Volvo S60
We start off with a rather subtle Volvo, it may not be a tar-burning machine but it is rapid enough for most and the 50.4mpg figure is superb.
The Swedish styling is also a refreshing change from the usual offerings in this segment.
0-62 mph: 7.2s
Power: 190bhp
Volkwagen Passat 2.0 TSI GT
The VW Passat could not be more nondescript if it tried, this model is hot hatch quick but will still get you 44.8mpg and you can fit the whole family in with space to spare.
0-62 mph: 6.7s
Power: 220 bhp
Skoda Octavia vRS
The vRS badge has long been the subtle performance car enthusiasts’ best friend, in the Octavia the 2.0-litre turbo motor is based on the unit found in the Golf GTI and provides strong performance right up to 150mph.
You also get a whole lot of practicality and not a hint of its performance potential on the bodywork save for a subtle badge.
0-62mph: 6.6s
Power: 245bhp
Infiniti Q50 3.0T S Sport
Few people in the UK are familiar with the premium Infiniti brand and this Q50 is suitably innocuous enough to keep most people in the dark to its accelerative abilities.
0-62 mph: 5.1s
Power: 405 bhp
BMW 340i
The BMW 340i looks just like that entry-level 318i your Mom has but this one comes with a 3-litre turbocharged engine and enough performance to scare some quick sports cars too.
0-62 mph: 5.1s
Power: 326 bhp
BMW 335d xDrive
Experience the acceleration of the 335d XDrive and you may think that the abuse hurled at diesel engines may have been a bit premature.
It is quicker to 62mph than the 340i and it bests it at the pumps too with a combined average of 51.4mpg versus 41.5mpg.
It meets the latest emissions regulations too.
0-62 mph: 4.8s
Power: 313 bhp
Jaguar XE V6
The latest mid-sized Jaguar saloon may have been criticised for its slightly unadventurous styling but that suits us just fine.
Especially since it competes with some heavy hitters in the performance department.
0-62 mph: 4.8s
Power: 380 bhp
Lexus GS-F 5.0
The Lexus GS-F may be an M5 rival but even with its more aggressive exterior styling compared to the rest of the GS range it still looks suitably subtle.
The acceleration levels are up there with entry level Porsches though.
0-62 mph: 4.6s
Power: 477bhp
Audi S3 TFSI Quattro
This little saloon offers performance levels that threaten to eclipse some very powerful competitors as well as a few in-house performance machines too.
If you don’t need a lot of interior space then the S3 is one of the best subtle saloons on sale.
0-62 mph: 4.5s
Power: 310 bhp
Audi S6 TFSI Quattro
The S6 offers even more power and aggression than the S3 with the ability to take the whole family along too.
It may not be that much quicker to 62mph but all that extra power makes itself felt once the speeds rise into triple figures.
0-62 mph: 4.4s
Power: 450 bhp
Jaguar XJR
The XJ is not the newest cat on the block but its elegant lines and the monstrous engine in the top XJR variant make this the car of choice for the discerning speed freak.
While a few rivals can match it when it comes to outright performance, it still remains one of the classiest luxury saloons around.
0-62 mph: 4.2s
Power: 575 bhp
Audi S8 Plus
The Germans also dabble in a range of large luxo-barges and the latest S8 Plus is a pure Autobahn stormer with a 0-62mph time that bests some very fast sports cars.
0-62 mph: 3.8s
Power: 605bhp
Mercedes-AMG C63 S
The AMG C63 S takes the fight to the benchmark M3 with a powerful V8 that bests it to 62mph while still looking like just another elegant C-Class.
That V8 rumble is all the warning most people get before having their doors blown off by this monstrous saloon.
0-62 mph: 4.0s
Power: 510 bhp
Mercedes-Benz S-Class S63L
The super-sized version of the AMG C63 S, the S-Class S63L adds a whole lot of interior space and luxury to match the massive performance on offer.
0-62 mph: 4.0s
Power: 585 bhp
BMW M760Li xDrive
The eternal rivalry between Mercedes and BMW has the Bavarian manufacturer on top in this match up with its M760i xDrive, a twin-turbo V12 sledgehammer that is the fastest car they have ever made.
Its subtle exterior design will have most supercar drivers wondering what just happened as this luxury limo blasts by.
0-62 mph: 3.7s
Power: 610 bhp
Tesla Model S P100D
The Tesla Model S P100D has regularly topped the charts in most accelerative comparisons and its dominance will only ever be challenged if the competition ups their game in a big way.
Despite the massive alloys, this Model S looks little different from the rest of the range and it offers a level of technology and safety devices that is almost as impressive as its performance.
0-60 mph: 2.5s
Power: 611 bhp
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