The advantages of driving a sedan are many. Not only can you expect superior gas mileage, sedans handle better, accelerate faster, have more responsive braking, and even reach superior top speeds compared to many of the larger, heavier vehicles on the road today. Relative to the SUVs, trucks and minivans so popular right now, the sedan’s appeal lies not only in performance perks, but in the broad range of vehicle types available within the category.
So whether you settle on a compact, mid-size, or luxury sedan, we have a suggestion that’s sure to make your purchase decision easier. Read on to learn about the Top 11 models representing the best in class for the 2021 model year.
Audi A6
This midsize luxury sedan stacks up well against popular competing Mercedes-Benz models, has standard all-wheel drive, and appeals to luxury buyers with handsome interior and exterior finishes. Near the top of the list price-wise, that extra investment gets you an ultra responsive but still comfortable ride and high-end touches such as leather seats, a moonroof, dual touchscreens, and multi-zone climate control. Much has been made of the A6’s small-for-a-midsize trunk space and it’s true–you’ll be packing light for road trips.
At a Glance:
- Class: Luxury
- MSRP: From $54,900
- MPG: Up to 23 city / 31 highway
- Dimensions: 194″ L x 74″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 261 hp (base)
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L V6
The Malibu, which first came off the Chevy assembly line 1964, is easily the most storied and evolved sedan in our Top 10. In its modern incarnation, Chevy has wisely preserved the muscular and good-looking DNA that made the vehicle popular for your parents (or grandparents), but injected the modern tech features that consumers expect. Standard features include an 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Inside, you’ll find the vehicle is roomy from cabin to trunk and still delivers good mileage for what feels like a larger midsize.
At its base trim, the Malibu lacks safety features found standard in many competitors, but step up models include a suite of drivers assist tools such as automated braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. You can also look at advanced trims for performance and interior perks such as automatic multi-directional seats, additional USB ports, and a 9 speaker BOSE audio system.
At a Glance:
- Class: Midsize
- MSRP: From $22,270
- MPG: Up to 29 city / 36 highway
- Dimensions: 194″ L x 73″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 160 to 250 hp
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder, 2.0 L 4-cylinder
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Our favorite in the luxury sedan family is the Cadillac CT5. More reasonably priced than many in its class, the CT5 matches, and sometimes exceeds, the luxury and refinement of pricier competitors. You’ll find its cabin is not only well-appointed, but impressively spacious. Even that 5th passenger will take notice of the generous leg and body room of the CT5. Likewise, everyone will enjoy the cloud on wheels comfort and library-quiet interior.
Tech and safety features such as LED headlights, Super Cruise driver assist and automatic emergency braking, make this Cadillac a worthy alternative to shoppers considering sedans in the Mercedes-Benz E-class or BMW 5 series.
While the base engine has enough pep to satisfy most drivers, other trim levels offer a sportier level of performance for demanding drivers.
At a Glance:
- Class: Luxury
- MSRP: From $36,995
- MPG: Up to 23 city / 32 highway
- Dimensions: 194″ L x 74″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 237 to 360 hp
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 3.0 L V6
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Genesis G90
Priced at $72,950 the Genesis G90 is the most expensive sedan to make our list, but for those who can afford it, we recommend this model as a feature-full and truly opulent car that beats out even European luxury models. The G90 has a standard twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers a powerful, yet comfortable ride. Also impressive in the G90 is the vehicle’s plush, well-crafted interior.
Features? Where to start? The G90 has too many to list here, but expect all the function and fun you’ll find in other top end vehicles, plus a few you might have never seen before. In terms of safety, the G90 offers driver-centric technology such as blind spot assist, surround view cameras, and a heads up display. For passengers, new in the 2021 model is “Rear Comfort” drive mode setting that claims to help backseat riders feel more relaxed during acceleration.
And, like other Genesis models, the G90 includes a Service Valet feature that lets owners have the car picked up and returned from/to any location when service is required. If you’re ready to feel like royalty, the G90 might be the perfect ride for aspiring kings and queens.
At a Glance
- Class: Luxury
- MSRP: From $72,950
- MPG: Up to 17 city / 24 highway
- Dimensions: 205″ L x 75″ W x 59″ H
- Horsepower: 365 to 420 hp
- Engine: 3.3 L V6, 5.0 L V8
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has been a sedan staple for decades, and for good reason. The vehicle’s good gas mileage, reliability, and budget-friendly pricing have made it one of the most popular midsize economy vehicles in the U.S.
While it won’t win any beauty contests, the Accord is routinely praised for its respectable handling, roomy interior, and sturdy construction. Also not flashy, but important for buyers on a budget, is the Accord’s reputation for safety. The 2021 model earned five star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and received a Top Safety Pick classification from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Indeed, the Accord is a safe choice for anyone.
At a Glance:
- Class: Mid-size
- MSRP: From $24,970
- MPG: Up to 30 city / 38 highway
- Dimensions: 196″ L x 73″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 192 to 252 hp
- Engine: 1.5 L 4-cylinder, 2.0 L 4-cylinder
The acclaimed Infiniti Q50 gets high marks not only for having one of the most elegant and stylish exteriors in the luxury sedan realm, but cabin quality that matches any European rival in its class. Don’t be fooled by its country club appearance, though. A standard 300-horsepower, twin-turbo V6 offers all the raw power you need for the mean streets.
