Best Cars Over 300 hp

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.

The idea of a plug-in hybrid does not typically bring about any level of excitement, but this Lamborghini PHEV is anything but typical. The all-new Revuelto replaces the Aventador at the top of Lamborghini's exotic supercar lineup and is the latest in a long line of V12-powered extreme sports cars from the Italian marque. However, for the first time, the V12 is integrated with three electric motors in a plug-in hybrid powertrain that boasts more than 1,000 horsepower.

Like other Lamborghinis before it, the Revuelto is named for a famous Spanish fighting bull. However, the name in Italian means unruly (or a scrambled egg dish, but we'll go with unruly), which also seems appropriate for such a beast. The styling is pure Lamborghini, with sleek lines, a wide stance, and the iconic scissor doors. At the rear, the massive V12 engine is exposed for all to see, and the dual hexagonal exhaust outlets provide the ultimate soundtrack to this powerful machine.

The Revuelto is more than just a straight-line rocket: This supercar is built to handle the road and track. Active aerodynamics provide low drag or maximum downforce, depending on the need, and the carbon-fiber monocoque provides excellent torsional stiffness. The front electric motors also offer torque vectoring, further improving high-speed performance.

While the Revuelto is one of the most powerful electrified sports cars on the road, automakers such as Ferrari and McLaren have also embraced electrification. The McLaren Artura, Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and Ferrari 296 GTB all feature plug-in hybrid powertrains that are much more about performance than efficiency. However, none of these can match the performance (or price) of the Lamborghini.