Best and Worst Cars for 0-to-60 MPH Acceleration

How fast a vehicle accelerates shouldn’t be important just for driving enthusiasts. Being able to merge safely with fast-moving traffic matters regardless of how or what you drive.

Consumer Reports conducts acceleration tests on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. The test car is rigged with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer and a display that’s mounted on the windshield. This equipment creates precise records of time, speed, and distance. We use it to measure sprints from 0 to 30 mph and 0 to 60 mph, and for quarter-mile runs. All times are measured from a standing start.

Here are the quickest and the most, well, leisurely vehicles in our current new-car ratings. Of course, you’ll find a much different list when you look at the best and worst in fuel economy.

Learn more how Consumer Reports tests cars.