The Cars That Really Do Meet Their 0-60 Times
Just because your car’s published 0-60 time is quick doesn’t mean it’ll actually be that fast on the street. Even electric cars can struggle to match the 0-60 times the pros put out. But there are cars that can genuinely back up the performance they claim to have. And you don’t even necessarily need Ferrari-levels of cash and clout to buy some of them.
0-60 vs. 5-60 times
Usually, as Car and Driver explains, publications and manufacturers report 0-60 times by removing rollout time and distance. This is a relic from the dragstrip, where cars roll between two light beams to start the clock. This, as well as the use of launch control, doesn’t really mimic what happens at the average traffic light. Also, usually, people want acceleration when passing or merging.
Which is why there’s the 5-60 rolling start. This, as InsideEVs explains, takes away any benefit of a standing launch. That includes launch control, engine revving, and so on. Instead, it’s purely about how the engine builds power, and how the transmission and drivetrain are designed. Which is why even the Ferrari 488 Pista can hit 0-60 in 2.7 seconds, its 5-60 time is 3.4 seconds, according to Car and Driver.
This post lists the cars which have the smallest difference between their 0-60 and 5-60 times. However, just as not everyone is able to measure 0-60 time repeatedly, or account for rollout identically, not every publication measures 5-60 time. The cars here represent those we were able to obtain verifiable figures for.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S’ inclusion on this list comes with some caveats.
In terms of raw speed, the Tesla can definitely provide. Its two electric motors put out 778 hp and 841 hp. In its test of the now-discontinued Model S P90D, Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds. A 2020 Model S Performance dropped that to 2.5 seconds. With a rollout time of 0.2 seconds, that brings the Model S’ real-world 0-60 time of 2.7 seconds just 0.1 seconds away from its 5-60 time. But, you can really only do it once.
When Car and Driver ran its Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla Model S comparison, it, as is standard, did repeated 0-60 runs. By the 3rd run, the Model S’ 0-60 time had increased to almost 5 seconds. To make matters worse, the Tesla can only do its best acceleration when it’s fully charged and in Ludicrous Mode. And the latter requires pre-heating the battery for 45 minutes.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
There’s a reason why the Porsche Taycan isn’t a terribly-efficient EV. It sacrificed range for reliable and reproducible performance.
Comparing the delta between 0-60 and 5-60 times, the Taycan is a bit behind the Model S. Not in terms of acceleration, though. Including rollout, Car and Driver found the Porsche Taycan’s sprint to 60 mph takes 2.6 seconds. Impressive, considering the Taycan is about 200 pounds heavier than the Model S, and down 28 hp and 67 lb-ft. But, the Taycan’s 5-60 time is 2.9 seconds. That’s both slower than the Tesla, with a wider 0-60 vs. 5-60 margin.
The difference is, the Taycan can deliver that level of speed over and over again.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The most expensive car on this list, the now-discontinued Porsche 918 Spyder was one of a triad of hybrid hypercars. Alongside the McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari, the Porsche 918 demonstrated that hybrid technology could boost performance tremendously. And it’s 0-60 and 5-60 times prove it.
In Car and Driver’s test, the Porsche 918 Spyder did 0-60 in 2.2 seconds. And its 5-60 time of 2.4 seconds make it quicker than both of the pure EVs here. Which, considering it has two electric motors and a 4.6-liter V8, making 887 hp, makes some sense.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Before the mid-engine 2020 Corvette debuted, Chevrolet sent the C7 off with some style. The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 used a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, upgraded from its place in the Cadillac CTS-V. Linked to an 8-speed automatic (or optional manual), it developed 755 hp and 715 lb-ft.
During Car and Driver’s testing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS was slightly faster to 60. It went 0-60 in 2.6 seconds, while the Corvette needed 3.1 seconds. But the Corvette ZR1 is the quicker one on the street. It’s 5-60 time was only 0.2 seconds behind its 0-60 time, while the GT2’s was 0.7 seconds.
The best part is, you can probably still snag a significant discount on the ZR1.
Toyota Camry TRD
No, this isn’t an error. The Toyota Camry TRD deserves to be on this list.
The TRD trim is more about handling than power, as evidenced by the unmodified 301-hp 3.5-liter V6. But while the Camry TRD isn’t the fastest car here, it is the most affordable. And the great news is, it’s just as fast on the streets as it is on the track.
Not including rollout, Car and Driver found the Toyota Camry TRD hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. But, if you include rollout, that stretches to 5.9 seconds. Which is actually slower than the car’s 5-60 time of 5.8 seconds.
So, while the Camry TRD isn’t ludicrously fast, it is at least relatively quick regardless of the circumstances.
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