Front-wheel drive cars have several advantages over their rear-wheel or all-wheel drive counterparts. For starters, they are typically cheaper to build, which translates to lower prices at the dealer. Their engines are usually transversely mounted, they don’t require driveshafts, and there are no major driveline components at the rear, all allowing FWD cars to be more spacious for both passengers and cargo with smaller overall dimensions. In snowy conditions, traction is also improved with the engine’s weight directly over the powered wheels.
Of course, there are downsides to front-wheel drive, mainly that the front wheels are tasked with turning and powering the car simultaneously, often resulting in big bouts of understeer when driven with gusto. Although many FWD cars can’t match the performance of similar RWD cars, that’s not to say there aren’t some properly quick models that send their power exclusively to the front wheels. Below are the fastest models to ever hit the pavement that make do without a driveshaft.
10 Chevrolet Impala SS: 150 MPH
The Chevrolet Impala experienced plenty of radical changes throughout its model year beginning in 1958 and running, with two gaps in production, until the latest generation was killed off following the 2020 model year. One of those significant changes is underscored by the performance-oriented SS model. In the mid-90s, the Impala SS was an RWD, body-on-frame sedan, but in 2006, the SS had gone front-wheel drive, and its top speed had only improved.
The 2006 Impala SS had an ungoverned top speed cresting 150 mph, making it an unassuming-looking family sedan with the heart of a V-8 muscle car. With its eye-opening top speed and the pragmaticism and affordability of being FWD, the Impala also had double duty as a police cruiser. The 2015 Impala with the Police Package (PPV) had a top speed of 149 mph.
9 Dodge Neon SRT-4: 153 MPH
The almost forgotten Dodge Neon, which was also branded as a Plymouth and Chrysler, in its basic form was a bean-shaped, bug-eyed little economy car that did little to raise the pulse during its original production run from 1993 to 2005. But from 2003-05, Dodge lit up the Neon with the SRT-4 model, a far more aggressively styled and powered take on the compact family car.
Powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-pot offering 215 horsepower, the SRT-4 could scoot from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 153 mph. The SRT-4’s styling loudly announced its speedy intentions with a more aggressive front fascia, scooped hood, and a spoiler that was anything but subtle. Better still, the SRT-4 commanded just $20,000 when new, a large result of its FWD orientation.
8 Audi TT: 155 MPH
So long to the Audi TT, how we will miss ye. Audi’s compact and funky-styled little corner carver has been around in various fashions since 1998, but after 25 years, the TT isn't just leaving the U.S., but is now bowing out of production altogether. But it will leave a legacy of being an athletic roadster/coupe and one of the fasted FWD models to hit the road.
Later front-wheel drive models were electronically limited to 155 mph, though interestingly, the TT will leave the market solely as an AWD model. The 2023 TT, along with its TTS, TT RS, and Heritage Editions, come standard with Quattro all-wheel drive.
7 Hyundai Veloster N: 155 MPH
The Hyundai Veloster N is a hot hatchback that made a unique and notable splash during its run from 2020-22. The N is the hottest version of the quirky, three-door Veloster, and it set the foundation for Hyundai’s current lineup of N performance cars, including the Elantra N, Kona N, the upcoming Ioniq 5 N, and other models not available in the U.S.
The Veloster N offered a top speed of 155 mph through its 275-horsepower turbo-four, and its appropriately named Grin Shift upped its torque through an over-boost system true to its hooligan spirit. With features like adaptive dampers, a limited-slip diff, rev matching, and other performance upgrades, the Veloster N underscored that front-wheel drive cars were still capable corner carvers.
6 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2: 158 MPH
The Alfa Romeo GTV was not only a stunning car to behold, but it was also a seriously quick FWD 2+2 coupe. The GTV was in production from 1995 to 2006, and its ultimate version arrived in 2003. The GTV 3.2, as the name suggests, was motivated by a 3.2-liter V-6 cranking out 237 horsepower to the front wheels. The GTV 3.2 could hustle from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and charge to a top speed of 158 mph.
With styling by Pininfarina, the GTV also looked great while chasing its red line, and it catered to the needs of its driver. For instance, the gauges were driver-oriented, it could be had with sporty Momo seats in the front, and there were even two small seats so its owners could try and convince their spouses it could double as a family car.
5 Renault Megane RS: 158 MPH
The Renault Megane RS has been serving up big sports car thrills in a small hot hatchback package for nearly 20 years. Throughout its run, the Megane RS has delivered loud styling, a boisterous engine, ample performance, and, of course, front-wheel drive. Unfortunately, it has remained forbidden fruit here in the U.S. And unfortunately for enthusiasts in other areas of the world, production on the Megane RS will end following the 2023 Ultime special edition.
The current RS is motivated by a 1.8-liter turbo-four — the same engine in the Alpine A110 sports car — cranking out 296 horsepower. The RS can hustle from 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds and will top out north of 155 mph.
4 Chevrolet Cobalt SS:160 MPH
Like the Impala of the mid and late 2000s, the Chevrolet Cobalt certainly didn’t look the part of a barn-stormer, but that’s only if you don’t include the Cobalt SS version. The Cobalt SS was offered from 2005 to 2010, and the Chevy performance model once held the record lap time for front-drive sport compacts around the Nurburgring.
The Cobalt SS was offered three levels of power during its run. The SS Turbocharged was the quickest off the line with a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds, but the SS Supercharged model topped out at 158 mph, three mph faster than its sibling. The Cobalt SS’ was motivated by a 2.0-liter turbo four cranking out 260 horsepower. Alongside its sportier styling, the SS had a tuned suspension, Brembo front brakes, and a larger rear anti-roll bar to up its athleticism.
3 Mini JCW GP: 165 MPH
There is nothing “mini” about the performance of the limited edition, 2021 Mini John Cooper Works GP. That starts with the spec sheet. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter cranks out 301 horsepower. It will zip from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and past the quarter-mile marker in 13.1 ticks at 110 mph. And it is the fastest Mini ever made with a top speed of 165 mph.
The JCW GP’s styling is just as wild as its performance with completely unique fender flares, a rear spoiler that looks like it was nicked from an aerospace engineering company, the deletion of the rear seats, and a front lip that looks ready to chew up the tarmac. Just 3,000 of these special Minis were made.
2 Ford Focus RS500: 165 MPH
Ford has applied its RS label to cars as far back as 1968, and there are some true gems among them, including the Escort RS200, the Sierra RS Cosworth, and the Focus RS, including the most recent iteration from 2016-18. But the speediest of them all, the RS500, was also the most exclusive.
Just 500 RS500 models were produced in 2011 as the swan song for what was then the swan song of the current generation. As a fitting tribute, Ford gave the RS500’s 2.5-liter give-cylinder an added injection of power, upping its output to 345 horsepower with 339 pound-feet of torque. The RS500 could run from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds and on to a staggering top speed of 165 mph.
1 Honda Civic Type R: 169 MPH
You may have noticed a theme in this article in that every prior model listed is either out of production or is on its way out. This could mean FWD cars with ludicrously quick top speeds are a thing of yesteryear, but that would dismiss the Civic Type R. The 2023 Civic Type R is the fastest front-wheel drive model to ever hit the road with a top speed of 169 mph.
In fact, the Type R set the front-wheel drive production car record around the Nurburgring with a time of 7 minutes and 44 seconds. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four offering 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the Civic Type R is the ultimate example of front-wheel drive speed.