It’s getting harder to find compact, luxury sedans. As more consumers clamor for higher seating positions and increased cargo space, many automakers are abandoning the category for crossovers and SUVs. But for those looking to buck the trends, there’s still a handful of seductive, sporty four-doors from which to choose. And with the exception of one, each car on our list is powered by a potent internal combustion engine, a last hurrah of sorts as more manufacturers move to electric. Here are our favorite small but souped-up sedans.
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2023 Audi RS 3
Image Credit: Audi AG One of the best small sports cars on the market, the Audi RS 3 (from $60,900) is the most powerful of the marque’s compact offerings, with its unusual—but muscular—2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. Compared to the specs of some rivals, the RS 3’s 401 hp and 369 ft lbs of torque might not measure up on paper, but thanks to its fine-tuned engineering and relatively light package, it can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. A sport-tuned suspension, along with a lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission and RS-tuned progressive steering keeps the car hunkered down on tight turns and sweeping corners alike.
A palette of colors, beyond the usual boring blacks and greys, include the electric Kyalami Green and Python Yellow Metallic. When you’re done flogging the RS 3 in the canyons or on the track, Audi’s adaptive cruise assist—with lane guidance—can help take up some of the slack on the drive home.
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2023 BMW M3 Competition
Image Credit: Uwe Fischer, courtesy of BMW. Long considered the benchmark in the segment, the M3 has appeared on best-of lists for nearly four decades. Although many old-school BMW enthusiasts prefer the nimbler dynamics and smaller footprint of the M2 (more akin to the older M3 generations like the e46 and e90), the M3 remains the brand’s compact four-door option.
We’d take the M3 Competition, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six tuned to make 503 hp and 479 ft lbs of torque. The rear-wheel-drive version gets the closest to the classic BMW feel, while the all-wheel-drive M3 makes the best daily driver in a wider range of climates. Flashier colors include Sao Paulo Yellow and Isle of Green Metallic, and interior palettes include racy Yas Marina blue with yellow accents. Some may lament the M3’s giant flaring nostril treatment up front, but it’s a detail easily overlooked from the driver’s seat.
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2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Image Credit: DW Burnett, courtesy of Cadillac. American sports cars still tend to get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. But this line-topping Cadillac proves to be the exception with its track-worthy specs. The CT4-V Blackwing (From $60,495) is powered by a 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 that makes 472 hp and 445 ft lbs of torque, enough to send it from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It’s also one of the few cars left with a six-speed manual gearbox (although a 10-speed automatic is also available).
Engineered for performance, the CT4-V Blackwing is available only in rear-wheel drive and uses an electronic limited-slip rear diff and an upgraded suspension that offers improved body control and quicker steering response. And it looks even more aggressive with the carbon-fiber package, which adds a front splitter, rear aero spoiler and front-wheel deflectors. As for the cabin, styling options include two-tone perforated leather with interior inserts and carbon-fiber trim.
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2023 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 “Edition 55”
Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz AG Mercedes killed off its A-class entry-level sedan after the 2022 model year, leaving the CLA as the sole contender in the small-sedan segment. The most powerful variant is the AMG-tuned CLA 45 with a handcrafted, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 382 hp and 354 ft lbs of torque. Although it has the least amount of output when it comes to the models on our list, it’s the best small Mercedes for the buck, and strikes an ideal balance between sporty weekend car and comfortable commuter.
For the 2023 model year, Mercedes has released the sinister-looking “Edition 55” version, which celebrates 55 years of AMG and is limited to 55 units. It’s set apart by a special Cosmos Black Metallic exterior with gloss black trim, black chrome tailpipes and dark-tinted glass. Inside, a striking black-and-red leather interior is complemented by contrast stitching and dark brushed aluminum trim. And the wide, horizontal display shows just enough information without potentially overwhelming the driver, à la the Mercedes EQ’s gargantuan (yet dazzling) hyperscreen.
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2024 Polestar 2 with Performance Pack
Image Credit: Stefan Isaksson, courtesy of Polestar AB. The only electric car on our list, the Polestar 2 offers cool Scandinavian design in an elegant, sustainably minded package. Just recently, Polestar announced a face-lifted version of its entry-level EV for the 2024 model year, with slightly more range and new safety features that were previously announced on the larger Polestar 3 SUV.
Skip the base model and go straight for the line-topping, dual-motor variant with the Performance Pack, which includes updated motors that make a combined 455 hp and 546 ft lbs of torque. Redesigned, 20-inch wheels are fitted with Brembo brakes, and a new rear-drive means sportier handling dynamics. Added safety features include adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and more. Expected range for this model is about 270 miles, and Polestar also promises faster charging.
