Top Five Performance Cars that are also Great Family Cars

So maybe you’re looking for a car that can get up and go, but you don’t feel like lugging your kids around in a Ford Mustang, a car that is flashy and fast, but not exactly ideal for a family. Here are 5 cars that offer exceptional levels of performance, but also would be well-suited for a family of four. Keep in mind, that I don’t have an upper limit in mind for horsepower, or MSRP, but we can dream, am I right?

The first car on this list, is the 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8. Though the base model for the 300 is no slouch at all, putting out 300 HP, the SRT8 model puts out a whopping 470 HP, utilizing its 6.4 Liter hemi V-8 engine. Though the 300, which is a cousin of the Dodge Charger, is often considered a luxury car, the SRT8 variety has a distinct muscle car feel to it. Call it luxury, call it a muscle car, but it’s got a serious amount of power, hidden under a luxurious exterior. The 4 door sedan shows off it’s straight-line speed, with a 0-60 time of 4.4 secs, though it’s handling is also reminiscent of a stereotypical muscle car. To the untrained eye, this may seem no different than a sensible, if not expensive, family vehicle. But any car with SRT in it’s name, must have been built with performance in mind. Past 2014, the SRT8 variety of the 300 is hard or impossible to find stateside, though it was shipped overseas. However, rumor has it, that Chrysler is working on a 707 HP, 300 SRT Hellcat, similar to the Hellcat versions of the Charger and Challenger. Once again, we can dream.

Just like the SRT designation is the high performance version of Dodge cars, Audi cars with the RS designation are built for the racetrack. Of course, when you think of high performance Audis, you might think of the Audi R8, which will turn heads wherever you drive. However, when it comes the family cars, the R8 is about as practical as a VW Beetle, being used as a police vehicle. Which, would be pretty hilarious, but obviously not very pragmatic. Instead, for this list, I chose the high performance RS7. Much like the Chrysler 300 SRT8, the 2018 Audi RS7 may look like a high priced luxury car to the untrained eye. And they wouldn’t be incorrect. But under the hood, resides a 605 HP, 4 liter TFSI V8 engine. This is more than just an average luxury car. The RS7 also sports an 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission. But perhaps the best part of the RS7, is that it uses the world-famous Audi Quattro AWD system. I won’t get into what AWD system is the best, but I think most would agree that the Quattro system belongs near the top of the list. Not only does this mean that all that power will be easier to apply without spinning tires, but it also means that while you drive around with your family, your car will handle much better in adverse conditions, such as in the rain, snow, or sleet. Yes, the RS7 is expensive. A 2018 model will likely run you over 100,000 dollars, easily making it the most expensive car on this list. A more modest option, would be the smaller, more nimble Audi RS3. It’s about half the price, as well. But the RS7 gives you much more room, and has more of the feel of a full size family car, if that can even be said about a car that does 0-60 in 3.6 seconds. But… If you still can’t stomach the 6 figure MSRP,

Next up, we have the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, which is the oldest, as well as least expensive, car on this list. The G8 GXP houses the LS3 engine, a 6.2 L V-8 engine that is borrowed from another GM car, the always popular Corvette. This powerhouse puts out 415 HP, and can take the car from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, and a 13 second ¼ mile. The G8 GXP is no Corvette. Besides the obvious differences, such as it being a Pontiac, or it’s body, which carries a larger profile, the G8 GXP also is almost 1000 lbs heavier. But with that added weight, you get a sedan that seats 5, with ample leg room to spare. It’s the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the GXP is going to be considerably more expensive than a base model G8, but by now, in 2017, the price has come down significantly.

But c’mon now. If you’re still watching at this point, and you haven’t been dissuaded by the flash, and price tag of the 300 SRT, or the RS7, I’m sure one more expensive, but stupid fast family car wouldn’t hurt. The final car on this list, is the 2019 Cadillac CTS-V. Sure, maybe this car was built for the racetrack, but I guarantee you there are many people lining up to buy this, only to drive it work each day. It’s a Cadillac, you know it’s going to be a comfortable ride. But the CTS-V offers so much more than sleek looks, and a luxurious interior. The CTS-V comes with a supercharged, 6.2 Liter, V8 engine, that puts out 640 HP. Along with the 3.7 sec 0-60, also comes a host of options that will help you do things other than accelerate in a straight line. Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control, and performance traction management mean that the CTS-V is truly a magnificent car. And did I mention, it’s a sedan? Maybe this car is a little too rich for your taste, but if you’re looking for the best, when it comes to performance in a sedan, the CTS V is hard to beat.

I hope you enjoyed this list, let me know down below in the comments, about what you thought of my selections. What cars would you put on this list? Is this list unrealistically overpriced? I’d love to hear your feedback, and thank you.