With the recent departures of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, the definition of “muscle car” is shifting. The Ford Mustang, which historically was more of a pony car, is a survivor, while the Dodge Charger has changed shape and is now available either with an electric powertrain or an inline-six—no V-8 in sight, at least for now.
So we’ve stretched the definition of muscle car here to include a few vehicles from farther afield. A V-8 engine is arguably the most important factor in giving a muscle car that distinctive character, so we’ve listed a few other V-8–powered vehicles that carry the muscle-car spirit even if they don’t fit the traditional definition. We also threw in a few high-performance SUVs that, despite not being shaped anything like the two-door coupes that created the muscle-car ideal, still look, feel, and sound like, well, America.
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Dodge Charger Sixpack
Base price: $45,000 (estimated)
If the electric Charger Daytona makes you want to write off this latest-generation muscle car altogether, the gas-powered Charger Sixpack should assuage your fears somewhat. It doesn’t have a V-8, but it does have the potent “Hurricane” twin-turbo inline-six that produces up to 550 horsepower in the top version of this two- or four-door liftback. Plus, with Stellantis bringing back the Hemi in certain versions of the Ram pickup, we wouldn’t be shocked if a V-8 makes its way under the hood of this new Charger at some point in the near future.
It's Scheduled to Launch This Summer
Ford Mustang GT
Base price: $48,555
The Mustang has been a staple of American car culture since the 1960s, and the current version is as enticing as ever. The base model comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the V-8 models are the ones to have. The reasonably priced GT, available as a coupe or a convertible, comes with a 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 that can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. It’s a delightful cruiser with plenty of high-performance cred, and there are numerous upgrades available including the Performance package that turn it into a track-capable machine.
Review: The Mustang GT Hasn't Changed Much, and That's a Good Thing
Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance
Base price: $60,695
By our count, the hottest version of the IS is a muscle car because it stuffs Lexus’ largest engine—the sonorous 5.0-liter V-8—into its smallest sports sedan. The IS 500 technically competes with the BMW M3, but take it for a drive and you’ll soon find that the characterful V-8 and relaxed driving demeanor create an entirely different vibe. That’s why Lexus didn’t badge it as a full “F” performance model, instead choosing the “F Sport Performance” designation to keep expectations in check. In other words, it’s all about the engine. If this appeals to you, act fast, because the Ultimate Edition is coming soon and likely marks the end of this compact four-door, if not the end of the V-8 sedan species writ large.
This Might Be Your Last Chance to Buy a V-8 Lexus Sedan
Dodge Charger Daytona
Base price: $61,590
The idea of an electric muscle car is a new one, and you’re forgiven for being skeptical. When Dodge announced that the new Charger would launch as the Daytona EV, many questioned whether this new powertrain could capture the visceral appeal of the old 392 and Hellcat models. But you can’t argue with the Charger EV’s performance, as the most powerful model packs 670 horsepower from dual electric motors. There’s also a Fratzonic “exhaust” system that produces a noise, though the jury’s still out on whether that noise is appropriate for a muscle car or not.
Review: The Electric Charger Is an Improvement in Many Ways
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Base price: $66,375
There’s no high-performance Shelby variant of the current-generation Mustang, and the high-priced GTD transcends muscle-car territory, as it’s practically a GT3 race car for the street. But the Dark Horse performance model treads an enticing middle ground, sitting just above the GT in the lineup. Its version of the 5.0-liter V-8 is massaged to produce more horsepower—500 hp versus the GT’s 480 hp—and its chassis setup is upgraded too.
Review: The Dark Horse Is a Perfect American Track Car
Dodge Durango Hellcat
Base price: $86,990
Yes, it’s a three-row family SUV, and yes, it’s powered by the ferocious supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 known as the Hellcat. This is the kind of automotive unicorn we can get excited about, and the Durango is the last surviving Hellcat—for now, of course. The combination of 710 horsepower from the Hellcat V-8 plus an all-wheel-drive system to put all that power down makes for impressive performance. And the Durango Hellcat has the right attitude to back it up, too, as its burly looks have aged gracefully despite the fact that this generation has been around for quite a long time.
Tested: The Durango Hellcat Is Old But Still Good
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Base price: $99,190
Though its price tag puts it more in high-performance European luxury-sedan territory, Cadillac’s top-dog sports sedan has a distinctly American persona thanks to its burbling and hugely powerful supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. This powertrain’s 668 horsepower and rear-wheel-drive setup are burnout-friendly, and you can even pair it with a manual transmission—just like in the old days. Yet the Blackwing is highly sophisticated, too, as its chassis is expertly tuned to deliver sharp handling without compromising on ride quality, thanks to the adjustable magnetorheological dampers.
Review: The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing's War with a Shadow
Jeep Wrangler 392
Base price: $101,990
What happens when you combine the off-road capability of a Wrangler with the power of a 470-hp Hemi V-8? Jeep decided to find out when it created the Wrangler 392, which comes only in the most off-road-ready Rubicon trim. It’s the most all-out a Wrangler can get, and you can hear the sounds from the V-8 even better with the top down and the doors off. Jeep has introduced several “Final Editions,” but the Wrangler 392 just keeps truckin’ along.
The Wrangler 392 Is Shockingly Not Dead Yet
Cadillac Escalade-V
Base price: $164,695
The Cadillac Escalade is already a symbol of American excess, so what happens when you stuff a supercharged V-8 under the hood? It becomes an even more over-the-top luxury SUV, with an exhaust note to match its ballistic performance for its size. The Escalade-V has 682 horsepower, and unlike its CT5-V Blackwing sedan sibling, it comes standard with four-wheel drive. Cadillac even offers the V treatment with the long-wheelbase ESV version, so you can maximize space for passengers and cargo while also marauding around with that menacing V-8.
Review: The Escalade V-Series Is Big in Every Way
Aston Martin Vantage
Base price: $194,086
How can an Aston Martin be considered a muscle car, especially with a near-$200,000 starting price? Take one drive in the latest version of the Vantage and you’ll understand. It’s characterful V-8 and playful rear-wheel-drive chassis make this a great-sounding, powersliding beast of a sports car. Sure, its posh interior conveys a different message than the other cars listed here, but its chunky, wide-hipped body could fit in just fine among the Mustangs and Camaros at a cars and coffee event.
Review: The New Vantage Is a Luxury Muscle Car
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