Modern Muscle Cars That Offer Big Fun Without Big Prices
While the sports car genre can trace its lineage to Europe, the so-called muscle car is a purely American creation. The term typically refers to a 2-door (but sometimes 4-door) domestic car that packs a powerful V8 engine and has other performance-minded upgrades, topped off with specific trim treatments.
Popular during the 1960s and early 1970s, they were typically the highest-performance models in their given lineups. Unlike sports cars that are designed to hug the curves tenaciously, classic muscle cars were engineered primarily to go fast in a straight line. As such, they were often purchased for drag racing.
In the segment’s heyday, virtually every mainstream domestic nameplate had at least one muscle car in their respective lineups, including the Chevrolet Chevelle SS and Impala SS, the Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO, and the Plymouth Barracuda and Road Runner. Unfortunately, a convergence of factors, including gas shortages, emissions, fuel economy requirements, and sky-high insurance rates, ultimately led to the genre’s demise.
Though muscle cars would make brief comebacks in the 1980s and 2000s, today, the genre is represented by only two models, the Dodge Challenger coupe and Charger sedan, each of which can be equipped with blisteringly fast V8 engines.
If you like beefy V8s with straight-line speed, you don’t have to get a classic muscle car from the 1960s or 70s. There are plenty of modern muscle cars on the market today that provide more power than ever – at an affordable price, too. These include some cars you might not have thought of as muscle cars but that check one or more of the boxes: below-average price tag, big engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD), and/or American, to name a few.
Some vehicles on this list may be from a previous model year but they are still available as new models. Sometimes automakers are slow to update specs and pricing. Other times they may be redesigning a model or have excess inventory.
These are listed from least expensive to most. How We Ranked These Modern Muscle Cars
1. 2024 Chevrolet Camaro
- Price: $30,900
- Type: 4-seat Coupe or Convertible
- What We Like: One of the least expensive sports cars; excellent handling and a strong engine lineup
- What We Don’t: Small interior with poor visibility
Like its arch-rival, the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro is one of just a handful of modern cars with a muscle-car heritage. The Camaro’s accessible pricing also makes it a standout; it’s one of the least expensive sports cars you can buy.
The Camaro delivers an exciting drive, whether you choose the standard 335-horsepower V6 or the robust V8s. It also dials up the intensity with its impressive handling and athleticism.
The Camaro’s cabin is comfortable, but its interior quality is not as good as its competitors. Front-row passengers get supportive seats and plenty of elbow room, but the rear seats are best left for children. The Camaro comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen.
Shopping for a Used Camaro?
The Camaro is in its 6th generation, introduced with the 2016 model. Chevy gave it a slight styling update in 2019, but any older 6th-generation model (2016-2023) will be broadly similar to the 2024 Camaro.
2. 2024 Ford Mustang
- Price: $30,920
- Type: 4-seat Coupe or Convertible
- What We Like: Great performance bargain, enormous horsepower available
- What We Don’t: Interior build quality and overall driving experience are not as refined as in other sports cars
With its lineup of potent powertrains, there’s likely a version of the iconic Ford Mustang that’ll suit your lifestyle. Its base trim pairs a 315-horsepower turbocharged engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission is available with the optional 480-horsepower V8 in the Mustang GT trim. The Mustang Dark Horse trim bumps the V8 output to 500 horsepower, in addition to adding other track-focused goodies.
The Mustang has plenty of space for passengers up front, but adults will feel cramped in the back. If technology is high on your list, opt for a trim with the 13.2-inch infotainment system. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Shopping for a Used Mustang?
The Mustang is in its 7th generation, which debuted for 2024. Any 6th-generation model (2015-2023) will broadly resemble the Mustang above. Earlier models have blockier styling and less refined handling and interiors. The Mustang dates back to the 1960s, but those models are now expensive classic cars.
3. 2023 Dodge Challenger
- Price: $30,940
- What We Like: Iconic styling; large interior and trunk; comfortable to cruise in; massive available V8 engines
- What We Don’t: Heavy; not very agile
The Dodge Challenger is a beefy sports car with an impressive lineup of robust engine options, starting with the base model’s 303-horsepower V6 and climbing right up to the 807-horsepower supercharged Hellcat models. The Challenger emphasizes power, so it’s heavier and less agile than others in its class.
The interior is well-built and spacious, but the cabin looks less opulent than its rivals do. It seats five people comfortably. All trims get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Uconnect 4 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen.
Shopping for a Used Challenger?
The Challenger is currently in its 3rd generation, which debuted back in 2008. Any older 3rd-generation model (2008-2022) will have styling similar to the 2023’s. Dodge has added a number of engine and feature upgrades over the years. The Challenger’s name dates back to the classic muscle car era, but those models are now expensive collector’s items.
4. 2023 Dodge Charger V8
- Price: $42,480
- What We Like: Low starting price; fun to drive; up to 797 horsepower
- What We Don’t: Most-powerful models are extravagantly expensive; doesn’t match the build quality of rivals; poor fuel economy
From its sinister styling to its rear-wheel-drive architecture and its optional V8 engines – which offer four performance increments, ranging from a mighty 370 horsepower to a tire-melting 797 horsepower – the Dodge Charger is clearly not about quiet comfort.
Its sporty styling leaves it with less rear headroom than its rivals, and its cabin isn’t especially fancy. Still, the base V6-powered Charger is agreeably comfortable, fuel-efficient, and agile at a reasonable price. And its optional AWD system is useful in the winter.
Shopping for a Used Charger?
