25) 2018 Kia Stinger GT
0-60: 4.4 sec | 365 hp | $38,350 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
In this fast company, the Kia Stinger is the slowest of the group. But it is also the least expensive, undercutting the vehicles that follow by tens of thousands of dollars. Granted, you can opt for the more-costly and better-equipped GT1 or GT2 versions, which could raise the starting price to $49,200, but the rear-wheel-drive GT, at $38,350, delivers the goods with its 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. All-wheel drive is an option. Just be prepared for so-so fuel economy.
Its overall performance has propelled the Stinger to the top of our ranking of luxury small cars.
21) 2018 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S (tie)
0-60: 4.3 sec | 521 hp | $205,000 | U.S. News Overall Score: N/A
Few cars proclaim that you have arrived, even before you reach your destination, as convincingly as the Bentley Flying Spur. This is a car that looks like a million bucks, without being flashy. Adding to its appeal, the Flying Spur is not only fast, its performance is effortless. Handcrafted luxury does not get much better, faster, or more expensive than this.
21) 2018 Audi S5 Sportback (tie)
0-6: 4.3 sec | 354 hp | $54,400 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
Audi, along with several of its competitors, has given coupe-like styling to some of its four-door sedans. The S5 Sportback is a perfect example of this trend. This model shares many of the virtues present in the less-costly base A5 Sportback. However, it ups the performance with its 354-horsepower turbocharged V6, which delivers outstanding performance. The overall package ends up near the top in our luxury small car ranking.
21) 2018 Audi S4 (tie)
0-60: 4.3 sec | 354 hp | $51,400 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10
The Audi S4 shares its engine and quick zero-to-60-mph acceleration time with its slightly more costly stablemate, the S5 Sportback. The S4, however, wraps up this performance in a more conventional sedan body.
The road manners and cabin are impressive. Standard safety gear includes a rearview camera and rain-sensing wipers. Also standard are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Among small luxury cars, the Audi S4 is highly ranked.
21) 2018 Maserati Quattroporte GTS (tie)
0-60: 4.2 sec | 523 hp | $137,970 | U.S. News Overall Score: N/A
The Maserati Quattroporte mixes Italian flair with solid performance. While a V6 is available, the performance crown goes to the GTS model with the 3.8-liter V8. It sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The cabin has been described as sumptuous, which is only fitting considering the price. Sharp handling and rapid acceleration belie the Quattroporte’s size and weight.
20) 2018 BMW M3
0-60: 4.0 sec | 425 hp | $66,500 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
The BMW 3 Series offers an attractive blend of handling precision and agility with a comfortable ride. The M3 version firms the ride, sharpens the handling, and adds significantly to performance thanks to a far more potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The performance cited here requires the $4,750 Competition Package, which boosts horsepower to 444, has a more direct steering ratio, and has the Adaptive M Suspension.
19) 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S (tie)
0-60: 3.9 sec | 503 hp | $73,700 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
There is a C-Class sedan for just about anyone in the market for a small luxury car. For the performance enthusiast, however, there is only one Mercedes-Benz model that will do: the AMG C63 S. It combines an elegant interior with a potent, hand-built V8. The result is electrifying acceleration. As expected, Mercedes-Benz supplies this model with chassis upgrades to match the added acceleration.
18) 2018 Audi S6 (tie)
0-60: 3.9 sec | 450 hp | $72,875 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
The Audi A6 is among our highest-ranked luxury midsize cars. The S6 builds on this model’s impressive handling and beautifully executed interior by adding a turbocharged V8 engine. The chassis upgrades needed to handle the V8’s power deliver impressive handling and a firm but stable ride.
15) 2018 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 (tie)
0-60: 3.8 sec | 375 hp | $50,400 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
Who would have thought the second-least-costly car in this group would be a Mercedes-Benz, yet it is. The AMG CLA45 manages its brisk run to 60 mph thanks to a hand-assembled (and loud) four-cylinder turbocharged engine that supplies power to all the wheels through an alert seven-speed automatic transmission. However, its flinty ride and tight back seat, combined with a cumbersome infotainment system, reduce this vehicle’s overall score and ranking among luxury small cars.
