Three-car garage: Audi S3, Jaguar I-Pace and Volvo S80 for less than £50k
These three cars all suit different needs but have one thing in common - amazing acceleration
Don’t know how to fulfill your need for speed? Allow the Auto Express Buy A Car service to help. When you’re searching for a used car, you can sort by several parameters, including bodystyle, fuel type and even top speed. There’s also an option to sort by acceleration, which is what we’ve done here.
We’ve gone for the quickest, sub-five-second 0-62mph category, where amazingly you’ll find almost 2,000 used examples. We’ve managed to narrow it down to three, and not just any old three – we’ve got a crossover, a hot hatch and an executive saloon, all for under £50,000 combined.
We’ve also shown you can experience blistering acceleration in a variety of ways, because there’s pure EV, plug-in hybrid and pure petrol here too.
Jaguar I-Pace - £14,890
Back in 2020 this Jaguar I-Pace EV400 HSE would have set you back almost £70,000 as a new car, but after less than 50,000 miles in six years, this example is priced at a smidge under £15,000. With the bulk of its depreciation in the past, this I-Pace is incredibly appealing for those looking for a well appointed, stylish and refined EV.
It’s also very quick. That all-important 0-62mph time for you speed freaks is just 4.8 seconds thanks to a dual-motor set-up delivering 400bhp and an amazing 696Nm of torque.
It drives well, too – although it’s not sports-car sharp, despite those impressive figures – but the I-Pace will have you happily using all of its 273-mile range in comfort. The rakish looks don’t mean you have to skimp on practicality either: there’s a huge boot, plenty of space in the back for adults and a massive panoramic sunroof to bring light to that swish-looking, leather-lined cabin.
If this Jaguar I-Pace has already found its new home, you can find more I-Pace deals through the Auto Express Buy a Car service...
Volvo S60 T8 Hybrid - £17,290
While the last-generation S60 was a handsome thing, if it weren’t for the little ‘T8 Twin Engine’ badge on the boot, you’d have no idea Volvo’s BMW 3 Series rival had vital statistics to worry an M3.
The S60’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is not only turbocharged, but supercharged too. Combine that with an 86bhp electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and the S60 produces a total of 385bhp and 400Nm of torque – and will sprint from 0-62mph 0.2 seconds quicker than the BMW.
Thanks to a 11.6kWh battery, there’s also some everyday practicality to go with the sheer speed. Volvo claims 36 miles of electric running is possible, although when we tested the Volvo against the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid, we found both returned around 26 miles in colder temperatures.
The S60 we found in particular is tremendously well equipped. Along with the swathes of kit you got on the R Design Plus, it has options including a powered and heated passenger seat, power-folding and heated rear seats, a Harman Kardon sound system and an electric panoramic sunroof.
Is this Volvo S60 the one that got away? Don't worry, there are more to be found through Auto Express Buy a Car service...
Audi S3 - £17,999
Matching the Volvo’s 0-62mph acceleration time of 4.6 seconds is this Audi S3. And while it too has all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, this hot hatch provides a very different driving experience.
The S3 excels in terms of grip and composure in the bends. Power is predominantly sent to the front wheels, but the Haldex clutch on the rear axle will send torque rearwards when needed. The S3 we found is the facelifted model with an extra 10bhp taking the total to 310bhp and 380Nm of torque, which goes through a quick-shifting, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It makes a nice, raspy noise through that quad-tip exhaust, too.
The S3 is also one of the more grown-up hot hatches: the interior is high in quality and fantastically ergonomic, leaving you to focus on the driving. Our chosen car is low-mileage too, having covered just over 50,000 miles from new.
If this Audi S3 was snatched up too quickly for you, there are more Audi S3 deals available through our Buy a Car service...
Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.
