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Our Two Cents: 8 of Our Favorite Sedans
Whether it was due to early exposure or the fact that they’ve just had good taste from the get-go (looking at you, Sajeev), some of my colleagues have appreciated sedans for a long time. Others, like yours truly, took a while to come around to them. It’s likely, too, that our affinity has been amplified given the ever-rising beltlines and mass that comes with the onslaught of SUVs.
For no other reason than “it’s fun, let’s talk about it,” I asked my esteemed colleagues to sound off on their favorite four-door cars. Our picks covered a lot of ground—from the ’50s to today, concepts to high-volume units, fierce and sporting to slow and smooth, big to small—but there are dozens we didn’t mention. Let us know which sedan you’d take home or which one you’ve been lovingly caring for in the comments.
Kyle Goes Olds
While I’ve never been a more-door owner, I’ve never been against them. Just never needed one. But with some cash in hand and a purchase order requiring four doors, I would shop for a 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 hardtop. No pillar in between to interfere with the styling and interior view, plus a 324-cubic-inch V-8 making over 200 hp under the hood. The two-tone paint is classic to me, and the whole package seems like a car that would be really fun to put miles on with regular use. — Kyle Smith
Relentless Pursuits
It was, is, and always will be the Lexus LS400 for me. I haven’t owned that many cars in my life, but of the few that I have, I only miss one of them: My 1997 LS400. That thing was an absolute beast—solid as an anvil, comfy as a well-loved couch, reliable as the day was long. You could click off whole states without a hint of discomfort, plugging along at serious speed the whole time. I bought mine with 196K on it and sold it just north of 200K. All it ever asked for beyond regular oil changes was a new idle air control valve and one lower ball joint.
I do a fair amount of driving from Traverse City to various downstate locations, and while the current fleet holds two good solutions (my wife’s 2013 Highlander and a little 2008 Hyundai Elantra that sips fuel like a push mower), neither of them can match the LS400 for sheer over-the-road prowess. I keep telling myself that if the right one comes up for sale, I’m jumping back into it without a second thought. — Nathan Petroelje
(Immediately after Nate posted this, executive editor Eric Weiner shared that someone we know is selling their LS400. No pressure, Nate. — Ed.)
“Two kidneys seems a bit redundant, don’t you think?” — Nate
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Big Caddy
I have an affection for the 1989 Cadillac Brougham. These are not what you’d call “peak” Cadillacs by any measurement, but in one measurement that matters—swagger—they were top-shelf. These are big, boxy, full-frame Caddies that, by the late ’80s and early ’90s, were anachronisms of an earlier time. The outside was all angles and girth, complete with big vertical taillights, wire wheels, and a landau top. Inside was a trove of crushed velour and wood. Gold keys that came in a black leather pouch. An enormous column shifter. Tufted cushions so deep you could lose a whole roll of quarters in them. I was 15 when my close friend got the keys to his grandmother’s Caddy as a hand-me-down, and we cruised all over Philadelphia and South Jersey with it. (You can fit about seven high-school nerds in a Brougham, not including the trunk.) A land yacht in our friend group was an absolute vibe. — Eric Weiner
A Different Kind of Big Caddy
Like I mentioned up top, I didn’t always appreciate sedans. That changed in 1999, the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college, when I had an internship at USA Today working for the photography team. Between loading digital photos onto the computer, I’d go bug James Healey, who covered cars for the paper for decades, about letting me tag along with him on a car test. My last week there, he let me join him at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia to drive the whole Mercedes AMG fleet. The E55 and a day full of hot laps with pro drivers, along with a few efforts behind the wheel myself, opened my eyes to the fact that sedans could, in fact, be cool.
Today, a sedan sits at the top of my must-have car list. A brawler of a personality, ridiculously capable, but comfortable enough to haul around my 99-year-old grandmother: The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. (No, I haven’t taken Grandma Bea for a spin in one, but I know she’d love it.) Aside from its mouthful of a name, the 5VBW is utterly brilliant—an emotional, visceral blend of American muscle and luxury—and it merits a spot on any enthusiast’s list, regardless of door count. I’ll take a manual Precision Package in Radiant Red, please. — Eddy Eckart
Cam Goes Continental
1961 Lincoln Continental, with the suicide doors. If you’re gonna rock four doors, you’d better do it with class, and nothing is more sophisticated than suicide doors. These fourth-gen Contis are way cool. I don’t know much about them beyond their curb appeal, but that’s just one of the countless reasons why I’m friends with Sajeev. — Cameron Neveu
Sajeev Doesn’t Pick a Lincoln?
