Life as a car enthusiast can be rough. While we all yearn to drive the fun sports cars of our dreams, often, reality has different plans for us. From taking the kids to school to getting groceries, practicality and reliability are typically forced to take precedence over a "fun driving experience" when buying a car.
Updated May 2022: While they're far less popular than SUVs, four-door sedans are still a viable option for enthusiasts looking for practicality and comfort in 2022. We've updated this list with a few more recent sports sedans on the market that stand out with their stellar reliability ratings and peppy engine options.
However, manufacturers have taken note of this dilemma, growing the performance sedan market in recent years. Despite being not entirely as practical as SUVs, sedans benefit from a lower center of gravity and less weight—leading to better handling and sportier driving experience—while still having four doors and ample cargo space. So if you're looking for a fun-to-drive yet practical and reliable vehicle for the whole family, read on.
17 2021 Lexus IS
It should come as little surprise that a Lexus model would find its way on this list. Toyota's luxury sub-brand has earned a reputation for making some of the industry's most reliable cars and bolsters that with excellent warranties and customer support.
Lexus' IS series has always been the more reasonable alternative to a German or British luxury midsize sedan and comes with a variety of engines to choose from—ranging from decently powerful ones to straight-up beastly. Regardless of whether you choose to save money and buy a late 2000s model or are aiming for the brand-new IS, you'll have virtually zero issues keeping this car running. For example, the 2021 Lexus IS has a J.D. Power reliability rating of 86/100 with zero recalls and stellar consumer reviews. This model comes with powertrains ranging from a 241-hp four-cylinder to a 311-horsepower sporty AWD, with each choice fully deserving of the title "sports sedan."
16 2021 Honda Accord 2.0T
Honda's Accord has been among the most reliable sedans for numerous years now, and we don't see that changing any time soon. The model is technically an economy sedan, but its interior, features, and practicality scream "luxury." If you opt for the 2.0T trim that relies on a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, you'll be getting 252 horsepower and a 0-60 at an impressive 5.5 seconds. That's enough to put some muscle cars to shame.
15 2022 Honda Civic Si
The new Civic Si has been getting mixed reactions from gearheads simply because it's so close to perfection that it's a shame Honda didn't go one step further. Of course, we're talking about the car's lack of power. For this year, the Civic Si's 1.5-liter turbocharged unit makes 5 horsepower less than the outgoing generation. However, it combines that power with one of the best manual transmissions on the market with a lighter flywheel and a pleasantly flat power band.
The 2022 Civic also gets a new interior, which is a lot more adult and to-the-point, making the car look that much more serious and competent, and 200 horsepower paired with a great manual transmission is still tons of fun on the road. Granted, the small turbocharged engine will probably have more issues than its naturally-aspirated counterparts, but the new Civic Si is still one of the most reliable sports sedans you can buy today—especially under $30,000.
14 2020 Dodge Charger
The latest version of Dodge's iconic sedan has something for everyone, from the 300 horsepower base model to the 707 horsepower Hellcat. No matter which option you choose, you get a solidly built, comfortable, and practical vehicle with enough pep at any price range to put a smile on your face.
13 2019 Ford Taurus SHO
While the Ford Taurus ended its 33-year production run earlier this year, the reliable but bland sedan went out in style. From 2013 to 2019 Ford produced a Twin Turbo V6 variant of the Taurus known as the "Super High Output" (SHO). Having 365 Horsepower on tap transforms the rugged and reliable commuter into an absolute blast on the highway.
12 2017 Chevrolet SS Sedan
Packing a 415 Horsepower small-block V8, RWD, and a 6-speed manual transmission, the Chevy SS is a muscle car in disguise. While only produced from 2013 to 2017, the Chevy SS ticks all the daily driving performance car boxes, with a roomy and comfortable interior that will hold you tight as the V8 acceleration throws you back in your seat.
