Most affordable new sport sedans

The new Subaru WRX recently launched in the country, a rare sighting for the new-car scene.

This is because South Africans love their bakkies, hatchbacks, and SUVs – and as a result, these family-friendly four-doors have taken the proverbial backseat when it comes to vehicle introductions for our market.

With the sedan offerings becoming fewer and further in between, local enthusiasts wanting something athletic and sensible, but still low off the road, aren’t exactly spoilt for choice.

As things currently stand, your main choices come from Germany’s top three – Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz – but they tend to be on the pricier side.

Subaru’s new WRX then brings additional variety into the mix, Lexus has its hat in the ring with the LS, Jaguar makes its presence known with the XF, and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia also does duty in this category.

However, these are about the only manufacturers who still make sedans that can be considered “sporty” – as the rest have completely shifted focus to pricing, practicality, and frugality.

Sporty sedans

Using the new Subaru WRX as our benchmark, we looked at sedans in South Africa that offer 0-100km/h times of under seven seconds and top speeds in excess of 200km/h.

The vehicles made by the various manufacturers’ high-performance departments were not included, such as the Ms and AMGs of the world, due to the flagship status of these vehicles and their accompanying price tags.

The cars that met these requirements are detailed below, proving that you don’t need to be a millionaire to have fun in a sedan in South Africa, but that it would certainly help.

Where no official manufacturer specifications were available, figures are marked with *

Subaru WRX 2.4T

• Starting price – R759,000
• Power – 202kW/350Nm
• 0-100km/h – 5.5 seconds*
• Top speed – 250km/h*

Mercedes-Benz A250 Sedan AMG Line

• Starting price – R837,219
• Power – 165kW/350Nm
• 0-100km/h – 6.3 seconds
• Top speed – 250km/h

Audi S3 Sedan Quattro

• Starting price – R852,000
• Power – 213kW/400Nm
• 0-100km/h – 4.9 seconds
• Top speed – 250km/h

BMW 320d

• Starting price – R874,858
• Power – 140kW/400Nm
• 0-100km/h – 6.8 seconds
• Top speed – 240km/h

Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0T Veloce

• Starting price – R1,014,900
• Power – 206kW/400Nm
• 0-100km/h – 5.7 seconds
• Top speed – 240km/h

Jaguar XF P250 R-Dynamic HSE

• Starting price – R1,244,556
• Power – 184kW/365Nm
• 0-100km/h – 6.9 seconds
• Top speed – 250km/h

Lexus LS 500 F Sport

• Starting price – R2,304,500
• Power – 310kW/600Nm
• 0-100km/h – 5.0 seconds
• Top speed – 250km/h