The Mehta family once had a ’61, so I approve of Cam’s recommendation. It also makes me want to shout out to my 1989 Continental for being the best-driving Conti ever made for bumpy and/or twisty roads, but that’s obviously not my choice for this article.
Instead, I will go with the Porsche Taycan. I have driven a couple, and they both left me gobsmacked. While the ones I drove couldn’t run with a Tesla Model S Plaid (apparently, there is the Turbo GT for that), and no sedan is likely to stomp on the Lucid Air Sapphire anytime soon, the Porsche Taycan has a level of refinement neither of the Tech Company-based automakers can touch. Porsche created the trifecta of finesse, quality, and mind-altering performance in a sedan.
Make mine paint-to-sample Turbo GT in Butterscotch with a cocoa interior and every option. Hmm, what’s the lottery jackpot up to these days? — Sajeev Mehta
Not All Good Sedans Are Big
There was a time when I wouldn’t even consider a four-door because all the cool cars just had two. With age and better styling from the manufacturers, I bought one. But just one.
When I worked for Car and Driver, I was assigned a 1998 Dodge Neon R/T with the 150-horsepower engine and a manual transmission. I had friends at Dodge breathe on it a little—adjustable Koni shocks, some software work, and I bought some sticky tires from Tire Rack—because I was doing a story on owning an economical daily driver that you could autocross on weekends. When it came time to give the car back to Dodge, I ended up buying it, and years later passed it on to my son. It eventually succumbed to Michigan salt-rust cancer, but it was fun while it lasted. (PS: Eddy was quicker on the trigger to claim the Cadillac Blackwing, my favorite current four-door.) — Steven Cole Smith
Four Twenty Seven
I’m a child of the mid-’90s, so many concepts from the early 2000s passed me by—among them, the Ford 427 from 2003. I hadn’t heard of it until I saw it in a parking garage at Ford’s global headquarters during a tour of its newly established U.S.-based heritage fleet, and it drew me to it like a magnet. Wide, low, and long, the monolithic sedan looks like a big-bore version of the 2005–2012 Fusion, which was only two years away from market. The 427 is 2000s design at its minimalist best, powered by an engine that, rather than displacing 427 cubic inches, makes 427 horsepower … from ten cylinders. It has the presence not of a Ford but of a Bentley, if a Bentley were milled from a single piece of aluminum and shot from a cannon on the Fourth of July. America!
If I had the budget to commission some hot-rod shop to create a never-realized concept, the 427 would be near the top of my list, though maybe with a more proven powertrain. — Grace Jarvis
I’m with Kyle – 100%
I agree with the Jaguar XJ choices. One of the best looking sedans ever. I have owned two: a Series 1 and currently a 2006 Vanden Plas.
I still have a 2008 XJ that I bought new. Up to 70000 miles but I can’t get myself to get rid of it. Other favorite is my 2011 Rapide. Bought that new too. Third place was my 929.
I own two four door cars now that I think are cool and beautiful. A ’34 Ford Fordor Deluxe sedan with suicide doors. And a ’86 Lincoln Town Car four door. To show where I am coming from, in the pass I had a ’60 Corvette and a ’66 Corvette Stingray and a ’69 SS 396 Chevelle.
My favorite was a 1972 audi 100LS. It was fun to drive, comfortable to ride in and sounded great! Unfortunately it suffered an electrical failure on my wedding night so it had to go. Turns out it was just the battery ground. After 50 years of marriage I still hold a grudge.
The 95 through 99 Oswald bill Aurora 4 door was one of the best looking cars of the 90s for a 4 door.
I’m with Kyle. Great car for the bucks.
68 Cadillac DeVille. 4 door, hard top. 20 summers with kids and buddies and weddings. Unbeatable value for good driver.
I wish there was a way to post photos here. Our 68′ was way cool. Just sold our 69 4 dr hdtp.
Not much for four doors, but if I had to go for four, I’d buy me a Hemi Powered Dodge Magnum and slam it on the ground. Same as I’d do with a suicide door Lincoln difference being you can still find an affordable, quality Magnum, whereas an affordable, quality suicide door Continental not so much…
I’ve always liked the big early 60s Lincolns, but also have a soft spot for the early 70s Ford LTDs.
