The 1990s wasn’t a decade with incredible speed and power. The automotive world was coming out of the dark ages of the 1980s, when power numbers were down, and engines were too big and low-powered to be fun.
Still, we’ve got ten of the fastest cars from the 1990s to remind you of some of the glorious power and speed offered during this decade. Whether you admired the sleepers of the Chevy Impala SS and Ford Taurus SS or admired the in-your-face performance and power of a Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 GT1, or Chevrolet Corvette, there were some 90s cars with incredible speed and performance.
We’ve compiled our list using data from automaker archives, Acceleration Times, and hands-on reviews from sites like Car and Driver and MotorTrend to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information available today.
10 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS: Speed Flying Under The Radar
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 7.0 seconds
The return of the Chevrolet Impala included the SS model in the 1990s, bring back the name of one of the fastest and most iconic muscle cars of the the past. This name, resurrected from 1969, became one of the most impressive sleeper cars of the time with plenty of power and speed.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 7.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 142 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 4,036 lbs |
| Horsepower | 260 hp |
| Torque | 330 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V8 |
Every 1996 Impala SS was painted black and proved to be some of the most reliable high-performance sedans. This car was so unbreakable that it became a trusted car by many police forces around the country. It might not be your first choice among 90s cars, but the Impala SS was pretty impressive.
9 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX: The Oddball Of The Group
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 6.7 seconds
The Oldsmobile Achieva SCX brought styling cues from the early days of the Cutlass 442 to give us an impressive style for the 1990s. The potent engine was the first dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine designed by GM, and it delivered with speed in the Acheiva coupe.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 6.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,690 lbs |
| Horsepower | 190 hp |
| Torque | 160 lb-ft |
| Layout | 2.3-liter 4-cylinder |
Some might not look at the 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX and consider it to be one of the quickest cars of the 1990s, but its speed certainly puts it in this category. The Achieva SCX was fun to drive, especially when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, allowing drivers to row the gears and feel engaged with the car.
8 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: A Last Hurrah For A Glorious Muscle Car
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 6.6 seconds
The 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was the final model in the third generation. This Trans Am brings a powerful engine and is lauded as one of the fastest 90s muscle cars. When looking for a car with a burning phoenix on the hood, the Firebird was the car chosen.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 154 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,343 lbs |
| Horsepower | 232 hp |
| Torque | 285 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V8 |
In addition to being one of the fastest muscle cars of the decade, the 1992 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is also one of the most affordable. Today, you can get your hands on this car for a relatively low price, especially if you find one to rebuild back to its original glory.
7 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: This Could Be The Forgotten Camaro
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 6.3 seconds
As much as the Chevy Camaro has been one of the most impressive muscle cars in history, the 1992 model was mostly forgotten. This Camaro was the final year of the third generation, which didn’t have the same fanfare as the early models of the 1960s and 70s or the ones that came after.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 152 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,377 lbs |
| Horsepower | 245 hp |
| Torque | 345 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V8 |
Still, the 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was one of the fastest 90s muscle cars and an impressive machine on any road. This car delivers impressive acceleration, a loud and proud V8 engine, and a top speed that makes it fun to drive.
6 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1: Is The Corvette A Sports Car Or Supercar?
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.3 seconds
The argument made repeatedly is that the Corvette should only be considered a supercar. This is certainly true of the C8 model, but in the 1990s, the Chevy Corvette was more of a muscle car or sports car than anything else.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 176 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,465 lbs |
| Horsepower | 375 hp |
| Torque | 370 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.7-liter V8 |
The 1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 was easily one of the fastest muscle cars of the 1990s, making it an impressive vehicle for anyone looking for some fun. When you step behind the wheel, you won’t worry about the distinction between muscle or super for this car and simply enjoy the high-performance drive.
5 1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R: Power And Exclusivity At Its Best
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.2 seconds
Many customers looking to get their hands on the 1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R missed out. This 90s muscle car was only available to 250 buyers looking for a race-ready Mustang to take out on the track. While street-legal, this Mustang required special criteria before purchase.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 151 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,354 lbs |
| Horsepower | 399 hp |
| Torque | 343 lb-ft |
| Layout | 5.8-liter V8 |
The SVT Cobra R engine brought a sound like no other on the road, delivering power and presence wherever it went. This Mustang hits 60 mph quickly en route to an impressive top speed. Among these ten muscle cars of the 1990s, the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R has one of the largest engines.
4 1999 Ford Taurus SHO: When Your Family Needs To Drive Fast
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.2 seconds
The Super High Output (SHO) Ford Taurus was a force to be reckoned with. The Taurus was a full-size sedan that was the Ford flagship for several years. Although mostly sold as a mild-mannered family car, the SHO version was one of the fastest cars during its time.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 141 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,353 lbs |
| Horsepower | 235 hp |
| Torque | 230 lb-ft |
| Layout | 3.4-liter V8 |
You might not think of a family sedan as a fast car or a racing machine, but the Taurus became a star on the NASCAR circuit and won the championship back when the prize was the Winston Cup and not the current Sprint Cup.
3 1997 Dodge Viper GTS: Extreme Speed And Track Presence
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.2 seconds
Another incredible sportscar of the 1990s that straddles the line is the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS. Was this a supercar, a sportscar, or a muscle car? Who cares? It was fast, impressive, aggressive, and fun to drive. The Viper makes even the most experienced drivers quake in their seats.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,483 lbs |
| Horsepower | 410 hp |
| Torque | 465 lb-ft |
| Layout | 8.0-liter V10 |
Ten cylinders of pure adrenaline churn from under the long hood of the Viper, making it one of the most amazing cars you could drive. If aggressive sporty fun is what you’re after, the 1997 Dodge Viper GTS was one of the best muscle cars of the 1990s, providing amazing fun and aggression.
2 1997 Nissan GT-R Nismo 400R: Prices Are Going Up For this 90s Legend
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 4.0 seconds
Similar to the Mustang SVT Cobra R, the 1997 Nissan GT-R Nismo 400R is one of the most unattainable cars on this list. Still, its power, speed, and performance are worthy of discussion. Nissan only built 44 models of this amazing GT-R. Recently, one model sold for $2.1 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive JDM cars ever made.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 4.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 186 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 3,417 lbs |
| Horsepower | 400 hp |
| Torque | 346 lb-ft |
| Layout | 6.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
The GT-R Nismo 400R looked like a typical race car while offering the benefits of a street-legal build. This amazing machine hit speed markers quickly and gave the few owners with one the pleasure of being out in front of the pack.
1 1998 Porsche 911 GT1: Le Mans Wasn’t Safe From This Sports Car
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 3.5 seconds
The 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 definitely deserves a spot on this list. In short, This Porsche 911 took styling elements away from the traditional build to look more like a sports car made to dominate Le Mans.
Performance
| 0-60 MPH | 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 2,094 lbs |
| Horsepower | 550 hp |
| Torque | 465 lb-ft |
| Layout | 3.2-liter flat 6-cylinder |
Several versions of the GT1 found their way to the winner’s circle over the years, and this 1998 version continued that tradition. Either way, the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 is fun and includes impressive power and speed figures.