10 Best AWD Sedans

Our choices of 10 best all-wheel drive sedans lean toward the premium end of the automotive world because that’s where the best cars are most often found. But, some other selections offer a lot for the money and/or just make financial sense.

Sedans still have their place in our hearts and garages, even if crossovers seem to be taking over the roads. The fact that sedans can be fitted with all-wheel drive (AWD) means they can compete with crossovers by providing that extra feeling of security in bad weather. But the added advantage of a sedan with all-wheel drive is greater traction in the dry, enhancing our driving thrills. Thrilling crossovers are still mighty rare.

This updated-for-2018 premium midsize sedan has a different kind of AWD system compared with the regular setups that usually involve one power source and extra differentials. It may even be the future of all-wheel drive. While the front wheels are powered by a 3.5-liter V6, the rears are turned by an electric motor drawing energy from a lithium-ion battery. These two units are controlled by a central brain that can distribute and attenuate power to any individual wheel, providing extra help when taking corners quickly. The amount of grip on turn-in is almost crazy. And when a car has 377 hp yet can still achieve an average of 28 mpg, that’s a special drivetrain.

This is currently as good as the premium compact sedan class gets (although an all-new BMW 3 Series is expected for 2019, so we’ll have to see how that pans out). Audi calls its all-wheel drive system Quattro, which is available as an option with the basic 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter/4-cylinder engine, or standard in the 354-hp S4 with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The S4 is the most powerful sedan based on the A4 so far, enjoying higher levels of luxury and technology as well. Among its options is a sport rear differential that can send almost 100 percent of torque (and there’s a maximum of 369 lb-ft) to just one rear wheel if necessary.

The 2018 BMW M550i xDrive could be a smart alternative to the rear-drive-only 2018 M5 (which costs $103,595). They both have a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, but the M6 enjoys 600 hp while this model “only” has 456 hp. That said, its starting price of $74,395 is way more bearable. Sprinting from standstill to 60 mph only takes 3.8 seconds, so it’s hardly sluggish. And it comes with the extra sure-footedness of all-wheel drive, known as xDrive in BMW-world. The M550i is a completely new model designation, and the premium midsize 5 Series range is all-new for 2018.

Other Fusion trim levels are eligible for all-wheel drive, but this particular model has it as standard. It also comes with the most powerful engine in the Fusion lineup (and the most powerful engine in its class), a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 developing 325 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. More cool items of equipment include an adjustable suspension, quad exhaust system, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Not bad for a car costing $34,625. Even the basic Fusion has an excellent chassis, bringing high levels of comfort and control. The V6 Sport takes these attributes to a higher level. As a mainstream midsize sedan with spice, the Fusion V6 Sport makes a compelling case for itself.

Jaguar’s sister company is Land Rover. They share a lot of resources. So when the decision was made to produce premium sedans with the option of all-wheel drive, all Jaguar’s engineers had to do was use Land Rover’s excellent and well-proven system, pat themselves on the back and go for a cup of tea. But, to their eternal credit, they decided to develop their own setup that would be more appropriate for a luxury/performance car than a lumbering SUV. The fruits of their labors can be tasted in the midsize XE AWD, as well as the rest of the Jaguar range. We’re focusing on the XE because it’s fresher than the flagship XJ, yet with a similar sophistication.

If any car establishes Kia as a major player in the automotive scene, it’s this. The Stinger is a new kind of Kia, one that’s desirable across a broad spectrum of society, instead of one that merely makes financial sense to those who need to be careful about money. There’s never been a Kia before now that held much delight for an enthusiast, but the Stinger GT — with its 365-hp 3.3-liter V6 and well-tuned suspension — fills that role. There’s a rear-drive version, but the company also puts an all-wheel drive system underneath its star car for an extra $2,200, bringing the price up to a still relatively reasonable $41,450.

A new generation of LS flagship sedan debuts for this model year and it’s a major improvement on its predecessor. An all-wheel drive system is among the many options. In the dry, the setup’s torque split is 31/69 front to rear. So there’s a bit of rearward bias, which is appropriate for a car that has Sport Plus as one of its driving modes. But the LS is about far more than sending drive to all four wheels. There are heated/massaging rear seats on offer, semi-autonomous driving systems, and Japanese-style design touches in the cabin. The automatic transmission in the regular version, meanwhile, has no less than 10 forward gears. And there’s a hybrid variant, the LS 500h.

From the high level of technology available to the depth of engineering expertise to the breadth of the luxury appointments, the E-Class is a king among premium midsize sedans. The company’s all-wheel drive system is called 4Matic. It’s optional in the entry level E 300 and standard in every version above that, including the new-for-2018 E 400 and both AMG versions (the E 43 and new-for-2018 E 63 S with a mighty 603 hp). Unsurprisingly, there are variations on the 4Matic theme. The AMG cars have sportier versions and the system in the E 63 S (known as 4Matic Plus) can send 100 percent of power to the rear wheels, for that ultimate punch.

This is a mainstream sedan whose all-wheel drive system comes as standard. Tough, durable, reliable, spacious and with strong resale values, the Legacy has been updated for 2018. The intelligent all-wheel drive system can send every bit of power to whichever wheel or wheels has the most traction at the time. In fairness, virtually every AWD setup these days is computer-controlled and deploys various sensors to monitor what’s happening down to the nearest millisecond, but Subaru’s version has been honed in the white-hot competition of rallying, one of the most demanding and exciting forms of motorsport. The Legacy comes with either a 175-hp 2.5-liter/4-cylinder engine or a 256-hp 3.6-liter/6-cylinder engine.

Unless you’ve been living with the reindeer up in the northern reaches of Scandinavia, you probably didn't know the S90 sedan is built on the same platform as the XC90 crossover/SUV, which was developed to accommodate all-wheel drive. The S90 is Volvo’s largest sedan, powered by a choice of drivetrains that includes a plug-in hybrid (fitted with all-wheel drive as standard). The styling is understated and elegant, the seats are divine, the ride is refined, and safety equipment is comprehensive. We could have featured the S60 Cross Country, a compact sedan with all-wheel drive and a raised ride height, a kind of crossover wannabe with a trunk, but that’s a real niche vehicle.