10 Fast Sports Sedans That Are Surprisingly Cheap To Own And Maintain

These fast and sensible sedans will surprise you with their sportiness and power every time you get behind the wheel.

Sports sedans are, in a way, the perfect car. They provide drivers with everyday practicality and usability while, at the same time, being as fun to drive as some sports cars, thus distinguishing themselves from other run-of-the-mill commuter cars. For many of the better-known sports sedans out there, however, there is one glaring drawback: the financial implications of owning one. Much-celebrated examples like the BMW 3 Series have somewhat of a reputation for wringing their owners’ wallets dry. But, this mustn’t always be the case for sports sedans.

Update February 2023: We’ve given this list of quick sports sedans that don’t break the bank a refresh to include some handy information for car enthusiasts looking into these fast-yet-sensible cars. This list now includes the prices of each surprisingly cheap car, as well as the specific year of each sports sedan that gearheads will truly appreciate.

The fact of the matter is sports sedans are such a good blend of everyday pragmatism and enthusiast appeal that the formula isn’t hard to replicate into something less expensive to maintain. You can even save some money while still boasting a luxury badge up front. Here are some sports sedans that you can buy—and keep—for less.

RELATED: 10 Best Japanese Sports Cars For Under $30,000

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2022 Kia Stinger

Kia

Kia’s introduction to the U.S. market was with cheap, value-oriented cars that gave buyers a more affordable option, albeit not as well-built as its pricier, Japanese rivals. That was then, however, and this is now. In 2018, Kia outdid consumers’ expectations when the 368-hp Stinger liftback hit showrooms.

Now that it’s been a few years since its release, it isn’t hard to find a used example for less than $40,000. In fact, the 2022 Kia Stinger in question has a MSRP of $36,290. The GT2 trim has a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, making the Kia Stinger a pretty fast sports sedan. Best of all, they are about as affordable to maintain as the rest of the lineup, especially while its 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is still valid.

2019 Tesla Model 3

via Tesla

The Tesla Model 3 brings 3 Series handling to the world of electric vehicles. A darling of Silicon Valley, it continues to amass backlogs of orders, and for many good reasons. The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most affordable Teslas, especially when you consider the sportiness that this electric sedan can offer.

The year 2019 was when the Tesla Model 3 really hit its stride – and got to show off what being a sports sedan is all about. The 0-to time of a Tesla Model 3 from 2019 ranges between a quick 5 seconds and an otherworldly 3.2 seconds. It’s no wonder that Tesla has quite a few appearances on a list of 10 Cars You Won’t Believe Are Faster Than A Bugatti.

A 2019 model of the Model 3 are often up for sale for as cheap as $30,000. Also, its lack of mechanical components does away with the hassle of routine maintenance procedures like oil changes and makes it hundreds of dollars less to maintain each year than competitors.

2020 Lexus GS F

Via: Lexus Pressroom

It should come as no surprise that a Lexus made it on this list. The GS is especially worth highlighting because of its particular level of driving fun.

The 2020 Lexus GS F shows drivers what a high-performance sports sedan is truly made of. With a 0 to 60 mph time similar to a Maserati Ghibli, the 2020 Lexus GS F is a sports sedan that is worth the money. It may be one of the most expensive cars on this list, but when it can be comfortably compared to supercars, the Lexus GS F seems like a bargain. The 2020 Lexus GS F also has an approximate maintenance cost of about $500, which is where you can definitely save your money.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback GS

Via: Buick Pressroom

The Buick Regal Sportback GS brought European performance and driving prowess stateside. Sold as the Opel Insignia GSI and Vauxhall Insignia VXR overseas, the Buick Regal Sportback GS can be had with a manual transmission and will sprint to 60 in less than six seconds.

Being Buicks, they’ve always been relatively affordable, even new. Newer examples can be had for about $30,000 while you can easily find one from the early 2010s for less than $10,000. To really achieve the swift driving thrills that can be found in the best sports sedans, opt for the Sportback version of the GS. A 310 horsepower V6 comes standard under the hood of this version of Buick’s sports sedan.

