Best Cars Over 200 hp

The fact that the Audi A5 still looks fresh and modern four years after its last significant update is a tribute to this timeless design. Returning for 2025 in just the sleek-looking four-door hatchback Audi calls Sportback, the iconic grille with the swept-back headlights and sculpted hood continues to give this midsize luxury model a strong presence. However, there are rumors that an all-new design is coming in the next year or so.

Audi dropped the two-door coupe and cabriolet body styles this year, leaving the Sportback with its turbocharged powerplant driving all four wheels with the brand’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. Power is good for a car at this price, and the A5 delivers an excellent blend of handling and ride comfort. Buyers looking for a sportier option can also consider the higher-performance S5 and RS 5 Sportback models.

Without the A5 coupe and cabrio models, the Audi has fewer direct competitors. The BMW 4 Series is still available as a coupe, convertible, or four-door, so potential A5 buyers should look closely at the BMW as well. The Cadillac CT4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are also good options, but overall, the Audi A5 remains a well-balanced and desirable choice.

As sporty coupes go, there's nothing quite like the Mini Cooper. It has one-of-a-kind styling inside and out and performance that makes it a thrill to drive. Fully redesigned this year, the 2025 Mini Hardtop gets revised styling, new features, and an upgraded cabin with a more premium feel.

With every new generation, Mini rolls out its new models in phases, so the two-door hardtop is the first to show off the new styling. It's still very much in tune with its predecessors, with round headlights sunken into a steeply raked front end and a two-tone roof, but new triangular taillights help distinguish it from older models.

There will be two models sold in the United States: the base Cooper hardtop and the higher-performance Cooper S hardtop. Both are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels. The Cooper S is rated at 201 horsepower, which is slightly more than the previous version. Mini says everything about the suspension is geared toward agile handling, so sharp steering, minimal body roll, and excellent stopping power remain part of the package.

The new interior design is dominated by the 9-inch, circular touchscreen that sits front and center in the dashboard. Mini says it's the first OLED display in the industry so the readability and colors are exceptional. The rest of the interior is a mix of soft-touch materials and metallic accents that contribute to the premium feel. There's also a variety of driver-selectable "Mini experience modes" that adjust the graphics and ambient lighting in the cabin to reflect different themes.

Given the Mini's unusual characteristics, there aren't many direct competitors. The Audi A3 has similar levels of performance and luxury but a more conventional hatchback design. The BMW 2 Series is a traditional coupe with great performance, but it has a substantially higher price. Additional versions of the new Mini, such as a four-door model, are expected to follow later in the year.

Aston Martin has fielded sports cars wearing the Vantage name since it was introduced in 1950 on a high-performance version of the DB2. In the late 1970s, the Vantage arrived as its own model line, boasting a powerful V8 engine and a top speed of almost 170 mph. At that time it was the fastest four-seat GT car in the world. Aston Martin continues this lineage with the introduction of an all-new 2025 Vantage.

With a powerful twin-turbo V8 engine, this is the fastest Vantage that Aston Martin has ever produced for the street, boasting a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Very quick and with excellent handling thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution and enhanced suspension, the new Vantage is ready to challenge the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, McLaren 750S, Lamborghini Huracan, and Mercedes-AMG GT.

The new Aston has the looks to match its sporting performance. Its long hood, short overhangs, and wide stance provide perfect sports car proportions, and it will turn heads in any of its dozens of available colors. High-quality materials adorn the interior, which comes with sport seats and a new infotainment system. A high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system is available.

The Vantage continues Aston Martin's revision of its entire lineup, joining the DB12 and DBX. Look for a new V12-powered Vanquish to complete the lineup later this year.

Maserati's first open-top car debuted more than 90 years ago as the 1932 8CM, a race car adapted for road use. Since then, there have been many convertible Maseratis. The modern-day GranCabrio joined the lineup in 2010, and after a four-year gap, this sexy convertible returns as a 2024 model, turning heads wherever it goes.

The GranCabrio is sold alongside its hard-top GranTurismo sibling, offering the same level of performance and comfort but with open-air enjoyment. Like the coupe, the GranCabrio has seating for four, although the back seat is arguably tight. The transition to open motoring is quick; the soft-top retracts in just 14 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 31 mph.

Styling is clearly influenced by the Italian brand's MC20 supercar, and that's a good thing. Vertical headlights with signature LED lighting flow back over the powerful fenders, and the large Maserati trident is placed boldly in the center of the grille.

