The best performance sedan under $40,000 is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N: Hyundai lists it at $35,300 with 276 hp, and Car and Driver recorded 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with the automatic. The 2027 Kia K5 GT is the best value for power, with 290 hp at $33,790, and the 2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan is the cheapest manual at $31,495. Prices are maker-listed starting MSRPs and exclude fees where the maker says so.
$28,390 for the 2026 K4 GT-Line Turbo on Kia's page
Buyers who want a turbo and the lowest price here
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
Most power for the money
2027 Kia K5 GT
Best all-wheel drive
2026 Subaru WRX
Best manual
2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan
Safest
2026 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan
The ranking
1
2026 Hyundai Elantra N
Answrs VerdictQuickest here.
Starting MSRP: $35,300 for the 2026 Elantra N; Hyundai says MSRP excludes freight charges, tax, title and license feesPower: Hyundai lists 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 4.8 seconds with the automatic and 6.1 seconds with the manualSafety: IIHS lists the Hyundai Elantra as a 2026 Top Safety Pick; the list names the Elantra, not the N model specifically
The 2026 Elantra N lists 276 hp and 289 lb-ft from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and starts at $35,300. Car and Driver recorded 4.8 seconds to 60 mph with the automatic and 6.1 seconds with the manual.
Go ifDrivers who want the quickest car under $40,000 and a manual option
Skip ifYou want a quiet commuter; the N is built to be loud and firm
Why #1 over #2: Its 4.8 seconds beats the K5 GT at 5.2 seconds.
2
2027 Kia K5 GT
Answrs VerdictMost power per dollar.
Starting MSRP: $33,790 for the 2027 K5 GT; Kia says MSRP excludes destinationPower: Kia lists a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder with 290 hp0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 5.2 seconds for the GT; Kia's own page says 5.4 seconds on the GT trim, so the two sources differAvailable drivetrain: Kia offers available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive on the 2027 K5
The 2027 K5 GT has a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder with 290 hp and starts at $33,790. Car and Driver recorded 5.2 seconds to 60 mph, while Kia's page says 5.4 seconds.
Go ifBuyers who want 290 hp and a sharp price under $34,000
Skip ifYou want a manual; the GT is automatic
Why #2 over #3: It costs $33,790 against $36,050 for the Sonata N Line with the same 290 hp.
3
2026 Hyundai Sonata N Line
Answrs VerdictFast and roomy.
Starting MSRP: $36,050 for the 2026 Sonata N Line; Hyundai says MSRP excludes freight charges, tax, title and license feesPower: Hyundai lists a 290-hp 2.5L turbocharged engine with 19-inch N Design alloy wheels0-60 mph: Car and Driver's Sonata page lists 5.4 seconds for the N Line, while its K5 page says the N Line ran 5.0 seconds; the two Car and Driver pages differSafety: IIHS lists the Hyundai Sonata as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+; the list names the Sonata, not the N Line specifically
The 2026 Sonata N Line has a 290-hp 2.5L turbo and starts at $36,050. Car and Driver lists 5.4 seconds on its Sonata page and 5.0 seconds on its K5 page, so the sources differ; IIHS lists the Sonata as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifBuyers who want a midsize sedan with 290 hp and top IIHS marks
Skip ifYou want the lowest price; the K5 GT starts lower
Why #3 over #4: It matches the K5 GT at 290 hp, with Top Safety Pick+ marks for the Sonata, but starts $36,050 against $33,790.
4
2026 Subaru WRX
Answrs VerdictRally roots, AWD.
Starting MSRP: $32,495 for the 2026 WRX in Subaru's January 20, 2026 release, which brings back the base modelPower: Subaru lists a 271-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 6-speed manual0-60 mph: Car and Driver lists 5.4 seconds with the CVT and 5.5 seconds with the manual
The 2026 WRX starts at $32,495, with a 271-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 6-speed manual. Car and Driver lists 5.4 seconds with the CVT and 5.5 seconds with the manual.
Go ifBuyers who need all-wheel drive and a manual for snow and back roads
Skip ifYou want a smooth ride; Car and Driver calls it firm
Why #4 over #5: Its 5.4 seconds beats the Mazda3 Turbo at 5.6 seconds and it costs $32,495 against $36,940.
5
2026 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan
Answrs VerdictPremium and safe.
Starting MSRP: $36,940 for the 2026 Mazda3 sedan 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD in Mazda's August 19, 2025 pricing releasePower: Mazda lists up to 250 hp from the 2.5 Turbo engine, with i-Activ AWD standard0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 5.6 seconds for the automatic turbo AWD sedanSafety: IIHS lists the Mazda 3 sedan as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+
The 2026 Mazda3 sedan 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD starts at $36,940 with up to 250 hp. Car and Driver recorded 5.6 seconds, and IIHS lists the Mazda 3 sedan as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifBuyers who want the nicest cabin and a Top Safety Pick+ rating
Skip ifYou want the lowest price; the Turbo starts at $36,940
Why #5 over #6: Its 250 hp beats the Jetta GLI at 228 hp with the same 5.6 seconds.
6
2027 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Answrs VerdictRefined and quick.
Starting MSRP: $33,795 for the 2027 Jetta GLI on Volkswagen's pagePower: Volkswagen lists 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged engine0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 5.6 seconds
The 2027 Jetta GLI starts at $33,795 with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft from a turbocharged engine. Car and Driver recorded 5.6 seconds, and notes the six-speed manual is gone.