15) 2018 Cadillac ATS-V (tie)
0-60: 3.8 sec | 464 hp | $61,595 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
The Cadillac ATS-V builds on the engaging driving dynamics of the standard ATS by substituting a twin-turbocharged V6 for the base turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the midtier non-turbo V6. The result is impressive. Power is ample and handling is on a par with the best from Europe. Room in the backseat and trunk is tight, however, and the infotainment system is quirky, to say the least.
If you’re looking to get an ATS-V, act quickly, as Cadillac will stop production of the ATS-V sedan after this model year.
15) 2018 Cadillac CTS-V (tie)
0-60: 3.8 sec | 640 hp | $86,495 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
With 6.2-liters of supercharged V8 power, the Cadillac CTS-V is definitely quick. It is also very athletic, with handling that helps it go toe-to-toe with the best from Europe or Asia.
The interior is nicely done, too, though there are some lapses. These include a cramped back seat, a small trunk for the luxury midsize sedan class, and some materials that miss the mark in terms of quality.
Still, for buyers seeking performance, the Cadillac CTS-V has strong appeal.
14) 2018 Jaguar XJR575
0-60: 3.7 sec | 575 hp | $123,395 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
Grace, pace, and space has long been Jaguar’s motto. In the XJR575, grace and pace certainly apply. The car is powerful, athletic, and highly rewarding to drive. Space, however, is at a premium when compared to other super luxury cars. That, and a combination of some low-quality materials and so-so technology, lowers the XJ’s standing in our super luxury car ranking.
13) 2018 Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio
0-60: 3.6 sec | 505 hp | $73,700 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.1/10
The base version of the Alfa Romeo Guilia has class-leading athletic handling, which is a major factor in its high placement in our luxury small car ranking. However, when you replace its lusty 280-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6, and upgrade the suspension and brakes to handle the added power, you have a world-class sports sedan.
12) 2018 Audi RS3
0-60: 3.5 sec | 400 hp | $54,900 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
Stuff 400 horsepower under the hood of a car as small and light as the A3, and you are bound to end up with blistering straight-line acceleration. Fortunately, the Audi RS3 also delivers athletic handling.
It resides in the lower half of our ranking of luxury small cars, but this is not a reflection on its performance. Rather, it is a result of a tight back seat and limited cargo space.
9) 2018 Dodge Charger Hellcat (tie)
0-60: 3.4 sec | 707 hp | $66,295 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Dodge Charger Hellcat stands out among any group of cars. It is the only sedan to break the 700-horsepower barrier in this group, and it does so for a price that undercuts every other large car listed here. In addition to its potent engine, the Charger Hellcat delivers engaging handling, a roomy passenger cabin, and a user-friendly infotainment system.
9) 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 (tie)
0-60: 3.4 sec | 603 hp | $147,500 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is our highest-ranked super luxury car. It is smooth, quiet, and, even in standard trim, powerful.
However, the transformation that takes place with the AMG S63 add a new dimension to this luxury vehicle. This upgraded AMG version is so quick that some people may find its acceleration disorienting. The handling is, of course, track-ready. This car is a standout.
9) 2018 BMW M760i (tie)
0-60: 3.4 sec | 601 hp | $156,700 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
Highly ranked among super luxury cars, the BMW 7 Series impresses with its interior room and comfort, as well as its lineup of powerful engines. It is the V12 engine in the M760i, however, that transforms this highly competent luxury car into an impressive high-performance machine. Handling is very good, with the most recent 7 Series redesign for 2016 adding a feeling of nimbleness and responsiveness that was not there before. This BMW is rewarding to drive under all conditions.
7) 2018 Audi S8 Plus (tie)
0-60: 3.3 sec | 605 hp | $115,900 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
In terms of both power and price, the Audi S8 sits at the top of the Audi A8 lineup. Setting it apart is its blisteringly fast turbo V8, paired with a poised eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. Handling is top notch thanks to suspension and brakes that are more than a match for the engine’s power. Only a smaller-than-average trunk and an infotainment system that lags the competition brings this car down in our super luxury car ranking.
7) 2019 BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe (tie)
0-60: 3.3 sec | 600 hp | $124,400 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe is big and fast. Interior accommodations are enhanced by the use of quality materials in the passenger cabin. However, while officially a five-passenger vehicle, the Alpina B6 Gran Coupe does not offer the rider in the center rear seat much in the way of comfort. The driver, on the other hand, is treated very well, with supportive bolstering, an eager engine just waiting to be unleashed, and handling that is secure and rewarding.
