If you’re looking for a car that combines the practicality of a sedan with the excitement of a sports car, you’re in luck. Some sedans fly under the radar but pack impressive power and agility, making them just as thrilling to drive as their flashier counterparts. In this list, we’ve rounded up 25 understated sedans that deliver sports car-like performance, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice speed for subtlety.
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Audi S4
The Audi S4 may look like a refined luxury sedan, but under the hood, it features a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 349 horsepower. Its sharp handling and quattro all-wheel drive provide the kind of nimble control you’d expect from a sports car, making it a thrilling yet practical daily driver.
BMW M340i
The BMW M340i blends everyday usability with sports car performance. It comes equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine generating 382 horsepower. Its refined exterior doesn’t scream performance, but it can launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, making it a true sleeper in the sedan world.
Mercedes-AMG C43
The Mercedes-AMG C43 is a sophisticated-looking sedan that hides a 385-hp twin-turbo V6 under its hood. It delivers rapid acceleration and dynamic handling, but its elegant design keeps it understated. This combination of luxury and performance makes it a well-rounded choice for those who want sports car thrills without flash.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio features a sleek and classy exterior, but its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is derived from Ferrari technology, giving it a remarkable 505 horsepower. This sedan offers sports car levels of performance, handling sharp corners with ease while maintaining a polished, sophisticated look.
Lexus IS 500 F Sport
The Lexus IS 500 F Sport delivers power from a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 472 horsepower. Despite its impressive performance capabilities, the IS 500 remains an understated luxury sedan, offering a quiet and comfortable ride that belies the ferocity under the hood.
Genesis G70 3.3T
The Genesis G70 3.3T combines luxury with a surprising level of performance, thanks to its 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6. While its elegant design may not suggest speed, this sedan offers quick acceleration and agile handling, making it a competitive option for those seeking understated performance.
Kia Stinger GT
The Kia Stinger GT might not immediately scream “sports car,” but its 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine pushes out 368 horsepower. It has the capability to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, wrapped in a sleek but restrained body design, making it one of the most surprising sedans on the market.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon combines stylish design with a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 300 horsepower. Its smooth and composed handling, along with its refined exterior, makes it a capable performance sedan that remains under the radar.
Volvo S60 T8 Polestar
The Volvo S60 T8 Polestar may be known for safety, but its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers a combined 415 horsepower. With its discreet design and luxurious interior, this sedan hides its performance potential, offering sports car-like acceleration in an elegant package.
Acura TLX Type S
The Acura TLX Type S is a well-balanced sedan, powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 355 horsepower. Its sleek exterior design is understated, yet it offers the type of spirited performance you’d expect from a high-performance vehicle, making it a stealthy option for thrill-seekers.
Cadillac CT5-V
The Cadillac CT5-V might not draw attention like a sports car, but its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generates 360 horsepower, providing an exhilarating driving experience. With its sophisticated design and quiet cabin, this sedan offers performance in a subtle, refined package.
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 is a luxury sedan with a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 engine hidden under a refined exterior. It offers sports car-level acceleration and dynamic handling while keeping its luxurious appearance intact, making it an ideal choice for those who want performance without the attention.
Jaguar XF P300
The Jaguar XF P300 offers sporty performance wrapped in a sleek, elegant body. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 296 horsepower, this British sedan delivers a refined driving experience while maintaining its agility and speed, blending style with performance.
Toyota Camry TRD
The Toyota Camry TRD surprises many with its sport-tuned suspension and powerful 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. While the Camry is typically known for reliability, the TRD model offers a sports car feel in a practical and affordable sedan, making it a great option for spirited driving without the flashy look.
Honda Accord 2.0T
The Honda Accord 2.0T looks like your average family sedan, but its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, producing 252 horsepower, brings unexpected thrills to the table. With responsive handling and a smooth ride, this unassuming sedan can satisfy drivers who want a balance of practicality and fun.
Mazda 6 Turbo
Known for its smooth ride, the Mazda 6 Turbo adds a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that delivers 250 horsepower, giving it a lively performance edge. Its clean and minimalist design doesn’t draw attention, but the driving experience is undeniably sporty, making it a hidden gem.
Hyundai Sonata N Line
The Hyundai Sonata N Line combines sporty styling with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 290 horsepower. This sedan delivers a thrilling driving experience with quick acceleration and sharp handling, all while maintaining the practical and understated exterior of a family sedan.
Subaru WRX
While the Subaru WRX is known for its rally-inspired heritage, its sedan form makes it a capable yet subtle performer. With a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 271 horsepower and all-wheel drive, the WRX handles like a sports car, though its exterior remains practical and low-key.
Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima may look like a full-size family sedan, but its 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 300 horsepower, making it surprisingly quick. With sporty handling and a refined interior, the Maxima offers a performance driving experience without drawing much attention.
Chevrolet SS
The Chevrolet SS looks like a regular sedan, but it comes with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 415 horsepower. This stealthy performer offers rear-wheel drive and precise handling, making it an excellent option for those who want muscle car power in a subdued package.
Audi A6 55 TFSI
The Audi A6 55 TFSI is a luxurious sedan equipped with a turbocharged V6 engine that generates 335 horsepower. Its smooth and composed ride keeps it understated, but its sports car-like acceleration and handling ensure a thrilling driving experience.
Ford Fusion Sport
The Ford Fusion Sport is a sleeper sedan, hiding a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine under its unassuming exterior. With all-wheel drive and 325 horsepower, it offers an exhilarating performance, blending practicality and sports car-level dynamics.
Tesla Model 3 Performance
The Tesla Model 3 Performance may be electric, but its acceleration is on par with many sports cars, going from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Its sleek yet subtle design and advanced technology make it a powerhouse in an unassuming package, redefining what a performance sedan can be.
Buick Regal GS
The Buick Regal GS delivers a surprising amount of performance with its 310-horsepower V6 engine and all-wheel drive. While Buick is often associated with comfort and practicality, this sedan offers a sporty drive in a refined, understated design.
Dodge Charger R/T
The Dodge Charger R/T may have muscle car DNA, but in its sedan form, it keeps a more subtle profile. Powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, it produces 370 horsepower, providing plenty of power for an exhilarating drive while maintaining the practicality of a full-size sedan.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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