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Best Sport Sedans

Top-Rated Performance Sedans for 2020

May 29th, 2020

Best Sport Sedans for 2020

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 in 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.

For more on sedans of all stripes, by the way, we invite you to visit our Sedan rankings, where our experts break down the best sedans in all of the hottest segments.

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.


Compact Sport Sedans

  1. Engine:
    1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
    Output:
    205 hp, 192 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $25,930

    2020 Honda Civic Si

  2. Engine:
    2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder
    Output:
    394 hp, 354 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $57,195

    2020 Audi RS 3

  3. Engine:
    4.0-liter turbocharged V8
    Output:
    469 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $69,095

    2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C 63

  4. Engine:
    3.3-liter turbocharged V6
    Output:
    365 hp, 376 lb-ft
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $44,745

    2020 Genesis G70


Midsize Sport Sedans

  1. Engine:
    3.3-liter turbocharged V6
    Output:
    365 hp, 376 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $40,535

    2020 Kia Stinger

  2. Engine:
    4.4-liter turbocharged V8
    Output:
    600 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $104,695

    2020 BMW M5

  3. Engine:
    5.0-liter V8
    Output:
    467 hp, 389 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $86,035

    2020 Lexus GS F


Full-Size Sport Sedans

  1. Engine:
    6.2-liter supercharged V8
    Output:
    707 hp, 650 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $73,240

    2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

  2. Engine:
    2.9-liter turbocharged V6
    Output:
    440 hp, 405 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $106,350

    2020 Porsche Panamera 4S

  3. Output:
    670 hp, 626 lb-ft of torque
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $152,250

    2020 Porsche Taycan

  4. Output:
    It's complicated
    Starting price (including destination fee):
    $101,190

    2020 Tesla Model S Performance


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.

2020 Honda Civic Si
The least expensive car on our list ($25,220) is also one of the most well-rounded. The Civic Si offers a powerful yet efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine, plenty of space, inside and an excellent six-speed manual transmission.
2020 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 ($34,125 to start) that puts out a respectable 255 hp.
2020 Genesis G70
A few inches shorter than the Stinger, the Genesis G70 is a quick and luxurious sport sedan with a lot to prove. For the most part, it feels upscale, but it can be had at relatively affordable prices considering what you're getting ($35,895 to start).

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 Right 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.