When it comes to selecting vehicles, law enforcement departments in the United States have given more weight to utility and high performance. No ultra-luxury features as you find in the fleets of Police in countries like Italy and the United Kingdom. As modest as they might look, there is no dearth of some appropriately serious cars that have served the American Police forces through the decades.

Made up of coupes, sedans, and even SUVs, these cars are extensively upgraded for use on the front line and pack a lot of specialist heavy-duty equipment, including bull bars, lights, and communication gear. Now obviously, cars for most of the Police fleets across the country have predominantly come from the big three, and here's looking at some of the fastest American Police cars of all time.

Looking at data from police sites, HotCars, MotorTrend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, and Road and Track, we have compiled a list of the fastest police vehicles by comparing the top speed of each individual one.

Updated on July 30, 2023: Over the decades, numerous police vehicles have come and gone. Some of them have stuck in our hearts, so instead of letting this list get buried and lost, we have decided to update it with fresh and exciting content to give you more information to process.

RELATED: Why The Ghiath Smart Patrol Is The Most Futuristic Police Car On The Planet

15 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Top Speed: 129 MPH

The 2011 Ford Crown Vic, as it is so commonly called, may have looked fast, and even though it had an engine that could very well go up into the mid to high three digits, it was, for some reason, limited to 129 MPH. Somewhat understandable for those officers based inside city limits, but for a highway officer, that could spell disaster on a high-speed chase.

Performance

Even so, since Chevrolet had discontinued the Caprice, Ford had the corner on the police cruiser market for almost a decade, so what the officers were offered is what they dealt with. The positive side of the coin with the 2011 Interceptor was that it was built to take a beating, even in the basic Crown Victoria form, so moving stop maneuvers were within the playbook when traffic stops needed to end with as little harm as possible.

14 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit

Top Speed: 140 MPH

The 2021 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicle caters to the officer in need, giving the choice of two distinct engine setups. The first is the more fuel-efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 that pushes out around 295 horses but averages 21 MPG. The second is the more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that pumps out almost 400 foot-pounds of torque, giving it enough thrust to catch even the most powerful sports cars on the market today.

Performance

The Durango is not only suitable for the city streets and the highway because it is a capable off-road vehicle that can pursue anyone crazy enough to go off the beaten path. As for the cargo area, it can either be used for equipment needed for a siege or to haul a K-9 unit. The Durango is versatile, comfortable, powerful, and one of the most versatile options to date for any police force.

13 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV

Top Speed: 140 MPH

The Chevy Tahoe PPV pays as much attention to elements of comfort as power. The interior is spacious, and front-row seats are specially designed to accommodate duty belts and a simplified electrical architecture to help streamline up-fitting. The Tahoe PPV features a 5.3 liter V8 engine capable of 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.

Performance

The gigantic powerplant translates wonderfully on the road, and the vehicle can hit a top speed of 140 mph, which is nothing short of phenomenal given the size. Speaking of the 2021 Tahoe, Ed Peper, U.S. Vice President of GM Fleet, stated,

"Tahoe is the most aspirational vehicle in the law enforcement industry. By listening to the needs of officers from around the country, we have built the best Tahoe ever."

RELATED: Fastest Cop Cars In American History

12 1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1

Top Speed: 141 MPH

Officers loved the Chevy Caprice 9C1 for several good reasons. GM paid close attention to the needs of officers, and consequently, the performance appeared to have made no compromise whatsoever. The sedan packed a humongous 5.7 LT1 V-8 engine under the hood with a four-speed automatic transmission which at the time wasn't all that common. It could reach a maximum speed of 141 MPH.

Performance

A big engine taken from the Corvette was plenty powerful enough. Still, it was not fuel efficient enough for the police force, so '94 through '96 9C1 cruisers had a detuned engine that offered plenty of torque and power with better fuel mileage. In addition, the car provided plenty of space inside, making long duty hours easier for those on shift.

