Best Sport Sedans Under $50,000: Affordable Performance & Fun

Even as SUVs and crossovers dominate the automotive landscape, the allure of a sporty four-door sedan remains strong. For driving enthusiasts who crave nimble handling and thrilling performance without breaking the bank, the market still offers exciting options. Forget needing a luxury car budget; there are fantastic sport sedans available for under $50,000 from brands like BMW, Audi, Honda, and more, proving that accessible performance is alive and well.

Honda Logo

Honda, a brand synonymous with reliability and innovation, has a rich history in the automotive world. Emerging from post-WWII Japan, Honda initially focused on motorcycles before venturing into cars with the T360 kei truck in 1963. Founder Soichiro Honda ambitiously targeted the American market, leading to iconic models like the Civic and Accord, which have become staples in American households. Honda’s reputation is built on safety, practicality, and renowned reliability, but they also inject a dose of fun and performance into models like the celebrated Civic Type R.

Honda Brand Highlights:

Founded: September 24, 1948
Founder: Soichiro Honda
Headquarters: Hamamatsu, Japan
Ownership: Publicly Traded
Current CEO: Toshihiro Mibe

This list highlights some of the Best Sport Sedans you can purchase today within a $50,000 budget. The ranking is based on manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for 2025 models, ordered from most to least expensive. Keep in mind that MSRPs typically exclude destination fees, taxes, and dealer charges. All specifications and model year updates are sourced directly from the manufacturers to ensure accuracy.

10. BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe

Base Price: $49,500

Kicking off our list of top performance sedans under $50,000 is a German contender, the BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe. This is the high-performance variant of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which has been refreshed for 2025. While sharing the standard all-wheel-drive system with the base 228 Gran Coupe, the M235 boasts a more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 312 horsepower and a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.7 seconds. Although it forgoes the rear-wheel-drive configuration of its two-door 2 Series Coupe sibling, the M235 Gran Coupe has earned praise for its enhanced agility. CarBuzz editors noted in their first drive review the significant improvements to the suspension and chassis, resulting in sharper cornering and a more engaging driving experience.

The 2025 M235 sheds the straight-line focus of its predecessor, offering drivers more feedback and a newfound nimbleness. BMW has successfully injected a dose of fun back into this model.

– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large

2025 BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Is the updated BMW M235 Gran Coupe deserving of the “Baby M car” title with its substantial improvements?

9. Audi S3 Sedan

Base Price: $48,700

Another German sport sedan near the top of our $50,000 limit is the Audi S3. Serving as Audi’s entry into its sporty S lineup, the 2025 Audi S3 Sedan receives a power bump to its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, now producing 328 hp and achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. New for the latest S3 Sedans is a standard torque splitter differential, which enhances driving dynamics by distributing power to the rear wheels when needed, creating a more engaging experience. Audi has also refined the steering and sport suspension settings and upgraded the front brakes for the 2025 model year.

For those seeking even greater performance and a bigger thrill, the Audi RS3 sedan, with its potent 401-horsepower five-cylinder engine, is worth considering, albeit at a higher price point.

2025 Audi S3 Sedan Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

2025 Audi S3 Sedan Front View

The 2025 Audi S3 Sedan delivers 328 horsepower, impressive performance, and technology borrowed from the high-performance RS3.

8. Acura TLX

Base Price: $45,400

Representing Japan on our list of best sport sedans is the Acura TLX, Honda’s premium offering. Positioned above the Acura Integra, the second-generation TLX serves as Acura’s flagship sedan. The TLX prioritizes driving dynamics, featuring a sophisticated front double wishbone suspension, an aluminum subframe, and lightweight construction. These elements combine to create a compelling premium sedan capable of challenging the German BMW 3 Series and other Japanese rivals from Lexus and Infiniti.

While front-wheel drive is standard, Acura’s SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system is available for enhanced handling and cornering grip. The top-tier TLX Type S further elevates performance with optional adaptive dampers and Brembo four-piston front brakes, solidifying the Acura TLX as a standout sport sedan in the current market.

2025 Acura TLX Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower

0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

Acura TLX Generations

With its striking design and potent powertrains, the Acura TLX remains a compelling alternative in the premium compact sedan segment.

7. Genesis G70

Base Price: $42,500

The Genesis G70 marks the entry of Korean automakers into our best sport sedan lineup. This model from Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, has emerged as a serious competitor, attracting customers who might typically consider BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz. The G70 offers a premium experience at a more accessible price point. The base 2.5T model with rear-wheel drive delivers engaging driving dynamics for its class. CarBuzz editors previously tested the G70 when a six-speed manual transmission was still available and praised its rear-wheel-drive feel, comparing it favorably to classic BMW M sport sedans. For its price, the Genesis G70 is a must-drive for anyone seeking an affordable sport sedan.

The Genesis G70 captures the essence of old-school BMW M cars. Its chassis is remarkably balanced in corners, and the suspension strikes a perfect balance between comfort and controlled body roll.

– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

2025 Genesis G70 Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower

0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

Genesis G70 Review

The Genesis G70 stands out as the last luxury sedan offering a manual transmission option.

