10 Cars and SUVs with More Power Than You Think
Who doesn’t love horsepower? Let’s face it: There’s something about a mad dash at full throttle that’s powerfully addictive. The great thing is that you don’t always have to turn to sports cars and big engines to get your fix. In fact, some run-of-the-mill vehicles on sale in Canada right now offer surprisingly potent models.
Without further ado, here are 10 cars and SUVs with more power than you think…
Hyundai Kona
In the small crossover segment where the norm is around 140 horsepower, the Hyundai Kona stands out with an available 1.6-litre turbo engine producing 175 horsepower. This is backed by 195 pound-feet of torque.
Toyota Camry
Oh how the times have changed! The latest Toyota Camry is not your father’s Camry. The 3.5-litre XSE V6 and XLE V6 models now generate as much as 301 horsepower. Yeah, you can almost call them “sporty.”
Chevrolet Equinox
Entry-level compact SUVs and crossovers usually favour efficiency over performance, yet the unassuming Chevy Equinox offers turbocharged 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines rated at 170 and 252 horsepower, respectively. There’s also a 1.6-litre diesel with 240 pound-feet of torque, in case you forgot too.
Dodge Journey
Can you believe FCA still sells the Dodge Journey? Go check their website and dealer lots. While there is no 2019 model, one of the big reasons this crossover has been hanging around is the available 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 producing 283 horsepower.
Fiat 500
In Abarth trim, the tiny Fiat 500 is deceptively mighty, using a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine that puts out 160 horsepower—and an exhaust system that makes the car sound like a mini-Ferrari.
Ford Fiesta
Let’s stay with sub-compact cars for a minute. The Fiesta ST is one of our favourite hot hatches due to its undeniably fun ride and 197-horsepower turbo. For real. Too bad it’s on the way out…
MINI John Cooper Works
Taking the small-car game to yet another level, the MINI John Cooper Works delivers 228 horsepower thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder. But wait: The version in the upcoming new 2020 MINI JCW Clubman ALL4 and JCW Countryman ALL4 will increase output to a whopping 301 horsepower!
Toyota Sienna
That’s right, another Toyota! Just like the Camry, the Sienna uses a 3.5-litre V6 and proves to be a shockingly powerful minivan with as many as 296 ponies under the hood. Soccer moms have never been so fast to get to the pitch.
Mazda3
Without offering a dedicated high-performance model or even a turbo, the all-new, third-generation Mazda3 manages to deliver up to 186 horsepower with a 2.5-litre mill. Pretty cool, eh? We still miss the Mazdaspeed3, though…
Jeep Cherokee
Jeeps are tough and extremely capable off the beaten paths, but when you compare the Cherokee to other compact SUVs, it’s also amazing that it offers a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 270 horsepower, nearly matching its 271-horsepower 3.2-litre V6 that can tow up to 4,500 pounds.