Best New Sedans of 2020

The best sedans have something for everyone. Some have four-wheel drive, while others are loaded with luxury amenities, or have eco-friendly hybrid engines. Shopping for a new sedan is easy with our list of the best choices.

At a glance

Honda Accord

Honda Accord

Why should you buy this: It’s the quintessential midsize sedan.
Who’s it for: Anyone who needs a car.

Why we picked the Honda Accord:

Along with its rival, the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord has long been the default choice for a vast swath of U.S. car buyers. The name Accord is so associated with quality and reliability that Honda could probably sell it even if the seats were covered in spikes. But the current-generation Accord earns its reputation.

The last redesign added some zest to the Accord, which is known for being both incredibly competent and somewhat dull. The current model borrows styling cues from the smaller Honda Civic, giving it a more stylish appearance that won’t offend buyers who just want to blend in with traffic. Honda also increased rear legroom and trunk space.

Drivers will find plenty to like, too. The Accord is one of the few midsize sedans still available with a manual transmission, and you can pair that six-speed stick with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from the Civic Type R (base models get a 1.5-liter turbo-four). You don’t get as much power (just 252 horsepower, down from 306 hp in the Type R), but the Accord can get out of its way, and take corners with admirable poise.

The Accord also represents a good tech value. Every Accord trim level includes the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, which bundles forward collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. A 7.0-inch touchscreen display is standard; an 8.0-inch unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is optional.

The Honda has three powertrain choices—including a hybrid—blend efficiency and power. Graceful handling is an Accord hallmark and its athletic chassis, lightly weighted steering, and balanced ride come standard across the lineup. Also standard: a suite of driver-assistance features including automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2020 Accord is not only the best-driving family sedan, but it's also one of the best-equipped choices in its class, making it an easy recommendation for today's car shoppers.

Tesla Model 3

Why should you buy this: It’s the best electric sedan, and one of the best sedans out there

Who’s it for: Those who want to never stop at a gas station again.

Why we picked the Tesla Model 3:

Tesla enviably launched the Model 3 in a class of one, and it’s still the only electric model in its category. The head-start allowed Tesla to deliver a luxury sedan with a cutting-edge powertrain that offers up to 322 miles of driving range and a 3.2-second sprint from zero to 60 mph when properly configured. The entry-level, rear-wheel-drive model that corresponds to the car’s $40,000 price tag gets a 250-mile range and takes 5.3 seconds to reach 60.

The Model 3’s interior is an exercise in minimalist design. The giant, television-like screen mounted on the dashboard replaces nearly all of the stalks and buttons normally found in a car. It’s a layout that takes some getting used to, but thousands of Model 3 owners say they love it. The infotainment system is compatible with all of the cool tech features you expect to find in a Tesla, such as Netflix streaming and in-car gaming, but you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to unlock some of them. Autopilot is available.

Rivals are on their way, but until they land and prove what they’re made of the Model 3 reign supreme.

Elon Musk might say some crazy stuff, but he's right about at least one thing: Tesla's electric vehicles have changed the world. When the Model S launched in 2012, it was the first long-range, widely desired electric vehicle, and mainstream automakers have been struggling to catch up ever since. The 2020 Model S is still impressive—it now has an EPA-estimated 373 miles of range in its Long Range variant—but for all its focus on autonomous technology, over-the-air updates, and Easter eggs, Tesla's interiors and build quality can sometimes fall short of expectations. Better-established luxury automakers are finally getting in on the EV game—Porsche's Taycan is aimed directly at the Model S, for example—and Tesla will need all its Silicon Valley pivot-power to stay ahead of the pack.

Toyota Camry

Why should you buy this: It offers Prius-like gas mileage in a sedan package

Who’s it for: Those who want a Toyota hybrid that’s not a Prius

Why we picked the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

The hybrid version of the Toyota Camry leverages technology sourced from the Prius to achieve 51 mpg in the city, 53 mpg on the highway, and 52 mpg in a combined cycle. These figures make it one of the most efficient sedans on the market. The Camry achieves them thanks to a 208-horsepower drivetrain made up of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that draws power from a lithium-ion battery pack. It seats five and offers 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which is on par with the non-hybrid version.

Above all, it’s a Toyota, so it will be dependable for miles on end. Camry is hardly synonymous with fun; in the past, it’s been a byword for a boring commuter, but the current-generation model is more appealing than its predecessor's thanks to a better-tuned chassis and a more evocative design.

In the past, we’ve criticized the Camry (and other Toyota models) for their near-complete lack of useful connectivity features. That’s no longer the case; even the base model comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Upmarket trims get an 8.0-inch screen, and navigation is optional.

The 2020 Camry and its distinction for unsullied reliability allow it to be a strong contender in the fading family-sedan segment. Its three powertrain options cover a diversified range: there's a fuel-efficient four-cylinder, a potent V-6, and an eco-friendly hybrid. Though the Toyota has a compliant ride and proficient handling, it trails in performance behind the sportier and turbocharged rivals such as the acclaimed Honda Accord or the elegant Mazda 6. There’s also plentiful standard driver-assistance technology, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Camry may be plagued by small imperfections, but even so, it is the best-executed Camry that Toyota has ever produced.

Honda Civic

Why should you buy this: The Civic proves that value isn’t a dirty word.