65 Continental convertible, ya man
I agree 100%. Mid-60’s Continental convertible, 4 doors and a presence on the street that was unmatched.
As a young teenager I used to caddy at an exclusive country club. Back then, when you wanted to get somewhere you hitch-hiked. The club would allow us to sit by the road end of the long drive and sometimes a member would give you a ride in their direction. So we got to ride in some nice cars. By far, no challenge, the mid 60’s Lincolns were the most elegant. The Cadillacs were for sure nice cars but the Lincolns were like sitting in the living room seats that mom never let me into. I still remember the pillow like leather seats and doctor, lawyer or banker puffing on a big cigar.
What a great remembrance.
Back during the gas crisis in the 70’s my father was able to afford big gas guzzling 60s era Caddies as they were practically giving them away. We used to always tease him by asking why he didn’t get the model with the chandelier in it?
Suicide door Lincolns, number one.
61 Continental any time against the rest of these. If you want a sedan you want to be able to put a coffin the trunk and the entire extended family in the back seat. Anything less and you might as well get a sports car.
I own a 68 4 door post Chevelle. I like it, but the proportions are a little off, like the middle is too long for such a short trunk. The 66-67 4 door Chevelles still look just right to me.
My ’65 Tempest four-door sedan’s body was once considered by Pontiac to be offered as a GTO model, according to the GTO Collectors Originality Guide. Absolutely the best car I’ve ever owned -better than my ’66 four-door convertible, ’68 Eldorado, ’68 Riviera, and ’68 XR7 with a 390. The Tempest continues to be trouble-free, daily-driven with its original motor and trans., at 105,000 miles. Rides like a new car without transmitting vibrations or shocks from the road. Looks good, too.
Luxury…Speed…and….. comfort…You guys ever hear of the Jaguar XJ Series Sedans???
I’d love an XJR.
I believe one overlooked 4 door that has always made me do a “double take” when I see them on the road is the mid 90s Impala SS. Judging by the prices of well kept examples, and even the newer model versions, they should have made the list.
Yesss. Even more fun would be the 9C1 cop car version.
I agree. I’ve got one.
BTW my 9C1 was a ’96 …….. I still own a 95 Impal SS
While in Patrol, the Sgt knew I loved cars and took care of both mine and the Departments, so, in the late 70’s Chevy got the nod for Police Cars, I took a new 4dr to the NY State thruway and put it through the paces on a Late Tour one night. Exhilarating!
Loved the one I had …….
The 96 SS was a 9C1 with Bucket seats and a floor shifter. I bought one new in 96 and sold it 2 weeks ago to a neighbor. Now I get to drive by and see it a few times a week (sob).
It definitely deserves to be here!
Agree, Impala’s definetly should have been listed. Unless they have been turned into clown cars!
Yes! The 1965 Impala 4 Door Hardtop in Black. My uncle bought his new and it was the best while driving up to Wisconsin with all four windows down. Needed to, as it did not have AC.
’59 Impala 4-door hardtop, way cooler than the 2-dr!
I had a ’95. Proved that a dechroming, a monochrome paint job, and fat wheels and T/A’s could make anything look good. Dearth of instrumentation, big digital speedo, shift on the column. I do remember filling it up at less than a dollar a gallon during my ownership. Looks dorky to me today.
Than a XKR, the last classic sports body
Series 1 XJ6 – the finest car I have ever been privileged to own. I still regret selling it.
2005 XJR, just perfection. 130,000 miles, nothing but maintenance and screamed like a hellcat. Beautiful, most commented on car.
I have a 1986 XJ6 series 3 in mint condition. Just turned 69,000 kilometres. Never seen winter and rains on 3 times in the 35 years I have owned it. Windsor Blue with grey interior. At the end of every fall when I put it away I think about selling it. Spring comes and I take it for the first drive and I say to myself. What was I thinking.
Bill
Good for you…Had an 84 XJ6 that I rose from the dead after paying $400 for it. Considering the shape I bought it in, it was never problem free but, to this day, I still consider the 84-87’s most beautiful sedan ever built and not even close….Never sell it 🙂
Yes, in general, I had expected a few more outside US production cars coming from the Hagerty crew! With (now classic) Jaguar XJ, Mercedes S, BMW 5/ M5! I would understand a Renault Saffrane Baccarat Biturbo or Alfa 164 V6 would not cross your radar (but wow!). I was shocked by the non-US cars that did come out. The LS400 aside, which I consider close to US heritage and very much and deservedly expected here. However the Taycan, nay, yikes! The 911 chewed and puked, a diarrhea design given the extra doors the brand should have never ventured into since the assessment of a four door 911 in the early days was so clearly a failure! You may think so and the badge on the steering wheel may say so, but you are not actually driving a Porsche sir!! In 1993, apart from some Weissach racing cars that remain true to the heart of Porsche, the brand got on an accelerating gliding scale downwards.
