THE CHEAPEST 1,000-HP CAR ON SALE IN 2025

With the average power figures in production road cars having risen drastically over the past decades, it's more and more likely that you'll get a nice chunk of grunt with whichever vehicle you opt to add to your collection. Reaching the dizzying heights of 1,000 hp on a regular basis is still a while away, although this barrier is getting more approachable all the time.

Tesla

Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle manufacturer largely attributed to driving the EV revolution. Through the Model S and subsequent products, Tesla has innovated and challenged industry conventions on numerous fronts, including over-the-air updates, self-driving technology, and automotive construction methods. Tesla is considered the world's most valuable car brand as of 2023, and the Model Y the world's best-selling car in the same year, but the brand's greatest achievement is arguably the Supercharger network of EV charging stations.

We decided to find the cheapest production car on sale in the US with 1,000 hp, and you certainly don't need hypercar money to access it. In fact, you don't even need a six-figure dollar amount.

Every production road car on sale in the USA with at least 1,000 hp was considered for this piece, with the cheapest examples selected for inclusion. Any financial EV incentives available have been excluded for this piece, as different personal circumstances can affect whether the wider public can make use of them.

There Are Multiple Ways To Get 1,000 hp For Less Than $100,000

2025 Tesla Model S Plaid Specifications

Powertrain

Tri-motor electric

Power

1,020 hp

Torque

752 lb-ft

0-60 mph

1.99 seconds

MSRP

$94,990

When purchasing a traditional fossil-fueled vehicle, you'll normally need to pay multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars to get one with at least 1,000 hp, with models like the now-discontinued Dodge Challenge Demon 170 the exception rather than the rule. The development of EV technology means this is the best way to get huge power for less, with Tesla offering two evenly priced vehicles that can hit the target.

The Model S Plaid Is A 1,000-hp Sedan

The first of these is the Model S Plaid, the American manufacturer's range-topping sedan option. The model comes with a tri-motor powertrain that brings 1,020 hp to the party, at a cost of only $94,990. While still expensive even in the context of serious performance cars, it's way cheaper than most other 1,000-hp+ offerings on the market. The beauty of the Model S is that not only does it come with neck-breaking power, but you can bring the family along for the ride too.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

Follow On  

Google News

It comes with four doors and an extra pair of seats in the back, which can be folded down to carry larger objects like bikes or camping gear, should it be needed. The quiet powertrain and luxurious cabin also mean it's comfortable when your hair isn't on fire, making it a useful all-rounder. It can even travel for 348 miles on a single charge, making it pretty efficient as far as EVs go, if not as efficient as a Lucid Air, which gets up to 512 miles on a charge, and can get 427 miles even in 1,234-hp Sapphire format. But keep in mind that you can buy two and a half Plaids for the Sapphire's price.

Related
Tesla Has Another Reason To Fear The 2025 Lucid Air

The Lucid Air Pure has achieved record consumption figures, and it's carrying over to 2025 with the same MSRP. But that's not all that's new for 2025.

The Model X Also Offers Big Grunt With Even More Space

For exactly the same $94,990 outlay as the Model S, Tesla also offers a larger SUV offering with the same 1,020 hp tri-motor setup. Named the Model X Plaid, it's one of the most powerful production SUVs on the planet. Its higher ride and roofline mean it's easier to access for families, especially for those containing young children who need to be strapped into car seats. What's more, it has a third seating row.

2025 Tesla Model X Plaid Specifications

Powertrain

Tri-motor electric

Power

1,020 hp

Torque

752 lb-ft

0-60 mph

2.5 seconds

MSRP

$94,990

The rear doors were designed specifically to help with this, as they open vertically like a Lamborghini, rather than to the side like a normal vehicle. The resulting extra-wide opening makes it much easier to access the rear, though parking in tighter spaces can sometimes be tricky given how they swing open.

Related
Million-Mile Tesla: The Highest Mileage EV In The World

The story of how one man drove his Tesla over the million-mile mark... with a few motor swaps along the way.

