Best Sedans

Kia continues to refresh its lineup and sedan naming convention with the all-new K4. Replacing the Kia Forte, the K4 slots into the lineup below the K5. With the subcompact Rio ending production, the K4 is now the entry point into Kia's sedan lineup.

The K4 compact sedan is longer and wider than its predecessor. Vertically oriented LED headlights and taillights give the K4 a new look that aligns with the updates to the 2025 Kia K5. Up front is the signature Tiger Nose grille and updated fascia that gets a distinctive look on the GT-line trims. The K4 has the look of a fastback, but, like the K5, it features a conventional trunk. Kia says a five-door K4 hatchback will join the lineup by the end of 2025.

Significant updates are found in the K4's cabin, where a new display screen, measuring almost 30 inches, houses the digital driver's display, updated infotainment system, and climate function display. The increased dimensions translate to a roomier interior, giving rear-seat passengers more legroom and headroom than in the outgoing Forte.

The fresh styling inside and out, excellent driving dynamics, and an available turbocharged engine make the K4 a strong competitor in a crowded compact car segment that includes such heavy hitters as the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was redesigned last year, so the 2025 model rides into the new year with the same impressive features. The E-Class has a handsome exterior design, hybrid powertrain, and an interior that sets a new benchmark for luxe and tech in this class. Unlike past generations, which included a coupe, convertible, and wagon, this E-Class is offered only as a four-door sedan, likely a nod to slowing coupe sales and buyers' preference for SUVs over traditional station wagons.

The new E-Class is available in three models: the 255-horsepower E 350 4Matic (which means all-wheel drive in Mercedes-Benz speak), the 375-hp E 450 4Matic, and the new-for-2025 high-performance 577 hp AMG E53 Hybrid. The 350 offers a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a new mild hybrid system. The E 450 has an inline six-cylinder engine like the previous E-Class lineup but with a revised hybrid system. The top AMG E 53 model has a modified version of the turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a more potent plug-in hybrid system. The E 450 can hit 60 mph in a brisk 4.4 seconds. But the AMG E 53 Hybrid can reach that mark in 3.7 seconds. Top models have an air suspension system for a smoother ride and four-wheel steering to aid maneuverability, ultimately shaving about 3 feet off the turning radius. However, the AMG models use a specific steel spring suspension designed for high-performance driving.

This generation of E-Class features a new infotainment system, offering an impressive optional display that extends dramatically across the entire length of the dash. When equipped with this option, front-seat passengers can stream video or take selfies and video when the car is parked. The top trim with the Pinnacle package offers an impressive Burmester 4D sound system and active ambient lighting. There's more room in the cabin (and in the trunk) than in the previous-generation E-Class, so everyone will have space to stretch out.

When it comes to exterior dimensions, Mercedes-Benz has capped the overall size of the E-Class. It's just over a half-inch longer than the previous generation model but is 2 inches wider and sits on a slightly longer wheelbase. This allowed designers to carve out more interior space without increasing the exterior dimensions. The main E-Class rivals are close in size. The BMW 5 Series is wider and sits on an inch-longer wheelbase. The Audi A6 is about the same length as the Benz but has a shorter wheelbase. The E-Class is arguably the most stylish of the three.

While it may seem like SUVs have taken over the automotive landscape, offering maximum utility to families of all sizes, there are still several midsize sedans available with style, value, and plenty of comfort. The 2025 Honda Accord is one such sedan, a stalwart of the segment that’s stayed at or near the top of its class for decades.

The current Honda Accord is offered in two main configurations, each using a different powertrain. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that’s economical and peppy enough for most daily driving needs. The Accord hybrid uses a 2.0-liter engine paired with an electric motor and provides a big increase in fuel economy – as high as 48 mpg combined, according to the EPA. Regardless of which powertrain you choose, the Accord has a spacious interior, plenty of trunk space, and a quiet, refined ride. It also has top safety scores from government agencies, along with a long list of standard driver aids.

The Accord isn’t the only appealing midsize sedan, though. The Toyota Camry has recently gone all-hybrid, offering a number of trims with impressive fuel economy and Toyota’s built-in reputation for reliability. The Camry is also offered with all-wheel drive, unlike the Accord. Other rivals worth considering include the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata, which both offer powerful optional engines, and the Nissan Altima, which has competitive pricing and some of the most comfortable seats in the class.

Hyundai's Ioniq 6 electric sedan picked up steam in 2024, and the company has decided to leave a good thing virtually unchanged for 2025. The streamlined, midsize four-door offers an alternative to SUVs and boxy crossovers, along with a range — up to 342 miles in front-wheel-drive models — that few competitors in its reasonable price range can match.

The Ioniq 6 shares its platform and powertrain with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover, but its styling cuts down on interior space, especially in the rear seating area. Cargo capacity is lower than in the boxy, SUV-styled Ioniq 5 as well.

Sedans have fallen out of favor in the U.S., so the Ioniq 6 has few direct rivals. Competition includes the Tesla Model 3 sedan, Ford Mustang Mach-E coupe-like crossover, Polestar 2 hatchback sedan, and BMW i4 sedan. Overall, the Ioniq 6 is longer than any other electric sedan in its price range, and only the wider and taller Mach-E has more total passenger space. The Hyundai also falls short in cargo space and horsepower but still has plenty of oomph and a more comfortable, composed ride than most of the competition.

The only other drawback is that as a Korean-built car, the Ioniq 6 doesn't qualify for a federal income tax credit while the Mustang Mach-E and Model 3, its two North American-built competitors, do. That means both cost less when the tax credit is applied. Other potential rivals cost more and, like the Hyundai, don't qualify for the federal tax credit because they are built overseas.

Mercedes-Benz no longer has plans to be fully electric by 2030; however, EVs still play an important role in the German automaker's future. In addition to the EQE Sedan, Mercedes-Benz has rounded out its EV lineup with the EQE SUV, EQB SUV, EQS Sedan, and EQS SUV.

The midsize EQE Sedan has similar styling to the brand’s flagship EQS electric sedan. It may be one of the most aerodynamic designs on the road, but the rounded look with the solid grille will likely turn some buyers away. However, with its luxurious cabin replete with high-quality materials throughout, the EQE will please drivers from the inside.

Like other upscale Mercedes-Benz models, the EQE has a high-tech cabin featuring a large infotainment screen at the center of the expansive dashboard. An additional 12.3-inch driver display can be configured in multiple styles. The infotainment system is quite intuitive to use with interaction via the touchscreen or voice; virtually all physical controls have been eliminated.

Mercedes-Benz offers the 2025 EQE Sedan in multiple performance levels, ranging from the base EQE 350+ to the extreme 600-horsepower AMG EQE. The EQE Sedan can travel up to 307 miles between charges — not quite as far as the Lucid Air or Tesla Model S, but slightly better than the Genesis Electrified G80, Polestar 2, and BMW i5.

The Subaru WRX has been a mainstay among high-performance compact cars for years. It offers the practicality of standard all-wheel drive, a slick-shifting manual transmission, and engaging driving dynamics. Under the hood of this sporty sedan is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 271 horsepower – enough to make the WRX feel quick, even if it does lag behind class leaders like the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R. Unfortunately, the WRX’s fuel economy also is well below that of performance rivals like the aforementioned Civic Type R and Golf R, as well as the Toyota GR Corolla and the Hyundai Elantra N.

For 2025, the WRX gets a new trim level, the tS, which stands for "tuned by STI." On previous WRX models, the STI trim has come with a significant power increase, along with hardcore performance parts. With the tS, things are a bit less extreme. It gets the same 271-horsepower engine, but it includes features like Recaro sport seats, big Brembo brakes, a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and adaptive suspension dampers. STI enthusiasts will surely bemoan the lack of a higher-horsepower engine, but we still expect plenty of driving thrills from the tS. Despite its drawbacks, the 2025 Subaru WRX remains a performance bargain, offering a sporty driving experience and a well-equipped interior for the money.