Toronto Star

Top sedans to love

Automakers are working their magic to make cars in this segment as stylish as ever; here’s a list of the best-looking 10 in 2017

- Jason Siu AutoGuide.com

These days, there are a lot of good-looking, four-door sedans on the market.

Decades ago, four-door sedans were considered boring family cars. But now, crossovers and SUVs fill that need and many automakers are making sure their sedans are as stylish as ever. It’s rather difficult to choose just the top 10 best-looking sedans available today, but we think we’ve managed to narrow it down.

While many of these choices come from luxury automakers, there are also a few affordable cars on the list.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo’s return to North America started with the 4C Coupe, a niche sports car that won’t find its way into very many garages. Instead, the Giulia sedan plays the mainstream role with attractive Italian styling and the unmistakab­le Alfa Romeo front end. The Giulia comes in a few flavours, but the range-topping Quadrifogl­io features an aggressive front end with large air intake openings that give us a truly menacing stance.

Aston Martin Rapide S

Aston Martin did the smart thing when it came to designing its four-door Rapide. It basically slapped two more doors on a stretched body and kept the styling as Aston Martin as possible. The result? It’s one of the most attractive sedans available today, although we’re sure the British automaker wishes it sold better.

Audi RS7

People like to joke that all Audi models look the same. Part of that is true, but there’s something special about the RS7. Audi isn’t the first automaker to create a “four-door coupe,” but it arguably did it the best. Following in the footsteps of the Mercedes CLS, Audi’s creation has more attractive and flowing lines, and although its front end has become recognizab­le across all its models, the sportback is really striking from the back.

Infiniti Q50

The Infiniti Q50 has a beautiful design that stands out in a field of very angular and hyperaggre­ssive sedans. It has classy and organic styling that should age well. The Infiniti Q50 is easily one of the prettiest sedans in its price range.

Cadillac ATS-V

The latest-generation Cadillac ATS-V not only looks great, but performs well enough to compete with the best of what Germany has to offer. Cadillac was able to find a nice balance between being sporty and luxurious while staying true to its American roots when it came to designing this sedan.

Lincoln Continenta­l

It took a bit of time, but it appears Lincoln is back on the right track. The new Continenta­l proves the American automaker can make attractive cars, even if its designs are on the conservati­ve side. Perhaps Lincoln labels it best, saying the Continenta­l is “Cool. Calm. Decidedly Continenta­l.” And that’s what the sedan really portrays without over-the-top aggressive styling. Just a nice smooth body with attractive lines.

Maserati Ghibli

Compared to the Maserati Quattropor­te, the Ghibli, the smaller of the two sedan models, is definitely more stylish and sporty. It may not live up to the expectatio­ns of being a four-door Ferrari, but the Maserati Ghibli offers its own unique appeal in an oversatura­ted market filled to the brim with luxury performanc­e sedans.

Mazda6

The most affordable car on our list is the Mazda6. Its styling may be a few years old now, but we still love it, which just goes to show you how well the design has aged. It looks much more upscale than its price suggests, exhibiting a sense of both luxury and sportiness. Considerin­g it has to compete with cars like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, we’re glad Mazda has taken a few liberties when it comes to styling.

Mercedes-AMG CLS63

Some say the Mercedes-Benz CLS started the “four-door coupe” craze and it still remains one of the bestlookin­g offerings out there. The CLS comes in many trim levels, including the most aggressive and powerful CLS63 from AMG. There’s also the more affordable Mercedes-Benz CLA that borrows styling cues from the CLS.

Volvo S90

Like the Lincoln Continenta­l, the Volvo S90 isn’t one of those cars that scream at you. It’s calm and collected, with clean lines and a handsome profile. The company’s design language is spilling over onto its entire lineup and that’s a good thing, especially with smaller models on the way. Volvo might still have a long way to go before it can legitimate­ly compete with other luxury automakers, like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but at least its styling is going in the right direction.

 ?? ALFA ROMEO ?? The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan plays a mainstream role with attractive Italian styling and the unmistakab­le Alfa Romeo front end.
ALFA ROMEO The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan plays a mainstream role with attractive Italian styling and the unmistakab­le Alfa Romeo front end.
 ?? ASTON MARTIN ?? Aston Martin slapped two more doors on a stretched body and kept the styling as Aston Martin as possible; a smart decision.
ASTON MARTIN Aston Martin slapped two more doors on a stretched body and kept the styling as Aston Martin as possible; a smart decision.
 ?? AUDI ?? Audi isn’t the first automaker to create a “four-door coupe,” but it arguably did it the best with the RS7.
AUDI Audi isn’t the first automaker to create a “four-door coupe,” but it arguably did it the best with the RS7.
 ??  ??
 ?? MASERATI ?? The Maserati Ghibli is stylish and sporty.
MASERATI The Maserati Ghibli is stylish and sporty.
 ?? INFINITI ?? The Infiniti Q50 is easily one of the prettiest sedans in its price range.
INFINITI The Infiniti Q50 is easily one of the prettiest sedans in its price range.
 ?? CADILLAC ?? Cadillac was able to find a nice balance between being sporty and luxurious while staying true to its American roots when it came to designing this sedan.
CADILLAC Cadillac was able to find a nice balance between being sporty and luxurious while staying true to its American roots when it came to designing this sedan.
 ?? LINCOLN ?? The new Lincoln Continenta­l proves the American automaker can make attractive cars.
LINCOLN The new Lincoln Continenta­l proves the American automaker can make attractive cars.
 ?? MAZDA ?? The most affordable car on our list is the Mazda6.
MAZDA The most affordable car on our list is the Mazda6.
 ?? MERCEDES-AMG ?? The Mercedes-Benz CLS remains one of the best-looking offerings out there.
MERCEDES-AMG The Mercedes-Benz CLS remains one of the best-looking offerings out there.
 ?? VOLVO ?? The Volvo S90 is calm and collected, with clean lines and a handsome profile.
VOLVO The Volvo S90 is calm and collected, with clean lines and a handsome profile.

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