Admittedly, they probably can’t quite match a sports car in terms of dynamics. They aren’t blessed with sleek coupe silhouettes. However, these relatively affordable sedans combine the practicality of four doors with relatively sharp handling for a sedan — plus they have straight-line speed that is exciting enough to make them adequate all-rounders, for busy owners with a need for a drop of fun in their daily grind.
For this compilation of sport-focused sedans, we homed in on models that offer either a performance-inspired character or impressive power. All are from Japanese brands or sub-brands and are current models.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced directly from the manufacturers, including current pricing at the time of print. Models are listed from the lowest starting MSRP to the highest.
2025 Nissan Altima SR
Starting MSRP: $28,830
There are many reasons why the Nissan Altima — the brand’s largest and most expensive sedan — isn’t a sports car, and the lack of a manual transmission isn’t going to help. Neither is the discontinuation of the turbocharged SR VC Turbo model, which offered 248 horsepower. However, the Altima wants to win over customers with its available all-wheel drive, and there is an SR trim with 19-inch wheels and sports-tuned suspension.
A 7.5-second 0-60 mph time and the CVT ‘box are negative ticks in the sports car column, but the Altima is a convincing sedan with a near-40-MPG highway fuel economy rating, a decent trunk, and a pleasant interior. When we factor in the horsepower rating, that’s just 12 horsepower down on the Civic Si; it’s fair to say that the Altima tries hard enough to warrant our attention in this category.
2025 Honda Civic Si
Starting MSRP: $30,250
If this were a competition focused on value for money, the Honda Civic Si would surely be the winner. Enthusiasts will point to the Type R as the more exciting option, with 315 horsepower and a host of improvements to make it fast on a track, but it costs $15,000 more than the Si. For under $31,000, the Si offers a snickety manual transmission, as well as upgraded brakes and stiffer suspension than the regular Civic. Reviews also cite its engaging handling.
Some rivals offer more power, and the Civic doesn’t come with adaptive dampers like the Type R, but there is a standard limited-slip differential, and the car is well-balanced between performance and daily usability. 0-60 mph is possible in about 6.5 seconds, which is only nearly 1.5 seconds slower than the Type R.
2025 Mazda 3 Sedan Turbo
Starting MSRP: $36,740
There is a manual transmission available for this engaging and luxury-oriented model, although the more expensive 3 hatchback offers a manual ‘box with the naturally-aspirated engine and front-wheel drive. The sedan doesn’t offer the stick, but it does offer front-or all-wheel drive and a turbo model. This turbo model costs $12,000 more than the entry-level Mazda 3 sedan, but bumps power up to the tune of 64 horsepower with an incredible 320 pound-feet of torque.
Doing so also adds all-wheel drive, which results in a peppy package that can deal with less desirable climates. Reviews point to the refined and composed ride, while the turbocharged engine gives the Mazda 3 the power it deserves. It falls short of being a proper sports sedan like the Subaru WRX, but the available power and the interior that pushes into the class above make it a desirable sedan with some excitement included on the side.
2025 Subaru WRX
Starting MSRP: $37,750
The first-generation Subaru Impreza gained a cult following, and the WRX STi badge stirs the soul of many enthusiasts today, helped along by the iconic status the Impreza achieved through motorsport. The same cannot be said of the WRX, but it is a fully competent sedan with genuine sporting intentions. This performance-focused sedan is, of course, now separate from the Impreza, which is a hatchback today with up to 182 horsepower.
Enthusiasts looking for an affordable and practical car will appreciate the standard all-wheel drive, an available manual transmission, and 271 horsepower. A tS model is expensive at nearly $48,000, but adds STI-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, and 19-inch rims. A sedan that believes it was born in the wrong body.
2025 Lexus IS 350
Starting MSRP: $45,155
There are three key models in the Lexus IS lineup – the four-cylinder, turbocharged IS 300 with 241 horsepower, the IS 350 with a naturally-aspirated, 311-horsepower V6, and the fire-breathing IS 500 F Sport Performance. The first two models are rear-drive with an all-wheel drive option, something the IS 500 doesn’t offer. We like the IS 350 for the extra power and the fact that it’s an old-school six-cylinder, which can propel the mid-range model to 60 mph in the 5.5-second range.
$45,000 is premium money, and all-wheel drive adds $2,000 to the bill at checkout, but Lexus’s impressive reliability and luxurious cabin make sure you don’t feel shortchanged. One of the last naturally aspirated V6-powered sedans left, the IS range is also nearing the end of its life and will be discontinued soon. It isn’t as sharp as some rivals like the BMW 3 Series, but the IS hasn’t lost its sporty aspirations.
2026 Genesis G70 3.3T
Starting MSRP: $53,600
We’ll concede that the Genesis G70 is about as far as you can get from a sports car, but for some, pure power and torque are the most relevant metrics. Despite not matching something like the BMW M3, this model offers up to 365 horsepower from its 3.3-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine. That is some way down on the M3, but then again, it is only four-tenths behind the BMW to 60 mph (the Genesis can hit this speed in 4.5 seconds), which is impressive.
Especially considering that the G70 costs $25,000 less. It’s still expensive either way, at more than $50,000, and the 2.5-liter turbocharged model with 300 horsepower is available from $43,500. The Genesis G70 is set up surprisingly well with composure and comfort in equal measure, even in the corners, but it falls short when it comes to the kind of dynamics an M3 offers. A well-rounded, fast, and capable luxury sedan that punches above its weight.
2025 Toyota Crown (Platinum)
Starting MSRP: $54,990
If the Crown nameplate looks new, it’s worth noting that the Toyota badge first appeared in the 50s; now it’s essentially in its sixteenth generation. The last variant to bear this nameplate left the US in the 70s, but now it’s been thoroughly updated. Introduced in 2023, the new Crown is a luxury-oriented Toyota available in two body styles in North America: the Crown sedan and a crossover wagon called the Crown Signia. The Crown sedan starts from around $41,000 and includes a 236-horsepower hybrid setup.
Ok, so that isn’t much for a big, heavy machine like the Crown, but the Platinum flagship variant (a whopping $13,000 more at checkout) offers up much more firepower – 340 horses courtesy of the Hybrid MAX powertrain, also used in the Toyota Highlander range. It swaps the regular Crown’s 2.5-liter hybrid setup for a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid unit, which makes a total of 400 pound-feet of torque. Most won’t buy the Crown for its 0-60 mph acceleration time alone, but it can hit this speed in an impressive five seconds.
2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
Starting MSRP: $56,900
2024 was the last model year of the aging Infiniti Q50, and although it was getting long in the tooth at the end, it remained a sleek-looking, premium-feeling, and pretty quick premium compact sedan. Some criticism was leveled at the dynamics, which fell short of the best in the business (BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz), as well as the quirky interior, with some saying it was patchy in its serving of luxury. The exterior styling still looks good today. However, the standard twin-turbo engine and smooth transmission make it a decent choice as a slightly used option.
Even if the car isn’t as sharp as a BMW M340i, the Infiniti Q50 is quick enough to be sports car quick – 0-60 mph in about five seconds for the standard model. Moving up to the Red Sport version unlocked 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, which is as much as a muscle car. 0-60 mph was now possible in 4.5 seconds, as fast as a first-generation Dodge Viper.