Just when you thought sedans no longer mattered, you go to this year's Chicago Auto Show, and they're everywhere. Sure, it's obvious that crossovers and SUVs are dominating the landscape. Just go to any parking lot and witness the preponderance of tall vehicles as far as the eye can see. Hell, they hide all the great sedans that are still for sale today. We noticed that manufacturers are working hard to make sedans even more appealing, and here are our selections from our time at the Chicago Auto Show.
2023 Honda Accord
Hands down, this is the best-looking Accord in, well, forever. The 11th-generation (!) Accord ($27,295 base MSRP) smartly eschews some of the visual busyness of the past two generations and opts for clean lines and a more refined design language that's present across all of its current models. The new Accord has two engine choices: a 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine from the 10th generation and a new 204-hp four-cylinder hybrid system that comes directly from the new CR-V Hybrid. The cabin has also been redone to look like the one in the Civic and CR-V, which is to say it's far better than the previous-gen Accord. It's a marked shift for the brand, and we love what we see. We'll share more details with you after we get behind the wheel.
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Kia Stinger GT
Enjoy this look, folks, because the excellent Kia Stinger ($36,690 base MSRP) is going away after this model year. The Kia Stinger doesn't sell well, and the all-electric EV6 is taking the mantle. It was our 2018 Car Of The Year and it still holds a special place in our hearts for being one of the few sports sedans that's actually family-friendly and wonderful to drive. The 368-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is great to wring out, and there's still room for tons of luggage and groceries in its very practical hatchback. Kia has also wisely upgraded some of the interior to match the excellent exterior. It's a premium sports sedan without the pretense.
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Acura TLX Type S
The TLX ($39,850 base MSRP) has already earned rave reviews, and the performance version should be just that much better. Acura wants to bring driving fun back into the equation, and the TLX Type S has the stuff. It has its crosshairs set on the likes of the Caddy CT5-V, Audi S4, and the BMW M340i. The sports sedan delivers 355 horses via its turbocharged V6, and grip and handling duties get enhanced by its SH-AWD torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. 0-60 mph happens in a quick 4.9 seconds, and lateral Gs are an impressive 0.96. The fact that it's also got killer looks, some sweet bronze rims, and menacing black trim bits just sweetens the pot.
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Honda Civic Type R
The new Honda Civic Type R ($43,295 base MSRP) whets our appetite for affordable driving thrills. Gone is the overdone styling of the old Type R, replaced by a more mature look that's still got some racy touches like a simplified rear wing, triple center exhaust outlets, red badging, and red brake calipers. Under the hood is the raucous turbocharged four-cylinder from the last Type R only with more horsepower. It's now up to 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and the excellent 6-speed manual transmission has been upgraded to better manage the power bump. The little sports sedan that could also gets improved brake cooling for track duties.
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Hyundai Ioniq 6
We couldn't wait to see this new EV sedan in the metal, and it did not disappoint. Not only does it offer 361 miles of all-elecric range in rear-wheel drive guise, but it also looks like no other sedan on the planet. Much of the concept car carried over, and the result is a streamlined look with tons of character. Fancier than its Ioniq 5 stablemate, the 6 is more refined inside and out with its long sloping roofline, twin rear spoilers, and some seriously beautiful wheels. The base 6 is good for 225 horsepower from its single electric motor to the rear wheels, while the dual-motor version churns out 320 horses to both axles. Inside, the heavily digital experience might not be for some, but the ultra-modern cabin is seriously enticing. Look for the car to hit showrooms later this year.
Kia Forte GT
Just when you thought the affordable small sports sedan segment was occupied only by the Honda Civic Si, think again. The front-wheel drive only Forte GT ($25,090 base MSRP) assembles a taut and sporty look with a fun 201 hp 1.6-liter turbo-four, 18-inch wheels, sport seats, ambient interior lighting, and oodles of red trim bits that make it look serious about its focus. It's not the quickest around, but it's one of the few affordable sporty cars that's available with a 6-speed manual transmission. It's also a comfortable daily commuter and significantly less than the Civic Si. This little sports sedan is definitely worth a look, and it won't even come close to breaking the bank.
