27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match

Some sporty cars turned heads with their sleek designs. These cars may have looked like they were built for speed, but their engines told a different story. 

Some were built for other purposes, like comfort or efficiency, while others were simply held back by the technology of their time. Here are 27 sporty cars that weren’t very speedy.

1. Ford Mustang King Cobra (1978)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » 1978 ford mustang II king cobra wc
Image Credit: Matthew P, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 96 mph
  • Engine: 5.0-liter V8
  • Horsepower: 139 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.2 seconds

This Mustang model from the late 1970s looked aggressive with its King Cobra graphics, but it didn’t pack much speed. Due to strict emissions regulations at the time, its V8 engine wasn’t as powerful as you’d expect from a Mustang.

2. Toyota Celica (1974-1977)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » 1972 Toyota Celica ST ss1694272219
Image Credit: Ken Morris/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 93 mph
  • Engine: 2.2-liter 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 96 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 12 seconds

The Toyota Celica had a sporty design, and its sharp, angular body made it look like a performance car. However, the engine was relatively small and produced less power, keeping its top speed under 100 mph.

3. Mazda MX-30 (2022)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Mazda MX 30 ss2501723199
Image Credit: William’s photo/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 87 mph
  • Engine: Electric Motor (143 hp)
  • Horsepower: 143 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 9.6 seconds

This modern, all-electric SUV from Mazda has a stylish, futuristic design. While it looks sporty, its limited top speed of 87 mph and small battery make it more suited for city driving than fast highway speeds.

4. Mazda RX-8 (2004-2008)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Mazda RX 8 ss2493617897
Image Credit: HOHLOVMIHAIL/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 98 mph
  • Engine: 1.3-liter rotary engine
  • Horsepower: 192 hp (lower trims)
  • 0-60 mph: Around 7.0 seconds

Though the RX-8 had a unique rotary engine and sleek sports car styling, the lower-powered trims had a top speed just shy of 100 mph, making it slower than many expected from a sports car.

5. Mazda MX-5 Miata (1990-1993)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Mazda MX 5 Miata 1990 ss1390720712
Image Credit: Walter Eric Sy/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 92 mph
  • Engine: 1.6-liter 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 116 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 8.6 seconds

The first-generation Mazda Miata, while beloved for its fun handling and convertible top, wasn’t a speed demon. Its small engine and lightweight design made it fun on curvy roads but kept its top speed below 100 mph.

6. Chevy Nova (1975-1979)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Chevy Nova 1975 1979 ss1539760682
Image Credit: Tony Savino/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 94 mph
  • Engine: 4.1-liter inline-6
  • Horsepower: 105 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 12.2 seconds

The Nova was a popular muscle car in the 1960s and early 1970s, but by the late 1970s, stricter emissions rules had weakened its power. Despite its muscle car look, the 1975-1979 models had a top speed under 100 mph.

7. Porsche 924 (1976-1978)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Porsche 924 1977 ss651163900
Image Credit: Sergey Kohl/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 98 mph
  • Engine: 2.0-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 95 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.5 seconds

The Porsche 924 had the sleek, sporty design you’d expect from a Porsche, but early models were underpowered. Its small engine produced only 95 horsepower, and the top speed was under 100 mph, which disappointed many sports car fans.

8. Toyota GT86 (2012)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Toyota GT86 2012 ss124009264
Image Credit: Rob Wilson/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 86 mph (limited)
  • Engine: 2.0-liter flat-4
  • Horsepower: 197 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 6.2 seconds

The Toyota GT86 looks like a fast sports car, and it handles well, but its top speed is electronically limited to 86 mph in certain regions. Even with almost 200 horsepower, it’s built more for fun driving rather than top-speed performance.

