What’s The Quickest New Car Priced Under $35,000?

These seven competitors prove that you don’t need to spend too much if you feel the need for speed

Drag races are about the thrill, but what makes them even more fun is knowing you can dive into the action for $35,000 or less. In this race, seven of the most affordable fast cars on the market are pitted against each other. Each one packs a four-cylinder engine, but beyond that, they bring something uniquely different to the table.

In the lineup of racers, you’ll find the Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Subaru WRX, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Mini Cooper S, Mazda3 Turbo, and Toyota GR86. The one thing they all have in common is that they all use a four-cylinder engine. Beyond that, they’re all a touch different.

More: Lucid Air Sapphire Soundly Beats Porsche Taycan Turbo GT In Most Powerful U-Drag Race Yet

To kick things off, host Jason Cammisa races the front-wheel drive cars against one another. Weight transfer being what it is, these cars all will end up scratching and clawing for grip at the launch.

That doesn’t stop them all from rocketing to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds or less. In fact, the Hyundai managed the feat in just 4.9 seconds. It continues that progress down the track and takes the win. The Mini manages to take home silver and the Volkswagen ends up being the slowest car in the group.

From there, he lines up the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive candidates. The pure sports cars, the Mustang and GR 86, benefit from a nearly identical power-to-weight ratio. The AWD ones, the WRX and Mazda3 Turbo, each get the advantage when it comes to off-the-line grip. In the end, it’s pony power that takes the win.

The Ford and Subaru get a similar jump but the Mustang proves fastest. Sure, having a 10-speed automatic makes some of the difference, but the Ford also makes considerably more power and torque than the Subaru. The Toyota comes in third and the Mazda languishes in dead last. Despite that, it still manages a 14.3-second quarter mile.

Finally, we get a chance to see the Elantra N take on the Mustang and the two end up close. The Ford wins again, but the Hyundai is just 0.3 seconds behind it at the line. No doubt, weight transfer and outright power both play a role there.

As Cammisa points out, all of these cars are fast and fun. That means that while the Mustang might be the fastest in a straight line, we all win since they’re all available at a relatively affordable $35,000 or less. Which one would you choose?  

Credit: Hagerty