Cars are definitely getting quicker. Even a decade ago, an entry-level compact might take over 10 seconds to get to 60 mph, but today only one new car is that slow. The Mitsubishi Mirage. Read on for the slowest new cars, according to Car and Driver’s test results.
5 – Honda HR-V
Honda’s wildly popular crossover compact starts at $25,100 this year. All trims come with a 1.5-liter I4. With available AWD, you can get anywhere–if you’re patient. With the standard 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, don’t expect to get to 60 mph faster than 9.4 seconds.
4 – Subaru Crosstrek
I was a bit surprised to see this one, Subaru does make some quick sports cars after all. And while the high clearance Crosstrek ($25,195) has Subaru’s signature flat-four engine, it is only tuned for 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. In tests it struggled to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds.
3 – Nissan Versa
The Versa is Nissan’s entry-level sedan. You can get into one for just $16,680. It has a 1.5-liter I4 engine that makes 122 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. Compared with a CVT transmission, this engine propels the Nissan Versa to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds. Other countries get a Versa with an even smaller engine.
2 – Nissan Kicks
This is essentially the crossover version of the Versa. The two vehicles share a powertrain. At $21,340 you get a healthy 32 square feet of cargo space (with the seats folded flat). But that crossover body has some more wind resistance than the Versa and its time to 60 mph is 9.7 seconds. But what this little Nissan lacks in acceleration, it makes up for with that feisty name. Rumor is that the 2025 model will get a whopping 2.0 liters of displacement.
1 – Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mirage is Mitsubishi’s affordable subcompact hatchback and sedan. In some markets it has just a 1.0-liter I3. Here in the U.S. you get the big engine, the 1.2-liter I3. That makes 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque propel it to 60 mph in 12.8 seconds. You couldn’t exactly “drive it like you stole it,” so but it’s a steal at its full price: $16,695.