11 1969 Dodge Polara Pursuit

Top Speed: 147 MPH

Not as popular as others, but surely an unsung hero of American forces. The '69 Polara featured everything that makes an ideal cop car. From heavy-duty suspension to massive brakes along with a 440 Magnum V-8 under the hood that put out 375 horsepower. In 1969, the Polara's body evolved to what they called the "Fuselage" - a sleeker, more movement-friendly design.

Performance

The changes in the body helped Polara become a fast runner that could reach up to 147 MPH despite being bulkier than most fast cars at the time. With the enhancements, the Polara became exactly what cops fancied - an intimidating, spacious vehicle that could also run fast while being totally reliable.

10 2017 Ford Interceptor

Top Speed: 148 MPH

The 2017 Interceptor is a modified Ford Explorer offered to the police force with either a fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 or a more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter six-cylinder. The first was the standard choice, while the turbo models were optional, given to those police teams that needed more top-end power, such as the highway patrol across the country.

Performance

As you would expect, the Explorer that the general public can buy is not the same as the 2017 Ford Interceptor because these utilities need to be able to take a beating. These SUVs came stocked with upgraded suspension systems, reinforced subframes and engine mounts, larger brakes, bigger wheels, bulletproof front ends, self-cleaning camera systems, and blind-spot monitoring systems.

RELATED: A Sheriff in a Ford Explorer Races a Nissan GT-R and a Shelby GT500

9 2022 Ford Interceptor Utility

Top Speed: 148 MPH

Law enforcement agencies have been demanding SUVs, and to meet the requirement, Ford came up with the Ford Police Interceptor Utility (FPIU) - a powerful SUV that embodies the same good ol' Ford soul. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine generates a mega 400 horsepower at a screaming 5500 rpm. The massive power plant allows the vehicle to fly at the maximum speed of 148 mph.

Performance

The Interceptor Utility gives an edge to the Police in more ways than just power. The spacious five-seater features a 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen atop the dashboard with all the essential Police and non-police-related data on it. Besides other Ford safety technology, the car employs BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) sensors that allow cops to have an approximately 270-degree view of the outside and keep a check on potential threats.

8 2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited Police

Top Speed: 149 MPH

The LFX-code engine under the hood of the 2016 Chevy Impala Limited Police cruiser was the 3.6-liter V-6, but it was upgraded for duty. Inside, you would find an aluminum block, pair of cylinder heads, and a forged steel crankshaft designed for the extra abuse a police cruiser must endure. To ensure lower emissions, the fuel injectors, heads, and exhaust systems works together seamlessly, and the six-speed transmission gets the torque to the ground without hesitation.

Performance

Four-wheel independent suspension helps keep the sedan on the road, even at higher speeds, which makes the car perfect for town or highway cruisers. To top it off, the Chevy Impala is known for its decent comfort levels, which is vital for an affordable fleet car. And, of course, the front seats are lined in the back for security to keep the officers safe while transporting people in the back.

7 2013 Ford Taurus Interceptor

Top Speed: 150 MPH

One of the most iconic Ford Interceptors after the Crown, the Taurus became a staple for police departments across different states since its first introduction into the squad in 2012. The Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (FPIS) featured a naturally-aspirated 3.5L V-6 engine with 365 horsepower. The Ecoboost technology helped the car max out at 150 mph and accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds.

Performance

Post-2014, Ford began offering the Taurus Interceptor with several cool safety features, including a reverse sensing system and electronic stability control. The FPIS was the only reason Ford continued the production of the Taurus. However, the company pulled the plug on the production of the Taurus in 2019, and FPIS was replaced by Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan (FPRHS) based on the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

RELATED: American Police Interceptor On The Unrestricted Autobahn

6 2022 Dodge Charger Pursuit

Top Speed: 150 MPH

The Charger Pursuit is among the most common Patrol cars in the U.S. due to its formidable caliber and never-slow-down attitude. The Charger Pursuit boasts two engine options - a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque and a bigger 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that generates 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque.

