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A lot of people need an AWD vehicle in their garage, but not many are comfortable picking up an SUV, van, or truck. For these people, we’re here to help. This lineup of AWD coupes and sedans will ensure you don’t have to make any compromises when you grab your new car.
What is a Coupe or Sedan?
A coupe or sedan is the fancy way to say “car”. Some people use the term “car” a little too broadly and include SUVs and vans.
To be specific, a coupe is a two-door compact car. A sedan is a four-door compact car. A Mazda Miata would be considered a coupe and a Civic is a sedan.
Why Does AWD Matter?
If you know the difference between drivetrains, you’ll know that AWD is a big deal. AWD cars give power to all four wheels while you’re driving.
AWD cars are especially good in snowy, wet, and icy areas of the world. You will get stuck less often than you will in an FWD or RWD car.
The thing to mention is that AWD doesn’t come standard with most cars. Trucks, SUVs, and vans are the titans in the AWD and 4WD space. That’s what makes this list a little special. We are hand-picking the best AWD coupes and sedans that you can find on the market this year.
How We Determined the “Best”
The first thing we did was try to pick a good representative from each price point. You’ll notice entry-level options as well as luxury cars that are AWD. Of course, we narrowed the list of AWD vehicles down to specifically coupes and sedans (sorry, no hot hatches here).
Some criteria that we looked at were price, drivability, performance, luxury, comfort, and feel of the car.
Preface
We should point something out quickly: The cars listed in this list are not necessarily only available in AWD. For example, you might find a car on this list that is also available as an RWD car, but there’s an option to get it as an AWD.
With that out of the way, let’s get this party started.
Best AWD Coupes in 2021
This list is in no particular order, we’re just presenting a number of car options for you to enjoy. We’ll do our best at explaining what makes the car special, some key features, what you might spend on it, and why you should care about the car.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX was hand-made for people who love driving, need strong performance, and have an affinity for luxury. It’s one of the best cars that does exactly what it promises and leaves you feeling great along the way.
If looks alone could sell a car, then the TLX would consistently be sold out. From the outside, you’ll notice the clean lines and sharp edges. Once inside, you’ll notice the clean driving and sharp performance.
This car was first debuted in 2015, and since then there were some massive changes. A bigger engine, smarter handling, and sportier suspension, to name a few.
Of course, it’s not an Acura without a lineup of safety features. The TLX will take you to your destination while keeping everyone safe inside the car.
Key features:
- Looks and feels really sporty
- Nice luxury elements throughout the car
- High-tech additions and strong audio system
- Really comfortable ride
MSRP: $41,500
Mazda 3
Mazda has always put too much attention into their cars to put any attention into how they name them. The Mazda Mazda3 is a shining example of this idea.
The brilliant minds that brought us the Miata show their ability to put together a fun car with this one, as well. It’s one of the least expensive AWD cars you’ll find on the market. The car is their entry-level sedan, so don’t expect the bells and whistles of an Audi, BMW, or Genesis.
What you get is a fun-to-drive, easy to control, dialed-in driving experience. The car feels sporty despite its low price tag. What’s more, you get AWD in a comfortable car.
Key features:
- Inexpensive option
- Car handles well
- Great performance for the price
MSRP: $24,100
Subaru Legacy
It’s hard to find a Subaru that doesn’t have AWD. Their Legacy sedan fits the mold and checks all the typical Subaru boxes. It’s safe, responsive, and fun to look at.
The car fits five people comfortably, so you can be the go-to driver for snowy commutes into work. We love the Legacy because it’s a family man’s version of an AWD car. The added traction isn’t for setting the pace on a Hot Lap, it’s for safely getting the kids home from practice in winter.
Don’t get fooled by the looks though, this puppy can create some serious speed when you want it to. It won’t win a drag race, but it will put a big smile on your face.
Key features:
- Lots of tech included, like Driver Assist
- Sensors, rearview camera, and great infotainment
- Strong climate control
- Trim with all-weather upgrades
MSRP: $26,000
Genesis G80
Genesis is the recent spin-off of Hyundai’s namesake model line. Since the lineup is relatively young, a lot of people don’t realize what they’re capable of.
When you look at the G80, for example, you’ll find a mix of a Lexus, Audi, and BMW. This car takes the great qualities from our favorite luxury sports cars and bundles them into a single package.
Don’t let the new name fool you, the G80 delivers fine-tuning that you’d expect from a century-old car manufacturer. Maybe this is the new take on how cars should be. At any rate, we’re happy to recommend this car to anyone looking for a luxurious sports car that offers impeccable AWD.
Key features:
- Powerful V8
- Great performance
- Comfortable climate control
- Luxury leather seats
- Big touchscreen with smartphone capabilities
MSRP: $45,000
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima sits next to the Mazda3 when it comes to surprisingly inexpensive AWD options. Truthfully, the Altima sits by itself in almost every other category in this price point.
The car drives beautifully, looks really sharp, and handles like a dream. You’ll find plenty of “best of” lists that throw the Altima in there somewhere.
The smart folks at Nissan wanted to put together a low-cost vehicle that works as a great step between a Civic and a Beemer, and the Altima was born. If you’ve driven other midsize sedans, you’ll quickly see how unique the Altima is.
