Many of us would love a garage full of cars, each with its own designated purpose: one for carving mountain roads, one for long road trips, one for loading up on groceries, and the list goes on. However, the reality is that most people need to find one car that can do it all. Practically speaking, drivers looking to go fast most likely need a ride that also boasts decent cargo capacity, room for passengers, and high marks in both safety and reliability.
Updated May 2021: If you're looking to buy a sports sedan, you'll be happy to know we've updated this article with some of the newest models or special editions, best deals, and latest prices to help you make a better and more informed decision before purchasing.
In recent years, sales of sedans have dropped drastically, with performance SUVs and crossovers taking over their market share. However, there are still some sports sedans left on the market. We've found 10 that can match sports cars when it comes to fun, yet they're practical enough that you can drive them every day.
10 Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R was first introduced in 1997, and it revolutionized sports cars. Driving enthusiasts love the Type R because it continues to offer a compelling blend of performance, practicality, affordability, cool design, and comfort.
The Type R's turbocharged inline-4 2.0L engine produces a very respectable 306 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. It takes 5.0 seconds for it to hit 60 MPH from a standstill, and the top speed is a whopping 180 MPH. Combined with the legendary Type R handling, it's no wonder this is one of the fastest sedans to lap the Nürburgring. For just under $38,000 you can get your hands on a regular Civic Type R, but there's also a limited edition model available for $44,000.
9 Toyota Camry TRD
The Toyota Camry generally isn't the first car that comes to mind when people mention sporty cars, however, with the TRD package, the Camry is surprisingly enjoyable. It offers a smooth ride and great handling that keeps the car planted when going through the twisty stuff.
Its 3.5L V6 engine produces 301 HP and 267 lb-ft of torque — that's a huge upgrade from the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Connected to an 8-speed automatic, the TRD Camry manages the 0 to 60 sprint in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 135 MPH. However, with its new bodykit, consisting of a splitter, wing, and diffuser, it looks fast even when standing still — not bad for a car that'll only set you back $32,000.
8 Subaru WRX
These days, the Subaru brand is often associated with family cars like the Outback and Forester, it can be easy to forget that Subaru has some serious rally heritage and still produces some excellent sporty vehicles, such as the two-door BRZ and the four-door WRX. The WRX, coming in at well under $30,000, earns its spot on this list with its turbocharged, boxer engine that produces 268 horsepower.
The WRX's big brother, the WRX STI, boasts a beefier, 2.5-liter motor that puts out 310 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. All WRX models come standard with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
7 Audi S4
Starting at just over $50,000, the Audi S4 is not exactly a budget-friendly sport sedan like some other models on this list. Instead, it's a luxury vehicle that boasts both high performance and high quality all around.
Thanks to its 349-horsepower, six-cylinder engine, the S4 rockets from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. And, when pushed to its limits, the car reaches a blistering 155-mph top speed. Even with all that power, the Audi S4 remains a practical daily driver and even gets 24 miles to the gallon.
6 Tesla Model 3
With a base price of $35,000, the Tesla Model 3 is the most affordable ride in the brand's lineup, but it's not boring by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the Standard Plus Model 3 accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds — not too shabby. The high-performance Model 3 boasts dual motors, all-wheel drive, and a 3.2-second 0-60 time that beats out venerable supercars like the Mercedes-AMG GT R and Porsche 911 GT3. The Model 3 is practical, to boot, and travels 310 miles on a single charge. We'd go for the performance model every time though!
5 BMW 3 Series
Many claim that BMW introduced the first-ever sport sedan when it unveiled the 2002 in 1966. The BMW 3 Series, launched in the mid-1970s and now in its seventh generation, remains an excellent choice for drivers looking to balance zippy fun and everyday errands.
The 330i goes from 0-60 mph in just 5.6 seconds thanks to its turbocharged, 2.0-liter, 255 HP engine. That's not too bad, but the M340i xDrive, the high-performance option, boasts 382 horsepower and blasts to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.
4 Kia Stinger
First released for the 2018 model year, the Kia Stinger is a newcomer to the sport sedan market. Kia offers the Stinger in several trim levels — the lower-level trims come with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder producing a respectable 255 horsepower.
The upper-tier models, including the GT, GTS, GT1, and GT2, come equipped with a 3.3-liter, twin-turbo V6 that puts out 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Some Stinger models also boast high-performance Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, and electronic controlled suspension for better handling. With prices ranging from $33,000 for the base model to $52,600 for a fully-loaded, top-of-the-line GT2, there's something to suit every wallet.
3 Mazda 6
Equipped with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, the base-level Mazda 6 certainly isn't a speed demon, but it gets the job done. The Mazda6 Grand Touring, on the other hand, is outfitted with a 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine that puts down 310 lb-ft of torque and over 60 more horsepower than the base model.
Not to mention, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring features heated front seats, a glass moonroof, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection, making for an exceptionally comfortable and safe everyday vehicle. The base-model Mazda 6 retails for $24,475, which is fairly average for a car in this class. The top-of-the-line Signature trim starts at $35,900, so it's not the stuff of nightmares.
2 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a driver-focused sedan packed full of features that enhance performance and fun, unfortunately, like all Alfa Romeos, the Giulia's reliability issues will break your heart and wallet. The Alfa's turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder helps it put up some impressive numbers: 280 horsepower, 306 lb-ft of torque, a top speed of 149 mph, and a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds.
Plus, the Giulia features a carbon fiber driveshaft that reduces weight and contributes to the car's near-50/50 weight distribution. Driving enthusiasts looking for even more power can opt for the Giulia Quadrifoglio, which ranks among the quickest sedans of all time, thanks to its 505 horsepower and 3.8-second 0-60 time. Price? Well, the base model starts at roughly $40,000, and the Quadrifoglio starts at a whopping $75,000.
1 Volvo S60
The Volvo S60, undeniably one of the sleekest and most luxurious cars on this list, also packs a punch when it comes to handling, power, and overall performance. Depending on the engine it's outfitted with, the S60 produces anywhere from 250 to 415 horsepower. The most powerful version, the Polestar Engineered model, features the T8 hybrid powertrain that combines an electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Whichever engine suits your fancy, consider picking the R-Design trim, which offers a stiffened and lowered chassis for enhanced handling. S60 buyers can also choose from options like four-zone climate control, nappa leather upholstery, and four-way lumbar support to make their daily driver as comfy as possible. The base model starts at $39,000, and the top-of-the-line Polestar Engineered model costs $67,000.