15 Sedans to Look Forward to in 2016, 2017
From Sports Cars in Disguise to Daily Runabouts
Although SUVs are increasingly more popular with U.S. consumers, plenty of drivers still prefer sedans. And there's a sedan out there for every buyer from the eco-minded to the crazy car enthusiast. Here's a list of notable sedans that will hit the market in 2016 or 2017.
2017 Jaguar XE
Built specifically to dethrone the BMW 3 Series, the Jaguar XE marks the British marque's return to the compact luxury segment. It offers three engines â a diesel, a 2.0-liter turbo-four, and a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 â and comes packed with the punch necessary to compete in the compact luxury sports sedan segment.
A sophisticated suspension with a double wishbone setup up front and integral link out back make sure the car is agile but not harsh. For those living in parts of the U.S. with four seasons, AWD is optional.
The GS F, a rear-drive Japanese bruiser with a screaming 467-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 sitting under the hood, rounds off the Lexus GS range. The sedan is down on power compared to its German competitors, but the GS F makes up for it with plenty of aural drama from its screamer of an engine and a chassis that promises to be plenty capable on and off the track.
All that performance and handling don't come at the cost of refinement. When all you want to do is cruise around, the GS F is happy to oblige and will coddle you in comfort on your daily commute. But when your mood changes and you want to make your pulse quicker, it's happy to do that as well.
Need a bruiser that you can take to the canyons that will also be at home at a fancy party in Beverly Hills? Consider the Audi S8 Plus, the most potent version of the full-size luxury sedan from the four-ringed brand, and a car that can shame some sports cars in a straight line thanks to an uprated 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that now pumps out a whopping 605 hp and 517 lb-ft of torque (553 lb-ft with overboost).
The S8 Plus' standard Quattro AWD also means you'll have all-weather traction, meaning it's a luxury cruise missile for all seasons.
One of the first compact sedans to bring sexy back to its segment, the previous generation Hyundai Elantra was an immediate hit, and its successor seeks to continue that momentum. Featuring an evolutionary styling that keeps it recognizable, the new Hyundai Elantra brings sophistication and new tech such as automatic emergency braking. An Eco variant has been added for the environmentally conscious, while a revised Sport model will follow after the base and Eco variants go on sale in January 2016.
The facelifted 2017 Lincoln MKZ could be a sleeper hit. In addition to a new front end inspired by the Continental Concept that debuted at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the refreshed MKZ packs a punch thanks to a 3.0-liter, EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 making 400 hp and 400 lb-ft, an engine that's exclusive to Lincoln. For those wanting something more environmentally friendly, the MKZ Hybrid should give you plenty of eco credibility without sacrificing the finer things in life such as a gigantic retractable glass roof.
Like its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, the Kia Optima will also be available as a hybrid in two flavors: one that plugs in and one that doesn't. The same powertrain found in the Sonata Hybrid and Sonata PHEV—a direct injected 2.0-liter I-4 paired to an electric motor—will likely be found in the Optima Hybrid, producing a combined output of 193 hp.
The Optima PHEV will likely use the same powertrain as the conventional hybrid but paired to a more powerful electric motor for a maximum output of 202 hp. On electric power alone, the Optima PHEV should be able to travel up to 27 miles before the gas engine turns on, and it can be fully charged in under three hours using a Level 2 charger.
While you might have a hard time figuring out what's changed just by looking at it, there's plenty that's new in the 2017 Audi A4, including a 252-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-four, a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and a revised version of the MMI infotainment system featuring the slick Virtual Cockpit.
For those wanting more performance, the S4 should be just the ticket to add all kinds of thrills wrapped in a package that'll fly right under the eyes of big brother. Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 making 354 hp and 368 lb-ft that puts its power down via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the S4 is a canyon road devourer and autobahn cruise missile wrapped in a classy package.
The 2016 Jaguar XF is between 165 to 265 pounds lighter than the outgoing model thanks to an aluminum-intensive body, and it's now available with a 380-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 on the S trim. Beneath that sexy exterior is a suspension setup comprised of double wishbone up front and integral link in the back for a nice balance of handling and comfort. While the XF S is currently the most powerful variant, a more potent XFR should follow after the more pedestrian variants of the XF have gone on sale.
As part of its rebirth Alfa Romeo created a compact luxury sports sedan known as the Giulia that aims to give its segment a dose of pulse-quickening Italian performance and style. At the top of the range is the insanely potent (and sexy) Giulia Quadrifoglio, a 505-hp rear-drive beast with a twin-turbo V-6 under the hood and a standard short-shift six-speed manual gearbox. Lesser variants of the Giulia are mighty potent as well, featuring a 276-hp, 2.0-liter turbo I-4 with FCA's Multiair2 system as standard.
One of the most important vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the next-generation E-Class is supposed to debut sometime next year featuring an exterior design similar to the C- and S-Class. Expect an extensive array of powertrain choices including a miserly diesel, a twin-turbo V-6, and a hand-built twin-turbo V-8 producing insane amounts of power on the AMG variant. Mercedes' new nine-speed automatic should find its way into more pedestrian models, while the autobahn cruise missiles from Affalterbach will most likely carry on with the seven-speed MCT gearbox.