The unfortunate downside of all that power is a sub-par 20 city/ 29 highway MPG. And while it doesn’t quite compete with the performance and handling of top tier competitors (e.g. BMW 3 series), the Q50 is several thousand dollars less than nearly all of them.
Luxury
MSRP: From $36,700
Horsepower: 300 to 400 hp
MPG: Up to 20 city / 29 highway
Dimensions: 190″ L x 72″ W x 57″ H
Curb weight: 3,685 to 3,998 lbs
Engine: 3.0 L V6
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Long on gas mileage and exterior good looks, the Nissan Altima is a great buy for mid-size shoppers.
With 5 different trims available and multiple style options within some trims, the Altima offers up choices to appeal to almost any driver type. Available upgrades include engine type, feature set, and all wheel vs. 2 wheel drive. Admittedly, the base trim lacks pep, but it still has a comfortable ride that will satisfy most commuters. Regardless, we recommend at least a test drive of the SR-VC Turbo trim, which features a 2.0-liter, 248 horsepower turbo-four engine. The extra zip is well worth the investment in our opinion.
Like most other vehicles on our sedan list, the Altima includes standard safety features such as advance collision warning, emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Unlike most, remote start also comes standard.
At a Glance:
- Class: Midsize
- MSRP: From $24,550
- MPG: Up to 28 city / 39 highway
- Dimensions: 193″ L x 73″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 182 to 236 hp
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder, 2.5 L 4-cylinder
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When it comes to economy compact models, the Nissan Sentra packs a mighty punch. One of only 2 sub-$20K models that make our list (the sporty and affordable Jetta is also listed here), the Sentra is remarkable for interior styling and handling that suggest a higher price bracket. For the money, we also like the exterior look compared to the functional but flaccid appearance of many competitors.
What it lacks in raw power, it makes up for with a cache of safety features (e.g. emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning) collectively known as Safety Shield 360. Sentra also turns heads for modern tech such as voice recognition, a 7-inch color touchscreen, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility.
At a Glance:
- Class: Compact
- MSRP: From $19,510
- MPG: Up to 29 city / 39 highway
- Dimensions: 183″ L x 72″ W x 57″ H
- Horsepower: 149 hp
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
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Toyota Corolla
In the compact class, the hybrid model of the Toyota Corolla wins our recommendation for consumers who prioritize fuel economy when shopping for a new sedan. Its 53 city MPG justifies the extra $3,500 to our way of thinking, and it doesn’t hurt that the Corolla is a historically reliable and safe workhorse for daily commute grind.
New in 2021 for the Corolla are new rear side-impact airbags, cross-traffic warning system and Android Auto.
At a Glance:
- Class: Compact
- MSRP: From $20,025
- MPG: Up to 31 city / 40 highway
- Dimensions: 182-183″ L x 70″ W x 56-57″ H
- Horsepower: 139 to 169 hp
- Engine: 1.8 L 4-cylinder, 2.0 L 4-cylinder
Only one other car maker placed 2 models in our Top 10, but we just couldn’t leave out Volkswagen’s Passat and Jetta sedans. The former is VW’s mid-size offering, and it stands out for its value, generously proportioned cabin and trunk, and comfortable ride. Like other sedans in the Volkswagen family, the Passat comes standard with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Passat’s front-wheel drive base model has 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque that make driving a true pleasure.
Both interior and exterior design are straight-forward and polished. Practical German engineering really announces itself in the passenger space, where you’ll find the Passat competes vigorously with higher-priced models in its range.
This size, along with the deep roster of standard safety features, make the Passat a practical option for small families who may not need or desire a lumbering, gas-guzzling SUV.
At a Glance:
- Class: Midsize
- MSRP: From $23,995
- MPG: 24 city / 36 highway
- Dimensions: 194″ L x 72″ W x 58″ H
- Horsepower: 174 hp
- Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
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Dust off Volkswagen’s old “fahrvergnügen” campaign. In the economy compact sedan world, driving enthusiasts will be hard pressed to find a more fun to drive option than the 2021 Jetta.
Standard is a 147-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that brings a surprising dose of zip for its size. Need more power? Consider the sportier Jetta GLI, which runs off a 228-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions are available for both.
Moving from under the hood to inside the vehicle, you’ll find a sensible and clean cabin with well-placed instruments and standard 6.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system with smartphone connectivity. While the safety features on some other models don’t come standard in Jetta, they are available and well worth the cost.
If motoring pleasure is what drives your car-buying decisions, make your local Volkswagen dealership your first stop.
At a Glance:
- Class: Compact
- MSRP: From $18,995
- MPG: Up to 30 city / 41 highway
- Horsepower: 147 hp
- Curb weight: 2,895 to 2,965 lbs
- Dimensions: 185″ L x 71″ W x 57″ H
- Warranty: 4 yr/50,000 mi basic, 4 yr/50,000 mi powertrain
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About our ratings methodology: GetCarDeals ranks vehicles within categories based on a multipoint evaluation score covering both qualifiable data (e.g. mileage, horsepower, features available), driver feel (e.g. handling, comfort) and aesthetic considerations (e.g. interior/exterior design). Each score is weighted by an overall aggregate ranking based on our algorithmic survey of product reviews across the internet.