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Top 20 Modern Muscle Cars

Vukasin Herbez December 13, 2024

Even though the original and classic muscle cars from 1964 to 1971 commanded high prices due to boomers’ interest in buying the cars from their youth, car enthusiasts need to move on and concentrate on the future. We have already seen a significant rise in prices for muscle cars from the 1980s and early 1990s, so the next logical step is that the muscle models from the last twenty years will be valuable someday. Here is our take on the top 15 modern cars. 

Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Ford Mustang Svt Cobra Coupe 96
Photo Credit: Ford

The SVT Cobra was a very interesting and important model for the Mustang dynasty and muscle car mythology since it featured two firsts: the first factory supercharged engine and an independent rear suspension. SVT took the standard 4.6-liter block and mounted different heads and a supercharger to get 390 HP and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 0 to 60 mph time took only 4.7 seconds, making the SVT Cobra a drag-strip terror. 

Chevrolet SS

2014 Chevrolet Ss Sedan Instrumented Test Review Car And Driver Photo 548225 S Original
Photo Credit: Motor Trend

With a 6.2-liter V8, 412 HP, precise steering, and neutral handling, this car rivals Europe’s finest sports sedans. Of course, this is Holden from Australia but rebadged as Chevrolet and fine-tuned for US customers. The performance numbers are pretty respectable, and a 0 to 60 mph sprint is possible in just 4.7 seconds while the top speed is over 150 mph. The Chevrolet SS is a good proposition for people who need a practical sedan but want a sports car. 

Shelby GT350 R

Ford Mustang Shelby Gt350r 5632 11
Photo Credit: Auto Wp

Despite the fact that Shelby was based on the Mustang GT, much of the car’s suspension, design, aero package, and engine were new. The most significant single difference was the fantastic Voodoo engine, which has a 5.2-liter displacement, 526 HP, and 429 lb-ft of torque. The main feature of this high-revving powerplant is the flat plane crank technology, which allows the big V8 to scream to almost 9000 rpm. It is much closer to the Porsche GT3 in terms of precision driving and cornering speeds than it is to the humble Mustangs of yesterday. 

Dodge Charger Hellcat

2015 Dodge Challenger Srt Hellcat
Photo Credit: Dodge

2014 Dodge presented the Hellcat, and the car community went wild. After all, the reaction was fitting since the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 707 HP is a proper monster of a muscle car that shouldn’t be released on the streets. But Dodge did just that, allowing the general public to buy one of the fastest and most powerful muscle cars and muscle car sedans ever built. Despite being overpowered in any aspect, the Dodge Charger Hellcats is surprisingly good to drive and can be docile at low speeds. 

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2020 Chevrolet Camaro - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet knew that the Camaro platform could handle more than 426 HP and deliver fantastic cornering speeds and world-class handling. So, it was only natural that engineers started developing performance versions as soon as the new generation hit the streets in 2010. The first of those was the great Camaro ZL-1, introduced in 2012 and sold throughout 2015.

Ford Raptor

2017 Ford F 150 Raptor Supercrew Front Three Quarter
Photo Credit: Edmunds

The Ford Raptor includes a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with 450 HP and 510 lb-ft. It also has a 10-speed automatic transmission with sub-five-second acceleration times. Although the figures suggest it is an exotic supercar, it is a full-size pickup truck with room for five people and a regular truck bed. But this is different from your ordinary pickup. The Ford Raptor is the closest thing to a complete Baja 1000 racing vehicle that drivers can buy today. 

Dodge Challenger GT AWD

Dodge Challenger Gt Awd 23
Photo Credit: Dodge

What is the definition of a muscle car? A two-door coupe with a big V8 engine and rear-wheel drive, right? Well, Dodge has a different vision. For decades, muscle cars were rear-wheel drive-only vehicles, and in 2016, Dodge introduced a special model in its Challenger lineup called GT AWD. 

