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When you’ve been listening to Edmunds’ greatest automobiles these days, you would possibly’ve seen a theme: the actually good things is coming from abroad. The very best-of-the-best vehicles from each sedan class should not made by American carmakers, which has us a bit salty. Nevertheless, these sedans deserve the highlight.
Whereas American automakers have largely deserted the four-door format in favor of SUVs and vans, producers from Japan, Germany, South Korea, and the UK have saved the religion. The outcome? A roster of outstanding sedans that show this physique model is way from lifeless.
From budget-friendly commuters to six-figure efficiency machines, these are the vehicles that outline excellence of their classes. And sure, you’ll discover a definite absence of Detroit’s best — not as a result of we’re being choosy, however as a result of the competitors merely didn’t present up.
Finest X-Small Sedan: Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa may be the automotive world’s best-kept secret. Beginning round $17,000, it’s proof that reasonably priced doesn’t must imply penalty field.
The cabin is surprisingly spacious for the value level, with sufficient rear legroom that your grownup pals received’t instantly unfriend you after a highway journey. The infotainment system consists of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as commonplace, which is greater than some luxurious manufacturers have been providing only a few years in the past. Certain, the 122-horsepower engine received’t win any drag races, however the repeatedly variable transmission has been refined to the purpose the place it’s really nice in day by day driving.
For brand spanking new graduates, first-time consumers, or anybody who thinks spending sensibly is underrated, the Versa delivers the place it counts.
Finest Small Sedan: Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has been America’s sweetheart for many years, and the present era reminds us precisely why. With a beginning value round $24,000, it affords a driving expertise that feels prefer it ought to value significantly extra.
The turbocharged engine choices ship genuinely participating acceleration, whereas the dealing with strikes that good steadiness between sporty and cozy. Inside, Honda’s designers have created a cabin that feels extra premium than its price ticket suggests, with clear traces and considerate ergonomics all through. Gas financial system hovers round 32 mpg mixed, which suggests fewer gasoline station visits and extra money for really having fun with your life.
The Civic proves that mainstream doesn’t imply boring — it means nailing each side of what makes a automobile genuinely nice.
Finest Midsize Sedan: Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has grow to be one thing of a punchline in fanatic circles, however right here’s the factor: it’s a punchline that outsells nearly every little thing else on the highway. The most recent era beginning round $28,000 has genuinely shed its appliance-like fame, with styling that really turns heads and a driving character that’s extra participating than you’d anticipate.
The obtainable hybrid powertrain delivers round 50 mpg mixed whereas offering greater than satisfactory efficiency for real-world driving. Toyota’s reliability fame means this automobile will seemingly outlive your mortgage, and the resale values replicate that actuality.
Sure, there are extra thrilling choices on the market, however few automobiles steadiness practicality, effectivity, and long-term worth fairly just like the Camry. Some vehicles don’t have to do burnouts to get consideration!
Finest Giant Sedan: Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown represents Toyota’s fascinating try and make the big sedan fascinating once more, and actually, they’ve succeeded. Beginning round $40,000, this fastback sedan combines the practicality of a conventional four-door with genuinely distinctive styling that doesn’t appear like each different sedan on the highway. The usual hybrid powertrain produces 236 horsepower whereas returning glorious gasoline financial system for the scale.
The all-wheel-drive system comes commonplace, making this a compelling possibility for consumers who expertise precise climate. Inside, the cabin high quality takes a noticeable step up from the Camry, with supplies and fit-and-finish that justify the premium. The Crown proves that Toyota can do extra than simply dependable transportation — they’ll make it genuinely fascinating too.
Finest X-Small Luxurious Sedan: Audi A3
The Audi A3 is what occurs when German engineering will get compressed right into a tidy bundle. Beginning round $38,000, it’s probably the most accessible entry level to Audi’s world of quattro all-wheel drive and complicated inside design.
The 201-horsepower turbocharged engine supplies sprightly efficiency, whereas the dual-clutch transmission shifts with the precision you’d anticipate from Ingolstadt. The cabin options Audi’s Digital Cockpit digital gauge cluster, which nonetheless feels futuristic whilst opponents scramble to catch up. Rear seat area is admittedly tight, however that’s the trade-off for a sedan that really suits in city parking areas.
For younger professionals who need the status of a German luxurious badge with out the six-figure price ticket, the A3 delivers the important Audi expertise in concentrated kind.
Finest Small Luxurious Sedan: BMW 3 Sequence
The BMW 3 Sequence has outlined the sports activities sedan class for therefore lengthy that competing towards it has grow to be its personal trade. Beginning round $44,000, the present era maintains BMW’s fame for driver engagement whereas including fashionable know-how and luxury.
The bottom turbocharged four-cylinder produces 255 horsepower, which is greater than sufficient to remind you why individuals nonetheless care about rear-wheel-drive sedans. The inside strikes a wonderful steadiness between conventional BMW driver focus and up to date luxurious expectations. The iDrive infotainment system has advanced into one of many higher implementations within the luxurious phase, even when the training curve exists.
After many years of excellence, the three Sequence stays the benchmark that each different sport sedan should measure itself towards.
Finest Midsize Luxurious Sedan: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class occupies that candy spot within the luxurious sedan hierarchy — substantial sufficient to really feel genuinely particular, however not so massive that parking turns into a strategic problem. Beginning round $63,000, it affords a cabin expertise that borders on S-Class territory with out the corresponding value shock.
The obtainable engines vary from environment friendly turbocharged four-cylinders to highly effective inline-sixes, all paired with a clean nine-speed computerized transmission. Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system with augmented actuality navigation really seems like know-how from the longer term somewhat than a irritating touchscreen experiment. The E-Class excels at making lengthy freeway drives really feel easy, which is precisely what a luxurious sedan ought to do.