Key features:
- Looks great
- Handles really well
- Inexpensive AWD option
- Leather and other luxurious styling
- Comfortable driving position
MSRP: $28,500
Kia Stinger
When you’re done cringing about the Kia name, get ready for a hidden gem. The Kia Stinger looks exactly how it drives – fast, modern, and bold. You can tell that the designers didn’t pull any punches when they put together this car.
From the inside of the car, you would think it’s a Lexus. It showcases an attention to detail and sportiness that makes you wonder if you got in the wrong car.
The price isn’t bad, and the handling is spot-on. This is one of those cars you don’t believe until you try it out.
Key features:
- Nice infotainment system
- Lots of room
- Comfortable seats
- Surprising performance
- Upscale engine options
MSRP: $35,000
Tesla Model 3
If you’re slowly driving through the snow and a small car zooms by without a whisper, it was probably a Tesla Model 3. At this point, the Model 3 has been discussed so much by car experts that you might be sick of hearing about it.
Well, the reason is that there’s so much to love about this little EV. This entry-level contender from Tesla seeks to deliver the best possible driving experience. If you don’t feel like driving anymore, let the Autopilot take over.
It comes with AWD and a snappy little motor. The car is 100% powered by electricity, so the power deliverance is immediate.
Key features:
- Smart, fast, and addicting to drive
- Very comfortable and luxurious
- All-electric option
- Plenty of driving assistance technology
MSRP: $36,200
Dodge Challenger
Yes, you read that name right. The Dodge Challenger is an iconic muscle car that got some plastic surgery and a re-brand in the past decade or so. In recent years, an AWD drivetrain was thrown on the underside of the car, and we couldn’t be happier.
It’s hard to find a car that can look exactly how it drives. It’s big and loud, yet still has the refinement and lines that you’d expect on a high-end sports car.
After getting over the fact that this coupe has an AWD option, you’ll feel the need to try it out. While you’re testing it, you’ll quickly feel the power and responsiveness that the Challenger is known for.
The Challenger has been manufactured and sold for over 50 years, and this new-age version of it is incredible.
Key features:
- Plenty of sensors and safety features
- Great climate control
- Big touchscreen with smartphone integration
- Leather everywhere
- Huge, powerful engine
MSRP: $32,000
Audi A4
The A4 is where your mind goes when you hear “AWD” and “car” in the same sentence. In fact, it’s one of the rare cars on the market that comes standard with AWD – it’s not an upgraded option.
Car experts tend to put Audi at the bottom of the Big Three list, giving the lead to BMW and Benz, but that’s not to say that an A4 is a bad choice. In fact, the car is a joy to drive.
The A4 is the comfortable option in their lineup. It has the power, drivability, and luxury that you need without the extraneous bells, whistles, and cost associated with their higher-tier cars.
This car can pass as an everyday driving car until you put it in Sport mode and put the pedal down. That’s to say it’s comfortable and the body looks lowkey.
Key features:
- Luxurious car
- Plenty of space in the front
- Ride is comfortable
- Good infotainment options
- Classic styling inside
MSRP: $40,000
BMW 230i xDrive
There’s a certain weight that comes with a BMW badge. For decades, they’ve delivered “German engineering” that makes car-owners proud. You might even consider them a Porsche for people who can’t afford a Porsche.
In this case, their 230i holds up to the tenured name of BMW. Truthfully, we can praise any of the 2 Series cars by BMW. We were forced to pick a specific car, so here we are.
The car is sporty, snappy, and quick. All the while, it feels like a luxury vehicle as you sit behind the wheel. It will get you from point A to point B, even if there’s snow, ice, and wet roads in-between.
Key features:
- Strong infotainment system
- Comfortable seats and plenty of room in the front
- Really quick and feels lightweight as you drive it (despite it being a tank)
MSRP: $37,300
VW Arteon
The Arteon by Volkswagen is another one of those cars that not a lot of people know about. It’s billed as the premium sedan that VW offers, and that’s a great way to describe it – it’s not exactly luxury or sport, it’s premium.
It has a perfect mix of style, comfort, and technology. It comes with a decent amount of oomph under the hood, but nothing that will immediately blow your mind. The car itself drives really well and handles exceptionally.
The exterior is a little lackluster for most, but the interior more than makes up for that. More importantly, the AWD ensures each tire is firmly glued to the road under you.
Key features:
- Powerful performance
- Really fun to drive
- Interior is great
- Nice additions of tech throughout
MSRP: $40,000
Mercedes-Benz E450
The priciest car on this list also has the most to offer. Luxury titan Mercedes-Benz brings another great example of German engineering to light. This beautifully-tuned and seemingly handcrafted E-class car have everything a driver is looking for.
The body is gorgeous, the interior is to die for, and the performance can’t be beaten. Though the price point is high, it beats out any other car in the category by a mile.
This car is a great example of an AWD sedan that feels like a rocket ship under you while presenting itself as a luxury commercial vehicle.
Key features:
- Highly luxurious feel
- Great styling
- Performance is incredible
- Powerful engine and tight handling
MSRP: $63,000
Conclusion
There are plenty of AWD cars to be on the lookout for. If you’re considering buying a new 2021 car and you need AWD, stick to this list of options. You’ll quickly fall in love with your new car while it powers through snow, ice, and rain.