The 2011-2023 Charger models share most of the same strengths and weaknesses. However, the largest engines have arrived in more recent years, and the current front-end styling only dates as far back as 2015.
5. 2023 Chrysler 300 V8
- Price: $45,350
- What We Like: Classic styling; powerful V8 option
- What We Don’t: Poor mpg; not as upscale as rivals
The Chrysler 300 can be considered a luxury version of the Dodge Charger. The two sedans look nothing alike, but they share the same mechanical underpinnings and the same entry-level engines. The Chrysler has its own flavor of assertive styling, but it’s blocky rather than sleek. Its interior is both cushier and more upscale than the Dodge’s, too, and it has more rear headroom.
Alas, you can’t get the Charger’s wildly powerful engines, though the V8-powered 300 still outguns every other full-size competitor.
Shopping for a Used 300?
2011-2023 300 models have similar styling and features. You can save by considering older model years or a certified pre-owned Chrysler.
6. 2024 Dodge Durango R/T
The Durango offers muscle car performance not found in rivals. The base V8 makes 360 horsepower, and it’s available with the most robust engine in its class: a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter V8. It can tow a whopping 8,700 pounds when properly equipped. If you need more power, consider a used Durango SRT Hellcat with the 710-horsepower supercharged V8. The Durango is expensive, returns subpar fuel economy, and its crash tests are unimpressive compared to other 3-row SUVs. Moreover, while this crossover is roomy, comfortable, and upscale, it doesn’t have as many standard niceties or safety features as its rivals.
Shopping for a Used Durango?
The Durango in its current generation dates back to 2011. Since then, Dodge has added new engines, significantly upgraded the infotainment system, and added more convenience features. The Durango saw an interior and exterior refresh for 2021, along with the debut of the SRT Hellcat model. The latest Durango gets third-row seating as standard.
7. 2024 Tesla Model 3
- Price: $53,990
- What We Like: Sedan practicality with supercar speed; modern interior
- What We Don’t: Handling doesn’t match acceleration
Bear with us here: It is American and insanely fast in a straight line. Sleek, powerful, and fully electric, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is the muscle car of the future. The sedan accelerates from 0 to 60 in just over 4 seconds and handles curves with composure.
It can travel over 300 miles – the distance from Cleveland to Indianapolis – on a fully charged battery and reaches a top speed of 125 mph. The Model 3’s stylish cabin is accented with synthetic leather and soft-touch materials. In addition to its 15-inch touchscreen, all trims come with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera.
Shopping for a Used Model 3?
2017-2024 Model 3 sedans have nearly identical styling, but its range and features have changed over the years.
8. Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- What We Like: Classic mid-2000s Chevy
- What We Don’t: Poor cabin quality; not much power from a V8
The Monte Carlo is another classic Chevrolet nameplate and is essentially a 2-door version of the Impala, which was also offered in SS guise. Like that model, the Monte Carlo has been offered through the years in muscular SS models, with a V8-infused version replacing the previous supercharged V6 for its final two model years. As in the Impala, the SS came powered by a 303-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 that drove the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. That engine also found its way into the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP from 2005 through 2008.
Shopping for a Used Monte Carlo?
Chevrolet made the sixth generation Monte Carlo between 2000 and 2007. However, the Monte Carlo name dates back to 1970.
9. Used Pontiac GTO
- What We Like: Understated styling hides lively performance
- What We Don’t: Poor cabin quality
The GTO is perhaps the best and best-known of the classic muscle cars from the 1960s. Much to the dismay of classic-car purists, GM brought back the badge for the 2004 model year and applied it to a 2-door V8-powered version of the Australian-built Holden Commodore sedan. It was no poseur, however, initially coming equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 that sent 350 horsepower to the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. It was upgraded to a 400-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 for 2005-2006, after which the car would be sent packing back to the land down under. Pontiac itself went under in 2010.
Shopping for a Used GTO?
Pontiac made the modern GTO between 2003 and 2006. The GTO name dates back to 1964.
10. Used Dodge Magnum
- What We Like: Cool wagon styling; powerful V8
- What We Don’t: Poor cabin quality
The Magnum was essentially a station wagon version of the Dodge Charger, with forceful exterior styling that made it stand out in a crowded parking lot. As with the above Chrysler 300 (with which it was also mechanically related), the line was offered with either a V6 or Hemi V8 but was at its quickest in a high-performance RWD drive SRT8 trim that was available for the car’s final two model years. Here a supercharged 6.1-liter V8 generated 425 horsepower and came mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Shopping for a Used Magnum?
Dodge made the Magnum between 2005 and 2008. The SRT-8 model debuted in 2006.
11. Chevrolet SS
- What We Like: One of the best sports sedans GM has produced; available manual transmission
- What We Don’t: Such a modern classic that it is already more expensive used than it was new
Full disclosure: The SS is not cheap. The secret about this fun GM product is out, and prices on the used market have soared.
The Chevrolet SS is a 4-door powerhouse with a smooth ride and agile handling, based on the Australian Holden Commodore. Last manufactured in 2017, the SS delivers an ample 415 horsepower via a 6.2-liter V8 engine and gets to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sedan comes with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a head-up display, and a rearview camera.
Shopping for a Used SS?
Chevrolet made the SS sedan between 2014 and 2017.
How We Ranked These Modern Muscle Cars
We chose these modern-day muscle cars based on the performance and style they offer for the money. We ordered them by price. We placed the used cars at the bottom of the list and ordered those by age.
Sports Cars & Coupes
The post 11 Cheap Modern Muscle Cars appeared first on CARFAX.