That is the automobile you purchase once you’ve determined consolation and refinement matter greater than impressing youngsters.
Finest Giant Luxurious Sedan: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class says it’s that you just’ve arrived, wherever “there” occurs to be. Beginning round $117,000, it represents the top of what a luxurious sedan can obtain when value constraints take a again seat to excellence.
The cabin options therapeutic massage seats with sufficient adjustment choices to rival a high-end spa, plus rear seats that supply higher legroom than many individuals’s lounge recliners. The air suspension smooths out highway imperfections so successfully that passengers would possibly overlook they’re really touring. Superior driver help options strategy autonomous functionality, although you’ll nonetheless have to preserve your arms on the wheel.
The S-Class is what each different luxurious sedan aspires to grow to be when it grows up.
Finest Unique Sedan: Bentley Flying Spur
The Bentley Flying Spur exists in a rarified area the place sedans value greater than most individuals’s homes and completely no one questions the worth proposition. Beginning round $230,000, it combines hand-crafted British luxurious with a twin-turbocharged W12 engine producing 626 horsepower.
The inside options leather-based from bulls that apparently by no means encountered barbed wire, plus wooden veneers that require precise craftsmanship somewhat than printed plastic. We expect it’s one of the crucial luxurious interiors you’ll ever lay eyes on. Regardless of weighing greater than 5,000 kilos, the Flying Spur accelerates to 60 mph in round 3.7 seconds, which is genuinely absurd for one thing this opulent.
That is the automobile you purchase once you wish to arrive on the nation membership in one thing extra delicate than a Lamborghini however significantly extra spectacular than an S-Class. Subtlety is relative once you’re spending Bentley cash.
Finest Sports activities Compact: Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai Elantra N is what occurs when Korean engineers determine to construct a correct sizzling hatch competitor in sedan kind. Beginning round $35,000, it delivers 276 horsepower by the entrance wheels with sufficient efficiency {hardware} to again up the aggressive styling.
The obtainable guide transmission affords three pedals and 6 speeds for drivers who admire the normal strategy, whereas the dual-clutch computerized supplies launch management for individuals who favor know-how. The exhaust system consists of synthetic pops and crackles which may annoy purists however will completely entertain anybody beneath 40. The N-branded efficiency seats maintain you in place throughout spirited cornering, which you’ll be doing actually because this automobile begs to be pushed onerous.
Hyundai’s N division has confirmed that you just don’t want German heritage to construct a legitimately enjoyable efficiency sedan.
Finest Small Efficiency Sedan: Acura Integra Sort S
The Acura Integra Sort S resurrects a legendary nameplate and truly does it justice, which is rarer than it must be within the automotive world. Beginning round $54,000, it contains a 320-horsepower turbocharged engine that revs eagerly and sounds improbable doing it.
The limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers work collectively to create dealing with that rewards expert driving with out punishing on a regular basis commutes. Inside, the Integra Sort S balances its efficiency mission with real usability, providing rear seats that adults can really occupy and a trunk that accepts actual baggage. The six-speed guide transmission is the one obtainable possibility for transmission.
That is Honda’s efficiency division reminding everybody that they nonetheless know the best way to construct vehicles that fanatics really need.
Finest Midsize Efficiency Sedan: Audi RS 6
The Audi RS 6 Avant technically involves America as a wagon, however its low roofline and sedan-like proportions earn it a spot on this dialog. Beginning round $122,000, it packs a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 591 horsepower right into a physique that would theoretically haul your child’s hockey gear.
The quattro all-wheel-drive system launches this practically two-ton automobile to 60 mph in simply 3.5 seconds, which is supercar territory achieved in sensible packaging. The inside options Audi’s best supplies and know-how, plus entrance seats with extra adjustment choices than most individuals will ever discover. The RS 6 proves that efficiency and practicality don’t must be mutually unique — you actually can have your cake and carry it too.
That is the automobile for individuals who refuse to compromise between pace and utility.
Finest Giant Efficiency Sedan: BMW ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe
The BMW ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe represents the height of refined efficiency, constructed by the Bavarian specialist that makes commonplace BMWs really feel pedestrian. Beginning round $145,000, it takes the already spectacular 8 Sequence Gran Coupe and elevates every little thing one other degree.
The hand-built 4.4-liter V8 produces 612 horsepower, propelling this elegant sedan to 60 mph in simply 3.3 seconds regardless of weighing over 4,800 kilos. ALPINA’s suspension tuning achieves that seemingly unimaginable steadiness of sports activities automobile dealing with and limousine consolation. The inside options distinctive ALPINA touches together with hand-stitched leather-based and blue-and-green gauge faces that subtly distinguish it from lesser BMWs.
That is the automobile for the fanatic who’s grown up, made some cash, and refuses to decide on between efficiency and luxurious.
Conclusion
The sedan phase in 2026 tells an fascinating story concerning the world automotive panorama. Whereas American producers have largely ceded this territory, manufacturers from Japan, Germany, South Korea, and the UK have continued refining and enhancing their four-door choices.
The result’s a various lineup that serves each doable want, from reasonably priced fundamental transportation to six-figure efficiency luxurious. These automobiles show that sedans nonetheless supply benefits in effectivity, dealing with, and elegance that SUVs merely can’t match. Certain, crossovers dominate the gross sales charts, however for drivers who prioritize the driving expertise, sedans stay the superior alternative.
The very best information? Competitors from these worldwide producers means American consumers get entry to a few of the best cars ever constructed, no matter their nation of origin.
