Characteristics of Sporty Four-Door Cars
So what defines sporty four-door cars aside from the increased number of entry points? In many ways, they are the same as any other performance vehicle, for better or worse, but there are some key areas where they stand out or fall behind the rest of the pack.
- Style: Looks are important in the motoring world, especially when it comes to cars that are designed to draw attention and elicit thrills. It’s true that 4-door sporty-looking cars go against the norm, which can work in their favor or against them, depending on who you ask. Purists may not be willing to part with their 2-door coupes, but those with an open mind may find that these cars can be just as appealing.
- Performance: The fastest 4-door sports cars can easily keep up with sleeker-looking rivals, at least for the most part. Engine options range from turbocharged four-cylinders all the way up to W12 setups with astronomical outputs. You will also often find models with AWD as standard since many of these sporty models are derived from executive sedans. This improves not only handling but also safety and traction in cold-weather states.
- Practicality: Naturally, 4 doors mean at least 4 seats, so these cars already have many of their coupe rivals beat in terms of practicality. And, while some of the top 4-door sports cars still boast coupe-like styling, many are sedans with superior headroom and cargo capacity. Just look at the Dodge Charger for a good example of a high-powered car that works well as an everyday driver, too, although it’s a murky line here between performance car and sports car.
- Price: While many of these cars can be quite expensive, there are affordable 4-door sports cars out there. Finding pre-loved versions in good condition is always possible. However, you get what you pay for, and if you want truly blistering performance, you’ll have to pony up some extra cash. Of course, bigger and more powerful engines also mean poorer fuel economy, so the cost of ownership goes up proportionally.
What to Consider When Buying a 4-Door Sports Car
There is certainly a case to be made for buying a new four-door sports car, but they are by no means perfect. They share many strengths and weaknesses with other performance-biased cars, but some traits are unique to the subsegment:
Pros
- Back seats usually have more head and legroom
- They are also easier to access
- Performance is just as good as a coupe variant
- More easily able to double up as a daily driver
- Possibly cheaper than a coupe
Cons
- Not as flashy as a coupe
- Still expensive to buy and own
- Won’t get you the same amount of street cred
FAQs
What is the best 4-door sports car?
The best car in any category will always be up for debate, but the shortlist of the top 4-door sports cars would not be complete without the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the Porsche Panamera, the Audi RS5, and the BMW 2 Series.
Are 4-door sports cars reliable?
They are no more or less reliable than their 2-door or coupe counterparts, and ensuring scheduled maintenance is adhered to will go a long way to promoting reliability.
Is there a coupe with 4 doors?
These days, coupes aren’t restricted to a two-door body style, and a sloping roof is taken as more of a defining feature rather than the number of doors. Automakers have even given these cars unique names, like BMW’s range of Gran Coupes and Audi’s Sportback series.