Best 4-Door Sports Cars for 2024 and 2025
The term "4 Door Sports Car" originated with the 1989 Nissan Maxima, which had this phrase marked with a sticker on its rear windows. While Nissan used that trademark for decades to market the now-discontinued sedan (that wasn't all that sporty by the end of its run), it's a term that applies to many of today's best high-performance sedans and four-door hatchbacks that drive like dedicated sports cars even if they appear like their more common counterparts. These are our favorites.
2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Base Price: $96,000 (est.)
We can't say enough good things about the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. It pairs a perfectly tuned chassis to a 668-hp supercharged V-8 and a stout six-speed manual transmission, sending 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels. It is, without a doubt, the perfect modern sport sedan.
See the Blackwing updates for 2025
2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Base Price: $83,465
This is the final year for this Italian sedan with the four-leaf clover badge. After June 2024, the Giulia Quadrifoglio will end production, and Alfa insists it will never build another gas-powered performance sedan. Lightning-quick steering and a characterful twin-turbo V-6 with 505 hp are the Giulia's shining traits. It's also still very handsome even after nearly a decade on the market. A 100th Anniversary Edition that celebrates a winning 1923 Alfa race car is available with gold-colored brake calipers and extra carbon trim, if you can find one.
Here's 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's less analog than in generations past. It remains a good value for amount of power, poise, and luxury that 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
Quite possibly one of the sexiest four-doors on earth, the RS7 is part of an exclusive club of fast sedans with a hatchback that offers a bit of extra practicality. In its current generation, the RS7 doubles down with 22-inch wheels and a twin-turbo V-8 that makes 621 hp. Adaptive air springs come standard, but there's a special option that replaces them with stiffer steel coils. Mostly, the driving experience is tamer and quieter than it appears. That's alright, because nothing else looks this good.
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Base Price: $45,890
Looking for the best affordable performance hot hatchback on sale today? Look no further than the Honda Civic Type R. Expertly tuned inputs, a world-class interior, and real capability result in one of the best Hondas we've ever driven. While all-wheel drive would transform this car, Honda's white knight doesn't exhibit torque steer or turbo lag despite its front-wheel-drive layout.
Here's why everybody wants one
2024 Porsche Panamera
Base Price: $104,795
Ballooning SUV sales have led the Panamera to become the slowest-selling car in Porsche's lineup, and we think that's a shame. It's 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 big four-doors that dance like a Panamera.
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 bits are the twin-turbo V-6 with 355 hp, the adaptive dampers, and the great steering. The back seat isn't as roomy as you'd 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 S E Performance
Price: $100,000 (est.)
Though the new C63 lacks the beloved fire-breathing V-8, it's still an exceptional machine. The most powerful production four-cylinder engine combined with a plug-in-hybrid system and all-wheel drive provides for monstrous acceleration and seemingly endless grip.
2024 Audi RS3
Price: $63,395
As the last five-cylinder car sold in the U.S., the RS3 cries out a unique warble from huge exhaust pipes. It costs a lot for such a little car. In return, the RS3 delivers the drifts of a rally Quattro and can lap the Nürburgring quicker than many supercars of the past. It's an example of seriously strong performance in the smallest wrapper.
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. These days, Lexus is the only manufacturer shoving a big, naturally aspirated V-8 into a small, rear-wheel drive sedan. The intake sound from 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 R&T office. Not only is it one of the most affordable cars on this list, it's also among the loudest and loosest. It's a powerful front-driver, but the rear end is surprisingly eager to rotate, which makes this Hyundai a hell of an entertaining time in any weather. With a manual transmission and popping exhaust, the Elantra N is a full-on tuner car with a factory warranty.
New updates for the 2024 Elantra N
2024 Audi RS5 Sportback
Price: $80,995
The RS5 is not be as nimble as the smaller RS3 or as powerful as the larger RS7, but it's still worthy of appearing on this list. There's lots of grunt from the 444-hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6, and plenty of comfort from Audi's world-class interior.
Here are all the details on the RS5 Sportback
2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Price: $62,890
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing takes everything about the CT5 and distills it into a smaller, more nimble package. In place of the V-8 sits a more humble twin-turbo V-6, but it's still full of character and produces 472 horsepower. Importantly, there's still a stick-shift option.
Here's why it's a serious M3 rival
2023 BMW M5
Price: $111,895
If your goal is straight-line speed and all-out track dominance, you can't do too much better than the BMW M5. With up to 627 hp from a twin-turbo V-8 under the hood paired to a trick M-tuned AWD system, there's no drag strip or race track the M5 can't conquer. The current-gen M5 leaves for 2023 and will be back for 2025 under the new 5-Series platform with the XM's 735-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Here's our review of the track-ready M5 CS
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