Special Report

This Is the Slowest Car in America

hroe / iStock via Getty Images

Stories about cars are so popular that several media outlets have been supported by writing about them for years. At the head of this list are Motor Trend and Car and Driver, but hundreds more websites and magazines cover cars. Among the most written about aspects of individual models is how fast they are. Usually, this is measured by an old but arbitrary yardstick. How fast can a car travel from 0 to 60 miles per hour?

One subject the car media rarely covers is which are the slowest cars people can buy in America. Motor Trend’s slowest cars list includes every car it tested from the 2020 model year. According to the list, the slowest car is the 2020 Nissan Kicks SR, with a 0-60 time of 10.5 seconds. 

Nissan markets the Kicks as a “fuel-efficient compact crossover.” Crossovers have become a large part of the U.S. car market as buyers drop sedans to buy crossovers and sport utility vehicles. The Kicks’ high fuel efficiency is another marketed advantage. The 2021 model gets 31 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway. The primary reason is its small 122 horsepower engine. On the other hand, these new cars have the worst fuel efficiency on the market.

Overall, the Kicks gets mediocre reviews from car media and research firms. U.S. News rates it 7.4 out of 10. So does Edmunds. Car and Driver gives it a slightly better 7.5 out of 10. These are the most and least dependable car brands in 2021.

The Kicks has a very low price point of $19,600, based on its manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Higher-end models of the car have prices approaching $25,000.

At the other end of the spectrum, most lists of fastest cars are dominated by highly expensive models from companies like Porsche and Ferrari. The American-built Chevy Corvette often makes these lists. Some of these can travel from 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds. They all have gasoline-driven engines. 

These lists have been partially upended by extremely fast electric cars. The new Tesla Model S Plaid can go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.98 seconds, which arguably makes it the fastest car for sale in the United States. Meanwhile, the 15 slowest cars on this list go from 0-60 mph in 8.3 second or more.

Click here to see the slowest car in America

Source: Raymond Boyd / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

15. Kia Seltos S (FWD)
>0-60 mph: 8.3 seconds

[in-text-ad]

Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images

14. Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Platinum
>0-60 mph: 8.4 seconds

Source: hyundaiusa.com

13. Hyundai Ioniq Limited EV
>0-60 mph: 8.4 seconds

Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

12. Nissan Sentra SV
>0-60 mph: 8.6 seconds

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: Courtesy of Hyundai

11. Hyundai Venue SEL
>0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds

Source: DarthArt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

10. Nissan Sentra 2.0 SR
>0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds

[in-text-ad]

Source: Courtesy of Toyota

9. Toyota Corolla APEX XSE
>0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds

Source: Jack Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images

8. Kia Niro Eco Hybrid EX Premium
>0-60 mph: 9.2 seconds

Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

7. Buick Encore GX AWD ST Essence
>0-60 mph: 9.3 seconds

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

6. Chevrolet Trailblazer RS AWD
>0-60 mph: 9.3 seconds

Source: Courtesy of Hyundai

5. Hyundai Venue Denim
>0-60 mph: 9.4 seconds

[in-text-ad]

Source: Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales

4. Toyota Yaris XLE
>0-60 mph: 9.4 seconds

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

3. Nissan Rogue Sport SL
>0-60 mph: 9.8 seconds

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

2. Toyota C-HR Limited
>0-60 mph: 10.2 seconds

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: Courtesy of Nissan

1. Nissan Kicks SR
>0-60 mph: 10.5 seconds

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.