Horsepower numbers these days are getting extremely high. How fast a car is doesn't rely on horsepower alone (torque and the power-to-weight ratio are also huge factors), but the number of horses under the hood is what gets people talking.
Modern muscle cars at the highest trims routinely come with nearly 700 horsepower, and it seems a new supercar with 1,000 horsepower comes out every other month. WIth all of the EVs on the market and their instant, seat-slamming torque, the average grocery getter can be as quick as a sports car. While these powerful cars are faster than ever, you can't use it all on regular roads without getting pulled over.
So how much horsepower do you really need to enjoy yourself on the road?
How does 1,000 horsepower feel?
I recently got the chance to
test drive a Lamborghini Revuelto and so far it is the fastest and most powerful car I have driven. As soon as I accelerated from a stoplight the rest of the traffic would be far behind. While 1,000 horsepower is very impressive, the only way to experience its true capabilities is on a racetrack or dragstrip.
Four-digit horsepower numbers used to be available only on million-dollar cars. Now with the release of the Dodge Demon 170, Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X, 1,000 horsepower cars are becoming more common to see on the road. But even slightly less juiced cars like the Dodge Hellcat and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 can go in just a few seconds from a complete stop to a speeding ticket.
The 'middle ground' for horsepower
If 1,000 horsepower is considered the high end of horsepower, then around 400 or 600 can be considered the middle ground. This is still more than enough power, but much more of it can be enjoyed on the road. Since there are so many cars in this horsepower range that are somewhat affordable, there are some reasonable options for the average buyer. Not only are there sports cars with horsepower in this range, but there are trucks and SUVs present in this tier as well.
What about lower horsepower performance cars?
Horsepower isn't everything. There is still a place for less-powerful vehicles that prioritize lighter weight and handling over sheer power. While they don't possess the jailbreaking speed of more powerful vehicles, they can be enjoyed on regular roads close to their limits without getting a ticket. Cars with under 250 horsepower such as the Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 are more affordable options that aren't that fast, but their handling capabilities can still be a ton of fun on the road. These cars can be even more enjoyable if you choose the stick shift option.
So how much horsepower should you choose?
There is no right number and you should go with whatever you can handle without flying off the road. While the most powerful vehicles are too expensive to be considered by a large majority of drivers, there are still very powerful vehicles that sell for under $100,000. As long as you enjoy whatever you are driving, are mindful of other drivers and aren't hitting speeds that can get you a ticket or a trip to jail, do as you please.
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How much horsepower do you really need these days?
