10 4-Door Sports Cars

2016 Cadillac CTS-V front 3/4 ・ Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Sports cars represent some of the most desirable vehicles on the market, but they are also some of the least practical. Cramped rear seats — if any — and a tight squeeze to access them often see shoppers skipping over svelte coupes in search of more user-friendly sedans. Automakers have realized that there is a growing market for high-performance sedans that offer at least as many driving thrills as their 2-door cousins. As a result, there are now a number of vehicles out there that could be termed “4-door sports cars.” Let’s take a look at 10 of the most appealing 4-door sports cars currently available in the United States.

1) 2017 Jaguar XF-S

The 2017 Jaguar XF-S, the brand’s recently redesigned luxury sedan, grafts serious sports car features onto the 4-door automobile’s already taut platform. The Jaguar XF features a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that cranks out 380 horses and 332 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is only available gearbox for the XF-S, and it provides a manual shifting option by way of steering wheel-mounted paddles. The 2017 Jaguar XF-S can reach 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, which places the comfortable sedan squarely in sports car territory. Oversized brakes and an adaptive suspension system also contribute to the sedan’s aggressive character.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2) 2016 Ford Taurus SHO

The 2016 Ford Taurus SHO is a high-performance version of the brand’s mainstay sedan, powered by a powerful version of the EcoBoost drivetrain. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 found under the hood of the Taurus SHO produces 365 ponies and 350 lb-ft of torque. This full-ize sedan also features Ford’s all-wheel drive system as a standard feature, which dramatically improves its launching ability and plays a large role in its 0-60-mph time of 5.8 seconds. The only transmission available is a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Photo by Ford Media

3) 2016 Subaru WRX STI

The 2016 Subaru WRX STI draws from rally heritage, with Subaru historically having been an active participant in this segment of the motorsports universe. The 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI employs a turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine that generates 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of twist from its 2.5 liters. Matched with a 6-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive, the vehicle is able to blow past 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. The automobile features Brembo brakes and a race-inspired suspension system, and the STI’s all-wheel drive system offers an active center differential that can be controlled by the driver from within the vehicle in order to adapt to various traction situations.

Photo by Subaru

4) 2016 Cadillac CTS-V

The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is a midsize luxury sedan that boasts 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque from its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine. Though the CTS-V is a large car, the extra two doors definitely don’t hold it back from achieving peak performance. An 8-speed automatic transmission handles power management to the CTS-V’s rear wheels, and a magnetic suspension automatically adjusts for the best handling and performance. The CTS-V can hit the 60-mph mark from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 200 mph.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

5) 2016 Volkswagen GTI 4-Door

The 2016 Volkswagen GTI is the pocket rocket edition of the Volkswagen Golf compact hatchback. Setting the Volkswagen GTI apart from the standard Golf are several important changes that have been designed to give the small car a sporty punch, including the installation of a turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 210 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Also along for the ride is an optional 6-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission (with a traditional 6-speed manual provided as standard equipment), and a tighter suspension system that is more in tune with transmitting road feel through the steering wheel and responding to driver inputs.

Photo by Volkswagen

6) 2016 BMW M3 Sedan

The 2016 BMW M3 sedan is the 4-door edition of one of the most popular premium sports cars on the market. The BMW M3 sedan provides all of the same creature comforts and interior room as the standard BMW 3 Series sedan, but also injects a significant amount of performance that elevates the vehicle above its more pedestrian sibling. The 2016 BMW M3 sedan offers a locking rear differential, a track-tuned suspension system and other track-ready features. The vehicle is powered by a 425-horse, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that also generates 406 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is included free of charge with the BMW M3, but buyers can also elect to sample the brand’s 7-speed dual clutch automated manual for even faster gear changes.

7) 2016 Volvo S60 Polestar

The 2016 Volvo S60 Polestar is one of the most intriguing models in the brand’s lineup, and an easy contender for one of the best 4-door sports cars on the market. The Volvo S60 Polestar was developed as a partnership with the racing shop whose name it bears, and it comes powered by a 345-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that also produces 369 lb-ft of torque. Standard all-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission complete the package, along with an exclusive bright blue exterior finish that makes this sedan stand out from the regular Volvo S60.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

8) 2016 Audi S4

The 2016 Audi S4 is the German luxury brand’s hot rod edition of its popular A4 sedan. The Audi S4 is known for its quattro all-wheel drive system, which sends 60 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels in order to give the vehicle a more sporting feel without compromising traction. The vehicle also offers a stiffer suspension system than the standard A4, as well as more aggressively-sized brakes. Motivating the 2016 Audi S4 is a 3.0-liter V6 that makes use of a supercharger to grind out 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The Audi is offered with either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed dual clutch automated manual. The sedan can reach 60 miles per hour from a standing start in just under five seconds.

9) 2016 Dodge Charger SRT8 Hellcat

The 2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat ups the ante for domestic sedans, offering fullsize accommodations and a healthy degree of comfort. The Charger Hellcat derives much of its menace from a Hemi 6.2-liter V8 that produces 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, good for a top speed of 204 mph. The Charger Hellcat’s two rear doors don’t hold back this impressive sedan as it speeds from 0 to 60 in just 3.7 seconds.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

10) 2016 Lexus IS 350 F

The 2016 Lexus IS 350 F represents the first effort by Lexus to break into the high performance 4-door premium sports car club that has been traditionally dominated by German manufacturers. The Lexus IS F transforms the Lexus IS entry-level sedan platform through the introduction of upsized brakes, an aggressively-styled body kit, a lowered suspension system and a great drivetrain. The 2016 Lexus IS 350 F is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, and comes in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. An 8-speed automatic transmission manages the power for this sporty sedan.

Photo by Lexus