11 2019 Buick Regal GS
Buick's reputation in recent years has been focused on reliable and comfortable, but boring, daily drivers. The Regal GS is here to change that. With a suspension that changes from buttery smooth to stiff and sporty at the press of a button and 310 horsepower from its naturally aspirated V6, the Regal GS is a solid choice for those looking to spice up their commute.
10 2019 Tesla Model S
While traditional car enthusiasts may not associate electric cars with "fun," the power delivery should be more than enough to satisfy any gearhead. With a 0-60 of 2.4 seconds in the top trim's "Ludicrous mode," a network of supercharging stations now available, and comparable practicality to most daily drivers, the Tesla Model S is a solid choice if you want a taste of the future.
9 2020 Audi S4
For those who seek a refined and luxurious experience on top of thrilling performance and handling, all while being an ideal daily driver, look no further than the Audi S4. A long-standing benchmark for performance sedans, the 2020 S4 comes with a turbocharged v6 putting out 349 horsepower, an excellent choice for reliable and fun luxury.
8 2019 BMW M3
If the Audi S4 is a prince among German luxury sedans, the BMW M3 is king. With 33 years of performance excellence under its belt, the latest M3 comes with a twin-turbo inline-six producing 425 horsepower. On top of the thrilling performance, the M3 is packed with all the latest luxury and driver-assist features you could ask for, making it an all-around winner in the performance sedan game.
7 2020 VW Jetta GLI
If you're looking for a fun German luxury sedan, but don't have the budget for an Audi S4 or BMW M3, the VW Jetta GLI is the car for you. Sharing an engine with the Golf GTI, VW's classic performance hatchback, the Jetta GLI puts down 228 horsepower, with snappy handling to match. Perhaps the greatest feature on the Jetta GLI is a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, a true hallelujah moment for some of us.
6 2020 Kia Stinger GT
If you somehow traveled 15 years back in time and told people that Kia would make a performance sedan that could rival a BMW M3, you'd be called crazy. But that's exactly what the Kia Stinger GT is. With an optional twin-turbo V6 pumping out 365 horsepower, big Brembo brakes, adjustable sporty suspension, and a luxurious interior, all for a bargain of a price, it's hard to go wrong with the Kia Stinger.
5 2019 Subaru WRX STI
Subaru's flagship performance sedan's rally history shouldn't just inspire confidence in its speed and handling, this AWD beast can handle whatever conditions you throw at it - ice, snow, mud, you name it, the WRX STI can handle it. As well, you get a 310 horsepower turbocharged flat-4 engine, and a comfortable interior with plenty of practical storage space.
4 2020 Toyota Camry XSE
Traditionally, the Toyota Camry has been seen as a boring, but supremely reliable, car. Toyota decided to keep the incredible reliability, but tone down the boredom for the newest generation of Camry. With a 301 horsepower V6 in the XSE trim, the Camry has been turned into an easy-to-drive and maintain rocket ship. Comfortable seats and ample cargo room push the Camry XSE above and beyond what any of us thought a Camry could be.
3 2020 Lexus ES350 F Sport
Lexus is a brand founded on providing affordable, reliable, and fun, luxury cars. The ES350 F Sport continues that philosophy into 2020 with a 302-horsepower V6, all the latest gadgets, safety features, and luxury trimmings, all for $45,000. Questionable grille design aside, the ES350 F Sport is a solid offering from Toyota's luxury sister brand.
2 2020 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Sport
Matching the Lexus ES350 F Sport spec for spec, the Infiniti Q50 in the 3.0t Sport trim puts up a respectable fight in the performance sedan market. At $48,000 for a 300-horsepower twin-turbo V6, with all the expected luxury goodies, the Infiniti Q50 is a solid vehicle for the price.
1 2020 Nissan Maxima
What the Toyota Camry is to the Lexus ES350, the Nissan Maxima is to the Infiniti Q50, a solid deal with comparable performance, luxury, and comfort. With a 300-horsepower V6, excellent handling, and class-leading luxury features, the Nissan Maxima will entertain you when you want it to, all while remaining a reliable ownership experience.