While most enthusiasts yearn for a two-door sports car, some look for the practicality of a four-door sedan. Nowadays, there is a wide selection of sports sedans with varying performance outputs, luxury offerings, and modern amenities. These are among the best compact sport sedans for enthusiasts who don’t want to indulge in the more expensive midsize or full-size performance sedans. These compact sport sedans offer great performance, with most sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds.
10. 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance
Starting MSRP: $53,240
The Tesla Model 3 is the electric vehicle that helped change the rules of the EV game thanks to its affordable price tag, strong performance, and impressive driving range. These aspects helped make it a big seller and a great rival to EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Polestar 2.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.1 seconds |
| Powertrain | Dual all-electric motors |
| Horsepower | 455 hp |
| Torque | 487 lb-ft |
For the 2023 model year, Tesla offers three Model 3 trims: standard, Long Range, and Performance. Both the Long Range and Performance trims use a dual motor AWD setup, while the base variant gets a single motor RWD powertrain.
9. 2024 Audi S4
Starting MSRP: $53,800
The 2024 Audi S4 marks the sweet spot in Audi’s lineup, thanks to its impressive performance over the base A4 sedan. Unlike most performance sedans, the 2024 Audi S4 retains docile enough manners, making it a great daily driver.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 4.4 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo 3.0 L V8 |
| Horsepower | 349 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft |
The S4 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels. This translates into an impressive 0 to 60 mph sprint of 4.4 seconds.
8. 2023 Acura TLX Type S
Starting MSRP: $55,750
The 2023 Acura TLX is a compact luxury sport sedan and a great rival to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The TLX Type S competes with the more powerful German sedans like the BMW M340i and the Audi S4.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 4.5 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo 3.0 L V6 |
| Horsepower | 355 hp |
| Torque | 354 lb-ft |
While the base TLX gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the TLX Type S boasts a more potent turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 355 hp. The V6 pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels.
7. 2024 BMW M340i
Starting MSRP: $57,600
The 2024 BMW 3 Series doesn’t get many changes from the 2023 variant that got a minor round of tech and styling updates. The 2024 BMW 3 Series remains one of the roomiest sedans in its class, offering a spacious five-seater cabin.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 4.1-4.4 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo 3.0 L I6 |
| Horsepower | 382 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft |
The M340i is a performance-oriented variant of the BMW 3 Series that sits under the full-blown M3. It’s available in two flavors, both using a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The only difference is that one is rear-wheel drive while the other is all-wheel drive.
Suggested:
6. 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance
Starting MSRP: $59,420
Lexus is among the few Japanese brands that produce high-quality and reliable vehicles. The 2023 Lexus IS is among the most reliable sports sedans from the brand, thanks to the use of proven parts, like the engines.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 4.4 seconds |
| Powertrain | 5.0 L V8 |
| Horsepower | 472 hp |
| Torque | 395 lb-ft |
Lexus offers multiple 2023 IS trims, with the IS 500 F Sport Performance boasting a mighty 5.0-liter V8 engine under its hood. The engine produces 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, channeling the power to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
5. 2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Starting MSRP: $61,495
The 2024 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a well-balanced sports sedan capable of being a daily driver and a canyon-carving weapon. Cadillac fits the 2024 CT4-V Blackwing with a potent engine, two transmission options, and adaptive dampers that perfectly soak up little bumps.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.9 seconds |
| Powertrain | Twin-turbo 3.6 L V6 |
| Horsepower | 472 hp |
| Torque | 445 lb-ft |
Under the hood of the 2024 CT4-V Blackwing sits a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine with 472 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. The engine sends power to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual as standard. However, there’s also an optional 10-speed automatic transmission.
4. 2024 Audi RS 3
Starting MSRP: $61,700
The 2024 Audi RS 3 is one of the best compact sport sedans on the market, thanks to its thrilling package. Unlike most compact sport sedans, the 2024 RS 3 packs an unconventional turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine with 401 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.6 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo 2.5 L I5 |
| Horsepower | 401 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft |
In addition, Audi fits the 202 RS 3 with a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system with a rear-biased setting. This makes the RS 3 a great daily driver that you can still enjoy around a race track. The RS 3 also packs a luxurious cabin with modern technology and comfortable seats.
3. 2024 BMW M3
Starting MSRP: $76,000
For the 2024 model year, BMW offers three M3 trims: base M3, M3 Competition, and M3 Competition xDrive. All variants offer ludicrous performance, with the base variant producing 473 hp and sending it all to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.4-4.1 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo 3.0 L I6 |
| Horsepower | 473-503 hp |
| Torque | 406-479 lb-ft |
All variants use a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, with the M3 Competition trims upping the performance to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the base M3, the M3 Competition models use an 8-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the rear or all wheels.
2. 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Starting MSRP: $81,960
The 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a competitive compact sports sedan with a twin-turbocharged powertrain and a stylish exterior and interior. The Giulia Quadrifoglio competes with compact sport sedans like the BMW M3 and Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.8 seconds |
| Powertrain | Twin-turbo 2.9 L V6 |
| Horsepower | 505 hp |
| Torque | 443 lb-ft |
The twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine makes the Giulia Quadrifoglio one of the best compact sport sedans money can buy. The engine produces 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, sending it all to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
1. 2024 Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance
Starting MSRP: $95,000 (est)
Mercedes reintroduces the C 63 sports sedan in 2024 but it fits a radically different engine. Gone are the days of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in a Mercedes AMG C 63. Instead, the 2024 C 63 gets a hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
Performance Specs
| 0-60 MPH | 3.3 seconds |
| Powertrain | Turbo/electric 2.0 L I4 |
| Horsepower | 671 hp |
| Torque | 752 lb-ft |
While the 4-cylinder engine isn’t as thrilling as the predecessor’s V8, it offers more power, a whooping 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels.