Speak Softly and Carry Big Power: Our Favorite Sleeper Sedans
Fast yet low on flash, these unassuming four-doors are capable of serious speed while flying under the radar. For those who’d prefer to show other drivers their taillights than turn heads, these are our favorite modern and old-school sedans that embody the art of the surprise attack.
2025 Audi S8
Derived from the already luxurious and capable A8, Audi’s Q-ship pairs the A8’s opulence with hair-raising performance without a lot of aesthetic fanfare. Under the hood of the fourth-generation S8 is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that sends 563 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels.
2025 Lucid Air Sapphire
The standard Lucid Air is no slouch when it comes to performance, but the Sapphire is an absolute monster. With tri-motor Sapphire having just 4.3 pounds of mass to lug around per horsepower, its new model-specific traction- and stability-control system can read data from all four corners at 1,000 times per second.
2025 Mercedes-Benz E450
The sixth-generation E-Class is a veritable smorgasbord of technology, but the E450 doesn’t scream ‘fast’ from a passing glance. During testing, we praised the turbocharged inline six-cylinder powerplant for its exceptionally smooth operation.
Classic Sleeper Sedans
1989-1995 Ford Taurus SHO
For gearheads of a certain age, the original Taurus Super High Output is the epitome of the sleeper sedan. With a 220-hp Yamaha-developed dual overhead cam 24-valve V-6 and a five-speed manual transmission, the SHO offered power on par with many contemporary sports cars.
1975-1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
The 450SEL 6.9 looked like any other W116 S-Class but had a 6.9-liter V-8 and hydropneumatic suspension offering far more performance than its modest exterior styling suggested. U.S. models were adorned with a single ‘6.9’ badge on the trunklid.
