15 Performance Cars That You Can Pitch as a Family Car

In the past, those in the market for sporty car usually had to sacrifice practicality in the name of fun. But these days that’s usually no longer the case because performance cars come in all shapes, sizes, body styles, and front-, rear-, or all-wheel-drive configurations. There are a lot of performance machines out there that will do everything—including giving you an adrenaline rush.


2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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No other car better embodies jack-of-all-trades in a package that’s practical yet fun than the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Powered by a 210-220-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, the GTI offers plenty of power and a playful chassis wrapped in a hatchback that has room for four and up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space.


2016 Subaru WRX

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While it’s no longer available as a hatchback, the Subaru WRX remains practical for daily use and family duty. The 268-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-four makes plenty of power and the standard six-speed manual ensures you’re fully involved. Should you need to carry people, you can seat up to five in the WRX and the 12-cubic-foot trunk should be able to accommodate your family’s gear without issues.


2016 Chevrolet SS

A rarity on roads today, the Chevrolet SS is the only rear-drive sports sedan under $50,000 that comes with a raucous 6.2-liter V-8 rated at 415 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Since it’s sized somewhere between a midsize and full-size sedan, the SS comes with generous cabin space and 16.4 cubic feet of cargo space. You’ll also be happy to know that a six-speed manual is available as a no cost option for maximum fun.


2016 Ford Focus ST

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Hot hatches give you the best of both worlds: practicality and exciting performance. The Ford Focus ST is one of the best available and features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-four rated at 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard and so is up to 44.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the hatch, so you’ll have a great time on twisty roads without sacrificing passenger space.


2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 S

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Need a luxurious ride that’s packed with plenty of performance potential yet still family friendly? Consider the Mercedes-AMG C63 S, which is equipped a 503-hp, 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that screams with authority and crushes the road into submission. Your significant other will appreciate the spacious, high-quality interior and feel reassured by the dizzying array of available safety tech.


2016 BMW M3

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As high-performance sports sedans go, the BMW M3 is one of the best at providing an excellent balance of space, performance, handling, luxury, and technology wrapped in a manageable size. With plenty of space for four and a respectable 12 cubic feet of trunk space, there’s more than enough room for family road trips, and the M3 offers engaging performance for carving up your favorite twisty roads.


2016 Ford Focus RS

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For those who need a family car but want to satisfy their inner rally driver, Ford has the answer in the form of the 2016 Focus RS. Utilizing a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four good for 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque that puts its power through all four wheels via a six-speed manual, the Ford Focus RS is sure to give you plenty of thrills on a winding road and up to 44.8 cubic feet of cargo space when you need to haul the family.


2016 Volkswagen Golf R

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A refined yet potent hot hatch, the Volkswagen Golf R comes standard with all-wheel drive and 292 hp from its 2.0-liter turbo-four. Unlike some hot hatches and sport compacts, the Golf R is unassuming making it a great all-weather sleeper that you can pitch as a family mobile thanks to a spacious interior that can swallow 52.7 cubic feet of cargo.


2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400

As part of its refresh, the 2016 Infiniti Q50 gets a new trim called the Red Sport 400, which comes standard with a new 400-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Q50 also features a spacious cabin and a 13.5-cubic foot trunk that should easily accommodate all of your family’s gear. For 2016, the car’s suspension setup and steering systems have also been revised to improve handling and driving dynamics.


2016 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

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Forget crossovers for family duty — a wagon does it all without sacrificing handling and driving fun. If you’ve got six figures burning a hole in your pocket, consider the 577-hp Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon, which can get the kids to school in no time, haul your family’s gear, and give you an adrenaline rush all at once.


2016 Lexus GS F

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Do you love the way the Lexus RC F coupe drives and sounds but need room for a family? Consider the GS F, which features the same 467-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic gearbox as the RC F. No, it’s not an M5 competitor, but it performs admirably and is more than willing to give you plenty of driving fun on the twisty bits.


2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

Tell your significant other that the Dodge Charger is family friendly because it’s got a spacious cabin and a trunk that’s large enough to carry everything your clan needs. For maximum fun and burnout shenanigans, grab the Charger SRT Hellcat with its 707-hp, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 and you’ll feel like a rock star on the road.


2016 Audi RS 7

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Don’t call the Audi RS 7 a sedan —it’s a hatchback through and through. Equipped with a 560-hp, 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8, the RS 7 will be your family’s personal Autobahn cruise missile for four with room to spare for lots of gear. With the standard Quattro all-wheel drive system, you’ll be able to conquer foul weather.


2016 Volvo V60 T6 R-Design

No, it isn’t a big wagon, but for a small family the Volvo V60 is a perfect fit and comes packing plenty of style. In T6 R-Design trim, the V60 gains all-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter turbo-six good for 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, turning it into a sleeper performance car that’s just as comfortable carving up twisty roads as it is shuttling your clan. Should the R-Design not be enough for you, Volvo also offers the V60 Polestar, a limited run model that is rated at 345 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.


2016 Cadillac CTS-V

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The Cadillac CTS-V is essentially a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in a suit and tie that has room for four. Utilizing the same supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 but tuned to 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, the CTS-V is a 200-mph sports sedan that can devour twisty roads with ease and keep you and your family comfortable on a long road trip.

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