Finding a four-door sports car that’s both exhilarating and affordable can feel like searching for a hidden gem. While true unicorns might be mythical, the reality is surprisingly exciting. For those in the U.S. who appreciate the practicality of sedans without sacrificing sporty thrills, the market is starting to deliver. Forget the notion that fun four-door driving is out of reach. Several automakers are now crafting compact sedans with a sporty edge, and others are offering unique alternatives to satisfy the need for affordable, four-door excitement. This means you can expect sport-tuned suspensions, powerful turbocharged engines, and even aerodynamic enhancements, alongside options for rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Crucially, these cars don’t compromise on modern comfort and tech features in their pursuit of performance. Let’s explore some of the coolest four-door sports cars that offer driving pleasure without emptying your wallet.
Dodge Charger SXT: Unleash American Muscle
While it might stretch the definition of a traditional sports car, the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT stands out as America’s only four-door muscle car in this price range. Starting at $27,995, the Charger brings serious muscle with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. The Charger’s coolness factor is amplified by its aggressive styling and imposing presence. Standard features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlight accents, and Dodge’s signature LED “Racetrack” taillights add to its sporty appeal. For an even bolder look, the Blacktop appearance package remains within budget. Upgrading to the Charger SXT for $29,995 includes the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system and more premium features, solidifying its place as a cool and powerful four-door option.
Mazda Mazda3 Sport: Fun in Simplicity
There’s a timeless adage among car enthusiasts: driving a slow car fast is often more rewarding than driving a fast car slowly. Embracing this philosophy, the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sport sedan emerges as a cool choice for driving purists. With a starting MSRP of $17,845, the Mazda3 sedan doesn’t boast a horsepower surge, maintaining its 155-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. However, its coolness lies in its engaging driving dynamics, a hallmark of the brand behind the iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Mazda3 offers a sophisticated electric power assist steering system with dynamic stability control as standard. For a touch of sporty aesthetics, an aero-style body kit adds just $1,300, enhancing its visual appeal without compromising its fun-to-drive nature. The Mazda3 proves that coolness isn’t always about raw power, but about the joy of driving itself.
Nissan Sentra NISMO: Tuned for Thrills
While the Nissan Maxima might be dubbed the “4-Door Sports Car” by Nissan itself, its starting price exceeds our $30,000 limit. For a cooler, more budget-friendly option, the 2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO steps into the spotlight. Don’t underestimate it – the Sentra SR Turbo already packs a punch with its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 188 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sentra NISMO takes it further, receiving a comprehensive performance makeover from Nissan’s NISMO division. Cool NISMO enhancements include a tuned suspension and steering, heated NISMO sport seats, a NISMO steering wheel, and a functional rear spoiler. All of this performance-focused coolness comes at an accessible price of $24,990, making the Sentra NISMO a surprisingly cool and capable sports sedan.
Honda Civic Si: The Enthusiast’s Choice
Although the Civic Type R grabs headlines with its 306 horsepower, the 2017 Honda Civic Si offers a cooler and more attainable performance experience for four-door sports car enthusiasts. Available in both coupe and sedan forms, the Civic Si starts at $23,900 for either body style. Both versions are powered by Honda’s energetic 1.5-liter turbo engine, generating 205 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. The coolness of the Si lies in its performance-focused features: a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission, a two-mode adaptive damper system, and a helical limited-slip differential. These upgrades transform the Civic Si into a genuinely cool and engaging sports sedan that’s perfect for driving enthusiasts.
Toyota Camry XSE: Sporty Surprise
The 2017 Toyota Camry might not be the first car that springs to mind when thinking of cool four-door sports cars. However, the XSE trim level is specifically designed to tap into the “enthusiast lurking in any driver.” While the engine remains unchanged in the XSE, Toyota focuses on enhancing the driving experience with a more agile suspension, supportive sports seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a multi-mode 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a dedicated “S” mode. The Camry XSE’s coolness is also boosted by its more aggressive aesthetics, including a sportier front fascia with a black-mesh grille, dark chrome-tinted headlights, and 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. Starting at $26,310, the Camry XSE is a surprisingly cool and sporty take on a family sedan.
Kia Optima SX: European Flair with Korean Value
The 2017 Kia Optima SX exudes the sleek style of a European sport sedan, and in its SX trim, it backs up those looks with genuine performance substance. The Optima SX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 240 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Kia adds to the coolness factor with a 6-speed Sportmatic automatic transmission with paddle shifters, larger front brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and a rack-mounted motor-driven power steering system. While the Optima SX, priced from $29,940, pushes the upper limit of our budget, it justifies its price with premium features like an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Optima SX provides a cool blend of style, performance, and value.
Subaru WRX: Rally-Bred Performance
Subaru is synonymous with rally-inspired performance, making the 2018 Subaru WRX a naturally cool choice in the four-door sports car category. Sharing its foundation with the championship-winning WRX STI, the WRX features a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in Subaru’s signature boxer configuration. This engine delivers 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, complemented by standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission (a CVT is optional). The WRX’s coolness comes from its rally heritage, providing exceptional handling and all-weather capability. Starting at an affordable $26,995, the 2018 Subaru WRX delivers genuine performance and coolness rooted in rally racing pedigree.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI: German-Inspired Sport Sedan
While premium German brands might be absent from the affordable four-door sports car segment, the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta GLI offers a compelling, German-inspired alternative. Think of it as the sedan version of the popular VW GTI hot hatch, sharing the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This engine produces 210 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque, slightly more than the Honda Civic Si. The Jetta GLI’s coolness is enhanced by its well-rounded feature set, including a Fender premium audio system, navigation, sport seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, all starting at $27,895. The Jetta GLI provides a taste of German sport sedan coolness without the premium price tag.
Buick Regal Sport Touring: Unexpected Powerhouse
Perhaps the most surprising and unexpectedly cool entry on our list is the 2017 Buick Regal Sport Touring. With a budget of $28,615, you can step up to the Sport Touring trim, which boasts a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering 259 horsepower and a substantial 295 lb.-ft. of torque. To put that into perspective, the Regal Sport Touring outpowers a standard Audi A4 in both horsepower and torque, yet it costs significantly less. The Regal Sport Touring adds coolness with features like heated front seats and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This Buick proves that cool four-door sports car thrills can come from unexpected places.
Hyundai Elantra Sport: Affordable and Engaging
Rounding out our list of cool four-door sports cars is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport. Borrowing the turbocharged engine from the fun-to-drive Hyundai Veloster, the Elantra Sport offers an MSRP of just $21,650. Its 4-cylinder engine produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, accompanied by a noticeably sporty exhaust note. The Elantra Sport’s coolness is further enhanced by a leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats, aluminum-alloy pedals, and sporty exterior styling cues, including a unique front fascia and grille, aero side skirts, and a rear air diffuser with dual exhaust outlets. The Hyundai Elantra Sport delivers a compelling combination of affordability and driving engagement, making it a seriously cool option in this segment.
