If you’re in the market for automotive thrills, then a new or a used muscle car can be a great option. Forget fuel economy and emissions, the classic combination of presence and power is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and they’re refreshing and exciting next to more restrained alternatives.
There’s a wide array of options, particularly if you’re willing to be flexible with the definition of the term. Historically, many would deem a muscle car to be an affordable yet very powerful V8-engined, rear-wheel-drive American car with two doors – think Pontiac GTO, Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda or Oldsmobile 442 – seriously fast, but minus the Ferrari price tag. But countless other models have put their own spin on the format, and have earned the muscle-car moniker by extension.
You don’t need to spend extortionate amounts of money, nor are you restricted to left-hand drive models, and there are plenty of new muscle cars on the market, despite the ongoing march towards electrification. Consequently, you can buy something that’s warranted and supported, making many a monstrous machine easy to live with.
If you’re set on ditching your diesel hatch and willing to throw running cost concerns out of the window, here are 10 ways to get your modern muscle-car fix.
Best Muscle Cars 2024
- Ford Mustang (2014-2023)
- Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe (2015-2023)
- Lexus RC F (2014-)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2011-2021)
- BMW M5 (2011-2016)
- Nissan GT-R (2008-2022)
- Vauxhall VXR8 GTS (2010-2017)
- Jaguar F-Type (2013-)
- Chevrolet Camaro (2012-2015)
- Dodge Challenger (2008-)
Ford Mustang (2014-2023)
2024 sees the introduction of an all-new seventh-generation Mustang, but there’s still plenty to like about the sixth-generation car. It isn’t quite as brutish as the likes of the Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet Corvette, but it is at least available in right-hand-drive form. They were also sold officially by Ford’s British dealer network, which means you got a warranty and aftersales services – and you never got that with previous left-hand drive imported Mustangs.
Buyers have a choice of convertible or fastback Mustang coupe body styles, as well as manual and automatic transmissions. There’s even a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that’s cheaper to run, but it’s the 5.0-litre V8 manual in the Ford Mustang GT that most will make a beeline for. The quad-cam V8 kicks out 444bhp in standard trim, which is enough for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. Need more power? Then seek out one of the rare Shelby Mustangs, or one of the special editions such as the Bullitt or the Mach 1.
The Mustang looks the part, it’s a blast to drive and it’s easy to live with. It’s also more affordable than some rival performance cars, with used examples starting at around £20,000.
It has more muscle-car heritage than is strictly healthy, too. It dates back to 1964 – the dawn of the era of the pony car and the muscle car in America – and as classic examples include the Ford Mustang Boss 429, the original Mach 1 and the Shelby GT500.
Ford Mustang Review
Search for a Ford Mustang on CarGurus
Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe (2015-2023)
A high-performance Mercedes-Benz might not seem like standard muscle car fare - it feels a bit too European for a start - but it ticks many of the prerequisite boxes. It’s not typically a cheap route into muscle car ownership, but if you fancy something that blends punch and prestige, then an AMG Mercedes is a great option.
The latest version of the hottest C-Class is faster than ever, but its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain isn’t really inkeeping with the muscle-car theme. So here, we’ve gone for the previous version, which had an almighty twin-turbocharged V8 engine that – in higher-performance S specification – produced a hefty 503bhp. That’s slung to the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which makes for a 0-62mph time of just 3.9 seconds and a 180mph top speed. Such blistering performance isn’t overwhelming, though, as pliant suspension and a battery of driver aids make the C63 an easy car to get along with.
Saloon and estate versions are available if you need something a little more practical, and all versions mix upmarket cachet with premium quality. We found several low-mileage cars on offer for around £40,000, but if you don’t want to spend anywhere near that much, you could go for an earlier, naturally aspirated C63 AMG.
Lexus RC F (2014-)
If you like the idea of a car with plenty of muscle, but want fuss-free ownership and excellent reliability, take a look at the Lexus RC F. The striking two-door model was designed to be an engrossing car to drive, while its high quality and durability (Lexus has a superb reputation for reliability) mean mechanical maladies should be few and far between.