6. Subaru WRX

Base Price: $35,750

The latest Subaru WRX may have initially faced mixed reactions regarding its exterior styling, particularly its prominent bumpers and increased ride height. However, its reputation as a compelling sport sedan remains firmly intact. The 2025 WRX continues to deliver Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive, a potent turbocharged flat-four ‘BOXER’ engine, and a standard manual transmission, with a CVT automatic option also available. The 2025 model year introduces the WRX tS (tuned by STI) variant for the first time. This new trim enhances handling with upgraded brakes and suspension, making the WRX even more capable on winding roads and rally stages.

2025 Subaru WRX Sedan Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

5. Hyundai Elantra N

Base Price: $34,250

Hyundai’s performance N Division continues to impress, and for 2025, the Elantra N stands as its sole gasoline-powered model alongside the all-electric IONIQ 5 N. The Hyundai Elantra N convincingly claims its place as one of the best performance compact sedans available. Offered with either a six-speed manual or an engaging eight-speed N-enhanced dual-clutch transmission, this front-wheel-drive sport sedan boasts a chassis that complements its aerodynamic enhancements. Features like an electronic limited-slip differential, the ‘N Grin Control System’, and ventilated front and rear brake discs further enhance its performance capabilities.

The Hyundai Elantra N provides a dynamic and connected front-wheel-drive experience that rivals even the highly regarded Honda Civic Type R. Hyundai’s steering tuning is exceptional, providing constant feedback from the front wheels. Torque steer is effectively minimized thanks to the clever front differential, and the DCT transmission efficiently puts power down with minimal wheel slip. The chassis tuning is equally impressive, instilling driver confidence and providing excellent feedback.

– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

2025 Hyundai Elantra N Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

Hyundai Elantra N Rear View

Explore the key performance figures that make the Elantra N such a formidable competitor in its class.

4. Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Base Price: $33,170

Transforming the typically understated Volkswagen Jetta sedan into a more exciting vehicle, the Jetta GLI borrows many of the beloved characteristics of the Golf GTI, making it one of the best sporty sedans at its price point. It features the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the GTI, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Jetta GLI also receives sporty exterior enhancements, including unique bumpers, a distinctive front grille, and exclusive alloy wheels.

In a recent test drive of the 2025 Jetta GLI, CarBuzz praised the German sport sedan’s ability to perfectly blend comfort with driving enjoyment. It offers a composed ride while remaining responsive to driver inputs when pushed on more demanding roads.

The brilliance of the Jetta GLI lies in its balanced nature, seamlessly transitioning between comfortable daily driving and engaging back-road fun. It’s comfortable, offers a pleasant ride, provides ample space for four adults, and has a generous trunk, yet it remains agile and well-controlled when roads become twisty.

– Ian Wright, CarBuzz

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

The Jetta GLI’s value proposition lies in its ability to balance sporty driving dynamics with everyday practicality, though it isn’t without minor drawbacks.

3. Acura Integra

Base Price: $33,000

The Acura Integra nameplate, renowned for popular compact coupes and sedans in Acura/Honda’s lineup from the 1980s to the 2000s, made a highly anticipated return in 2023. While sharing similarities with the Honda Civic sedan, the Integra aims for a sportier persona with a more athletic design, a coupe-like silhouette, and enhanced handling. The base Integra, starting at $33,000, is exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission but features the same 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the Civic Si. Enthusiasts seeking the classic Integra experience with a manual transmission will need to consider the A-Spec Technology models and higher trims, all of which remain within our $50,000 budget. The more potent Type S model exceeds our budget slightly, priced at $52,900.

2025 Acura Integra Performance Specs
Engine

**Horsepower

0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

Acura Integra HRC Prototype

Explore the potential for a more hardcore Integra HRC Prototype and performance upgrades for Acura’s entry-level sport sedan.

2. Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Sedan

Base Price: $32,100

The Mazda 3 Sedan might not be the first model that comes to mind when considering sporty sedans, but the 2.5 Turbo Sedan variant deserves a closer look. It boasts key ingredients that make it a compelling option: a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available all-wheel drive, and a more athletic aesthetic compared to other compact sedans. Most modern Mazdas, including the 3, are renowned for their excellent handling dynamics. The 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim for 2025 starts at an attractive $32,100, positioning it on the more affordable end of our list. This model also offers unique Zircon Sand Metallic and Polymetal Grey paint options and ‘blacked-out’ trim elements, enhancing its understated sporty appeal.

2025 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Sedan Performance Specs
Engine
**Horsepower
0-60 MPH
Drivetrain
Transmission

Mazda 3 Sedan Generations

From its beginnings as a well-handling small sedan in the early 2000s, the Mazda 3 has evolved into a more refined, upscale, and powerful vehicle.

1. Honda Civic Si Sedan

Base Price: $30,250

The performance-oriented Honda Civic Si has long been a favorite among tuners and driving enthusiasts, thanks to its engaging front-wheel-drive platform and high-revving four-cylinder engine. The 2025 Civic Si continues this tradition, featuring a 1.5-liter turbocharged i-VTEC four-cylinder engine paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission – a rare and desirable combination for driving purists in the 2025 automotive landscape.

While it may not possess the raw power of some European rivals, the Civic Si’s sport-tuned suspension and precise short-throw manual gearbox make this compact Honda a joy to drive through corners at speed. For those seeking even more performance, the Civic Si platform enjoys extensive aftermarket support, allowing owners to further unlock its potential.

The Civic Si’s refined chassis and suspension are remarkably composed and genuinely beg for enthusiastic driving. The manual shifter is precise and satisfying, the controls are intuitively placed, and its cornering ability is truly impressive.