2015 Infiniti Q50

via: Edmunds

The Infiniti Q50 is another Japanese sports sedan that, thanks to components also used by its more affordable parent company, won’t break the bank as far as maintenance goes. And how fast is fast? The 2015 Infiniti Q50 gets from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds.

The Infiniti Q50 uses the more modern version of Nissan’s VQ engine, making replacement parts for it rather easy to find. Maintenance for the Q50 is likely to set owners back about the same amount as maintenance for a Nissan Murano. In other words, not a lot. Infiniti is definitely a car manufacturer that deserves to be on the map when it comes to sports sedans that are both reliable and quick.

RELATED: These Are Our Favorite Features Of The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport

2020 Genesis G70

Via Genesis

Hyundai’s luxury division Genesis’s very own sports compact sedan, the Genesis G90, has been around for several years now. With that, late examples have had the time to depreciate and become more affordable to buyers.

What’s good about this is that buyers and sports sedan enthusiasts have an easier way to buy into an emerging luxury brand. Moreover, drivers can save lots of stress with the low maintenance costs of a Hyundai product, plus its 10-year powertrain warranty.

Depending on trim, putting the pedal to the metal in the 2020 Genesis G70 could get you from 0 to 60 mph anywhere between 4.6 to 6.4 seconds. A fast sports sedan that is cheap to maintain? That’s the 2020 Genesis G70.

2023 Acura Integra

Via: Acura

The Acura Integra, in both its previous and current iterations, kept to its original concept. The Civic-based liftback, in the 90s and now, gave buyers an affordable, reliable option to buy into the luxury segment. Acura has found themselves in a unique position to benefit from parent company Honda’s dependability, with the elevation of luxury and class.

A new 2023 Acura Integra has an MSRP of just $31,000, and that gets you 200 energetic horses underneath the hood. That horsepower aids in getting the 2023 Acura Integra off of the starting line and reaching 60 miles per hour in about 7 seconds.

Given its mechanical similarities to the Civic, the Acura Integra requires the same amount of maintenance, which shouldn’t be anything more than rudimentary items like oil changes and routine parts replacements.

2017 – 2019 Ford Fusion Sport

Via Ford Media

For a brief three years, Ford made a hot version of their Fusion sedan. The Fusion Sport, produced between model years 2017 and 2019, made 325 horsepower and could do 0-60 in approximately five seconds.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 that the car came with was not an uncommon engine. Also found on the F-150 and several Lincoln models, maintenance isn’t nearly the hassle it would be on similarly-quick European models. The 2017 – 2019 Ford Fusion Sport puts the sport in sports sedan, and is cheap to maintain when you’re looking at about $500 a year.

2017 Chevrolet SS

via Chevrolet 

In 2014, a little spark went off at GM that somehow lent them the idea to make an insanely powerful midsize sedan. The Chevrolet SS came from the Holden Commodore, which itself served as a basis for several past US-market GM models, including the Pontiac G8, and, indirectly, the 2004 Pontiac GTO.

The Chevrolet SS is a relatively rare sports sedan these days, so obtaining one might require a little bit of hunting. But once you find a 2017 Chevy SS, you’ll also find this collectible car at a bargain of a price, respectively.

The 2017 Chevrolet SS gets from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with an astounding 415 horsepower. The SS also comes with a 6.2-liter V8 that gave it gobs of power on tap. The engine is similar to what’s used in cars like the Chevrolet Suburban, making ownership rather a cinch.

2019 Cadillac ATS

via: Edmunds

When Cadillac tried to reposition the CTS sports compact as a midsize luxury sedan, they came out with the ATS shortly beforehand to take its place.

You can find the sports sedan 2019 Cadillac ATS for about $30,000 used. 0 to 60 mph times sit at a relatively quick 5.4 seconds.

Cadillac gave gearheads this well-handling, luxuriously appointed compact that came with an optional manual transmission and a V variant. According to RepairPal, it both costs less than average to maintain among luxury sedans and is far less prone to needing unscheduled repairs.