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.
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
These cloth masks are more than meets the eye. United By Blue has made them with deadstock fabrics and included a filter slot that fits the brand's Activated Carbon Filters. Plus, for each pack purchased, one will be donated to a Philadelphia resident who is experiencing homelessness.
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
Colorblocking is in and we love the color combo on this half-zip fleece. Plus you get pockets to keep your hands warm, which isn't a common feature on a fleece like this.
These are loaded with some of Nike's best features, including React outsoles for ultimate efficiency on the road and Flyknit uppers for a lightweight, sock-like feel.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
If you've been watching The Crown or have been following style moodboards lately, you've surely seen Barbour. The classic hunting brand makes some of the finest harsh-weather garments, bred to excel in the rain soaked British islands. A quilted jacket is an essential layering piece, whether topping off a sweater or under a waxed field jacket.
This matches the lowest price we've seen on Apple's premium AirPods. 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.
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.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket. At half off, this is a steal. READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This collab between Outdoor Voices and Hoka One One pairs an award-winning running shoe with OV's sharp eye for design to make a shoe that looks as good as it feels.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Perfect for winter, these boots are made with fully waterproof leather and vulcanized rubber, keeping you dry whether you're sloshing through snow on the way to work, doing work in the yard, or going out for a hunt.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
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