Even mentioning a Lucid! Please, I read these articles for enjoyment and positive vibes to start the Sunday.. thank you!
I’m with you on the imports, when we down sized from a 5 bay 70’ X24’ garage to a small 2 car gage, it killed me to sell ou 2007 S550. No body ever complained about ridding in the back seat. I was changing the battery in the trunk when my wife came out looking for me – I was completely in the trunk trying to get the leads connected. On the road it was a dream to drive, smooth ride, smooth power that was capable of pushing you back in the seat with real authority. It was so fun to drive on our Cascade mountain roads, and the road to Paradise at Mt. Rainier was a real kick to drive- just had to watch out for the park rangers.
Mercdes really got it right.
I’ve got a 2013 XJ-L Supercharged with only 37K on it. Love this car.
I’m looking for an XJR 100. Amazining the XJR , I had 3. No problems from any.
I’ve got a 2011 XJ L that’s pushing 150,000 miles. I just wrote a $7k check for a front end rebuild and rear brakes. I think I’ll keep it.
It replaced a ‘04 XK8. While I liked the classic look of the older one, this one has grown on me. I still wonder what the near-production electric 2021 would have been like.
Parents had a ’74 XJ12 L and later an ’01 XJ8 Vanden Plas. The long wheelbase XJ’s epitomize Grace, Pace and Space.
Must mention the BMW E36 M3/4/5 – pure driver’s car with the added bonus of 4 doors.
I have a 2010 X5M with little tuning. It’s like my M3s and M5s except more useful, it’s incredibly fast with the upgrades but ran great with the stock 550hp.
BMW M5, I prefer earlier versions. Drop the kids off for hockey practice with their gear, and then off to do a track day!
For me, it’s the Mark 2. Not a straight line in the body, just gorgeous curves. An interior chock full of walnut and leather. And of course, loads of power to spare. Saw my first one when I was 10 back in 1964 and been in love with it ever since.
But the XJR is a decent substitute!
Ahh the XJ’s If my garage could fit it I would grab one especially with the R designation. As is I have to roll with my 2014 XFR-S in French Racing Blue
Then you could drive that sleek machine over the Jersey state line.
2003 Jaguar Super V8 should have listed. Rear passenger doors longer than the front doors. Near limousine room in the back, 370 horse power, 390 lbs torque.
Hard to argue against the Lincoln. It has that stately simple elegance of the Kennedy ‘Camelot’ era going for it that remains unmatched.The 89 Cadillac by comparison looks like a dolled up holdover of a 81 Olds 98 Regency. The ‘Ordinary People’ car that was chosen because it looked that ordinary. The Jag XJ is also one of a few head turners in the four door sedan category for those with refined tastes. I would have thought Sajeev would have stayed on the reservation and picked a first gen Taurus SHO. Along similar lines the Audi 5000 S wouldn’t be a bad choice. Thinking slightly outside the box but following the very same boxy lines, how about the Volvo 850 T-5 R sedan? Enough room for the kids and still a decidedly different runner.
When I saw the Subject line, before opening the e-mail – my first thought was that exact Lincoln.
I added some Lincoln observations above. Nothing compared to the mid 60’s Lincolns
And then there’s the 1998 Volvo S70 T5. Is it the incredibly comfortable heated black leather seats, the amazing sound system, the great handling? No, it’s the 0-60 in six-point-something seconds and the top speed of 150+ mph. Groceries are home in no time. (Was that a siren?)
When I was in elementary school and on Safety Patrol, there was a kid whose mom drove a black one. The slab sides and suicide doors were the best.
XJ6 series 1 is one of the best looking and best all rounder sedans ever made. More modern, if I could have any sedan, it might be a 1992 Mazda 929 Serenia. It was a balanced mid-front design with things like solar cells that ran ventilation on hot days while parked. And it was fantastic looking in the metal, like the FD sold around the same time, no pictures do it justice.