Performance

This modern-day police Muscle car can reach a maximum speed of 150 mph which is in line with its predecessors. However, the main reason it's the absolute king is its features. The new Pursuit comes with Fuel Saver Technology that puts four cylinders to sleep when there's no need for all eight as the V-8 is particularly thirsty.

5 2004 Saab 9-5

Top Speed: 155 MPH

Aspen and Vail, Colorado, back in the '70s, found that the American-made rear-wheel drive cars simply could not handle the snow-packed roads of the resort towns, especially during their busiest times of the year. To combat the problem, the police forces of the area decided to retire the current sedans and go with the front-wheel drive Saab. In 2004, the go-to was the 2004 Saab 9-5.

Performance

The 2004 Saab 9-5 came with a turbocharged four-cylinder, giving the officers plenty of power and torque for the driving conditions and maximizing fuel efficiency. The problem with the engine for the police officers on duty was the sound, however. People growing up in the town told tales of being able to dodge the car blocks away simply by listening to the sound of the engine.

4 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Top Speed: 155 MPH

The Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) brings equal proportions of sensibility and power. The four-door sedan offered two variants - the standard version with a 3.6 liter V-6 engine putting out 301 horsepower and a more powerful version with a 6.0 liter LS V-8 engine generating 355 horsepower with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability.

Performance

The Caprice PPV goes from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Though the acceleration is just okay, the top speed is a whopping 155 MPH, making it one of the fastest police cars ever. To top it off, the 2013 Chevy leads the segment in brake-stopping distance and performance, interior space, and seat comfort. All of which are of top importance for an officer on duty.

RELATED: 10 Best Police Cars

3 2002 Chevrolet Camaro B4C

Top Speed: 159 MPH

The Chevrolet Camaro B4C remains one of the legends and is a cop car that struck fear in the hearts of law offenders. The vehicle was equipped with a 5.7 liter V-8 powerplant and could put out over 300 horsepower. As a result, it was one of the most powerful patrol cars cruising the streets at the time. It could hit a top speed of 159 mph and accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.

Performance

Chevrolet installed a Special Service Police Package that helped cops in various operations, including a radar system to track the speed of passing vehicles. It also came equipped with several upgrades that the basic production model did not have, such as oversized front and rear sway bars, a high-output alternator, power steering oil coolers, and transmission fluid coolers.

2 1993 Ford Mustang SSP

Top Speed: 160 MPH

Ford came up with the Mustang SSP as a speedier, lighter replacement for police cars back in the early 80s. SSP stood for Special Service Package, and the vehicle did do justice to its title. Available in coupe and hatchback options, the cars were designed to run hard no matter the situation. The Mustang SSPs offered unparalleled power, performance, extreme maneuverability, and comfort.

Performance

The speed in later versions could be maxed out at 160 mph. One of the episodes of Jay Leno's Garage featuring a Fox-body Ford Mustang from 1982 highlighted the tagline that the 'Mustang chased Porsches for a living' due to the maker's commitment to providing cops with a faster Mustang.

Ford also took special orders from agencies, incorporating special requests into the design. New York Police Department requested power windows, Oregon and Kentucky Police Departments got roll cages installed, while many others got an automatic transmission.

In 1982 alone, 406 units were sold to CHP (California Highway Patrol). The SSP segment was so successful that Ford supplied over 15,000 SSP Mustang H.O. sedans to over 60 law enforcement offices and other government agencies from 1982 to 1993.

1 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Z06

Top Speed: 196 MPH

The Florida Police Department added a C7 Z06 to its fleet. Now, the C7 Corvette is a car that doesn't really jibe with American law enforcement's need for utility. It packs a massive 6.2 L supercharged-inter-cooled LT4 V-8 engine under the hood, generating 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.

Performance

In addition, it also comes with essential technologies such as Active Fuel Management and constantly variable valve control. With an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, the coupe can reach a maximum speed of 196 MPH. This car was not explicitly made for police service, but since it was confiscated, the management team decided to put it to good use, giving the county a fast pursuit car without costing the taxpayers any extra money.