Family sedans have been a staple of the automotive industry for almost as long as they’ve been available. However, most consumers don’t realize that by stepping up a trim, or even sticking with the base trim in some circumstances, they can turn a typical family sedan into a fun-to-drive sports sedan.
We’ve gone through our rankings to find nine sedans that satisfy your need for speed and are easy on your bank account. These cars won’t be mistaken for sports cars, but they do offer the utility of four doors and five seats (and over 300 horsepower for some vehicles).
So if you’re interested in a car that can haul grocery bags while you hustle around the backroads, there’s a vehicle on this list for you. Read ahead to see the nine best sports car in sedans category.
1. 2017 Honda Accord Sport
$24,515 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.3/10
While most people don’t consider the Accord to be sporty, it actually has a pretty extensive history as a bargain sports sedan. Powered by an upgraded 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2017 Honda Accord Sport pushes out 189 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers equal a four-horsepower and one-pound-foot of torque upgrade over the base model, due in large part to a dual exhaust system.
2. 2018 Subaru WRX
$26,995 | U.S. News Performance Score: 9.0/10
Not every car on this list is more family sedan than sports car; the 2018 WRX is a prime example of that. Known as a rally car that can drive on public roads, the WRX offers drivers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired to a six-speed manual transmission that can be tough to shift at times, the engine will not disappoint.
3. 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
$34,895 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.5/10
The Dodge Charger is a vehicle that has many trims as it does horsepower, and that’s a lot. The trim that we’ve included in this slideshow is the rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger R/T. Powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, the R/T offers 370 horsepower and close to 400 pound-feet of torque. Although all this power diminishes the fuel economy, those trips in between stopping are sure to make up for it.
4. 2017 Nissan Maxima S
$32,610 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.5/10
Considered to be one of the sportiest vehicles in the large car class, the 2017 Nissan Maxima S offers an impressive engine, strong brakes, and excellent handling. The Maxima comes standard with a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, which is one of the more powerful engines among large cars. All that power is controlled via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that shifts smoothly and does a decent job of helping to deliver the power you want.
5. 2018 Ford Fusion Sport
$33,750 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.5/10
The Fusion may not be the first Ford vehicle that comes to mind when you’re thinking about something sporty, but don’t let that take away from this sedan’s performance chops. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, the Fusion Sport delivers 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers put it in competition with the base Mustang in terms of raw power.
6. 2017 Mazda6 Sport
$21,945 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.8/10
If there’s one thing you can expect from a Mazda vehicle, it’s an innate ability to drive like a sports car no matter what’s under the hood. Coming with only one engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that pushes out 184 horsepower, the Mazda6 has solid acceleration for everyday driving. A six-speed manual comes standard.
7. 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo
$21,990 | U.S. News Performance Score: 6.8/10
The second Nissan vehicle to grace this list is the 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo. While it won’t overpower any of the other vehicles you’ve read about, what it does offer are smooth shifts and quick acceleration. The Sentra SR Turbo receives an upgraded, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Though that may not seem like a lot of power, it’s over 50 percent more power than the base engine.
8. 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6
$34,950 | U.S. News Performance Score: 9.2/10
The Toyota Camry was fully redesigned for the 2018 model year, and with it came a new 301-horsepower V6 engine. Available in the $34,950 XSE trim, the 3.5-liter engine is one of the most powerful in the midsize class. Although there is no manual transmission, the Camry XSE comes standard with an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
9. 2017 Honda Civic Si
$23,900 | U.S. News Performance Score: 8.7/10
Reintroduced into the Civic lineup, the 2017 Civic Si is a sneakily sporty compact car. The Si comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. While that may not sound like much, it gives the Si a zero-to-60 time of just over six seconds and a top speed of 137 mph.
source: www.usnews.com
