This Japanese Import Car is Faster Than a Porsche: Here’s Why

When asked to think of a car equipped with a high-performance engine and capable of driving at high speeds in a short period, most people will think of a sports car. Since its performance and purpose are clear, people who want high-speed and sporty driving performance do not hesitate to choose a sports car like a Porsche. Surprisingly, there is a vehicle that shows better driving performance than sports cars.

Recently launched sports cars are equipped with turbo engines that naturally result in a phenomenon called “turbo lag,” which leads to disappointing performance. Shockingly, it was revealed that a Japanese compact car outperformed a Porsche 718 Cayman.

From Zero to Sixty-Two

Car and Driver experimented to measure the engine response speed while driving. A noticeable difference was found in the times recorded for 0 to 62 mph and 5 to 62 mph.

As a result, the vehicle that showed the slowest response speed in the driving test from 5 mph to 62 mph was the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman Turbo model, recording 6.4 seconds. This was about a 2-second difference in the 4.4 seconds it took to go from 0 to 62 mph.

Turbocharged Engines Respond Slowly, But Japanese Cars Show Little Difference

Vehicles with a decreased performance during rolling starts were the 2020 BMW M235i xDrive and the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT. Both vehicles recorded slower times than how long it took them to go from 0 to 60 mph. These vehicles had a common feature: both were equipped with turbocharged engines.

Equipping a turbocharged engine does not necessarily mean that the record will be delayed. Three of the five most responsive turbo powertrains are the Mazda CX-90, Subaru Legacy Sport, and Subaru Outback Touring XT. The Japanese vehicles’ record difference was only about 0.2 or 0.3 seconds.

Vehicle with the Best Engine Responsiveness: Mitsubishi Mirage

On the other hand, the vehicle with the most engine responsiveness was the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 model. The Mirage went from 0 to 60 mph in 12.8 seconds, but the driving speed from 5 to 62 mph was shortened by 0.1 seconds. The Honda Odyssey Elite and Honda Pilot Trail Sport were also recorded as models with excellent engine response.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a subcompact vehicle equipped with a naturally aspirated engine, and its purpose is opposite to that of the Porsche Cayman, so it stands out even more. This is because it is famous for its cost-effectiveness in the North American market, but at the same time, it has a unique feature that is also rumored to be a boring vehicle. Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi Mirage will soon be discontinued.