10 Sports Sedans Proving That Cars Aren’t Dead Yet
It would have been kind of hard to believe 10 years ago that passenger cars would one day account for less than 20 percent of all new vehicle sales in Canada. And yet here we are. In fact, don’t be shocked if SUVs and pickups keep eating away at their market shares in the coming years.
That being said, some exciting new models have been introduced recently and others are about to follow. Here are 10 sports sedans proving that cars aren’t dead yet.
2021 Acura TLX Type S
With just 240 units available across the entire country, the new TLX Type S boasts an all-new, turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque via a specially tuned 10-speed automatic transmission, along with Acura’s excellent Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
2022 Audi RS 3
The all-new 2022 Audi RS 3, which will arrive in Canadian dealerships next spring, is the new record holder among compact sports sedans at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. The evolution from old to new is remarkable, especially with the innovative Torque Splitter and classier interior. Prepare for big-time thrills. More importantly, don’t miss our review!
2021 BMW M3
The new generation can put on a show, that’s for sure. Behind the BMW M3’s huge grille is a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in base trim. Move up to the M3 Competition and you get 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, enough to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Here’s our full review of the M3.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac’s future is electric, but combustion engines—and passenger cars—are still alive and kicking. Case in point: the new and explosive CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing. The former cranks out 668 horsepower and becomes the fastest Cadillac car ever with a top speed of 322 km/h and a quarter-mile time of 11.30 seconds. Strap on your helmet and read this.
2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye
What was missing on the Charger sedan? If you said an SRT Hellcat Redeye model like the Challenger, you’re correct. The car gets the same launch control and launch assist technologies, and more importantly, the same supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 pushed to 797 horsepower. It achieves 0-96 km/h sprints in 3.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in just 10.6 seconds.
2022 Honda Civic Si
The Civic Si is back for 2022, based on the 11th generation of the Japanese compact sedan. The turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine might be down five horsepower (200 hp), but Honda has improved the exhaust note, manual transmission, chassis rigidity and braking performance. If you want more, wait for the new Civic Type R.
2022 Hyundai Elantra N
The all-new 2022 Elantra N sports sedan completes Hyundai’s N brand lineup of performance vehicles. A whole lot racier and sportier than the base Elantra and its N Line variant, this Korean compact achieves 0-100 km/h acceleration as quick as 5.3 seconds thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 276 horsepower. A manual gearbox even comes standard.
2022 Lexus IS 500
Building on the next-generation Lexus IS, the new V8-powered, RWD-only IS 500 F Sport Performance generates 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and giving Germany’s finest a serious run for their money. Our first drive was pretty convincing.
2022 Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is completely revised for 2022—more aerodynamic, sharper and stiffer. Granted, not everyone likes the plastic-clad wheel arches and lower body. Under the hood, the new turbocharged 2.4-litre engine is shared with the Legacy and Outback. In the WRX, it produces 271 horsepower. Don’t forget that a new WRX STI will follow later.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
While the base Golf is no more and the Arteon’s days are numbered, the Jetta GLI sports sedan gets sharper looks and extra tech for the 2022 model year. It returns with a 2.0-litre turbo engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission is optional.