Priced above $200,000, the GranCabrio plays in a very exclusive space, combining luxury, performance, and seating for four. While there is nothing quite like the experience of driving a Maserati, other models at this level include the Aston Martin DB12 Volante, BMW M8 Competition Convertible, Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet, and Bentley Continental GTC.

Currently, Maserati only offers the GranCabrio in the top-level Trofeo trim, which boasts a 542-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drive. While all-wheel drive improves overall performance, some enthusiasts will lament the lack of a rear-wheel drive option.

The 2024 Maserati GranCabrio is on sale now and will be joined next year by the all-electric, 761-hp GranCabrio Folgore.

The all-new 2024 DB12 is the latest in a long line of Aston Martin GT cars that began in the 1950s. With a long hood and bold rear fenders, the DB12 features the classic lines of its grand touring predecessors. But this latest DB features a wider track and a more prominent grille, giving the sexy coupe a more aggressive look. New stylish LED headlights flank the grille, and the DB12 wears the latest version of the Aston Martin wings badge.

With more power from its twin-turbo V8 and significantly improved handling, the DB12 goes head-to-head with the iconic Porsche 911 Turbo S, but with a more luxurious interior. The Bentley Continental GT offers a more spacious cabin but weighs about 1,000 pounds more than the DB12. At the other end of the GT scale, the McLaren GT delivers higher performance but has considerably less passenger and cargo space compared to the Aston Martin.

The new DB12 provides an excellent blend of luxury and performance without skimping on either of these essential traits. The ride is supremely comfortable, but with excellent steering and plenty of power on tap, the DB12 is an absolute joy to drive. Aston Martin also vastly improved the infotainment system, an upgrade that was desperately needed. It may lack rear seat room and cargo space, but this new DB12 hits the sweet spot for a high-performance GT car.

Like generations before, the 2025 Ford Mustang adheres to a straightforward formula: big engine, rear-wheel drive, and attainable price tag. The rest pretty much takes care of itself. Ford issued a new version of the Mustang in 2024, called the S650 internally, and it returns for the 2025 model year mostly unchanged. Up front, you get either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a big V8. You can get convertible versions and fastback coupe versions. And you can also get high-performance versions, called Dark Horse, with serious power.

Base versions of the 2025 Mustang start in the low-$30,000 range, making this an attractive proposition for budget-friendly folks who still want fun to come standard. Of course, nostalgia is paramount. The Mustang was the original "pony car," debuting in 1964 and followed shortly after by competition from the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. Today, the Camaro and Challenger have been canceled, leaving the Mustang the only American pony car still available.

And its stable keeps growing — new for 2025; there's a 60th Anniversary Edition model in a revived blue paint color with extra body graphics and equipment. There's also an 800-horsepower supercar version called the Mustang GTD, though it isn't reviewed here because it's practically a different vehicle altogether.

Today, the Mustang has a modern and comfortable interior. The back seat is still small, but it has comfortable seats and a smooth, calm demeanor on the highway. The technology is also good, with vivid and responsive screens to control its many functions. That nod toward the future, while still clearly influenced by the past, continues to draw new customers to the Mustang each year.

One of the newest models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the stylish CLE (Coupe and Cabriolet) was designed to take the best attributes of the two models it replaced: the two-door variants of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Similar in length to the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, the Mercedes CLE has sleek lines and an elegant interior that boasts the brand’s latest high-tech features.

The 2025 CLE is offered in three performance levels, each with a modern mild-hybrid powertrain and standard Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. The base-level CLE 300 gets a turbo four-cylinder engine that puts out 255 horsepower, matching that of the BMW 4 Series. A turbocharged six-cylinder rated at 375 hp powers the CLE 450, while the top-level AMG CLE 53 bumps up to 443 hp, delivering performance similar to the BMW M4 and Audi S5.

No matter which powerplant you choose, the CLE features a premium interior with high-quality materials throughout. Newly developed front sport seats are available with heating, cooling, and massage features. The seats also get integrated speakers for the standard premium audio system. An 11.9-inch vertical touchscreen displays the latest MBUX infotainment system, complemented by the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and available head-up display.

While two-door coupes and convertibles have become a rarity in today’s market, the Mercedes-Benz CLE is an ideal example with a luxurious, comfortable cabin, usable rear seat, and excellent driving dynamics. It holds its own against its BMW 4 Series/M4 and Audi A5/S5 rivals.