Since BMW debuted the original M5 in 1985, the sports sedan has slowly grown in popularity – and it has stayed popular until the SUV industry took over the world. Automobile manufacturers have gradually begun to shift their performance brands towards the SUV segment, leaving sedans to fend for themselves. Many automakers have even reduced their vehicles and replaced large V8 engines with hybrid 4-cylinder engines. BMW was even spotted testing a hybrid M5!
| Best Sports Sedans | Price [USD] |
|---|---|
| BMW M5 CS | $142,995 |
| Mercedes-AMG E63S | $105,395 |
| Audi RS7 | $130,000 |
| Bentley Flying Spur Speed | $198,100 |
| Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | $84,990 |
| Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo | $110,300 |
| Lexus IS 500 F-Performance | $56,500 |
| BMW M3 Competition | $75,695 |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia QV | $78,830 |
| Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing | $58,995 |
Having said that, there are still a plethora of sports sedans to select from, each with its own set of drivetrains and power outputs. Without getting too caught up in the passing of a motoring era, here are some of the best sports sedans remaining on the market in 2022.
Sports Sedans On Sale
1. BMW M5 CS
The new M5 CS is the top-tier M5, sitting above the ‘regular’ M5 and M5 Competition. Many weight-loss methods have been applied, and other features have been deleted in the sake of sportiness. The engine has also been boosted by a claimed 10 horsepower, making it the quickest, fastest, and most powerful BMW ever mass-produced, with 627 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.
Some automotive journalists have referred to the M5 CS as “the most complete automobile now on the market, or possibly ever.” Even though it’s a ‘Competition Sport,’ BMW hasn’t skimped on comfort and luxury, as the car offers everything you’d ever need – except automatic cruise control. It is definitely one of – if not the best – sports sedan on the market.
2. Mercedes-AMG E63S
The major competitor to the BMW M5 is the Mercedes-Benz E63S AMG 4Matic+. It is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque that is sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The E63S, on the other hand, is a fantastic automobile that combines Mercedes-Benz luxury and elegance with a healthy dose of AMG craziness when needed. It’s a terrific car with few flaws, except that a BMW M5 Competition outperforms it in terms of top speed, acceleration, and power – and that’s without even including the M5 CS! Perhaps Mercedes-AMG will produce an E-Performance model, or perhaps a Black Series E63S!
3. Audi RS7
The Audi RS7 is a stunning vehicle in every way. It has excellent lines flowing down the side, attractive wheel arch extensions, and a fantastic light bar at the back. The most striking aspect of the RS7 is that it still retains a twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
The 4.0-liter engine in question is shared by several VW Group models, including the Porsche Panamera, Bentley Flying Spur, and even the Lamborghini Urus. It develops 590 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque in the RS7 and sends it to all four wheels using Audi’s famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle also boasts a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain that aids in both performance and efficiency.
4. Bentley Flying Spur Speed
The Bentley Flying Spur is the closest thing to absolute luxury available without entering the Rolls-Royce universe. The Flying Spur Speed is the top-spec version of what is essentially the 4-door Continental GT and is one of the world’s fastest sedans.
It has a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine that produces 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque and drives all four wheels through a Porsche PDK transmission – after all, the Flying Spur shares its basis with the Porsche Panamera. The Flying Spur is a fantastic car that can fly across continents at top speed in absolute luxury – for a starting price of more than $200,000, that is.
5. Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a premium sports sedan powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the Chevy Camaro ZL1, tweaked slightly to produce 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque and routed to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. It’s a fantastic vehicle!
With Dodge retiring the Hellcat engine and Ford focusing on electrified vehicles, the V8 is quickly becoming a thing of the past. As such, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is an appropriate way to say goodbye to the era of crazy American V8 power – all in a massive cloud of smoke and the stench of melting tires. Who would have guessed Cadillac would be the ones to send it off?
6. Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo
The Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo is a new model in the Quattroporte family. Actually, the Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante have all been promoted to Trofeo status, which means they all get the fantastic Ferrari F154 twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 engine. They all produce 580 hp and 540 lb-ft of torque, with power going to the rear wheels only in the Quattroporte and Ghibli, but all four wheels in the Levante.
The Quattroporte Trofeo is essentially a 4-door Ferrari sedan that Ferrari refuses to produce (save for the future Purosangue SUV), making it quite a unique vehicle. No, it does not have the soul and sound as the previous generation Quattroporte with its 4.7-liter V8, but this generation has much better technology and is exponentially faster and easier to live with.
7. Lexus IS 500 F-Performance
The Lexus IS 500 F-Performance is an intriguing option for a sports sedan, especially given that it is not a genuine F-car. The IS 500’s sound is enhanced by its Toyota-built and Yamaha-tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine.
The naturally aspirated IS 500 F-Performance produces 470 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque when paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s not the most exciting sports sedan on the market, but it’s certainly one of the most interesting – even if the technology is a little old.
8. BMW M3 Competition
Since the absolutely outstanding E46 generation, the BMW M3 has been the standard against which all other sports sedans have been compared. With the triumph of the roaring V8-powered E90 and twin-turbocharged F30, the current M3 has had a lot to live up to, but it has more than exceeded expectations.
The M3 is available in two variants: the standard M3 and the M3 Competition. The former is only available in rear-wheel drive and may be equipped with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission, whereas the latter is automated-only and can be ordered in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Both models are wonderful in their own right and are terrific choices.
9. Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
When the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde was released, it quickly became everyone’s favorite sports sedan. The Giulia QV is powered by a ‘Ferrari-inspired’ 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 – essentially an F154 3.9-liter V8 with two cylinders removed – that generates an amazing 503 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.
Since Jaguar retired their 3.0-liter supercharged V6, the Giulia QV has one of the finest V6 noises of any automobile. The Giulia QV’s time may be coming to an end as more governments push for hybridization and electrification, with Alfa Romeo even creating a brand-new hybrid crossover. So, let us enjoy this Italian sideways machine while we can.
10. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
T The CT4-V Blackwing, like the CT5-V Blackwing, is a last-ditch effort for the manual sports sedan, as Cadillacs and the base-model BMW M3 are currently the only options.
The CT4-V Blackwing is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 472 horsepower and 603 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels exclusively. It is intended to compete with the previously stated BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. It’s a great-looking car that can quickly go between being a cozy sedan and a tire-wrecking lunatic. Simply brilliant!