A sleeper car is any vehicle that looks fairly standard (read slow) from its exterior looks but hides some serious grunt underneath. In other words, sleeper cars are normal hatchbacks, sedans, or wagons treated with serious engine, chassis, or suspension upgrades.

Sleeper cars lack the flared arches, cavernous cooling vents, massive hood scoops, or overzealous rear wings that performance cars or sports cars possess. They look like standard run-of-the-mill grocery getters or family haulers… until you step on the gas.

Suppose you are the type of person who prefers subtle styling but serious performance, then a “sleeper” is the vehicle for you. Many drivers underrate them for looking slow until they are left chasing shadows on the freeway. Here are 10 modern sleeper cars from the last decade you should think twice before racing them.

10 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221)

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.2 Seconds

The S-Class has been Mercedes’ flagship luxury model for seven generations now. The 2013 S600 was part of the fifth-generation (W221) model that debuted in 2005. While it packed Rolls-Royce-like luxury, the 2013 S600’s most important aspect was its supercar-like performance in a straight line.

Performance

Stuffed under its long hood was a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that delivered 510 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It could accelerate from naught to 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds. That’s incredibly fast, considering this behemoth weighed just shy of 5,000 pounds and is quicker than a Ferrari 612 and a Porsche 911 from that time.

RELATED: Here's The Fastest Sleeper Car For Every Budget

9 2014 Chevrolet SS

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.5 Seconds

The 2014 Chevy SS was the American version of the Australian VF Commodore sedan. Regarding size, it slotted between the Impala and Malibu in Chevrolet’s model lineup and filled the gap left by the discontinued Pontiac G8. While it looked like an ordinary Chevy four-door sedan, under its sedated styling was a serious performance car powered by the 6.2-liter LS3 V8.

Performance

Sure, it had Brembo brakes that hinted at the fire-breathing beast under its hood, but anyone would easily mistake it for an overgrown Chevy Malibu or any plain-jane American sedan. The Corvette C6-derived engine sent 415 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that could shift manually. A true sleeper car, the 2014 Chevy SS could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, complete the 1/4 mile in 12.9 seconds, and reach a limited top speed of 160 mph.

8 2017 Ford Fusion Sport

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.1 Seconds

The 2017 Ford Fusion Sport isn’t your typical family-hauling sedan. Its performance stats outshine other sedans in its class, like the Camry and Accord, and elevate it to compete with performance cars like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

Performance

Its 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 sends 325 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque to all wheels via a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This translates to an acceleration time of 5.1 seconds from naught to 60 mph. Better yet, you can get a used Ford Fusion Sport for as little as $15,000, making it not just one of the best sleeper cars but one of the fastest cars under 20k.

7 2017 Volvo V90 T8

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.6 Seconds

Volvo has long been renowned for producing estate cars and some of the best sleeper cars. Although the 2017 V90 T8 lacks the boxiness of the classic Volvos, you don’t need to glance at it twice to mistake it for a slouch.

Performance

Understated for a stylish, modern luxury estate, the V90 T8’s secret lies in its hybrid powertrain. A 314-hp 2.0-liter supercharged gasoline inline-four engine combines with an 86-hp electric motor to produce a combined 400-hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite not looking fast, the T90 T8 accelerates from 0-60 mph in about 4.6 seconds, making it one of the cheapest and fastest modern sleeper cars. A used model goes for about $22,600, according to KBB.

RELATED: 10 Badass Sleepers We'd Buy Over A New Porsche 911 Any Day

6 2017 Lincoln MKZ 3.0T

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.8 Seconds

Facelifted for 2017, the Lincoln MKZ looks like an ordinary luxury car. But don’t let its sedate exterior fool you. Lurking under its hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, derived from the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 in the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport. It also uses the latter’s basic chassis and rides on the same 112.2-inch wheelbase.

Performance

Thanks to the growth in displacement, the engine produced 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque in the all-wheel drive Lincoln MKZ 3.0T and 350 hp in the front-drive versions. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine propelled the car from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds.

5 2019 Ford Taurus SHO

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.2 seconds

Ford resurrected the fourth-gen Taurus SHO in 2010 after a decade-long hiatus. Its production continued throughout the decade before Ford pulled the plug on the Taurus SHO nameplate in 2019. It looked like any other Taurus before it, and easy to mistake it for an undercover cop car.

Performance

Make no mistake, though, the 2010-2019 Taurus SHO packed some serious shove. Unlike its predecessors, it came with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged Ecoboost V6 engine that produced 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The engine sent power to all wheels via a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. And despite tipping the scale at 4,388 pounds, the 2019 Taurus SHO took a scant 5.2 seconds from 0-60 mph. The 2019 Taurus SHO is one of the cheapest and best sports sedans under $30,000.

4 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 3.4 Seconds

Boasting a 707-hp Hellcat V8, the Trackhawk is the most powerful Jeep and one of the world's most-power SUVs. While it can’t keep up with modern sports cars on twisty roads, the Trackhawk can leave many sports cars chasing its shadows in a straight line. Its roaring exhaust note and extroverted exterior are also head-turners

Performance

Better yet, this bulky SUV boasts a tech-filled luxurious cabin, useful cargo space, and can tow up to 7,200 pounds. Despite tipping the scales at over 5,000 pounds, the Trackhawk accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds thanks to its 707 hp, 645 lb-ft of torque, all-wheel-drive system, and an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission

3 2021 BMW M550i xDrive

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 3.6 Seconds

The 2021 BMW 5 Series model lineup has some incredibly fast and powerful cars like the M5 CS and the M5 Competition. The problem is that these cars command extremely premium price tags of over $100,000. An alternative option is the underrated M550i xDrive, which offers nearly the same performance as the M5 Competition and comes at a fraction of the price.

Performance

While the 2021 M550i lacks the bold and aggressive styling of high-performance BMW models, don’t let that fool you. At the heart of this simple-looking sedan is a 4.4-liter V8 that sends 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque to all wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds is quicker than the six-cylinder-propelled Mercedes-AMG E53 and Audi S6 and just three-tenths slower than the more powerful M5 Competition.

RELATED: 10 Badass Sleeper Car Alternatives For Dodge Charger Shoppers

2 2023 Genesis G70 3.3T

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.7 Seconds

The Genesis G70 has evolved into one of the most beautiful compact sedans since its introduction in 2017. Compared to other sporty sedans in its class, like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi S4, the G70 is the more affordable alternative.

Performance

As the name suggests, the top trim G70 3.3T features a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 rated at 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed transmission sends power to the rear wheels, but an all-wheel drive is optional for extra coin. The car also has precise steering feedback on top of an expertly balanced ride with pleasant handling characteristics.

1 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

0-60 MPH Acceleration: 3.4 Seconds

Cadillac has long been in the business of producing some seriously fast sports sedans. But none comes an inch close to the CT5-V Blackwing. It’s powerful, comfortable, and, best of all, handles like a sports car. Gearheads will also love that a six-speed stick shift is the standard transmission – a 10-speed automatic transmission is optional.

Performance

At the heart of the CT5-V Blackwing is none other but the tire-shredding 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that puts down an incredible 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. That power is enough to propel this luxurious sports sedan from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 209 mph.