Best Sport Sedans for 2018

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If you want to go fast, there are plenty of ways to do it. The simplest is to buy a two-door sports car, but what if you've got children or friends who want to tag along? Enter the sport sedan, or the four-door sports car, as the classic Nissan tagline has it. You get ample horsepower and athleticism, plus that crucial second set of doors. In fact, the extra doors likely won't even slow you down since today's top sport sedans are among the fastest non-exotic cars ever made.

There are a lot of models to choose from, though, so with that mind, we've put together a list of the best high-performance sport sedans based on our comprehensive vehicle testing program. All of these cars can spike your pulse with a flick of your right foot, yet they're also fully capable as commuter pods or family haulers. Now all you need to do is hear us out and then decide which ones you want to test-drive. We envy you the fun you'll have.

Best Sport Sedans for 2018

To earn a place among our best sport sedans, the primary requirement was fun. Lots of fun. Some of these sedans are hulking horsepower monsters, while others stand out for their handling prowess. But the common thread is that they're all a blast to drive. We should also note that not all of the cars we picked are sedans in the traditional sense. Some have hatchback trunks, such as the Kia Stinger and the Porsche Panamera, but since they compete against proper sedans in the marketplace, we're including them here. Finally, many of these models are offered in more pedestrian forms, so we've highlighted our favorite sporting variants and their engine specifications. Without further ado, here are this year's best performance sedans, starting with the compact class.

Best Sport Sedans: Compact

While it would be easy to call these sedans "small" by modern standards, they're still practical enough to fit four adults. At the same time, they can feel just like sports cars from behind the wheel, thanks to their nimble handling and eager power.

2018 Honda Civic Si Sedan

The 2018 Honda Civic is a class leader in pretty much every category. Segment-leading acceleration, fuel economy, comfort, and in-car tech make it a seriously well-rounded choice. Sporty trim levels such as the Civic Si, however, take the fun up another notch. If this were a list of the best sport hatchbacks, the Si would give way to its big brother, the hopped-up Type R. But the Si is a rewarding performance car in its own right. It's a great choice for drivers who want all the practicality and reliability of a small Honda combined with just enough sportiness to spice up a weekend cruise. The Civic Si is also the least expensive vehicle on our list, noteworthy for the amount of equipment it provides for a relatively low price. Read Full Review

Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
Output: 205 hp, 192 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $24,990

2018 Honda Civic Si Sedan Overview and Pricing

2018 Audi RS 3

For almost every Audi that exists, there's a sportier version to be had, but the RS 3 is a standout even among this crowd. Pumped up to 400 hp courtesy of a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the RS 3 is a very quick car, capable of hitting 60 mph from rest in just 4 seconds. It's also a special-sounding car at full whack — the five-cylinder engine has a special place in Audi lore, and this latest iteration makes a spine-tingling noise when you're really on it. The RS 3 gets additional credit for exceptional cabin refinement, which we've come to expect as part of the package from Audi. Read Full Review

Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder
Output: 400 hp, 354 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $55,875

2018 Audi RS 3 Overview and Pricing

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 63

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as good as it's ever been. Once it was Benz's entry-level car, but the C-Class now slots in above the entry-level CLA. The C-Class range includes two high-performance AMG variants (the C 43 and the C 63), but the C 63 is the obvious choice for sport-minded shoppers, its twin-turbocharged V8 making all kinds of fantastic noises to go with its massive power. The C 63 also comes with all the equipment you'd expect from a luxury sport sedan, such as a killer Burmester sound system. Those who want an even healthier dose of power can upgrade to the C 63 S, which gives the 4.0-liter V8 an additional 34 hp. Read Full Review

Engine: 4.0-liter turbocharged V8
Output: 469 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $67,095

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 63 Overview and Pricing

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

The 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio might not be an obvious choice for sport sedan shoppers, thanks to Alfa's relative obscurity in the U.S., but it was one of the first vehicles to make our list. The Giulia is stunningly good-looking on the outside and has lots to offer on the inside, too. It packs a 2.9-liter Ferrari-sourced V6 engine that's worthy of a true sports car, producing over 500 horsepower. Inside, you get all sorts of carbon-fiber trim and exuberant dabs of color. The Giulia Quadrifoglio might be a dark horse among luxury sport sedans, but it certainly gets our approval. Read Full Review

