Four-door fun on a budget
While most Americans are spending their hard-earned dollars on SUVs and trucks, some buyers are still interested in a good old-fashioned sedan. After all, these four-door compact cars were originally made to haul around a family of five in comfort while achieving good fuel economy numbers and getting from point A to B safely. However, times have changed, and some sedans in the market are made to be much more than boring commuters.
These are the sedans that pack a lot of power while maintaining their efficiency and practicality. They offer sharp handling, modern tech, and sleek designs that rival the flashiest crossovers and SUVs. For drivers who want performance without sacrificing everyday usability, these cars strike a perfect balance. Whether you want to carve up a back road or cruise through the city, these four sports sedans prove that fun and function can coexist.
2025 Honda Civic Si – $30,250
The Honda Civic Si has been in the automotive market since the mid-80s. Back then, it was a simple little hatchback that only produced 91 horsepower, but it was a blast to drive compared to its non-Si counterpart, thanks to its fuel-injected engine. It’s been almost 40 years since the Civic Si was added to Honda’s lineup, and the car has evolved a lot since. These days, the high-performance Civic only comes in sedan form, and it’s also only offered with a manual transmission, just as it always has been.
Keeping with the sporty theme, the 2025 Civic Si is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of power, the compact sedan can get up to 60 mph from a standstill in around 6.6 seconds, which is quick for a practical sedan. However, this car isn’t just about performance, as its compact confines have enough space for five and are filled with plenty of technology.
Honda
On the safety front, the Civic Si is packed with driver-assist features in the form of Honda’s Safety Sense suite, but it’s also loaded with entertainment features, including a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose premium audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. All things considered, the 2025 Honda Civic Si is quite the bargain with a starting price just over $30,000.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI – $32,715
Buyers looking to spend a little more on German luxury should check out the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Like the Honda Civic Si, the Jetta GLI is the high-performance version of its civilian counterpart, which is mostly dedicated to going the distance with as few fill-ups as possible while keeping its occupants safe and entertained. The Jetta GLI takes this ethos and turns everything up to 11 by packing a turbocharged engine under its hood that produces 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
That power gets sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual. However, if you want to uncork the most fun possible, the latter is recommended. Performance aside, the Jetta GLI also packs plenty of tech-savvy features, including a couple of USB-C ports, a large infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit driver information display, a wireless charging dock, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone integration.
John Beltz Snyder
Additionally, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has plenty of safety features and driver-assist features, like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a forward collision warning with emergency braking. Let’s not forget that it also features an all-black interior that’s stitched to perfection based on the German brand’s impeccable standards. So, although you might pay a little more for this hopped-up Jetta, we think it’s worth the extra cash.
2025 Hyundai Elantra N – $34,350
Keeping with the high-performance counterpart theme, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N is the alter ego of the, you guessed it, Elantra. As you can also likely guess, the Elantra N ups the ante with a healthy dose of performance via a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that sends 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. The power is transmitted with either an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission or a traditional six-speed manual, and as an added plus, either transmission choice comes equipped with launch control for snappier acceleration runs.
Hyundai
Drivers can also dial up the fun on the Elantra N with its N Grin Control System, which puts the car in four different drive modes to make the car feel sportier or more efficient, depending on what the driving conditions call for. Hyundai even beefed up the Elantra N’s suspension with stiffer springs and sway bars, which enables the car to hit every apex in the corners without sacrificing too much when it comes to ride quality. Additionally, the Elantra N is filled with all the tech and safety features drivers want, including wireless smartphone integration and a host of driver-assist features to keep everyone safe.
2025 Acura Integra A-Spec – $38,000
Acura
The 2025 Acura Integra is a wise choice for drivers who want the practicality of a Honda Civic but with the premium looks and feel that the upscale Japanese brand has to offer. As such, the Integra is filled with upscale materials and the craftsmanship you would expect from Acura, while remaining obtainable with its sub-$40,000 price tag. While the base Integra is a safe choice for entry-level luxury buyers, we recommend the A-Spec trim level, which is higher up its trim-level ladder.
Zac Palmer
The Integra A-Spec adds to the base model with a sportier appearance package, a premium Bose audio system, and larger wheels. It also comes equipped with heated seats, a large infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android, and a dual-zone auto climate control system to keep everyone comfortable and entertained. However, the real fun begins with the Integra A-Spec’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and available six-speed manual transmission. It also comes with a CVT, but for the best driving experience, we recommend opting for the stick shift.
Additionally, although the Integra A-Spec shares the same powertrain as the Civic Si, with 200 horsepower and all, we have included it on this list due to its additional hatchback practicality and adaptive suspension, which the Civic lacks.
Final thoughts
Although most Americans will always have love for SUVs, there is still a strong case to be made for the compact sedan. While they may not offer the same level of utility or cargo space as their sport-utility counterparts, sedans provide a more engaging driving experience without sacrificing comfort. Models like the Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Acura Integra A-Spec, and Hyundai Elantra N prove that you don’t need to have a two-door coupe to have fun behind the wheel. These four sporty sedans blend everyday usability with impressive performance, and they’re guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you hit the road.