The 10 best sleepers you can buy today

A sleeper is a car with a very understated look that hides surprising performance. As a rule, sleepers are saloons, estates or hatchbacks that have been fitted by the manufacturer with better suspension, a more powerful engine and even a reinforced chassis, without changing the exterior design lines. To most people they are ordinary, everyday cars… until you press the accelerator.

Sleepers are ruthlessly fast, powerful and efficient, with all the mechanical capabilities of a sports car but without that touch of personality. These cars hide their high performance beneath anonymous designs, which is quite good, since they go unnoticed. Manufacturers have realised that drivers like them, which is why, every now and then, they launch another model. Shall we take a look at them?

Mercedes-AMG C63 2021

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG C63 may be the perfect car for you if you don’t mind the roar of its muscular V8 engine. Mercedes-AMG has not even fitted it with rear mudguards. It keeps faith with the sleeper philosophy. Do you want to drive it? So do we.

Ford Focus RS 2019

We are sure the Ford Focus RS is not the first car that comes to mind when you think of a sleeper, but if you choose it in black, white or even grey… voilà. Forget the electric blue. That way, almost nobody could tell your car apart from a standard Ford Focus. Don’t you think?

BMW M3 E90 2013

In our selection of the best sleepers you can buy today, the sporting division of the Bavarian brand could not be missing. We know the new BMW M3 will be a revolution in the market, especially the Competition version. The BMW M3 E90 deserves, by far, to be here, as it has a subtle styling, quite similar to that of any other version. The only differences are a different bumper, a slightly bulgier bonnet and slightly larger wheels. A genuine sleeper?

Lexus IS F 2013

We continue in 2013 with one of the models that has gone most unnoticed but deserves recognition. This is the 2013 Lexus IS F, which is not only a saloon with plenty of power, but also has a suitable tuning setup so that you can truly enjoy driving it. It has 423 CV, a maximum torque of 505 Nm and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds. It is important to point out that this Japanese model is a real alternative to the Audi RS4, the BMW M3 and even the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

Volvo V60 Polestar 2018

The 2018 Volvo V60 Polestar is the best example of the importance of choosing the right colour for your car. If you choose it in white, black or silver, you will have a genuine sleeper in your garage. It features a twin-turbo six-cylinder inline engine based on the T6, with a higher-performance intercooler that delivers 350 CV and a maximum torque of 500 Nm. The brakes are six-piston and larger than those of the standard model.

Honda Accord 2021

The model no longer offers its legendary V6 engine, but it does have a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder inline engine taken from the Honda Civic Type R. It delivers 252 CV, which is more than enough to make driving fun. Without a doubt, it is one of the best sleepers you can buy today.

Volkswagen Golf R 2021

The Volkswagen Golf R will be more powerful than ever. It will feature a 2.0-litre TSI engine delivering 320 CV and a maximum torque of 420 Nm. It will also have 4Motion all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, DSG, Can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.6 seconds. Its top speed? 270 km/h. This eighth generation has an aluminium subframe, adaptive suspension, front tyres with greater negative camber, larger brakes, variable-ratio steering, electronic differential lock and torque-vectoring control.

Mazda3 2010

The brand no longer manufactures the Mazda3 MPS, and that is a real shame. It was one of the best sleepers you could buy, since it offered the driver a very different and enjoyable driving experience.

Audi RS6 Avant 2021

The Audi RS6 Avant deserves a place in our selection of the best sleepers you can buy today. It features a twin-turbo V8 engine with 591 CV and quattro four-wheel drive. It can beat almost any rival, which makes it a truly brilliant estate. Do you agree?

BMW X5 M 2021

The 2021 BMW X5 M is one of those cars that surprises you, and even if you don’t like the SUV trend, this model is one of the most capable. It is practically identical to its less powerful siblings, apart from a sporty bumper and a little more power. Does the idea appeal to you? We love it.