Go ifDrivers who want a refined handling sedan with a 228 hp turbo four
Skip ifYou want a manual; Car and Driver notes the six-speed is gone
Why #6 over #7: Its 5.6 seconds beats the Civic Si at 6.6 seconds.
7
2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan
Answrs VerdictBest manual, lowest price.
Starting MSRP: $31,495 for the 2026 Civic Si Sedan on Honda's lineup pagePower: Honda lists a 200-hp, 1.5-L turbocharged engine; Car and Driver lists 192 pound-feet of torque and a six-speed manual with a limited-slip differential0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 6.6 secondsSafety: The IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick list names the Honda Civic hatchback, not the sedan
The 2026 Civic Si Sedan starts at $31,495 with a 200-hp, 1.5-L turbo, a six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential. Car and Driver recorded 6.6 seconds; IIHS names the Civic hatchback, not the sedan, in its 2026 Top Safety Pick list.
Go ifDrivers who want the best manual shifter and a low price
Skip ifStraight-line speed matters; five rivals here are quicker
Why #7 over #8: Its 6.6 seconds beats the Accord Hybrid at 6.7 seconds and it costs $31,495 against $33,795.
8
2026 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport
Answrs VerdictFun, efficient, roomy.
Starting MSRP: $33,795 for the 2026 Accord Hybrid on Honda's lineup page; Car and Driver says the Sport Hybrid is the least-expensive way to get the hybridPower: Honda lists a 204-hp hybrid powertrain0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 6.7 seconds for the hybrid and 7.3 seconds for the nonhybridSafety: IIHS lists the Honda Accord as a 2026 Top Safety Pick
The 2026 Accord Hybrid starts at $33,795 with a 204-hp hybrid powertrain. Car and Driver recorded 6.7 seconds for the hybrid, and IIHS lists the Accord as a 2026 Top Safety Pick.
Go ifBuyers who want a roomy hybrid sedan that is still fun to drive
Skip ifYou want a turbo; the Sonata N Line and K5 GT are quicker
Why #8 over #9: Its 6.7 seconds beats the Camry XSE at 6.8 seconds.
9
2027 Toyota Camry XSE
Answrs VerdictSporty looks, hybrid calm.
Starting MSRP: $36,100 base MSRP for the 2027 Camry XSE on Toyota's pagePower: Car and Driver says front-drive Camry hybrids make 225 hp combined and all-wheel-drive models make 232 hp0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 6.8 seconds for the XSE AWDSafety: IIHS lists the Toyota Camry as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+
The 2027 Camry XSE has a base MSRP of $36,100; Car and Driver says all-wheel-drive models make 232 hp and recorded 6.8 seconds for the XSE AWD. IIHS lists the Camry as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifBuyers who want sporty looks, a hybrid and a Top Safety Pick+ rating
Skip ifYou want a driver's car; Car and Driver calls it dynamically indifferent
Why #9 over #10: Its 6.8 seconds beats the K4 GT-Line Turbo at 7.3 seconds.
10
2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Sedan
Answrs VerdictCheapest turbo.
Starting MSRP: $28,390 for the 2026 K4 GT-Line Turbo on Kia's pagePower: Kia lists a turbocharged engine with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque0-60 mph: Car and Driver recorded 7.3 seconds for the GT-Line Turbo sedan and 7.0 seconds for the hatchbackSafety: IIHS lists the Kia K4 as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+
The 2026 K4 GT-Line Turbo starts at $28,390 with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. Car and Driver recorded 7.3 seconds for the sedan, and IIHS lists the Kia K4 as a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.
Go ifBuyers who want a turbo and the lowest price here
Skip ifSpeed matters; it is the slowest car on this list
How we ranked these
We chose ten distinct new four-door sedans on sale in the US for the 2026 or 2027 model year, with no more than two from one brand, whose maker-listed starting MSRP for the named trim is under $40,000. Hatchbacks and coupes are excluded, so the Civic Type R, GR Corolla and Acura Integra are out. We ranked them by the 0-60 mph time Car and Driver recorded, breaking the tie between the Mazda3 and Jetta GLI on horsepower. Where Car and Driver or the maker give different times, we say so. Prices are the maker's starting MSRP, from Subaru and Mazda press releases for the WRX and Mazda3 and from each maker's page for the rest. IIHS awards are for the model, not always the performance trim, and the cars span different sizes, so the ranking is a guide, not a like-for-like test. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best performance sedan under $40,000 in 2027?
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra N. Hyundai lists it at $35,300 with 276 hp, and Car and Driver recorded 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with the automatic.
Which sedan has the most horsepower under $40,000?
The 2027 Kia K5 GT, at $33,790 with 290 hp, and the 2026 Hyundai Sonata N Line, at $36,050 with 290 hp.
What is the cheapest sedan on this list?
The 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo at $28,390 on Kia's page, with 190 hp. The 2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan is next at $31,495.
Do the Car and Driver numbers agree?
Not always. Car and Driver recorded 5.2 seconds for the K5 GT while Kia's page says 5.4. Its Sonata page lists 5.4 seconds for the N Line, but its K5 page says 5.0.
Horsepower of each sedan as listed by the maker or Car and Driver at a glance
2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Sedan190 hp
2026 Honda Civic Si Sedan200 hp
2026 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport204 hp
2027 Volkswagen Jetta GLI228 hp
2027 Toyota Camry XSE232 hp
2026 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan250 hp
2026 Subaru WRX271 hp
2026 Hyundai Elantra N276 hp
2027 Kia K5 GT290 hp
2026 Hyundai Sonata N Line290 hp
Horsepower of each sedan as listed by the maker or Car and Driver, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
