The five most powerful front-drive cars available right now

It’s funny to think that just 10 to 15 years ago, the notion of a front-wheel-drive vehicle dishing out 149kW (200hp) or more effectively, was laughable. Still is, for many people.

How the hell were the front wheels meant to handle steering and the majority of the braking, and then somehow still manage to put power down to the ground in an acceptable let alone polished manner?

Granted, there were many failures – cars plagued by torque steer, an inadequate chassis, understeer, limited tyre technology, open differentials and primitive traction control systems.

But technology and engineering expertise have come a long way in recent years and in the mainstream market at least – and even in the performance sectors – it’s the tried-and-tested rear-drive configuration that’s slowly disappearing.

So, with all that in mind, these are the five most powerful front-wheel-drive vehicles available on the Australian market right now.

1. Honda Civic Type R – 235kW

In a time of supercar-scaring all-wheel-drive hot and hyper hatches, the Honda Civic Type R stands defiantly as the most powerful front-drive vehicle on the market, and something of an outlier when measured against its peers.

Its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is good for 235kW/420Nm, all of which is shipped to the front wheels via an old-school six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.

The sprint to 100km/h takes a claimed 5.4 seconds on the way to a governed top speed of 275km/h, but it’s the Type R’s track performance that sets it apart. In fact, the Civic Type R has lapped the infamous Nürburgring in 7:44.881 – an all-time front-drive record.

2. Cupra Leon VZx – 221kW

The more suave and Spanish-raised sibling to the formidable VW Golf R, the Cupra Leon VZx is the pinnacle of Cupra’s hot hatch range and packs a punch to match.

Featuring the same immensely tractable EA888 engine as the Golf GTI and R, the Leon VZx is good for 221kW/400Nm and utilises a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to help it launch from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

Time is ticking for the current model as the facelifted version approaches, though Cupra has confirmed the VZx’s powertrain will be retained.

3. Hyundai Palisade – 217kW

Probably didn’t see this one coming, huh? Yep, the third-most-powerful front-drive model on the Australian market is an eight-seat Korean large SUV fitted with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine.

The current-generation Hyundai Palisade will be replaced Down Under within the next 12 months or so, but for now at least, its big V6 is good for 217kW/355Nm, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There’s not much point referencing an acceleration time here, but it is worth noting the big Hyundai doesn’t have a limited-slip differential, which can make the petrol versions a bit spikey to drive in the wet if you’re hoping to get a wriggle on.

4. Kia Carnival – 216kW

Cut from a similar but not the same cloth is the Kia Carnival people mover, the petrol versions of which howl out 216kW/355Nm from a free-breathing 3.5-litre V6.

An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels via an open differential but, unlike the Palisade, they’re not overwhelmed as soon as it starts drizzling.

It might seem like a weird mix and the anti-Christ of spirited motoring, but the blend of a peaky V6 in a people mover that looks as good as the Carnival with a locally tuned chassis can make for a surprisingly fun driving experience on the right road.

5. Hyundai Sonata N-Line – 213kW

Back in the actual performance market, the Hyundai Sonata N-Line out-muscles every full-fat N car – besides the ludicrous Ioniq 5 N – with its gutsy 2.5-litre turbo-mill offering up 213kW/422Nm.

Harnessed by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the torquey engine launches the Sonata to 100km/h in a claimed 6.2 seconds with the help of launch control, though there’s little doubt that time would be quicker if a limited-slip diff was included in the bundle.

But Hyundai can’t have an N Line being faster than its hero i30 Sedan N now, can it?

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