I don’t like liking some BMWs but damn they made many fine looking sedans from the 70s to 80s. The list could be filled with them. And a black LWB Mercedes W126 is just peak villain while a low end W123 is just peak car. Sometimes you want a sedan to look like a kids picture of a car and the W123 might be just about perfect.
And no Hudson love on here?
1966-1969 Corvair Sport Sedan. Look like nothing else. With a little suspension tuning, wheel size change, and a set of sticky radials they handle like they are on rails.
I’m biased by my 1960 Pontiac Ventura, but everyone knows the coolest four doors ever were the GM flat tops of 1959-60. Acres of glass, no blind spots, sculptured metal that is in constant motion towards outer space even when it’s standing still. And you can land a helicopter or play air hockey on the roof.
I was wondering when these would get mentioned. Would also be on the list of greatest greenhouses.
GM produced the first four door hardtop, called Sport sedans in 1955. Buick and Olds had them first, then Chevrolet and Pontiac got them in 1956. I owned one in high school, stupidly traded it in on a 64 El Camino that was way too much 283 and four-speed for me. I now own another more-door 56 Chevrolet hardtop. A beauty with skirts, continental kit and sun visor. I installed custom seats and upholstery and all the nice modern add-ons for comfort. I like wagons too; I have an 84 Olds Custom Cruiser and an 18 Buick TourX.
Just about any mid-fifties American four-door. Even kids today want a look at my 56 DeSoto, though they’d never buy one. The 55 Olds is another great choice. We had several in the family in the mid-sixties. You couldn’t kill one mechanically but rust was another story altogether.
Lots of newer stuff on my list too. My tastes vary widely.
I remember the “magic circle” on those ’50s GM cars. The rear inner wheel well liner would trap salt and rust the fender from the inside. Once it became visible, it was too late.
I have a ’56 Buick Special 4 door Riviera (no post) and always gets admiring comments at local car shows. Amazing cruiser !!
I remember as a 6 year old on a drive to Boston, MA., with my dad and two sisters going to pick up our brand new 2 tone green Olds 88! Felt like we were rich kids riding back to central Ma. on the Mass Pike to our small town, Funny thing is, I don’t remember the car that we traded in that day!
I’ve got a 2011 XJ supercharged. Hands down the best sedan to tick all the boxes and surprisingly affordable.
Two cars that couldn’t be more opposite: a 55 Caddy Fleetwood and an Acura Legend. The former, in Pacific Coral with a white top, was what I learned to drive–and park in 1959. Taking the driving test in a Chevy was a snap. The Acura was our first “large” car. Same wheelbase as a Caprice but two feet shorter. A delight on the highway, all the 1991 techno gadgets and excellent handling.
That Ford 427 certainly looks like a Chrysler 300.
That’s exactly what I was thinking
Agree. In fact, I was wondering why Grace didn’t just mentioned the Chrysler 300 in SRT or 2023 300C guise. Those were bold sedans with 475-485 HP with a well sorted engine and mechanicals.
I’m with you on the 300s.
Just love the Bentley line!
The late model Corvair sedan, hands down.
I agree. I’m looking for a LM 4-door roller to convert into a mid-engine V-8. The rear doors will be perfect for engine access.
When the ’65 came out, on the front cover of Motor Trend, they stated it was one of the best handling family sedans building built today. Still an awesome body design.
I have two , a 1937 Plymouth P4 Deluxe with suicide doors and a 1955 Ford town sedan.Both are great for taking the grand kids and their friends for cruises.
I’ve long entertained a daydream about picking up a very clean ‘83 or ‘84 Olds 98 Regency Brougham sedan and swapping in an 8.1 liter Vortec. Not to make some crazy sleeper, but to replicate the old big-block GM barge formula of decades prior.
Desmond
I’m not on board with the swap because I’m an original stock guy but, no doubt, those early 80’s late 70’s Olds 98 RB’s are in my top 3 of big beauties, thanks for the reminder
John
Back when I was hauling kids around, taking family vacations, and grocery shopping for the tribe, I had two Mazda 626s (an ’83 and an ’86) if memory serves. They were roomy inside, yet surprisingly sporty to drive. And there was a big trunk opening drop down that made loading stuff a snap. All seats folded down for lumber runs and rest area napping. Reasonable MPGs as I recall. I’ve not owned a lot 4-door sedans, but I liked these so much I bought TWO!