class, like the Mercedes AMG E63 S and Audi RS5 Quattro.
For $91,000, you get all the features one would expect from a luxury vehicle (leather interior, heated and cooled seats).
Also with an eight-cylinder engine pushing out 550 horsepower at 6400 rpm and a whopping 627 lb-ft of torque peaking at 3750 rpm.
5. 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD
Each of these high-powered vehicles will make any road trip fun, and their interior designs are enough to impress anyone.
If you’re looking for a comfortable cruiser that you can feel proud to show off to your friends, check out the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD.
Also, boasting beautiful lines and a sleek exterior design, this car is made with luxury in mind. If you’re in the market for a hot hatchback with some serious torque under the hood, look no further than these best 400 horsepower cars. And if there’s one thing we love at Autobytel, it’s an R8!
6. 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63
400 horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph. Enough said? We think not! The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 has always been the coolest luxury coupe, and this year’s model proves that point even more.
Plus, with great power comes great responsibility: the new Mercedes doesn’t just look good. It also features many high-tech features to help you stay on the straight and narrow while driving.
7. 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack
You can have the kind of tire-burning acceleration that will shock even a NASCAR driver. It’s not just the insane amount of power, though.
This unbelievable suspension package also lets you turn corners like it’s nobody’s business. With all these great performance features, it’s safe to say that this car has cemented its position as one of the best 400-horsepower cars on the market for under $100,000.
It doesn’t come without some trade-offs, including heavy frames, high gas consumption, and extremely stiff competition from cars like Mercedes E63 AMG and Audi RS7.
That said, if you’re looking for something with a hardcore drive, look no further because this is among the best 400 horsepower cars that are perfect for your needs.
8. 2017 Bentley Mulsanne Speed
Bentley has been putting out some of the most well-designed best 400 horsepower cars on the market for a long time, and its 2017 Mulsanne Speed is no exception.
For that matter, there’s also a standard Mulsanne model that can still deliver more than 700 horsepower. And also, if you’re at the higher end of the spectrum regarding price, then this Bentley is really one of your only choices.
Its features include 20 wheels, four-wheel drive, advanced safety features like night vision cameras, adaptive cruise control with stop & go functionality, and lane departure warning.
There are tons of little things here that make it worth the purchase. On top of all that, though, we must admit: It looks so damn good!
9. 2017 Jaguar F-Type R
This is one of the most exciting best 400 horsepower cars in Jaguar’s new line-up. It has a 510 hp 5.0-liter V8 engine and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds!
The F-Type R has 395 ft-lbs of torque, which is good enough for a car this size. The cockpit is well thought out and sleek but retains some classic Jaguar design cues.
Additionally, the leather interior is comfortable and made to look luxurious with all its stitching and trimming details while still absorbing impact well during an accident. One thing that sets the F-Type R apart from other sports cars on this list is its incredibly low weight: just 3,295 pounds!
10. 2017 BMW M5
Few things are more awe-inspiring than seeing a new BMW M5 on the street. It may not be as aggressive as some other Bimmers, but when it’s good and ready to play, the M5 absolutely soars.
The last generation came out back in 2009, but now, nearly 10 years later, it’s back. And you should really want it.
Its features include an adaptive suspension, variable steering ratio, dynamic rear axle differential lock, and traction control system with four modes of operation (including Race Mode).
Its powertrain is what makes this car so insanely fast. Its 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers 575 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque from 1400 rpm to 4750 rpm.
In other words, it’s pretty darn quick – even with all that extra weight! So if you’re looking for one of the best 400 horsepower cars around, look no further than the 2017 BMW M5!
11. 2017 Lamborghini Hurácan Spyder RWD
We can all agree that Lamborghini makes some of the most beautiful cars ever created. The Hurácan Spyder RWD is no exception. It is a flashy, highly sought-after car known for its performance.
With up to 444 horsepower, this Italian beauty has 522 lb-ft of torque which helps it to hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and max out at a top speed of 202 mph.
That’s not all: the Spyder comes with a six-speed manual transmission (no option for an automatic). Even if you have never driven a Lamborghini before, this car’s incredible performance will keep you on your toes because it isn’t like any other!
Conclusion
What’s the point of having 400 horsepower if you don’t use it? These cars are the best of the best 400 horsepower cars.
They put that number to good use with tons of acceleration, responsive handling, and top speeds that have pushed into the 200 mph range. Eight cars with 400 horsepower or more perform at the highest level on both the road and the track.