More to the point, behind that distinctive grille is an increasingly rare beast in new cars – a beautifully engineered, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine. Thanks in part to quad cams and 32 valves, it pounds out 457bhp at 7,100rpm. That’s not as much as some contenders here, but the Lexus can still sprint from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds.
The RC F is also well equipped and relatively rare. Some may find the archaic infotainment system and the heavy kerb weight reasons enough to look elsewhere, but if you can live with that, then early examples are available for upwards of £30,000. If your budget is tighter and you don’t mind four doors, you could try the earlier Lexus IS F saloon.
Search for a Lexus RC F on CarGurus
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2011-2021)
Fancy an SUV with the full-fat American V8 experience? Look no further than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. It might weigh almost 2.5 tonnes but, thanks to its 461bhp 6.4-litre Hemi V8 (that’s just shy of a ‘big-block’ engine in muscle car speak) it’s capable of 0-62mph in five seconds flat. It’s comically quick, considering its size and weight and, if you’ve room, it’ll reach an impressive 160mph.
The fuel bills will be crippling, as Jeep claims an optimistic average of 20.1mpg at best. It’s also very large, which can make parking or driving through town tiresome. However, if you have the space and the funds to accommodate it, you’ll get a charismatic, compelling, and comfortable high-performance SUV that’s loaded with equipment. Early cars can be had for around £30,000, making them more accessible than some four-wheel-drive alternatives.
There’s even a more powerful 707bhp version available, called the Trackhawk, which features a supercharged V8 that cuts the 0-62mph time to just 3.7 seconds. It’s very expensive, which makes it hard to justify over more upmarket rivals, but it could be just the ticket if brute power is your thing. Jeep is also affiliated with Chrysler, so there’s a bit of pukka US muscle-car heritage there, too.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
Search for a Jeep Grand Cherokee on CarGurus
BMW M5 (2011-2016)
As with Mercedes and AMG, high-performance BMWs bearing the ‘M’ badge have a lot of muscle car-like traits, despite hailing from Europe. The F10-generation BMW M5, for example, serves up 552bhp and 502lb ft of torque, which catapulted the luxury saloon from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds.
It’s one of the more affordable and comparatively modern high-performance German options, too, with early used examples commanding upwards of £25,000. What further warrants attention is the wide array of tuning options available on this generation of M5. Its twin-turbocharged V8 is eminently responsive to subtle tweaks, and north of 600bhp is available with little effort.
It’s not without its snags, though. While it serves up blinding performance and a premium experience, it is costly to run and reliability can be patchy. If you want one, try to get a car with a comprehensive warranty, as a major failure could easily ruin your fun – and your bank account.
Search for a BMW M5 on CarGurus
Nissan GT-R (2008-2022)
The Nissan GT-R might not automatically be deemed a muscle car by many, but it has the potency and the presence to plaster a mile-wide grin on the face of countless enthusiasts.
Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 which, in its earliest form, pumps out 479bhp and 434lb ft of torque. That output, in conjunction with all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission, grants the big coupe a supercar-quick 0-62mph time of around 3.5 seconds. Nissan also claims that, flat out, the GT-R can hit 193mph.
You might snub the GT-R, based on reports of it being too digital and uninvolving, but the reality is far from that, so don’t overlook it. It’s engaging and precise, and its tremendous grip and traction help to deploy the immense power on offer.
It is a complicated car, expensive to run, and even the cheapest and oldest will cost you £45,000. Newer cars are worth paying for, though, because Nissan updated the GT-R with almost each passing model year. There are also endless tuning options, so you can make it more reliable, quicker and faster as you see fit, or as your budget permits.
Nissan GT-R Review
Search for a Nissan GT-R on CarGurus
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS (2010-2017)
The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS is probably the closest the UK has come to a proper muscle car in the 21st century, because it’s a rapid, reliable and well-equipped saloon. It’s a big, heavy car but, fitted with the optional supercharger, its 6.2-litre V8 pumps out 577bhp, and it’s good for 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds.
