The baseline BMW M4 Coupe has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six that makes 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It weighs 3,709 pounds, has two doors, four seats, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual transmission. This M4 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, according to BMW. This is one hot sports coupe. There is a more powerful Competition model as well, but this one will do for now.
Many sports cars can accelerate faster, but the question is whether any family cars can do so? Family car is a broad term, but for the purposes of this list, we are looking for at least five seats, enough cargo space, and the ability to do the daily commute, the school run, weekly shopping, and the weekend away. We did not ignore EVs, but tried to find as many ‘normal’ gas cars as possible. We also did not include the Rivian R1S Quad Motor, with 1,025 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds, seven seats, and a range of 374 miles, because it would make a mockery of this list.
Models are listed in ascending order based on 0-60 MPH time, from the “slowest” to the quickest.
Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon
0-60 MPH: 4.0 Seconds
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon is a wagon, the OG practical family car. As a plug-in hybrid, it goes up to 41 miles on battery power alone, more than enough for most daily driving duties. It has five generous seats and a large cargo space, which can be extended by folding the rear seats flat. The infotainment and lifestyle tech is more than generous. Starting at $93,350, this wagon is about what you would expect to pay for German luxury. The ride is plush and comfortable, with adaptive suspension and rear-axle steering enhancing comfort and confidence even on long trips.
The E53 comes with an AMG-tuned 3.0-liter inline-six turbo and a 120kW electric motor, giving it a combined 577 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. It also has a race start mode, which can bump up the horsepower to 604, but that is not for normal driving. All-wheel drive is standard, and the transmission is a nine-speed automatic. Normal driving behavior is firm, but comfortable, unless you switch to Sport+ drive mode.
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BMW X5 M SUV
0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds
There is nothing more family-friendly than a mid-size SUV such as the BMW X5. Five generous seats, a colossal cargo area, and the flexibility of the SUV layout make it ideal for any and all family driving. Add to that a premium interior, four-zone climate control, loads of head and legroom, and as much technology as any family can use. Then add an M to the nameplate, and suddenly your family car can turn into a ravenous beast at the press of a pedal. This is the 2026 BMW X5 M SUV, and it can go.
A starting price of $131,000 may seem steep for an SUV, but wait until you see the M part. The drive is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V with a 48V mild hybrid. This produces 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, and this Bimmer is AWD, although there is a Track mode that shifts the bias to the rear wheels for more fun. If you spring for the M Drivers Package, top speed will no longer be limited to 155 mph, and you can push it to the full 177 mph if you live near an autobahn.
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Cadillac CT5 Blackwing
0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds
The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is one of the last of a dying breed of American muscle. Like the M4, the Blackwing is a front-engine, RWD, manual transmission car, although it is a four-door, five-seat sedan. The engine is a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that makes 668 horsepower. The six-speed manual transmission is standard, so the 0-60 time is for that, but there is a 10-speed automatic available that makes it even quicker.
The “LT4” supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 is an absolute monster. It gives the rear-wheel-drive CT5-V Blackwing a furious acceleration that I honestly haven’t experienced much of in any other performance car. It’s a 200+ mile-per-hour car, and it definitely feels like it.
– Garret Donahue for TopSpeed
The CT5-V Blackwing looks like a powerful car, but there are no excessive power bulges or airvents to give the game away, and the subdued spoiler on the back does not shout either. Inside are five comfortable seats, and it has a smallish, but useful, trunk. Shift the drive mode to Tour, and the ride is quiet and civilized. There is a large touchscreen for infotainment, and good sound. In other words, a real, practical family car that just happens to blow the M4 away. Starting at $98,900, the Blackwing is not cheap, but it is a Cadillac and a power beast.
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10 Family Sedans That Drive Like Sports Cars
Several automakers have crafted sedans that offer thrilling performance while still providing enough space for family duties.
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
0-60 Mph: 3.5 Seconds
You can get the 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat with GT stripes, which make it look mean, or just a plain color, which makes it look like any other seven-seat SUV out there. Under the hood, though, there lurks a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, pushing the power to all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission. That is enough to power this 5,550-pound vehicle to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
The normal Durango starts at under $40,000, while the SRT Hellcat starts at $80,560. The seven seats are upholstered in nice leather, and it has all the technology and cupholders to keep a large family happy during daily driving. As a large SUV, it has the convenience of folding down seats to create more cargo space.
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Volvo EX30 Twin Motor
0-60 Mph: 3.4 Seconds
The 2026 Volvo EX30 is an unassuming compact five-seat SUV, an EV with a typically minimalist Volvo interior, and a neat exterior. It has loads of technology — just a very practical, small, and nimble SUV. As a small SUV, cargo space is somewhat limited, but it is perfect for the daily driving of a family, or to commute to work and back. It is modestly priced as well, with the single-motor RWD version starting at $40,345, while the twin-motor AWD starts at $46,345, and that is the one we are interested in.
