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The $65,000 corner may seem like an arbitrary upper price limit for a list of excellent performance cars, but look closely and you’ll find it’s a sweet spot for some of today’s most compelling performance offerings. Look fancy from here and you’ll quickly be shopping into the six figures without much of a performance gain. And below that cost figure are some solid entry-level cars, but they offer much lower performance. Here are Edmunds’ top five performance cars under $65,000. All prices include destination.

Audi RS3

If you’re old enough to remember motorsports in the 80s, then you know why the RS 3’s five-cylinder engine is special. It was a five-cylinder engine that powered Audi’s greatest motorsport effort, the Sport Quattro, which won the marque four World Rally Championship titles. The RS 3 relives that glory with a 401-horsepower turbocharged, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. It snorts its way to 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds while maintaining acceptable everyday comfort, excellent technology, and 6 feet of backseat room. This is a small sedan with big attitude, especially at this price.

Starting MSRP: $63,395

BMW M2

With 473 horsepower from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, neat coupe body styling, and your choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2025 M2 checks all the small car hot rod boxes. In Edmunds testing, an automatic-equipped 2024 M2 — which had 20 fewer horsepower — sprinted to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds. The M2 is also a driver’s car with textbook rear-wheel drive handling. an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and purpose-built flared fenders stretched over performance rubber. Perhaps best of all, the M2 matches its larger sibling, the M4, in most performance metrics using a smaller, lighter and cheaper package.

Starting MSRP: $66,075

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Many people only know Cadillac for its lineup of SUVs, led by the Escalade. To them, the CT4-V Blackwing must look like a hidden option off a restaurant menu. This small sedan features a 472-horsepower 3.6-liter turbocharged V6 that drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission. Standard adaptive dampers provide true compliance for everyday use and controlled, confident handling. At the Edmonds test track, the manual CT4-V Blackwing sprinted to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and through the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds. It may be a few tenths off the M2, but it makes up for it by being one of the most engaging and inspiring driver’s cars on sale today.

Starting MSRP: $62,890

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

If you want to experience the Mustang at its internal combustion peak, the Dark Horse may be your last chance. Few things will make you feel more patriotic than the glorious song of Dark Horse’s 500 horsepower V8. And as the only V8-powered car on this list, the Dark Horse offers a uniquely American take on dynamic driving. Its 5.0-liter mill drives the rear wheel through a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. It sprints to 60mph in 4.6 seconds, makes a whopping 1.12g on the pad and has braking performance to rival some supercars. It’s expensive for a Mustang, but it performs well enough to justify the price.

Starting MSRP: $60,530

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The Ioniq 5 N is slightly over our $65,000 price target. But it’s so remarkable as a powerful car—not just a powerful EV—that we’d be doing the list a disservice if we didn’t include it. With a peak 641 horsepower, four-wheel drive and SUV-like practicality, the 5 N is truly distinctive. Even better, there’s more to it than just blistering acceleration like so many electric cars. Sure, it’ll go from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and run the quarter mile in just 11.2 seconds, but it also has enough traction and stopping power for track use. Hyundai even made an effort to add a special mode that emulates the sound and feel of a gas-powered car, giving performance enthusiasts a familiar starting point.

Starting MSRP: $67,475

EDMONDS SAYS

If your budget includes a price tag of around $65,000 for a powerful car, be sure to consider these options. There’s a huge variety here, both in terms of purity of experience and everyday practicality. Almost any buyer can find a car on this list that fits his or her needs.

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This story was brought to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Josh Jacco is an Edmunds contributor.