Engine: 2.9-liter turbocharged V6
Output: 505 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $75,295

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Overview and Pricing

Compare Compact Sport Sedans

Best Sport Sedans: Midsize

As the name suggests, these sedans provide a bit more space inside than their compact counterparts. They could easily be categorized as family sports cars, too, because they're a bit more practical while still providing plenty of thrills.

2018 Ford Fusion Sport

Much like the Civic in the compact category, the Ford Fusion Sport offers a heaping helping of practicality along with its high-performance chops and affordable price. It comes with a basic but high-quality interior, lots of available safety tech, and Ford's easy-to-use Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system. But the big news is what's under the hood — a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that pumps out 325 horsepower, an unheard-of number among mainstream family sedans. Fortunately, an all-wheel-drive system comes standard, so the Sport should hold up just fine in inclement weather. For more all-season-friendly sedans, check out our list of Best AWD Sedans. Read Full Review

Engine: 2.7-liter turbocharged V6
Output: 325 hp, 380 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $34,270

2018 Ford Fusion Sport Overview and Pricing

2018 Kia Stinger GT

We're not used to gushing about Kia products, but the 2018 Stinger GT is a truly exciting sport sedan. Put your foot down and the turbocharged V6 unleashes up to 365 hp, which is enough to get this hatchback sedan moving in a hurry. The tastefully restrained interior is a nice place to spend your time in traffic, but we recommend taking the back roads whenever possible. If you want to save a bit, you can get the regular Stinger with its four-cylinder engine, but for the purposes of this list, the V6-powered GT is clearly the one to have. It could very well change your perception of the Kia brand. Read Full Review

Engine: 3.3-liter turbocharged V6
Output: 365 hp, 376 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $39,250

2018 Kia Stinger GT Overview and Pricing

2018 BMW M5

The BMW M5 has been around for over 30 years and continues to be one of the best luxury sport sedans on the road. It provides plush interior appointments, a hilariously powerful V8 engine, and the distinction as one of the few cars its size that can dominate a track day. Back after skipping production last year, the 2018 M5 is based on the recently redesigned 5 Series lineup. It gets all-wheel drive for the first time, as well as steering and suspension updates that bring a welcome revival of some of its original sporty characteristics. Read Full Review

Engine: 4.4-liter turbocharged V8
Output: 600 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $104,595

2018 BMW M5 Overview and Pricing

2018 Lexus GS F

While most Lexus sedans seem to be focused on comfort above all else, the 2018 GS F doubles down on being sporty. Powered by a non-turbocharged V8 that sounds fantastic, the GS F reaches 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, a quick time for a sedan without a forced-induction engine. (The V8-powered BMW M3 performed similarly.) Unfortunately, the GS F's technology portfolio is a bit of an Achilles' heel. The mouselike infotainment controller is hard to operate precisely, especially on the road, and the screen's graphics are likewise underwhelming. If you can get over that hurdle, though, the GS F is highly rewarding to drive, boasting excellent steering, impressive brakes, and a heady rush of power once the V8 gets going. Read Full Review

Engine: 5.0-liter V8
Output: 467 hp, 389 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $85,345

2018 Lexus GS F Overview and Pricing

2018 Audi RS 7

Regardless of size or body type, the 2018 Audi RS 7 is one of the best performance cars on the road. It's stunningly good-looking on the outside and fabulously luxurious on the inside. Its turbocharged V8 offers a formidable 560 horsepower right out of the box, but drivers who want a bit more can upgrade to the RS 7 Performance, which puts out 605 hp. Rear headroom may be a bit compromised thanks to the sloping roofline, but it's a concession we're willing to make. Read Full Review

Engine: 4.0-liter turbocharged V8
Output: 560 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $114,875

2018 Audi RS 7 Overview and Pricing

Compare Midsize Sport Sedans

Best Sport Sedans: Full-Size

Some of the highest-horsepower vehicles on the road today are what you might call full-size family sports cars. These larger-than-life sedans have plenty of space for both passengers and cargo, although their generous dimensions naturally mean extra weight. But that's what all the horsepower is for, right? We're certainly not complaining.

