The Best 4-Door Sports Cars And Sedans For Practical Performance

Given the opportunity, surely every gearhead would love to drive the latest and greatest supercars every single day, but in reality, such Ferraris and Lamborghinis are far too impractical for us to use daily. Perhaps this is why, especially in recent years, the market for high-performance sport-sedans has been exploding.

Gone are the days in which only the most exclusive of two-door coupes could offer blistering performance, as in 2023, there has never been more choice for those requiring all the practicality of a four-door sedan, but with the pace of a supercar.

Naturally this comes at a cost, with some luxury cars costing upwards of $250,000, although brands such as BMW and Alfa Romeo are keen to still cater to the lower end budgets. Here’s our pick of the very best super-sedans currently on the market, and an overview of the performance they can offer.

10 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Starting Price: $81,960

It had been a while since Alfa Romeo blessed us with a truly great sports-sedan. In the 1990s and early 2000s, they gave us the 164, which featured the famous Busso V6, alongside the striking and ultra-exclusive 156 GTA. This Giulia Quadrifoglio more than makes up for lost time, and is quickly going down in history as one of their greatest hits.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

A twin-turbocharged V6 motor is responsible for producing 505 horsepower, and 443 lb-ft of torque, which gives the sedan true sporting credentials. An 8-speed auto gearbox ensures that power is delivered efficiently to the rear wheels, enabling the Giulia to hit 60 MPH from a standstill in a supercar-challenging 3.6 seconds.

Related: 10 Underrated Sleeper Cars You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

9 2023 BMW M5

Starting Price: $111,895

Perhaps no other sporting sedan has quite the remarkable heritage as the M5, a sedan against which all others are measured. The E28 M5 first launched in 1984, so just how far have BMW pushed the boundaries, 40 years later?

Engine, Performance, And MPG

Unlike the original M5, which featured a naturally aspirated straight-six, this latest rendition boasts 600 horsepower, from a twin-turbocharged V8. BMW made the sensible decision of equipping this M5 with all-wheel-drive, otherwise we imagine it could have turned out to be quite a handful, in BMW’s traditional RWD guise.

An average fuel economy rating of 17 MPG proves the M5 isn’t very efficient around town, but that’s to be expected from a sedan which focuses so directly on sheer performance.

8 2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Starting Price: $113,950

Keen as ever to challenge BMW, this flagship E-Class is virtually identical in price to the M5, and only minor differences can be found under the hood, too.

Engine Performance And MPG

The capacity of the Mercedes’ engine is slightly smaller, although this twin-turbocharged V8 manages to squeeze out 3 horsepower more. That difference may be nominal, but at 627 lb-ft, the AMG produces a noticeable amount more torque, which is likely how it manages to hit 60 MPH 0.2 seconds quicker than its main rival above, too.

Not only that, but the E63 AMG S manages an extra 2 MPG on average over the M5; quicker in a straight line, and it’ll eek more miles from a gallon, is the E63 now the ultimate sports sedan?

7 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Starting Price: $93,495

America couldn’t stand by and watch Germany have all the fun, so luxury car manufacturer Cadillac had to step up, and offer a sports sedan of their very own. The CT5-V Blackwing may not carry the heritage of the other models, but it does put up a strong fight.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

Size clearly matters for Cadillac, as there are no half measures under the hood here; a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 hides away, churning out a monstrous 668 horsepower, alongside 659 lb-ft. It’s rear-wheel-drive too, so we expect the Cadillac to offer some serious theater when pushing around the corners.

Somehow, despite all that power and a 10-speed-automatic gearbox, the Blackwing is slower to 60 MPH than both the Germans above, and considerably worse on fuel also.

6 2024 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Starting Price: $180,000 (estimate)

Is it a sedan, is it a coupe? Well, in truth, it’s both – it’s the Porsche Panamera. More specifically, it’s the all-new 2024 Turbo S model, proving that Porsche still think there’s a sizable market for gas-powered sports-sedans, offering this beast alongside the super successful Taycan model.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

In typical Porsche style, the Turbo S has remarkable performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 MPH quicker than a Ferrari 296 GTB; that would surely shock a few exotic owners at the traffic lights! Economy is on par with other cars in the sector, and this Panamera offers bucket loads of space inside, proving that performance can indeed still come with heaps of practicality.

Related: The Forgotten Sports Sedan That Had BMW Quaking In Their Boots

5 2024 Audi RS7

Starting Price: $127,800

Audi’s RS division has always been the perfect blend of performance and practicality, right from the offset with their first models, the iconic RS2 and forever-awesome RS4 Avant. This RS7 may not be a wagon like those, but it’s still a full-size four-door, with a spacious trunk and all the creature comforts you could dream of.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

Similar to main competition above, the RS7 uses a twin-turbocharged V8 engine to keep up with its rivals, and once again we see well above 600 horsepower, and 600 lb-ft of torque. This not only proves that performance and practicality is available in 2023, but that it is also abundant, with a smattering of choices available for anyone whose pockets run deep enough.

4 2024 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe

Starting Price: $138,800

This flagship monster from Bavarian giants BMW really goes the extra mile to display just what is capable, from what is a perfectly sensible daily drive. There is plenty of room for 4 adults to sit comfortably inside, acres of luggage space in the trunk, and a perfectly reasonable 17 MPG can be achieved on average.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

At the same time as offering industry-leading comfort, quality, and luxury, this M8 Competition Gran Coupe can become unhinged with the right driver behind the wheel. The same immense V8 engine from the M5 sits up-front, and will propel this giant sports sedan all the way to 190 MPH if needed.

3 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door Coupe

Starting Price: $170,350

We’re not sure under what circumstances anyone would look at an E63 AMG S and think ‘if only it was a little bit more powerful’, but Mercedes-AMG have got that covered with this, the AMG GT 63 S. So, apart from terribly un-catchy name, what does $170,000 buy you from Mercedes?

Engine, Performance, And MPG

This all-wheel-drive behemoth is impossibly capable, with 630 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, it’s got the potential to challenge some of the most exclusive supercars in the world. Not only that, but it’s perfectly practical to use on a daily basis, be it dashing to the shops, or cruising around on the school run.

2 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire

Starting Price: $249,000

For everyday practicality though, it is pretty hard to out-do a modern luxury electric car. The Lucid Air Sapphire is spacious, has a remarkable 427 miles range, and will whisper quietly around town; ideal then, for most daily commutes.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

If ever the driver is in a hurry, this Lucid has a frankly insane amount of power on offer. Almost twice as powerful as anything else featured in this article, with 1,243 horsepower and 1,430 lb-ft at your disposal, we can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to plant your foot in this thing. The Lucid can achieve 60 MPH from a standing start almost a full second quicker than a Ferrari F8 Tributo; plus it’ll do it fully loaded with a family and all their luggage. Impressed?

Related: The Fastest 4-Door Sports Cars In The World, Ranked

1 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed

Starting Price: $261,425

Some manufacturers still prefer doing things the old way though, and after all, does a sports-sedan really need upwards of 1,000 horsepower? It’s safe to bet that the 626 horsepower W12 motor in this Bentley is more than capable enough for the most of us.

Engine, Performance, And MPG

Performance and opulence is abundantly available in this Flying Spur Speed. Front and rear passengers can travel in complete comfort, surrounded by the most elegant leather, wood and suede finishes, and enough room to house all their luggage in the back. Yes, it costs more than a house, but this Bentley really is the ultimate sports sedan, providing seemingly limitless performance, and outstanding practicality, refusing to compromise on either fronts.