9. Fisker Karma (2011-2012)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Fisker Karma 2012 ss115709443
Image Credit: Stefan Ataman/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 95 mph
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (combined with electric motors)
  • Horsepower: 403 hp (electric motors + engine combined)
  • 0-60 mph: Around 6.1 seconds

The Fisker Karma is a luxury hybrid that looked sleek and futuristic. Despite its high horsepower from the electric motors and engine combo, the top speed is limited to under 100 mph, which makes it slower than expected for a car with such a stylish, sporty design.

10. Ferrari Mondial (1980-1982)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Ferrari Mondial 1980s ss2371528891
Image Credit: The Image Engine/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 96 mph
  • Engine: 3.0-liter V8
  • Horsepower: 214 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 8.2 seconds

The Ferrari Mondial, while bearing the Ferrari name, didn’t have the speed to match its exotic appearance. The early models of this Ferrari were heavier and had less horsepower than other Ferraris, leading to a top speed below 100 mph.

11. Volvo P1800 (1961)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Volvo P1800 1961 ss1642265266
Image Credit: FernandoV/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 99 mph
  • Engine: 1.8-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 100 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 13 seconds

The Volvo P1800 is known for its elegant styling and was even featured in the TV show “The Saint.” However, despite its sporty looks, it wasn’t a high-performance car in terms of speed, with a top speed just under 100 mph.

12. Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1955-1959)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Volkswagen Karmann Ghia ss2485833033
Image Credit: Stoqliq/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 74 mph
  • Engine: 1.2-liter flat-4
  • Horsepower: 36 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 28 seconds

The Karmann Ghia had a sleek, stylish design that made it look like a sports car. However, it shared the same small engine as the Volkswagen Beetle, so it wasn’t fast. Its top speed was far below 100 mph.

13. DeLorean DMC-12 (1981-1983)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » 1981 DeLorean DMC 12 wc
Image Credit: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 88 mph
  • Engine: 2.8-liter V6
  • Horsepower: 130 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.5 seconds

The DeLorean DMC-12 is famous for its appearance in Back to the Future and its futuristic design. While it looked fast, its performance didn’t match the look. The DeLorean’s V6 engine couldn’t push it past 88 mph in real life.

14. Honda CR-Z (2010-2016)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Honda CR Z 2015 ss305747336
Image Credit: Shutter B Photo/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 91 mph
  • Engine: 1.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid
  • Horsepower: 122 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 9.7 seconds

The Honda CR-Z was a sporty-looking hybrid with an eco-friendly design. Even though it looked quick, it was built for fuel efficiency rather than speed, with a top speed of only 91 mph, making it slower than most modern sports cars.

15. Hyundai Coupe (2002-2008)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Hyundai Coupe 2002 ss2486884833
Image Credit: Stoqliq/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 96 mph
  • Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 104 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.5 seconds

Also known as the Tiburon in some markets, the Hyundai Coupe had a sporty appearance. However, its lower-powered models, especially the ones with the smaller engines, had a top speed under 100 mph, making it more of a sporty looker than a performer.

16. Smart Roadster (2003-2005)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Smart Roadster 2005 ss1979278880
Image Credit: Heinsdorff Jularlak/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 90 mph
  • Engine: 0.7-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 80 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.9 seconds

The Smart Roadster was a tiny, fun-looking car with a unique design. It was lightweight and compact but had a small engine, limiting its top speed to 90 mph. Despite its sporty look, it wasn’t built for high-speed driving.

17. Chevrolet Camaro (1975-1979)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » 1975 Chevrolet Camaro wc
Image Credit: Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 97 mph
  • Engine: 5.7-liter V8
  • Horsepower: 145 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.2 seconds

By the late 1970s, emissions regulations had tamed the power of the Camaro. Even though it had a big V8 engine and muscle car styling, the engine was underpowered compared to earlier models, leading to a top speed below 100 mph.

18. Hyundai Veloster (2012-2013 Base Model)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Hyundai Veloster 2013 ss191256971
Image Credit: Teddy Leung/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 94 mph
  • Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 138 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 9.5 seconds

The Hyundai Veloster has a sporty, unique design with three doors and a fun look, but the base model didn’t pack much power. Its top speed of 94 mph was less than many would expect from its aggressive styling.

19. Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GS (2003-2005)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS 2005 ss2244121351
Image Credit: Walter Eric Sy/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 95 mph
  • Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 147 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.1 seconds

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GS had a sleek, convertible design, making it look like a fast sports car. However, the GS trim with its smaller engine wasn’t built for speed, with a top speed under 100 mph.

20. Audi 100 Coupe S (1970-1972)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Audi 100 Coupe S ss1609798933
Image Credit: S.Candide/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 99 mph
  • Engine: 1.9-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 113 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.5 seconds

The Audi 100 Coupe S had a stylish fastback design, which made it stand out in the early 1970s. Even though it looked sporty, its performance was more modest, with a top speed just under 100 mph.

21. Lancia Scorpion (1976-1977)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » lancia scorpion 1976 wc
Image Credit: Farrell Small, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 96 mph
  • Engine: 1.8-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 81 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 11.6 seconds

Lancia Scorpion’s exotic, wedge-shaped design promised speed, but the reality was different. It had a small engine and limited horsepower, resulting in a top speed of only 96 mph, disappointing for such a sleek car.

22. Porsche 914 (1970-1976 Base Model)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Porsche 914 1970 ss2169327853
Image Credit: Sue Tatcher/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 99 mph
  • Engine: 1.7-liter flat-4
  • Horsepower: 80 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 13 seconds

While being a mid-engine sports car, the Porsche 914 wasn’t as fast as other Porsches. The base model with the smaller engine could only manage a top speed of 99 mph, which was less than most Porsche fans expected from its sporty look.

23. Pontiac Fiero (1984 Base Model)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Pontiac Fiero ss2503730255
Image Credit: Gestalt Imagery/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 92 mph
  • Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 92 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 10.8 seconds

The Pontiac Fiero looked like a futuristic sports car, but its early models had a small engine and limited power. The base Fiero had a top speed of 92 mph, making it slower than its sporty design suggested.

24. Mitsubishi FTO (1994-2000 Base Model)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Mitsubishi FTO 1994 wc
Image Credit: User:DeLarge, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 95 mph
  • Engine: 1.8-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 123 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 9.5 seconds

The Mitsubishi FTO had a sleek and sporty design that suggested quick performance. However, the base model with the smaller 1.8-liter engine was more about style than speed, with a top speed of just 95 mph.

25. Volkswagen SP2 (1972-1976)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Volkswagen SP2 1972 wc
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 100 mph (often tested slightly below)
  • Engine: 1.7-liter flat-4
  • Horsepower: 75 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 16 seconds

The Volkswagen SP2 was a stylish sports car produced in Brazil, but it was underpowered. With only 75 horsepower, the top speed was just around 100 mph but often recorded slightly below in real-world tests, making it slower than its sleek design suggested.

26. Fiat X1/9 (1972-1989 Base Model)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Fiat X1 9 1981 wc
Image Credit: Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Top Speed: 97 mph
  • Engine: 1.3-liter inline-4 (early models)
  • Horsepower: 63 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 13.5 seconds

A small, mid-engine sports car, the Fiat X1/9 featured sharp, sporty looks. While it handled well, the early models were not fast. The top speed of 97 mph made it more fun to drive at lower speeds rather than a high-speed performer.

27. Renault Caravelle (1958-1968)

27 Sleek-Looking Sporty Cars That Lacked the Raw Speed to Match » Renault Caravelle 1964 ss2395373299
Image Credit: Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock
  • Top Speed: 80 mph
  • Engine: 1.1-liter inline-4
  • Horsepower: 48 hp
  • 0-60 mph: Around 20 seconds

The Renault Caravelle had a classy, convertible look that made it seem like a fast sports car. However, with its small engine and limited horsepower, the top speed was only 80 mph, making it more suited for cruising rather than speeding.

Even though they didn’t deliver on speed, these cars still left their mark with their eye-catching looks and special features.

Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.