Under the skin, the VXR8 is an Australian Generation-F Holden HSV GTS – just rebadged as a Vauxhall. It’s remarkably capable on track and a great grand tourer, thanks to its comfortable and refined cabin and extensive equipment levels.
It’s rare, too, which will grab the attention of any passing enthusiast, and there are plenty of tuning options. There are some predictable snags, though. Its footprint alone can make it tricky to handle, while a combined claimed average of 18.5mpg will probably put off buyers wanting to cover more miles.
Six-speed manual and automatic versions are available, and there are also earlier naturally aspirated iterations that are more affordable. Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend £40,000, you could opt for an earlier Monaro. The older V8 coupe has plenty of charm and can often be bought for £14,000 or less.
Search for a Vauxhall VXR8 on CarGurus
Jaguar F-Type (2013-)
Go for an early supercharged 5.0-litre V8 R variant of Jaguar’s F-Type sports car, and you’ll quickly discover a lot of classic muscle car traits, including a rip-roaring exhaust note, vicious acceleration and a laughable ability to vaporise its rear tyres.
Even the V6 versions are great fun, thanks in part to their evocative noise. There are plenty of other options as well, including the later but less muscular 2.0-litre cars, all-wheel-drive models, convertibles and the spectacular SVR derivative. The Jaguar’s looks, cabin, practicality and slick, gratifying on-road performance further add to its charm, and it’s a fine yet brawnier alternative to options such as the Porsche 718 Cayman or the BMW Z4.
You’ll pay upwards of £30,000 for a supercharged V8 F-Type, which is hardly peanuts, but it is more affordable than many more upmarket contenders, such as older yet far less powerful Aston Martin V8 Vantages. If you want something that blends cachet, handling and power, then the Jaguar F-Type is a good choice.
Jaguar F-Type Review
Search for a Jaguar F-Type on CarGurus
Chevrolet Camaro (2012-2015)
The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the quintessential American muscle cars, and the revived version represented a marked improvement over its predecessor, offering comfort, presence and a gratifying driving experience in a retro package. It was even available in the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2015, albeit in left-hand drive form, and many have been imported from the USA, meaning it can be easier to find and buy a Chevy than some of the less common alternatives.
Go for one of the British-market 6.2-litre LS3 V8-engined models, and you’ll enjoy 432bhp and 420lb ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. That version is good for 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and it’ll exceed 155mph. No wonder this hot rod is so beloved of drag racers.
The Camaro’s a good car to drive, too, thanks in part to its fully independent suspension and powerful brakes. Aside from predictably hefty running costs and its large footprint, there is a prominent downside in the form of a cabin with outward visibility that resembles that of a pillbox, so it can feel a little claustrophobic and difficult to manoeuvre.
Convertibles are available, too, and, if you want something with more enthusiast cachet and serious performance credentials, you could try for the supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Search for a Chevrolet Camaro on CarGurus
Dodge Challenger (2008-)
Dodge’s third-generation Challenger has been on sale for a long time now, and even though it was never officially offered in the UK, many have been imported.
Immense road presence aside, what’s particularly appealing about the Challenger is the wide array of variants. There are affordable V6 models, which are worth it if you just like the looks, and there is a plethora of V8s – including the 5.7-litre R/T and the more powerful SRT8 and SRT 392. Those in the market for some serious horsepower (or planning some drag racing) should check out the range-topping supercharged versions. The SRT Hellcat, introduced in 2015, packs a 6.2-litre V8 with a staggering 707bhp. Dodge claims a 0-60mph time of just 3.6 seconds and almost 200mph flat out. Useful to have at your disposal on the drag strip/quarter-mile.
Unsurprisingly, the SRT Hellcat and later SRT Demon and Redeye models are not cheap – and they’re all left-hand drive – but it’s worth it if monster muscle is your thing. Alternatively, if you must have four doors, you could consider a Dodge Charger.
Search for a Dodge Challenger on CarGurus