Sports Sedans: Reviews

Updated August 2011

If you like to have a little more fun behind the wheel, a sport sedan will generally deliver more power and better handling than the typical mainstream family sedan. Some sport sedans are more sedate than others, so ConsumerSearch scours reviews to determine the best sport sedans overall. Whether it’s a budget pick or one geared towards ultimate performance, the top options are named here.

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Best sports sedan overall

2011 BMW 3 Series sedan

Base MSRP: $34,600 to $44,150 Learn More

Every year, the BMW 3 Series blows by the pretenders to take the sports sedan throne. Reviewers are smitten by the Bimmer's superb dynamics and range of engines, from the 328i's entry-level inline-6, to the muscular… expandturbocharged version in the BMW 335i to the brawny-yet-fuel-efficient turbodiesel in the BMW 335d. Taller drivers might feel a little squeeze in the cabin, which is otherwise an example of premium quality. You'll also pay extra for some niceties that come standard on other four-doors like the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan (Base MSRP: $34,200 to $46,500) and other well-regarded competitors. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: The 2011 BMW 335i gets a new turbocharged engine, Edmunds.com notes.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The 2010 BMW 3 Series had not undergone rollover roof-strength testing here when we checked, but it does post the highest rating of Good in front-, side- and rear-crash tests.

SaferCar.gov: The 2010 BMW 3 Series (which is basically identical to the 2011 version) earns a perfect 5 stars for side crash protection in government tests, with 4 stars for frontal-crash protection and rollover resistance.

FuelEconomy.gov: The 2011 BMW 3 Series includes the most fuel-efficient nonhybrid car in its class -- the diesel-powered BMW 335d -- as well some less fuel-efficient entries, including the all-wheel-drive BMW 328i, according to this government website that ranks cars by fuel economy.

ConsumerSearch.com: The BMW 3 Series has seen some changes since 2009 -- most notably, a new turbocharged engine for the 335i -- but it has not had a full redesign in that time.

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Sports sedan value

2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan

Base MSRP: $34,200 to $46,500 Learn More

Hyundai isn't generally considered a prestige marquee, but it's trying to shed that image with the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan. The base car is loaded with features you won't find on the smaller, comparably priced 2011 BMW… expand3 Series sedan (including heated leather seats). If you crave luxury, you can get a loaded Genesis for less than the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan (Base MSRP: $49,400 to $59,600). For 2012, Hyundai infuses more sport into the Genesis by adding an R-Spec model that's powered by a 5-liter V8. The Genesis has excellent crash-test scores and the longest warranty of any sports sedan (five years/60,000 miles basic and 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: Handling is "vastly improved" in the 2012 Hyundai Genesis lineup, but Jared Gall finds some flaws, too – like a sluggish new transmission.

Cars.com: The Hyundai Genesis is once again a Cars.com Best Bet.

PopularMechanics.com: As usual, it's hard to beat the Hyundai Genesis' value, Kevin A. Wilson says, comparing it favorably with the Infiniti M and BMW 5 Series.

Autoblog.com: It's hard to justify paying $12,000 extra for the new Hyundai Genesis R-Spec, Zach Bowman concludes in this test.

About.com: The Hyundai Genesis R-Spec's big V8 engine "didn't deliver the thrills I expected," says About.com cars guide Aaron Gold.

Motor Trend: Motor Trend testers like the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec and say it's fun to drive -- but it doesn't live up to the mega-performance image the R-Spec name conjures up.

Edmunds.com: The Hyundai Genesis has been one of Edmunds.com's Top Recommended sedans since it debuted in 2009.

FuelEconomy.gov: This government website lists official fuel economy estimates for each trim level of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis.

IIHS.org: IIHS hasn't yet crash-tested the 2012 Hyundai Genesis, but it's structurally similar to the 2011 model -- which wins a Top Safety Pick award thanks to its high scores in all crash tests here (front, side, rear and rollover roof-strength).

SaferCar.gov: NHTSA hasn't crash-tested the 2012 Genesis sedan, but does give it a 4-star (out of 5) rollover resistance rating.

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Luxury sports sedan

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan

Base MSRP: $49,400 to $59,600 Learn More

For a blend of luxury and performance, experts say you should take your pick of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans. From the entry-level E350 through the mega-performance E63 AMG, critics say the E-Class's elegance,… expandtechnology and comfort are peerless. If you don't care about brand cachet, the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan (Base MSRP: $34,200 to $46,500) offers many -- but not all -- of the E350's features at a lower price. While there are more athletic sport sedans, none balances performance and plushness like this exquisitely appointed midsize Benz. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of Edmunds.com's Top Recommended Sedans.

ConsumerSearch.com: The redesigned Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is too new to have amassed any reliability data at ConsumerReports.org, but editors here rate the E-Class on its other attributes -- including performance, comfort, safety and fuel economy -- based on a test of the Mercedes-Benz E350 V6 sedan.

Edmunds Inside Line: The Mercedes-Benz E550 wins this test by a hair.

Edmunds Inside Line: The Mercedes-Benz E550 wins again. It's the most fuel-efficient, accelerates the fastest, and feels the most supremely confident of the three cars in this test, Chris Walton says.

Autoblog.com: A New England nor'easter hits during Dan Roth's test of the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz E350, but the sedan shrugs it off.

TheTruthAboutCars.com: The Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan places next-to-last in this test of six import sport sedans.

TheTruthAboutCars.com: Dead steering hurts the new Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan, Michael Karesh says.

ConsumerGuide.com: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a Recommended premium midsize car here, but pricey options keep it from being a Best Buy.

About.com: About.com's guide to cars, Aaron Gold, names the Mercedes-Benz E-Class one of the best new cars for 2010.

FuelEconomy.gov: According to this government website, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan delivers 18 to 21 mpg overall, depending on trim.

SaferCar.gov: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan scores 4 stars (out of 5) for frontal-crash protection, with perfect 5-star ratings for side crash protection and rollover resistance in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class earns the highest rating of Good in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's front, side, rear and rollover crash tests and is a Top Safety Pick.

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High-performance sedan

2011 BMW M3 Sedan

Base MSRP: $55,900 Learn More

If you want a sports car but you need the practicality of a four-door, experts recommend the BMW M3 sedan. Critics have a tough time finding anything to criticize on this car: It's got a powerful V8 engine, unshakeable… expandgrip, unflappable precision in curves and a connectedness between driver and machine that makes it simply fun to drive, both at the track and every day. The backseat is cramped, though, and options add up in a hurry. If you don't need racetrack speed, the regular BMW 3 Series (Base MSRP: $34,600 to $44,150) may be more practical and nearly as entertaining. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: The 2011 BMW M3 sedan now offers a new Competition package, Edmunds.com says.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The BMW 3 Series on which the M3 is based earns the highest rating of Good in front-, side- and rear-crash tests here.

SaferCar.gov: The BMW M3 is built on the BMW 3 Series, which rates a perfect 5 stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration side-crash tests and 4 stars for frontal-crash protection and rollover resistance.

FuelEconomy.gov: This federal website classifies the high-performance BMW M3 as an upscale sedan.

ConsumerSearch.com: The BMW M3 has seen only minor options changes since 2009.

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