Until they weren’t, sedans were big business. The three-box body style used to be ubiquitous and three decades ago, the average car was likely to be a sedan. Now, crossovers and SUVs have all but taken over, thanks to their higher ride heights and muscular image.

Despite this, the humble sedan continues to soldier on and some brands are even continuing to produce performance models that pack a serious punch.. You see, for a long time, sports sedans have been a niche with a loyal following. After all, there’s a lot to love – four doors, a practical trunk, a sleek silhouette with a low center of gravity, and powerful engines. The AMG Hammer and Lotus Carlton are gone, but not forgotten. Among all the dwindling selections of sedans on sale today, there are some with supercar levels of power. If you’re after power and four doors are non-negotiable, we direct you to the following sedans, which are some of the most potent examples on sale.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio – 505 hp

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a return to form for the Italian brand with standard models offering 280 hp / 306 lb-ft and the kind of exotic styling inside and out that sets it apart from its less-sophisticated rivals. Alfa also gave the world the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio pictured above, with an epic engine to match the brand’s heritage. Under the hood is a 505-hp Ferrari-derived 690T engine, enabling the Giulia to hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Quadrifoglio is a driver’s car, with rear-wheel drive, a compliant yet capable chassis, gorgeous looks, and a punchy engine with a link to Ferrari. It might not be the most powerful on this list, but the Giulia Quadrifoglio scores high on all fronts, making it a heart as well as a head purchase. Although the Quadrifoglio is out of production, there is still dealer stock, which means that fans of powerful Italian sedans can still get a piece of this important part of Alfa’s history.

Maserati Ghibli Trofeo – 572 hp

With 572 hp, the Maserati Ghibli Trofeo (trophy in Italian) is a potent machine that doubles as a luxury sedan. Based on the Quattroporte’s platform, but with a shortened wheelbase, the Ghibli swaps the base model’s engine for the Maserati version of the Ferrari F154. That means that this opulent sedan has a supercar engine under its hood. One of the main differences is in the slightly reduced engine capacity, as well as the Maserati engine using a wet sump oiling system and a cross-plane crankshaft. It sends its power to the rear wheels, too, although a manual transmission isn’t on the menu. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023, the brand revealed the Ghibli 334 Ultima, which celebrates the end of the twin-turbo V8 engine, with ‘334’ denoting the top speed of the model – 207 mph. The standard Trofeo can hit 60 mph in 4 seconds.

Audi RS e-tron GT – 637 hp

The $147,000 Audi RS e-tron GT has a mediocre name, but there is nothing mediocre about its performance. Audi’s RS version of the e-tron GT, which is part of the ‘e-tron’ electric range, can hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. It has a peak output of 637 hp with the boost function, with power going to all four wheels. On the inside and outside, the RS e-tron GT shouts about its performance, with up to 21-inch wheels, a rear diffuser, brake cooling ducts, and a big, swoopy silhouette. In typical Audi fashion, it also offers luxury on the inside. An EPA-rated 232 miles of electric range isn’t overly impressive but, for the performance on offer (and the size of the car), the RS e-tron GT is an impressive piece of kit.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – 668 hp

The spec sheet is impressive, offering everything you could want in an entertaining sports sedan. 668 hp, 3.4 seconds to 60 mph, rear-wheel drive, and an available manual transmission. Cadillac’s CT5-V Blackwing – the hottest version of the CT5-V – is also one of the last supercharged cars on sale in the US. In addition to its raucous powertrain, the Blackwing is also a practical sedan you could drive daily. It shares its LT4 V8 with the Cadillac Escalade-V and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (the Camaro is in its last year of production in 2024). The CT5-V Blackwing is a rebel, a dying breed in almost every way, as sedans and supercharged engines hang in the balance. Its blend of simplicity, all-American muscle, and rebelliousness makes it a real 4-door muscle car, just like the departed Dodge Charger.

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance – 671 hp

The last Mercedes-AMG C 63 came with a burly turbocharged V8 under its hood, but the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance emerged with half the cylinders under its hood; a turbocharged 2.0-liter in the place of the V8. Another victim of downsizing. Yet, the changes made to the new C 63 model are drastic and that extends to the power on offer from the 3-motor, PHEV powertrain.

