Top 10 Quickest Cars We’ve Driven This Year

Internal combustion engines might go extinct in the near future thanks to EVs and their increasing popularity. While we embrace the electrified future, we will also miss out on a lot of aspects except speed. More precisely, acceleration. The immediate surge of power and the whole visceral drama that follows is something that will never go out of fashion. While we are excited for what 2020 has in stock for us, here are the top 10 quickest accelerating cars that we’ve driven this year. Oh, and since it's customary (and fun) we’ll list out the cars in the reverse order:

10. Kia Seltos 1.4 Turbo Petrol AT

We think it’s alright to say the Seltos was the most successful debut of this year. Apart from striking looks, spot-on pricing, and impressive features, the Seltos is also a well mannered and good handling SUV. The 1.4-litre Turbo GDI engine coupled with the 7-speed DCT gearbox is the eighth quickest car to the ton, registering a time of 9.51 seconds. The 7-speed DCT and the 1.4-litre engine works seamlessly to deliver solid performance. But it had to take the 8th seat as it was bested by its own manual counterpart.

9. Kia Seltos 1.4 Turbo Petrol MT

Yes, the Seltos 1.4 Turbo GDI with the 6-speed manual gearbox is faster than its DCT-equipped variant by accomplishing the 0-100kmph run in 9.36 seconds. Don’t get us wrong here, the DCT is plenty quick but never underestimate what three pedals, a stick, and a human being can do. The 1.4-litre engine is a fairly rev-happy unit that produces 140PS and 242Nm of twist. Be it the automatic or the manual, the 1.4-litre engine is worth looking at if you like to drive.

8. Land Rover Range Rover LWB 3.0 V6 Diesel AT

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Ok, so that escalated quickly. We are jumping from a mid-size SUV to a full-blown yacht on wheels. The Range Rover LWB hides its heft well and despite having the smaller 3.0-litre diesel V6, it clocked the 0-100 in 9.05 seconds. Not exactly what the LWB is intended to do but yeah, it helps when you really want to hurry close to 2.4 tonnes. If you’re scouring for figures, the 3.0-litre diesel develops 258PS and a solid 600Nm of maximum torque.

7. Jaguar F-Pace 2.0 Petrol AT AWD

The F-Pace equipped with the 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine in the 179PS and 430Nm is next up on the list. Jaguar claims it’ll do the 0-100kmph sprint in 9 seconds and we completely believe them. During our test sessions, the F-Pace did the run in 8.86 seconds! It comes paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends the power to all four wheels. 

6. Mercedes-Benz E-Class 220 d 2.0 Diesel AT

This is one luxo barge that can move. The E-Class equipped with the 2.0-litre diesel engine that churns out 194PS and 400Nm of torque is the sixth fastest car we’ve tested this year. 0-100kmph comes up in 7.3 seconds while it can also transport its occupants in unmatched opulence and class thanks to its plush cabin with immense attention to detail.

5. Volkswagen Passat 2.0 Diesel AT

Coming 4th in this list is the Volkswagen Passat with the 2.0-litre TDI engine paired up with the 6-speed DSG gearbox. Numbers stand at 177PS and 350Nm of torque, for a brisk 8.65 second time for the 0-100kmph sprint. The diesel mill is rev-happy and the 6-speed gearbox aids its punchy performance. Now, this is one mid-size luxury sedan that can hurl when asked to.

4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 d 2.0 Diesel AT

Breaking into the 7 second mark is the Mercedes C 220 d with the 2.0-litre diesel engine. The sedan registered a time of 7.90 seconds in our test cycles. Behind the scenes is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine capable of 194PS and 400Nm. Meanwhile, the transmission duties are taken care of by a 9-speed gearbox. It also happens to be THE quickest stopping car we’ve tested this year.

3. Audi A6 2.0-litre Petrol AT

The latest kid on the block, the 2019 A6 gets sharper styling and a revamped cabin. What it also gets is a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged engine that develops a solid 245PS and 370Nm. Thanks to these figures, the A6 takes a little over 7 seconds (7.04) to hit 0-100kmph. But there were times we wish these figures were sent to the rear wheels instead of the front.

2. Jaguar XJ50 3.0 Diesel AT

The 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel in the Jaguar XJ50 punches out 306PS and a thick 689Nm of torque. What this means is that the luxury barge can dart to 100kmph in 6.64 seconds. An 8-speed automatic gearbox is equipped to make sure that the figures are efficiently sent to the rear wheels. The big kitty is right up there with the competition and the second-fastest accelerating car we’ve driven this year.

1.BMW 6 Series GT 2.0 Petrol AT

A big luxurious GT car with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that makes 258PS and 400Nm is the quickest car that we’ve tested this year? Yes. If you’re wondering, launch control is the answer.  The 6 Series is one of the select few non-M-badged BMW models that get launch control. This helps it accomplish the 0-100kmph dash in 6.53 seconds!