If a car has performance figures worth bragging about, nine times out of 10, you can tell from miles away. Flared arches, massive hood scoops, cavernous cooling vents and, of course, an overzealous rear wing — all billboards announcing spec-sheet prowess to the world. It's automotive peacocking at its finest.
But, if you’re one of those people who prefer subtlety and chart-topping performance, the “sleeper” is the car for you. The sleeper car doesn’t broadcast that it has enough horsepower to make a supercar blush, nor that it can hunt apexes like a Le Mans winner. No, at first glance it’s unassuming, hiding its performance — until it’s needed. Sleepers are the “quiet ones” you have to look out for.
Below are 10 sleeper cars from the past decade that patiently, quietly yearn for when the light turns green.
Pontiac GTO (2004-2006)
Essentially a two-door Chevy from Down Under with a Corvette engine, the Aughts-era GTO gave no impression that it could compete with cars at twice the price (other than its historic name).
Just because a 3 Series doesn’t wear an M badge doesn’t mean it can’t hang. The 335i sat just below the M3 in the lineup, and was considered the benchmark for the "standard" German sport sedan. Both the E90 and F30 generations pack a wallop.
The WRX STi may get all the attention, but considering the price-to-performance ratio, the standard WRX is the better deal. The third-generation model of this Subaru dialed back the visual madness versus the second- and fourth-gen versions — making it much more restrained and better at flying under the radar.
At first glance, the GTI may look like a sensible family hatchback, but this VW is one of the founding fathers of the hot-hatch segment. And while other cars that fall into the hot-hatch group are usually adorned with big spoilers and flared wheel arches, the GTI’s only obvious performance indicators are the red highlights around the grille.
When Ford revealed the new Taurus in 2010, it was described as going "from a Homer Simpson design to a Superman design." Buyers, sadly, didn't take to it quite as well as Ford might have hoped, but that's no fault of the SHO version, which packed a 365-hp twin-turbo V6 and AWD to make the most of it.
You can still score one of these Hondas new from the factory, but that means missing out on the chance to grab one with a six-speed manual; that was discontinued for the 2021 model year. Whether you go stick shift or 10-speed automatic, however, the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four (a modified version of the Civic Type R's motor) means this car looks like an Uber but flies like a Boeing.
If you want to talk about “under the radar,” look no further than the Buick Regal GS. The Buick badge is the perfect smokescreen for hiding Brembo brakes, a six-speed manual (only with front-wheel-drive; you could get AWD with the auto) and sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires.
Most of Mazda’s cars fly under the radar, but the smaller Japanese car maker produces some of the best bargain performance cars on the market. And when they attach “speed” to the name, all bets are off.
The SS may look like just another Chevy four-door, but under the sedated styling is a delightful performance car powered by an LS3 Corvette engine. Prices have started to rise in recent years as people realize how good it is, but you still will have trouble beating it for this price.
The SRT versions may get all the press, but don't count the R/T versions out; they still pack 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, rather than looking so aggressive as to encourage would-be street racers, they look more like cop cars. Expect To Pay: $18,000–$35,000
Don’t let the pint-sized Fiesta ST fool you. Any rally driver worth his weight in flying gravel will tell you the Fiesta ST is a force to be reckoned with, as far as FWD cars are concerned.
This is one of our picks for the best reading chairs you can buy thanks to its exceptional mid-century design and comfort. It's a chair you can sink into.
One of the most important things when packing — whether for a month-long vacation or a weekend backpacking trip — is efficiency. These packing cubes from Eagle Creek are one of our picks for the best packing cubes you can buy.
Not only does the PhoneSoap sanitize your phone without liquid or heat, but it charges your phone while it is doing it. This makes it perfect for your bedside, home desk, or kitchen counter.
Adidas Sambas have been gracing the pitch for decades and, as most things do, they've come around and captured the eye of stylish guys everywhere, from Jonah Hill to A$AP Rocky.
Over time, Calvin Klein underwear has become a standard in the style world. These are classics made from pure cotton — a super soft material that keeps you comfortable all day.
The Chill Mattress from Cocoon by Sealy provides excellent support, regardless of your sleeping position and is infused with a proprietary phase change material that absorbs and dissipates heat.
These Bose headphones are some of Gear Patrol's favorite noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, owing to excellent design and top-notch sound quality. Don't like this color? The black and white colorways are both on sale for $330.
An upgrade to the Nano 9, a Gear Patrol favorite, the Nano X doubles down on everything that was good about the previous iteration and makes it even better. This is our pick for the best CrossFit and HIIT workout shoe you can buy. Shop quick — sizing is limited.
Chucks have become a style icon for a reason. They are super affordable and look good with just about anything, making them the perfect shoe to buy in spring — they are your go-to's through fall.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
This is an outrageous deal on an excellent Bluetooth speaker. It features eight hours of battery life, has integrated Siri and Google Now and looks good in any room, to boot.
Here you go, the perfect boot for spring. Todd Snyder always brings it when it comes to collaborations and this is no exception; this silhouette comes straight from the Sebago archives.
These water- and sweat-proof earbuds are our pick for the best workout earbuds. They have 6-hour battery life and are MIL-STD 810G certified, which means they have passed repeated shock, vibrations, drop, and crush tests as well as extended exposure to tropical humidity, hurricane-force water and desert sandstorm conditions.
Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel is one of the best packs around, so whenever it is on sale, we jump at the chance to snag one, even if it is purple. The 40L iteration is a versatile size ready for a weekend getaway or an extended trip.
For three years running, we’ve awarded the top slot to Mountain Hardwear’s Super/DS StretchDown jacket, and right now, at arguably the best time to buy a jacket, it’s on sale for 40 percent off. If you don't like the orange, there are other colors on sale at a lesser discount, as well.
Apple's premium AirPods have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
Aether makes some of the best technical wear in the biz. This waterproof jacket is packed with features, including a removable hood, numerous pockets, fully-taped seams and a powder skirt.
Flint and Tinder's bestselling jacket almost never goes on sale — usually only once a year, if you're lucky. Immensely warm and tough-as-nails, this is a heritage piece that you'll have forever. Now is the time to pick up this weather-resistant jacket for the cheapest price you'll ever see it.
Filson has been making some of the best gear to come out of the Pacific Northwest, and probably the whole country, for years. This tote is tough-as-hell and water-resistant — perfect for weekend trips to the farmers' market.
Originally a tennis shoe in the 80s, the Killshot 2 has become one of Nike's most coveted kicks. After years of only being available through J.Crew, they are now available in multiple colorways directly from Nike. They sell out almost every time they go on sale, so act fast to get yourself a pair.
Spring is coming and we're thinking hard about our next trips out into the wilderness. When it comes to backpacking gear, a good sleeping pad is one of the more important pieces you can have in your pack, so it is best to opt for quality. This insulated pad keeps you warm and cozy when the ground gets cold.
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