Best AWD Sedans [Top Ranked Models]
Aaron Turpen is an automotive writer and reviewer living in Wyoming, USA. A life-long off-road and mechanical enthusiast, Aaron has had a varied career in vehicles. Aaron grew up with home mechanics and maintenance on tractors, trucks, and cars as well as small engines and devices. At any one time, he’s worked as an automotive disassembler (aka “junk yard parts puller”), shade tree mechanic, over-the-road truck driver, and more. Aaron’s interests include family-oriented vehicles, off-roading, and anything fun involving tires and steering. With most of his life having been in rural America, Aaron understands pickup trucks and SUVs, winter weather hazards, and what life is like where phrases like “Just down the road” mean “within 100 miles.” Aaron’s automotive writing career has included outlets such as Carfax, CarTalk, NewAtlas.com, and many others. He’s appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, on various YouTube channels, and on several podcasts.
The sedan, once the most popular car type, now seems to be waning. But looks can be deceiving.
The market is seeing a resurgence as manufacturers start adding all-wheel drive to the four-door car. Many consumers buying SUVs and crossovers were doing so because they wanted the stability and all-weather handling that all-wheel drive (AWD) provides. Where previously AWD was only to be found on sport and luxury sedans, it’s now becoming common in everyday cars as well.
We’ve ranked the best sedans on the market with AWD as standard or an option for this list. We’re looking at all sizes of sedans in the standard and luxury markets.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Sedan?
- What Is AWD?
- Best AWD Sedans Comparison
- 1. Best AWD Sedan - Mazda Mazda3
- 2. Best AWD Sedan - Kia Stinger
- 3. Best AWD Sedan - Tesla Model 3
- Best AWD Luxury Sedans Comparison
- 1. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - Genesis G70
- 2. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - Audi A4
- 3. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - BMW 5 Series
- Car Research & Comparisons
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Sedan?
A sedan is loosely defined as a four-door car with a separate trunk or cargo space. That latter distinction has, however, blurred a bit as some sedans now feature rear hatches instead of a separate deck or trunk lids.
- Check out our picks for the best family sedans >>
What Is AWD?
AWD is a relatively common form of four-wheel drive in which the powerplant and transmission propel all four wheels. However, unlike a true four-wheel drive system, an AWD system does not usually feature low gearing (adding more torque at low speeds) or force a 50:50 power split between axles. All-wheel drive is more typically associated with unibody designs instead of truck-based or body-on-frame vehicle designs.
In general terms, AWD is better for performance driving in sport or casual situations where traction and handling are of primary importance. In many situations, AWD is also better for general all-weather driving as well for traction control purposes.
Best AWD Sedans Comparison
| Best AWD Sedan | Seating | Base Price | City / Hwy MPG | All-Weather or Performance Traction |
| Mazda Mazda3 | ||||
| Kia Stinger | ||||
| Tesla Model 3 |
*MPGe = Miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (Measures fuel efficiency of hybrid and electric models)
1. Best AWD Sedan - Mazda Mazda3
The Mazda3 comes in both sedan and hatchback formats, and this isn’t the first time it’s made one of our “best of” lists. In hatchback form, the Mazda3 made our Best Hatchbacks list, and in its sedan form, it’s topping this list as well.
With the 3, Mazda has found a nice balance of capability and fun. A new turbocharged engine, while not required to make the Mazda3 great, is certainly a very nice addition. Both the 2.5-liter standard and turbo engines have an AWD option which, while sporty, is more tuned towards all-weather driving than sport driving performance.
The Mazda3 is also the only compact on this list, and those looking for more room should consider its hatchback as an option.
Current Mazda3 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mazda deals here.
2. Best AWD Sedan - Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger is relatively new to the sedan market, debuting just a few years ago and still being in its first generation as a car. With many things in common with the Optima sedan, the Stinger is sportier and more luxurious. Compared to other luxury cars, it fits better in the “premium” non-luxury market than it does the lux stable. So we’ve put it here.
The AWD option for the Stinger is available in both the four- and six-cylinder engine choices. Although the Stinger is marketed as a sports sedan, it’s not as sporty as most of the other options on our list here and is, instead, a comfortable grand touring car. Because of its rear-wheel base, however, the Stinger is still more performance-oriented than all-weather oriented with its AWD setup.
Of the three on this list, the Stinger is the most comfortable and poised for everyday driving. Infotainment is user-friendly and not intrusive, while cargo is spacious and useful.
Current Kia Stinger Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals here.
3. Best AWD Sedan - Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 is the only electric vehicle on our list today. Price-wise, the Model 3 is costlier than even our luxury options below but is outfitted more like a premium-level standard offering than a truly luxurious sedan. That said, it has a lot of driving range and an extremely well-done AWD system.
As the highest performing car on our list, the Model 3 is the most lead-foot friendly. Fuel economy, as with any EV, however, drops significantly as speeds increase, and unlike combustion-powered vehicles, the Model 3’s electric system loses efficiency at highway speeds as range drops.
The AWD system in the Model 3, however, is uniquely axle-independent when compared to the others on this list (luxury or no). Each axle has its own independent propulsion, giving the AWD system the ability to adapt to road situations more quickly. That said, the rear-wheel bias of the car and its overall design are geared more towards performance than all-weather handling.
Check out our full list of the best EV AWD cars here >>
Best AWD Luxury Sedans Comparison
| Best Luxury AWD Sedan | Seating | Base Price | City / Hwy MPG | All-Weather or Performance Traction |
| Genesis G70 | ||||
| Audi A4 | ||||
| BMW 5 Series |
1. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - Genesis G70
The newcomer to luxury vehicles, Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai. The G70 is a flagship for the carmaker, aiming for affordable luxury and performance. Those goals are certainly made with the new G70, which offers a nimble road presence and a lot of standard features for the price paid.
Both the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 have an all-wheel drive option. The base engine is a great choice for daily driving and saloon-style comfort, while the V6 offers blistering sprints and confident high-speed appeal.
Although the G70 is very athletic, its AWD system seems tuned more towards handling inclement weather than performance. Outside of its low-speed jump where traction is most crucial in performance driving, the AWD system feels more all-weather tuned.
2. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - Audi A4
On our luxury list, the A4 is both the smallest and the most performance-tuned of the group. It’s also the only sedan on either of these lists that has AWD as standard. Audi calls its AWD system “quattro”.
The Audi A4 is a small car with seating for four comfortably and five when required. However, it is athletic and fun to drive with a lot of engagement for the money spent, especially if one opts for the turbocharged six-cylinder engine choice.
The Audi’s drivetrain is clearly geared towards performance, with all-weather handling being secondary at best.
Current Audi A4 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Audi deals here.
3. Best AWD Luxury Sedan - BMW 5 Series
The 5 Series is one of the longest-lived of luxury sedans on the market today. It’s also one of the most versatile, with options and setups (denoted by model number) to fit nearly any lifestyle or need. The standard models (530i, 530e, 540i) have four- and six-cylinder turbocharged engines (respectively), while the M series (M550i, M5, M5 Competition) have burly V8 engines with various turbocharged outputs.
For all-wheel drive, BMW buyers will be limited (such as that word applies here) to the 530i, 530e, and 540i models. These are well-balanced, nicely-tuned touring cars with a smart design that fulcrums power output and handling with comfort and daily convenience.
The electrified plug-in hybrid 530e is an especially compelling option here, adding both gasoline-boosted performance and convenience with the efficiency of around town all-electric driving.
Current BMW 5 Series Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's BMW deals here.