With 671 hp on offer alongside a ridiculous 752 lb-ft, the C 63 S E Performance is more powerful than many other cars on sale today, in a practical and luxurious package. It lost its soul in the process, but it offers much more power than the outgoing C 63 S (that car made 503 hp) and throws in a more efficient hybrid system into the mix that also works as a catapult to hurl the C 63 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

BMW M5 – 717 hp

What’s the upper limit for power in a sedan? The 2025 BMW M5 goes up over the 700-hp barrier, taking the sports sedan into supercar territory based on power and torque alone. It puts that power down to all four wheels, with an automatic transmission only. It’s a luxurious point-to-point missile, capable of hitting 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, that can also cosset and relax its occupants when needed. The old model made 617 hp without the new hybrid hardware, so the new model is the most powerful M5 yet, but the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 is still a dinosaur on borrowed time. Either way, this kind of power on offer in a car with 4 doors and fold-down rear seats is impressive. Ultimately, the M5 is not built for track days, it’s built for crossing continents, but it will happily kick out its tail on the way out of an apex.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – 771 hp

Not only is it the most powerful Panamera ever, but it is also one of the most powerful Porsches ever made, sitting just below the hottest Taycan and the 918 Spyder. In the list of most powerful sedans, the Porsche Panamera Hybrid represents one of the most powerful sedans on sale with an internal combustion engine (ICE engine). To achieve its power, the Panamera combines the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a 25.9 kWh battery, which offers an electric range of 31 miles. It can drive at up to 87 mph on electric power alone. With the ICE engine, the car will hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and go on to 202 mph. Adaptive air suspension and a long list of tech and features add up to an impressive and luxurious sedan, but the Panamera S E-Hybrid’s price tag of $226,000 means it remains another luxury accessory. Those with the means can secure one with a deposit for delivery in Q1 2025.

Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE – 791 hp

0-60 mph times are still relevant for some, even when it comes to high-end luxury barges like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. After a short hiatus, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 returned with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with tech trickled down from Formula 1 that enables this flagship to reach 60 in an official 3.2 seconds. The S 63 E Performance, like the C 63 S E Performance above, is a hugely powerful sedan that combines a traditional engine with, in this case, a rear-seated e-motor. In total, power is up to almost 800 hp, with more than 1,000 lb-ft of torque, making the AMG S 63 E Performance the most powerful internal combustion-engined sedan on sale. The exterior manages to indicate the car’s performance without looking vulgar despite its 21″ wheels, ‘S63’ badging, and quad tailpipes, but inside, the S-Class is all about opulence as always. .

Tesla Model S Plaid – 1,020 hp

Going over the 1,000-hp limit in a sedan requires the use of a potent, all-electric powertrain. The Tesla Model S Plaid is a bargain based on its price – $89,990 – if we take into account its performance. A Plaid is a ticket to one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the planet, one that will hit 200 mph and pass 60 mph in 1.99 seconds on the way. When not pulling hits on the drag strip for another Tesla Plaid Vs YouTube video, the Model S is also a practical sedan just like any other sedan on this list, but it also happens to be a supercar killer. Options include the full self-driving suite, as well as the quirky yoke steering wheel, inside a futuristic and minimalist cabin. Tesla will also sell you a Track Pack for $15,000-$20,000 for those who find the regular Plaid slow. It includes aluminum forged wheels, track-ready tires and brake fluid, new carbon-silicon carbide rotors, and one-piece forged calipers with high-performance pads.

Lucid Air Sapphire – 1,234 hp

Lucid’s Air Sapphire is the flagship in the Air range by the American startup, and it looks like this model was designed solely to beat the Tesla Model S Plaid. The design team decided to surpass Tesla by a significant margin. As such, it boasts an unthinkable 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft, numbers that would seem more at home in a semi-truck. A tri-motor design mimics the Tesla Model S Plaid, too, with all-wheel drive to help the mammoth EV put its power down with up to 308 hp going to each wheel. At 5,336 lbs, the Sapphire needs all the help it can get to get moving, but thanks to the electric powertrain, all of that power and torque is available from 0 rpm, allowing for a Plaid-beating 1.9 seconds to 60 mph, as well as a top speed of 205 mph. It also broke the quarter-mile record for production sedans with an 8:930 time. .

The Decline Of Sedans – The World Opts For Crossovers

Many American manufacturers such as Ford, Buick, and Lincoln don’t make sedans anymore, with other brands such as Chevrolet and Chrysler saying goodbye to the Malibu and 300 respectively at the end of this year. V8 sedans are at risk of becoming extinct and sedans with manual transmissions are also few and far between. They simply can’t compete with crossovers and SUVs, even if they have an audience who continues to cling to the appeal of the low-riding position, neutral handling, and sleek profile of the sedan. It’s impressive the sedan still exists, not to mention the fact that in 2024 there are at least 10 sedan models you can buy with between 505 hp and 1,234 hp. SUVs and crossovers are marketed as safer, more capable in adverse conditions, more spacious, and easier to drive. Many prefer the easier access height and a commanding view of the road. But for many enthusiasts, a raised ride height and off-roader styling are not the key to the most rewarding experience. Many of these models will cost a pretty penny, but the combination of supercar power and four doors is something we hope never goes out of fashion.