Are sedans quietly dying off? Might not look so, but it seems crossovers and SUVs are giving it a tough time. However, having seen it all in a production span that started in the early 1910s to date, sedans have been built in some insane models that made sports cars look slow, and it’s also had its fair share of negative reports due to some models that are too slow for anyone.
In all these, the sedan remains an iconic car body style, and we can’t wait to see what automobile companies have in stock for us for the coming year. Through press releases, leaks, and spy photos from test grounds, we’ve analyzed the trend and concluded that the sedans listed here are some of the best to look forward to in 2021.
10 Genesis G70
For Genesis, having Hyundai as its parent company surely does have some positive significance. The model is competing with fierce rivals such as Mercedes and BMW, hence, regular updates and improvements are necessities. With the forthcoming update, the 2022 Genesis G70 sports sedan finally looks like its larger luxury siblings and it also promises to deliver exceptional value, all at a starting price of $37,000.
The car will get an improved rear styling, interior changes, and premium infotainment display and should be available to the public in early 2021.
9 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe
BMW has thrown a couple of its new generation 4-Series products for the 2021 model year into the market. They include the coupe, convertible, and M4. However, we haven’t seen the highly anticipated new 4-Series Gran Coupe. Still, in the works, the car is being built as a fastback sedan and it’s expected to be offered in two grades of 430i and M440i.
The more robust M440i features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 and a mild hybrid system, all combining to help the car to 382 horsepower and 364 lb-ft. It’ll be available next year.
8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes fanatics who are tech-inclined are about to see their various interests manifest through one of their favorite models – the new S-Class. According to Mercedes-Benz, the S-Class, which remains its flagship sedan, will adopt a plethora of tech upgrades in a bid to make it more sophisticated and ultimately safer than it’s ever been.
Among the pros of this technology is the use of radar sensors to anticipate bumps, hence adjusting the car accordingly. It can also be used to regulate the car’s height to the much stronger side-sill during an imminent collision.
7 Audi S3
Americans are about to experience the Audi in two fresh forms as the new A3 hatchback and S3 sedan are being prepped for a 2021 release, as the 2022-year models. To ward off competitors and to gain more market share, Audi is fortifying the new compact cars with improved front and rear fascias, upgraded interior, and advanced technology.
The S3 sedan will run on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. This is expected to give the car an output of 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
6 Hyundai Elantra N
If rumors from automotive spies are anything to go by, then Hyundai will soon release a new product to the delight of its enthusiasts. It’s the newest performance-oriented Elantra N and reports have it that the car will be powered by a 2.0-liter engine with a capacity of 275 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Expectedly, this will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic. At an estimated cost below $30,000, the Elantra N is expected to give the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen Jetta GLI some fierce competition.
5 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz is at it again. This time, they were seen testing out the latest C-Class. Hence, we are sure to see the car in the dealerships pretty soon. The new C-Class is expected to rock an updated MRA platform, providing bigger cabin space while being able to accommodate a new powertrain.
Some analysts have postulated a powertrain that features a hybrid variant of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the new C-Class. Currently, the S-Class is getting all the love, hence we’ll most likely have to wait till 2021 to experience this new C-Class.
4 Honda Civic
From everything we know about the new Honda Civic, the model is getting redesigned. Currently, being offered in its eleventh generation, the new Honda Civic sedan as observed from recent patent photos has a refreshed front and rear fascias, coupled with a long hood and streamlined grille among other changes.
Information about the car is still quite scarce, however, we think it’ll run on the current turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. If the engine isn’t upgraded, it’ll supply the Civic with a standard 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.
3 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The Volkswagen Jetta has been all shades of disappointment in recent times, however, the GLI (an upgraded Jetta trim) is trying hard to address that. Although Jetta is the company’s smallest sedan, through the GLI, the model offers luxury options and a spacious interior.
GLI is expected to retain Volkswagen’s DDC active suspension which is peculiar to the trim. We aren’t sure of what things will look like under the hood, but there might be an upgrade on the previous EA888 gasoline engine which produces 228 horsepower.
2 Maserati Quattroporte
It seems Maserati Quattroporte is getting a facelift. Judging by its prototype’s spy shots, the luxury sedan will have its second update of the current generation which might see it have an electric powertrain. From what we’ve seen in Ghibli’s powertrain, which has a mild hybrid setup of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a peak power of 330 horsepower, the Quattroporte might tow that same line.
A few adjustments will be made to the exterior, while the cabin will probably get a few technological updates. The car should be available by 2021 end.
1 Cadillac CT4-V & CT5-V Blackwing
The Blackwings are coming to further increase our already good impression of the CT4-V and CT5-V. Cadillac sure isn’t holding back as these forthcoming updated sedans will have quite some bite under the hood. The Blackwing nameplate depicts high-performance, hence, the CT4-V Blackwing is predicted to have the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with over 400 horsepower, while the CT5-V Blackwing should be rocking a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 640 horsepower.
Most likely, these engines will be mated to a 10-speed automatic and might be built as an all-wheel drive.