Who’s it for Commuters who want the most car for their money.

Why we picked the Honda Civic:

Honda is back in a big way these days, but its best car might also be one of its cheapest. Honda’s all-new Civic isn’t just striking to behold, it’s also a return to fun-to-drive form for the Japanese automaker. With punchy turbocharged engines, nimble handling, and a smooth-shifting six-speed manual on offer, car shoppers looking for personality shouldn’t feel obligated to break their bank accounts.

The sedan, coupe, and hatchback all bring the drama with aggressive exterior styling that, for its intended audience, is best described as “Instagram worthy.” Honda desperately needed a revamp after years of plain-Jane Civics, and whether it’s the large air inlets on the front fascia, slender LED headlights, or wonderfully-contoured door panels, the 10th-generation Civic has the attitude its predecessors were missing.

Inside, the new Civic can be optioned with the latest and greatest in safety and infotainment features to turn a compact commuter into a true entry-level luxury car. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic braking assist, haptic feedback controls … the list goes on. To top it all off, whichever engine you choose returns the best fuel economy figures in the class. Sometimes you get what you pay for — but in this case, you get more.

Few cars manage to satisfy everyone, but the 2020 Civic proves one car can be affordable and functional as well as entertaining. In our opinion, the Honda achieves a near-perfect blend of comfort and driver engagement. Its steering responds immediately to driver inputs, its ride is smooth yet sporty, making it a blast to drive. The main drawback is its divisive exterior styling. Those who can appreciate or look past that aspect will enjoy its excellent fuel economy, copious interior cubby space, and numerous standard driver assists. It's one of the best compact sedans you can buy.

Volvo S90

Why should you buy this: Nobody does luxury like the Swedes.

Who’s it for Drivers who want elegance, not pageantry.

Why we picked the Volvo S90:

Few sedans do luxury as well as the Volvo S90. The Swede doesn’t overwhelm its driver and passengers with an array of tech gadgets but instead tries to create a calming, upscale experience. The interior features some of the highest-quality materials you’ll find this side of a Rolls-Royce, including wood that is not only real but looks it. The portrait-oriented touchscreen is easy to use, and everything feels solid and well-thought-out.

The S90 driving experience is best described as serene. The S90 is not a sports sedan, but its smooth ride makes it one of the best traditional luxury sedans around. It’s also fairly efficient for a big four-door, thanks to an engine lineup that consists entirely of 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mills, as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

In the end, the S90 exemplifies the transformation Volvo has undergone in the last few years. It’s handsome, understated, refined, safe, and intuitive, and although it’s not the sportiest option on the road, it stands out in one of the most competitive segments in the industry.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Why should you buy this: The Giulia Quadrifoglio will raise your pulse as no other four-door can.

Who’s it for People who crave drama, style, and power.

Why we picked the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio:

Alfa Romeo is essentially coming back from oblivion, and to do that, its first mainstream model in the U.S. in decades had to be epic. With the Giulia — particularly the high-performance Quadrifoglio model — Alfa has completely pulled it off.

Building a rear-wheel-drive sedan with an emphasis on sporty driving dynamics is a great way to start. Clothing it in gorgeous bodywork in the finest Italian tradition is an even greater idea. But Alfa went even further, bringing a nuclear weapon to a gunfight in the form of a 505-horsepower, 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 developed with input from Ferrari. The Quadrifoglio’s engine completely outclasses its German and American rivals in terms of power, and the Ferrari connection adds even more coolness. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is a sedan that thinks it’s a sports car.

The 2020 Giulia Quadrifoglio takes the already delicious dish that is the Giulia sports sedan and adds a liberal helping of Italian seasoning to boost its profile and its performance. With a 505-hp twin-turbo V-6 under the hood, the Giulia Quadrifoglio has the muscle to keep pace with the Audi RS5 Sportback, the BMW M3, and the Mercedes-AMG C63. Handling is razor sharp, too, which makes the Quadrifoglio a joy to pilot on twisty roads and racetracks; these modern Alfas serve as our benchmark for steering feel. Unfortunately, this Italian stallion's reputation for poor reliability came true during our 40,000-mile test of a 2018 model. Even so, it barely tempers our excitement for driving such a focused sports sedan.

Subaru Impreza

Why should you buy this: It’s a good sedan that will get you through the winter.

Who’s it for Rally fans on a budget.

Why we picked the Subaru Impreza:

Many buyers turn to crossovers because of their available all-wheel drive, but the Subaru Impreza has that covered. While all-wheel drive is a Subaru signature, there’s plenty about the Impreza to recommend besides its ability to handle snowy roads.

Other compact cars (like the Honda Civic) offer sharper handling, but the Impreza is no slouch in the bends. Thanks to its new Subaru Global Platform underpinnings, it compares well with the competition on refinement. The only available engine is a 2.0-liter flat-four, which produces 152 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Base models get a five-speed manual transmission, while other trim levels get a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the name of fuel efficiency.

The standard 6.5-inch touchscreen is placed within easy reach from the driver’s seat, and Subaru offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility standard. The Impreza is also available with Subaru’s EyeSight bundle of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Combine that with a reputation for bulletproof reliability and the Impreza adds up to a great sedan, even if you don’t need all-wheel drive.