5) 2018 Mercedes-AMG CLS63 S (tie)
0-60: 3.2 sec | 577 hp | $109,895 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
While the base Mercedes-Benz CLS is a midpack finisher in our ranking of large luxury cars, the AMG CLS63 S version stands above its less-powerful siblings in performance and price. This AMG 63 S version is wickedly quick, handles well, and has supportive front seats. The passenger capacity is four people, not five, and the trunk is undersized. The cabin features high-quality materials, but the infotainment system can be frustrating.
5) 2018 Audi RS7 Performance (tie)
0-60: 3.2 sec | 605 hp | $130,700 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
You will be forgiven if you think of the Audi A7 as the hatchback version of the A6 sedan. It is much more than that.
Sure, with its hatchback body, cargo room is exceptional (though the coupe-like styling limits rear-seat headroom for taller adults). The real draw of the RS7, however, is its turbocharged V8 that, with 605 horsepower on tap, delivers blistering acceleration. The ride and handling also get high marks, making this car a complete package.
3) 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo (tie)
0-60: 3.0 sec | 550 hp | $151,050 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
While Porsche offers a wide array of Panamera models, they all have one thing in common: These are exceptional hatchback sedans. In the Turbo versions, acceleration is blindingly quick, handling is excellent, and the interior, which features high-quality materials throughout, is comfortable and inviting.
The zero-to-60-mph time listed above applies to models with the Sport Chrono package, which adds a number of performance enhancements, in addition to an analog stopwatch.
3) 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S (tie)
0-60: 3.0 sec | 603 hp | $105,395 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10
While the E-Class has been displaced by the C-Class as the sales volume leader in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the AMG E63 S version of the E-Class sets the performance bar for Mercedes-Benz sedans. With 603 hp on tap, the AMG E63 S is extremely fast. But speed is just part of the picture. This high-performance E-Class is also refined, with a comfortable interior. Precise handling completes the picture.
2) 2018 BMW M5
0-60: 2.8 sec | 600 hp | $102,600 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10
When the M designation is added to a BMW model, people expect great things. With the M5, they will not be disappointed. Acceleration is blisteringly fast, yet the car is also refined. The ride is well-controlled. The interior is modern, sophisticated, and features high-quality materials wherever you look. The trunk is also class-leading. However, it is the combination of sharp handling and explosive acceleration that defines the M5.
1) 2018 Tesla Model S P100D
0-60: 2.3 sec | 680 hp | $135,000 | U.S. News Overall Score: 9.3/10
By this time, the word is out. The Tesla Model S P100D sedan is not to be trifled with. Given a proper charge for the batteries and a moderate ambient air temperature, no sedan is faster to 60 mph than this pure-electric vehicle, which sits at the top of our ranking of large luxury cars.
Front and rear electric motors put power to the road with a lack of drama and an absence of noise that makes its acceleration startling. And with the ability to travel 315 miles on a single charge in EPA testing, plus a comprehensive network of Supercharger stations that can recharge the battery pack relatively quickly, range anxiety may not be as much of a problem as you think.
If price is a problem, the Model S 75D can travel 259 miles on a single charge, reaches 60 mph in 4.2 sec, and costs “just” $74,500.
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Best Cars for Families
Rapid Transit, Sedan Style
In recent years, automakers have been upping the ante when it comes to fast sedans. They now offer models that deliver speed, and lots of it, along with room for the family. These hot sedans also have another advantage: Avoid the flaming orange paint option and most will blend inconspicuously into traffic. The vast majority of your fellow motorists will have no idea of your car’s performance potential. Having a low profile can be advantageous.
The following slides highlight 25 really fast sedans, as measured in zero-to-60 mile per hour acceleration tests. The good news is that, despite their performance, every one of these sedans is actually docile and easy to drive around town. However, when you mash your foot to the floor, these cars will pin you to the back of your seat.
Granted, these models can be expensive. Some, however, are within reach of many buyers. Take a look to see if one of these sedans might tempt you to redefine what rapid transit means for your family.
Remember that the scores on our site are updated constantly as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores and rankings mentioned in this slideshow may not match the latest information in our reviews.
Our zero-to-60-mph data comes from the same expert reviews that drive our rankings. The majority are from Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and manufacturers.