It even has seating for six, ensuring it's the ideal step up from a practicality standpoint from the smaller S. Being a Tesla, it also comes with a wide range of safety equipment as standard, such as an autopilot navigation system that can make highway driving a breeze with auto lance change and automatic braking functionality. The car can also be summoned to you simply by using your phone, and it will even park itself.

Both Models Combine Pace With Practicality

Unsurprisingly, the impressive 1,020 hp power figure of both Plaid models has a distinct impression on performance. There are two motors in the rear and one in front, making them all-wheel-drive. This affords them better traction in all conditions that, when combined with their electrifying grunt, means they offer eye-widening performance. The Model S Plaid can blast past the barrier in 1.99 seconds on a prepped surface, while the heavier Model X can nail it in 2.5 seconds. For a practical SUV, that is absurd.

Related
Lucid Gravity Vs. Tesla Model X: Electric SUV Battle

The Lucid Gravity and the Tesla Model X are two of the most effective electric SUVs on the market, and this is how they compare to one another.

Both cars also get an advanced torque-vectoring system, which can alter the amount of power each wheel gets to help reduce understeer. Not only does this improve cornering grip, but also safety, as the car is less likely to lose control. While the less powerful dual-motor variants can achieve a higher range, the 300+ mile distances both Plaids can achieve should still be enough for most. Due to the Model X's heavier frame, it gets a significantly shorter 314-mile expected range compared to the Model S' 348 miles.

Electric Torque Makes Them Ideal For Towing

Another advantage of having sky-high torque from electric motors is that both can tow heavy loads, with the Model X, in particular, able to tow up to 5,000 pounds. While not exactly matching the likes of true workhorses such as the gas Ford F-150 pickup truck, which can manage to pull over 13,000 pounds of weight with the right spec, the Tesla could easily pull along a boat for a nice lake outing. Just keep in mind that towing decimates the driving range.

Discussion
Any tips for how to charge my Tesla optimally?

There are a few charging best practices you should follow for your Tesla. If possible, don't allow the state of charge to drop under 20%. Non-LFP batteries shouldn't be charged to over 80%, if avoidable. Furthermore, you can extend your battery's life by using slower home charging instead of regular fast charging.

For those not too worried about having supercar looks going along with their supercar power, the Tesla pair offers tempting value. Not only do they come with more grunt than most drivers will know what to do with, but they can also take care of everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. After all, try getting a Veyron to tow a jet-ski to a lakeside resort.

Massive Savings Can Be Had With Used Examples

While buying a used EV can sometimes be worrying given how their batteries can degrade over time, ones a few years old and that have been looked after should still retain the bulk of their battery capacity. Tesla models tend to depreciate severely over time, so you'll be able to save a huge amount of cash with used examples. According to Kelley Blue Book, a good-condition 2021 Model S Plaid can be had for around $58,000, a considerable discount on a brand-new one.

Related
STUDY: Electric Vehicles Are About To Get Very Popular In 2025

S&P Global Mobility releases expectations for car sales in 2025. EVs are set to improve more than any other sector, even in America.

It comes with the same 1,020-hp tri-motor setup too, making it an incredibly cheap way to get hypercar power in your life. The same rule goes for the Model X Plaid, as MY2022 examples can be picked up for around $60,000. The batteries in the cars are designed to last for at least 200,000 miles before being replaced, so get a relatively low mileage example, and you should be good for a long time. Look after your battery well and you can usefully extend its lifespan.

Related
How Long Does A Tesla Battery Last? The Surprising Truth About Tesla Battery Lifespan

Tesla knows how to make some batteries.

It is extremely expensive to replace an entire battery pack on an EV, but depending on how reliable your steed turns out to be, it may make financial sense to carry out the job for another decade of use. When you've got used to having 1,020 hp at your disposal every day, it can be a difficult habit to kick.

Sources: Tesla, Kelley Blue Book.

2025-01-12T05:12:55Z