In Twin Motor configuration, the little EX30 is seriously fast, yielding near supercar acceleration from its claimed 3.4-second 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time… This is serious performance coming from something this adorable.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Not only does the twin-motor EX30 give you the grip of AWD, but the two motors combined produce 422 horsepower. This, with the instant torque of an EV, is enough to take this little crossover to sixty in 3.4 seconds. But it is almost as if this acceleration is an afterthought. This car’s personality is entirely built on Scandinavian quality and daily practicality.
Tesla Model Y Performance
0-60 Mph: 3.3 Seconds
The 2026 Tesla Model Y is the bestselling EV in the US. It is a five-seat SUV with a liftback door over a generous cargo area. The interior has been updated, with more comfortable seating. The tech experience includes the large central touchscreen, Tesla’s Autopilot/FSD as options, OTA updates, and more. It has a range of over 300 miles, which, with its space and versatility, makes it a perfect family car.
Although Tesla has introduced a lower-priced entry-level RWD Model Y for around $40,000, the dual-motor Performance version will start at $57,490. This has dual motors, one in front and the other at the back, which combine to produce 460 horsepower, and can get a top speed of 155 mph. The Model Y Performance also has adaptive suspension for more confidence at speed.
Speed And Practicality: The Fastest Wagons Of The Last Decade
The fast wagon niche promises excellent practicality with the kind of power and fun that you’d normally expect from a sports sedan or sports car.
Audi RS7 Sportsback
0-60 Mph: 3.3 Seconds
The 2026 Audi RS7 Sportsback is a practical luxury car with five comfortable seats and a large liftback cargo area. The interior is premium and features great technology, including a digital cockpit, dual screens, and advanced driver assist, making daily driving and family travel effortless. At $133,000, the RS7 is not cheap, but in the ballpark you’d pay for a performance luxury car.
The performance of the RS7 comes from the Audi stalwart 621-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Torque is 627 pound-feet. Adjustable air suspension, four-wheel steering, and great brakes all add to a great drive and sharp, sporty handling.
Hyundai Ioniq 5N
0-60 Mph: 3.25 Seconds
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was Car of the Year when launched in 2022, and it is still a popular and affordable five-seat electric compact crossover/SUV today. The N-suffix is to Hyundai what the M is to BMW or AMG is to Mercedes. As a practical family car, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N shares the same spacious and comfortable five-seat passenger compartment as the normal Ioniq 5. It has a large and practical cargo area. Technology is cutting-edge and comprehensive, with large screens, great driver assist, and connected features.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has dual motors and all-wheel drive. This normally makes 601 horsepower, which is plenty, but there is also a temporary boost option called N Grin Boost. When you unleash that, the power goes up to 641 horses for up to 20 seconds, and that is where the ‘grin’ in N Grin comes from. It makes you smile. The AWD system can shift the power bias to the front or rear wheels as needed.
Hyundai has packed the Ioniq 5 N with tech that transforms this all-electric crossover into a full-on track weapon — unlike anything else in the EV world.
There is also a dedicated drift mode for those who prefer to go sideways around curves. Drivers can choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and N modes, which will adjust the steering weight, damping, and throttle sensitivity. There are also Endurance and Sprint modes for more range or maximum power. The N even has a feature that can simulate gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Audi RS6 Avant
0-60 MPH: 3.2 Seconds
The 2026 Audi RS6 Avant is another German luxury five-seat performance wagon. The passenger compartment is roomy and comfortable. The cargo area is large and can be increased by dropping the rear seats. The cabin is laden with top-range tech, including dual high-res infotainment screens, a virtual cockpit, and solid driver assist technology such as adaptive cruise control. The $130,700 RS6 Avant is a family-friendly wagon ideal for everyday driving.
But the Avant is not on the list just to lug the family around. Under the hood lurks a mighty 621-horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a 48V hybrid system, sending that power through an eight-speed automatic to all four wheels. Besides the massive power, the Avant has sharp handling, with four-wheel steering and a torque vectoring rear differential. It also has the brakes to deal with all that power and the weight of the car.
12 Sedans That Can Outrun The Porsche 911 In A Straight Line
The quickest sedan on this list that can outrun a Porsche 911 does 0-60 in under 2 seconds.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
0-60 MPH: 2.9 Seconds
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance is a compact five-seat electric sedan with a generous boot and frunk. The cabin is full of technology, including a large central touch screen and Autopilot/FSD options. The car also has excellent safety ratings, all making it a solid all-around family car, starting at $55,990.
The Tesla Model 3 has dual motors that peak at 510 horsepower, and with its instant EV torque, takes the car to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds flat. The Model 3 is a nice-looking car, but nothing about its looks indicates how fast it can go.
Sources: Various Manufacturers, The EPA