The term “4-door sports car” has its origins in the 1989 Nissan Maxima, which was marked with a sticker on the rear windows. Although Nissan used that trademark for decades to market the now-discontinued sedan (which wasn’t all that sporty at the end of its production), it’s a term that applies to many of the best high-performance sedans and four-door hatchbacks of today. drive like dedicated sports cars, even if they look like their more common counterparts. These are our favorites.
2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Base Price: $96,000 (estimated)
We can’t say enough good things about the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. It pairs a perfectly tuned chassis with a 668-hp supercharged V-8 and a powerful six-speed manual transmission that sends 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels. It is without a doubt the perfect modern sports sedan.
See the 2025 Blackwing updates
2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Base price: $83,465
This is the last year for this Italian sedan with the four-leaf clover emblem. After June 2024, production of the Giulia Quadrifoglio will end, and Alfa insists it will never build a gas-powered performance sedan again. Lightning-fast steering and a characterful twin-turbo V-6 with 505 hp are the shining features of the Giulia. It’s also still very nice, even after almost a decade on the market. A 100th Anniversary Edition honoring a winning 1923 Alfa race car is available with gold-colored brake calipers and additional carbon trim, if you can find it.
This is what makes the Quad so special
2024 BMW M3
Base price: $76,995
The modern BMW M3 is blindingly fast and continues to set the standard for performance sedans, even if it is less analog than in previous generations. It remains a good value for the amount of power, poise and luxury it delivers. Best of all, you can still get the M3 with a manual transmission.
We’re big fans of the Euro-only Touring version
2024 Audi RS7
Base price: $128,895
Arguably one of the sexiest four-doors in the world, the RS7 is part of an exclusive club of fast sedans with a hatchback that offers a little extra practicality. In its current generation, the RS7 has 22-inch wheels and a twin-turbo V-8 that produces 621 horsepower. Adaptive air springs are standard, but there’s a special option that replaces them with stiffer steel coils. Most of the time, the driving experience is tamer and quieter than it seems. That’s fine, because nothing else looks as good.
Tested: 2024 Audi RS7
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Base price: $45,890
Looking for the most affordable, high-performance hot hatchback on sale today? Look no further than the Honda Civic Type R. Expertly tuned inputs, a world-class interior and genuine capability result in one of the best Hondas we’ve ever driven. While all-wheel drive would transform this car, Honda’s white knight exhibits no torque steer or turbo lag despite being front-wheel drive.
This is why everyone wants one
2024 Porsche Panamera
Base price: $104,795
Rising sales of SUVs have resulted in the Panamera becoming the slowest-selling car in the Porsche range, and we think that’s a shame. It is lighter and more luxurious than the electric Taycan, and yet it also comes as a plug-in hybrid that will deliver more than 700 hp. There are few large four-doors that dance like a Panamera.
Details about the new model
2024 Acura TLX Type S
Price: $58,195
For 2024, the TLX Type S has a recalibrated Sport+ mode and more tech, including a larger 10.5-inch screen and USB-C ports. The real fun stuff is the twin-turbo V-6 with 355 hp, the adaptive dampers and the great steering. The rear seat isn’t as roomy as you might think given its size (the smaller Integra actually has a larger rear seat), but the TLX’s styling has a lot of presence on the road.
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 SE Performance
Price: $100,000 (est.)
Although the new C63 lacks the beloved fire-breathing V-8, it is still an exceptional machine. The most powerful four-cylinder engine in series production, combined with a plug-in hybrid system and all-wheel drive, provides monstrous acceleration and seemingly endless grip.
Here are the full specs
2024 Audi RS3
Price: $63,395
The last five-cylinder car sold in the US, the RS3 screams a unique song from its enormous exhaust pipes. It costs a lot for such a small car. In return, the RS3 delivers the drifts of a rally Quattro and can lap the Nürburgring faster than many supercars of the past. It’s an example of seriously strong performance in the smallest package.
Check out our first drive review here
2024 Lexus IS500
Price: $60,020
The IS500 reminds us of an older Mercedes-AMG model, and that’s a good thing. Today, Lexus is the only manufacturer to put a big, naturally aspirated V-8 in a small rear-wheel-drive sedan. The intake sound of the 472 hp 5.0-liter engine is heavenly.
Tested: Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance
2024 Hyundai Elantra N
Price: $34,850
The Hyundai Elantra N is a fan favorite around the world R&T office. Not only is it one of the most affordable cars on this list, but also one of the loudest and loosest. It’s a strong driver up front, but the rear is surprisingly eager to turn, making this Hyundai a great time in all weather conditions. With a manual gearbox and popping exhaust, the Elantra N is a full-fledged tuner car with a factory warranty.
New updates for the 2024 Elantra N
2024 Audi RS5 Sportback
Price: $80,995
The RS5 isn’t as agile as the smaller RS3 or as powerful as the larger RS7, but it’s still worth appearing on this list. There’s plenty of grunt from the 444-horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6, and plenty of comfort from Audi’s world-class interior.
Here are all the details about the RS5 Sportback
2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Price: $62,890
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing takes everything from the CT5 and distills it into a smaller, more agile package. In place of the V-8 is a more modest twin-turbo V-6, but it’s still full of character and produces 472 horsepower. Importantly, there is still a stick-shift option.
This is why it is a serious M3 rival
2023 BMW M5
Price: $111,895
If your goal is straight-line speed and total dominance on the track, you can’t do much better than the BMW M5. With up to 627 horsepower from a twin-turbo V-8 under the hood mated to a smart M-tuned AWD system, there isn’t a drag strip or race track the M5 can’t conquer. The current generation M5 will leave in 2023 and return in 2025 under the new 5-series platform with the 735 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain of the XM.
Here’s our review of the track-ready M5 CS
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