Ford Mustang Boss 302

Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca 6
Photo Credit: Ford

Ever since the first retro Mustangs appeared in showrooms across America, Ford fans asked for the return of the Boss 302. For those who don’t know, Boss 302 was born in 1969 as a racing car homologation special intended for Trans-Am races. Forty-three years later, Ford revived the Boss 302 with a new 5.0-liter Coyote V8, which delivered 444 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque. Again, this was almost a pure racing car with no back seats, a factory-installed roll cage, and a host of other external and internal modifications. 

Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Ss
Photo Credit: GM

The Camaro fans were terribly disappointed when Chevrolet decided to retire the nameplate after the 2003 model year. However, it turned out that Chevrolet was waiting for the right moment to return the Camaro to the market in a redesigned, restyled, and re-engineered form. That moment came in late 2009 when a new, fifth-generation Camaro arrived on the market. The 2010 Camaro was a triumph of retro-futuristic design and engineering since GM’s Zeta platform was highly sophisticated and allowed the new model to sport car-like road holding and driving dynamics.

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

If, for any reason, 707 HP from the Hellcat package is not enough for you and you want the ultimate modern muscle car and the most potent street Hemi engine ever made, then the Demon package is just the thing. With standard fuel, it will deliver an insane 808 HP, but if you use high-octane stuff, it will pump out almost 840 HP. 

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Used 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe 2k Miles
Photo Credits: CAS

Under the hood was a 7.0-liter V8 from the Corvette Z06, which delivered 505 HP and provided more than enough power and grunt, but the rest of the car was highly engineered for precision. Stiffer shocks, thicker anti-roll bars, unique wheels, brakes, and even a 300-pound lighter body helped Z/28 achieve better numbers at the race track. With its supercharged engine, the Camaro ZL-1 was faster in the straight line, but the Z/28 was a better all-around performer and a perfect track day vehicle.

Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE

2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1le 16
Photo Credit: GM

The base Camaro SS is one of the best muscle cars around with its 6.2-liter, 450 HP V8 engine, loads of torque, and perfectly balanced chassis, and 1LE is even better. The engine is the same one as you would get in a Corvette, which means it has 460 HP. The suspension is even more focused and slightly revised to give the driver a better driving feel and sharper response. Imagine driving this perfectly tuned machine on a long road trip, with every mile bringing you more driving pleasure.

Cadillac CTS-V

2014 Cadillac Cts V Wagon
Photo Credit: Edmunds

The second-generation CTS-V model produced between 2008 and 2014 was arguably the most successful. Under the hood was a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 556 HP, making the CTS-V the most potent performance sedan on the market. The suspension and the rest of the drivetrain were advanced and up to the task, so CTS-V was considered a full package and one of the best driver’s cars available. Cadillac produced three body styles, and the CTS-V could be a sedan, a coupe, and, interestingly, a wagon. With a 556 HP LS9 V8 engine and 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds, the second generation CTS-V was one of the fastest four-door vehicles on the planet and a true muscle car sedan. 

2021 Ford Mustang Mach I

2021 Mustang Mach 1
Photo Credit: Ford

This model marked the return of the legendary Mustang nameplate, which was used periodically from 1969 to 1973 and from 2003 to 2004. This Mach I is better than ever and has more power and performance than its predecessors. Under the hood is the same 5.0-liter Coyote V8 but with a few Shelby and Bullitt parts, which results in a 480 HP rating (the same as the Bullitt). 

Ram TRX

Ram 1500 Trx 51
Photo Credit: Auto WP

This is a cross between the Ram Rebel and Dodge Challenger Hellcat—an all-terrain beast with a supercharged Hemi under the hood and a bad attitude. That’s why it has a 702 HP engine under the hood, specially tuned chassis, suspension, and gearbox, and it is designed to be the new king of the hill when it comes to extreme off-road trucks you can get from your local dealer. 

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (2020)

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby Gt500 Matheus Pach 6
Photo Credit: Car Scoops

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 is a car of superlatives. This Mustang is the most powerful car in a long lineage of powerful machines. The first Mustang had an MSRP of almost $80,000, which can quickly inflate to nearly $100,000 (if you tick a few boxes). Under the hood is a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with 760 HP mated to a 10-speed automatic. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, making it the quickest production Mustang ever.

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