Some of the most thrilling sports sedans ever made didn’t get the attention they deserved. Why? Because they were either overshadowed by flashier rivals or discontinued too soon, but these cars quietly packed serious performance. So, let’s take a ride through 10 underrated machines that might just reignite your love for high-performance cars.

Mazdaspeed6

Mazda’s Mazdaspeed6 was a bold leap into turbocharged performance. It featured a 274-horsepower engine, all-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual. Despite its impressive handling and rally-inspired capability, Mazda abandoned its performance sedan experiment and shifted its focus to mainstream models.

Acura TL Type S

Acura’s TL Type S blended upscale design with thrilling performance, using nearly 300 horsepower and an optional six-speed manual. It was a rare fusion of comfort and driving excitement, yet Acura phased it out as buyers moved toward crossovers and hybrids. Today, it’s become a lost gem in this segment.

Pontiac G8 GT

When you walk by it, the G8 GT looks like an ordinary sedan, but under the hood is pure American muscle. This one packed a 6.0-liter V8 with 361 horsepower and rear-wheel drive. Sadly, Pontiac’s closure cut its life short, but that decision made it an instant classic.

Saab 9-5 Aero

The Saab 9-5 Aero was a true individualist that had turbocharged power, distinct styling, and Swedish engineering quirks. Saab’s financial struggles led to its downfall, ending the Aero’s production prematurely. Even after this, it remains a symbol of automotive uniqueness and turbocharged excitement.

Chrysler 300c Srt8

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 balanced luxury with brutal performance. This sedan housed a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 under its refined exterior, which delivered raw power while maintaining a sophisticated presence. However, shifting priorities toward fuel efficiency and modernized branding led to its discontinuation.

Lexus IS F

The IS F was Lexus’s attempt to break away from its quiet, luxury-focused image. It contained a roaring V8 and styling aggressive enough to rival high-performance European sedans. However, when Lexus abandoned the naturally aspirated V8 formula for turbocharged refinement, it left the IS F as a one-time phenomenon.

Volvo S60 R

Volvo’s S60 R was an understated performance sedan with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension that gave it remarkable handling. The brand never aggressively marketed it, which led to its quiet disappearance. Still, its blend of safety and power remains appealing to some.

Buick Regal GS

Buick defied expectations with the Regal GS. With sharp handling, a turbocharged engine, and even a manual transmission option, it proved that Buick could build a genuine sports sedan. But as SUVs gained dominance, the Regal GS was discontinued. One of the brand’s boldest moves failed.

Mitsubishi Galant Vr4

Before the Lancer Evolution became Mitsubishi’s performance flagship, the Galant VR4 was the car to set the groundwork with its turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive system. It had the DNA of a rally car, and yet Mitsubishi discontinued it to focus on the Evolution series.

Infiniti M45 Sport

The Infiniti M45 Sport was a powerful and refined sedan equipped with a 4.5-liter V8 engine and rear-wheel-drive dynamics, making it a pleasure to drive. Despite its capabilities, Infiniti struggled to market it effectively. Then, turbocharged engines gained popularity, and the brand shifted its focus away from large-displacement performance sedans.