Image: Rivian Image: Rivian Rivian's new model picks up a surprising performance superlative: the only new vehicle to offer over 650 horsepower under $60,000. I'm just going to get straight to the point here: the new Rivian R2 Performance is a bona fide performance bargain. Framed a very specific way, it exists in a class of one. We learned all about the 2027 Rivian R2 yesterday, including the mid-sized SUV's battery size, its performance figures and yes, it's price. The headline dollar figure is $46,495 including destination, though that's for a smaller-capacity, single-motor model set to launch over a year after the initial offerings. On the other end of the spectrum is the R2 Performance (with Launch Package), which packs a serious 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque. With a $59,485 sticker price, the top-shelf R2 is the most powerful new vehicle for under $60,000 in America. Put another way, buyers are paying $90.67 per horsepower. Obviously that is just one very simple aspect of the upcoming all-electric SUV. Nonetheless, here are six vehicles that come closest to it in performance terms. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Stats: Horsepower: 641 hp 0–60 mph: 3.25 seconds Price: $67,800 Dollars Per Horsepower: $105.77 In pure power, the closest competitor to the Rivian R2 is Hyundai's grin-inducing Ioniq 5 N. The funky, overgrown hatchback is much more road-oriented than the Riv of course; if you want a little more ruggedness the XRT is more affordable but has just half the power. The 641-horsepower headline figure is only applicable in 10-second bursts; otherwise, the Ioniq 5 N is putting out a little over 600 hp. In a straight line, this is the quickest car on the list-and it's almost certainly the quickest on a track, too. The Ioniq 5 N punches well above its weight, even taking on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Unfortunately, you'll need to drop an extra eight grand over the R2's sticker if you want the 5 N. 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS Stats: Horsepower: 615 hp 0–60 mph: 3.4 seconds Price: $62,495 Dollars per Horsepower: $101.62 Until the Rivian R2 arrives, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS is the cheapest way into over 600 horsepower. At $62,495 it's only a bit more than the newcomer, and like the Ioniq 5 N this is an on-road-biased experience. Don't expect the Hyundai's precision, mind you: in our road test, we called the Blazer SS a sledgehammer more akin to the classic muscle cars of the '60s. To keep this list a little more diverse, we're going to mention the Cadillac Optiq Sport here. It's related to the Blazer but a half-size smaller, and a 2026 update sees the dual-motor model pushing out 440 hp for $56,795 in the Sport trim. You could move up to the Optiq-V, which bumps power to 510 hp and shaves a tenth off the Rivian's 3.6-second run to 60 mph (97 km/h). But that'll cost $69,095 before options. 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Image: Dodge Image: Dodge 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Stats: Horsepower: 550 hp 0–60 mph: 3.9 seconds Price: $56,990 Dollars per Horsepower: $103.62 Dodge's muscle car is back. Arriving first as an EV but now packing the brand's muscular "Hurricane" 3.0-liter inline-six, the Dodge Charger is basically a BMW M4 raised on a steady diet of steak and steroids. Or an M3, since you have the option of two or four doors. With the high-output Hurricane pumping out 550 horsepower, the Charger is the most affordable way into 550 hp, working out to $103 per pony. These 10 Car Brands Might Let You Down 2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick 2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor Stats Horsepower: 544 hp 0–60 mph: 3.7 seconds Price: $64,300 Dollars per Horsepower: $118.20 The Polestar 4 is an automotive oddity, a rear-glass-less, quasi-SUV coupe with a penchant for performance. In a way, it is the truest definition of a crossover. The dual-motor model is fractionally the quickest model in the brand's lineup, though that won't last long, as the 884-horsepower Polestar 5 launches later this year. Getting into that quick dual-motor model costs at least $64,300, and while at the time of writing Polestar is offering $7,500 off, we're not including that here. A stylish EV made for those who want to make a statement, the Polestar 4 is a surprising performance bargain, ringing in at a little over $118 per pony. 2026 Volvo EX30 Dual Motor Image: Volvo Image: Volvo 2026 Volvo EX30 Dual Motor Stats: Horsepower: 422 hp 0–60 mph: 3.4 seconds Price: $46,345 Dollars per Horsepower: $109.82 The diminutive Volvo EX30 is finding itself on a lot of lists. It's the most affordable Volvo you can buy in the US, and thus one of the more affordable EVs on the market. It's one of the smallest new vehicles on the market. Oh yeah, and it might be the single quickest vehicle you can buy for under $50,000. The dual-motor EX30 makes a healthy 422 horsepower, enough to make a Rivian-beating 3.4-second dash to 60 mph (97 km/h). It can't quite beat the Charger in the power-to-value ratio however, ringing in just under $110 per horsepower. BMW M240i xDrive: 382 hp, 4.1s, $56,950 Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick 2026 BMW M240i xDrive Stats: Horsepower: 382 hp 0–60 mph: 4.1 seconds Price: $56,950 Dollars per Horsepower: $149.08 Yes, the BMW M240i is way off on power here, giving up a full 274 horsepower to the Rivian. But anybody who has driven a modern Bimmer knows those Bavarian horses are stronger than your average equine. The xDrive model matches the M2's dash to 60 mph (97 km/h) despite carrying more weight and being down 91 horsepower. This is a freight train of a little coupe, and while it's certainly no match for the R2's overall spaciousness, you'll find more room in the backseat than expected. If you don't want an EV but do want plenty of performance for your dollars, the M240i checks a lot of boxes. Bonus: 2026 Ford Mustang GT with Ford Racing Supercharger Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick You may have wondered how the Ford Mustang, America's pony car, wasn't on the list. Truth be told, the V8-powered GT should be there, slotting in behind the Charger in horsepower (480 hp), essentially matching its acceleration, and undercutting it at $48,555. That bone-stock GT price does leave enough room to add the $10,500 Ford Racing supercharger kit, which became a factory-install option this month. Hello, 800 horsepower. Okay, checking zero additional options sure sounds like a recipe for becoming the Mustang-at-a-car-meet meme, but if maximum power for minimum outlay is the goal, there's nothing else that comes close. 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: All the Details