2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

Even in such rarefied company, the Dodge Charger Hellcat is special. Under the hood is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that puts out over 700 hp. That's supercar territory. Send it all to the rear wheels and you've got a bona fide burnout machine that can make quite a scene when you drop off your kids at school. The Charger is a relatively crude tool, providing only passable handling that's hampered by its size, but it never fails at putting a smile on your face. Read Full Review

Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged V8
Output: 707 hp, 650 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $69,340

2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Overview and Pricing

2018 Porsche Panamera 4S

Just as Porsche builds some of the best high-performance sports cars and supercars on the planet, it also builds one of the best sport sedans — the Panamera. The Panamera gets top marks for comfort, performance and quality, all while being engaging to drive and lovely to behold. We're recommending the midrange Panamera 4S since it provides an impressive amount of performance for its class and keeps the base price just below the stratosphere. That said, we wouldn't dissuade anyone from upgrading to the V8-powered Panamera Turbo or the 680-hp Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Read Full Review

Engine: 2.9-liter turbocharged V6
Output: 440 hp, 405 lb-ft of torque
Starting price (including destination fee): $104,050

2018 Porsche Panamera 4S Overview and Pricing

2018 Tesla Model S P100D

As the only electric vehicle on our list, the Tesla Model S offers an entirely different driving experience. Among other things, it proves that EVs aren't necessarily about using as little energy as possible. Clearly built for mind-blowing speed, the Model S is one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the planet until you hit illegal speeds, at which point gasoline-powered rivals close the gap. Tesla doesn't publish official horsepower ratings, but in Edmunds testing, a Model S P85D leapt to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds despite tipping the scales at a portly 4,933 pounds. Expect the more powerful P100D to be quicker still. Throw in the fact that all that oomph is available right away — no waiting for the transmission to downshift or the turbos to spool up — and you've got a uniquely forceful machine. Handling is phenomenal as well, especially for such a large car. Read Full Review

Output: It's complicated
Starting price (including destination fee): $136,200

2018 Tesla Model S P100D Overview and Pricing

Compare Full-Size Sport Sedans

Most Affordable Sport Sedans

Several of our choices veer well into six-figure territory, but you don't have to break the bank to have fun behind the wheel of a sedan. Naturally, sporty versions of everyday sedans are going to be a bit more costly, but many remain quite attainable.

2018 Honda Civic Si

The least expensive car on our list ($24,990) is also one of the most well-rounded. The Civic Si gets a powerful yet efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine, plenty of space inside, and an excellent six-speed manual transmission.

2018 Ford Fusion Sport

For under $35,000, you get a 325-hp turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drive. That's a lot of family-sedan performance for the price.

2018 Kia Stinger

On a sporting mission from the start, the Kia Stinger is available with two different engines. The base model features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder ($32,800 to start) that puts out a respectable 255 hp.

Sport Sedan Features to Consider

Many sedans of this type are available with all-wheel drive. It's also worth considering whether you want to row your own gears since there are still a few models that are offered with manual transmissions. You should also be on the lookout for common performance upgrades such as big brakes, unique sport seats and high-performance tires.

Choosing the Best Sport Sedan for You

Once price and size are out of the way, you'll need to decide which sedan is the right fit for your life. Are you after a beefed-up muscle car that shakes at idle or a full-fledged luxury machine that surrounds you with padded surfaces? Either way, if a four-door with a sporting character suits your lifestyle, there are several excellent choices in every size. After you've narrowed it down to a few models, we recommend scheduling back-to-back test drives with local dealers and drawing your own conclusions. For a complete list of Edmunds' best sedans, visit our Sedan Rankings page.

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