There are numerous sports cars in every segment of the market today. Buyers can find both sporty SUVs and sedans from many manufacturers. However, only a few come with four-wheel drive options. These are the top seven four-wheel drive sports cars of 2022, according to US News’ rankings.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
MSRP: Starting at $102,310, according to MBUSA
The Mercedes-Benz electric sedan will debut for the 2022 model year. It is the all-electric version of the S-Class sports car. The all-wheel drive (AWD) option is the EQS 580 4MATIC. That model has twin motors that power all four wheels and produces 516 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain can also travel up to 340 miles on a full charge.
Inside, American news reviewers praise the comfortable cabin. Every EQS model is equipped with a range of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, a surround camera system, evasive steering assistance, automatic parking and lane assistant.
2022 Lucid Air
MSRP: Starting at $87,400, according to Lucid Motors
Like the EQS, the Lucid Air will make its debut in 2022. The small American sports car company focuses exclusively on electric vehicles. The Air is one of the most powerful luxury electric cars on the market. The base pure trim is two wheel drive and comes with 480 horsepower from a single engine with a range of 406 miles. The rest of the lineup are twin-engine AWD cars: the touring has 620 hp, the Grand Touring gets 800 horsepower, the Dream R produces 933 hp, and the top class Dream P gives you 1,111 horsepower. Range gets up to 520 miles for the Dream R trim.
This sports car may be new, but reviewers say it’s a hit. US News highlights the exterior, spacious trunk, infotainment system and luxurious interior. The sales figures support that, as both Dream versions are sold out before 2022.
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
MSRP: Starting at $111,100, according to MBUSA
The luxury top sports car from Mercedes-Benz is in the second year of its seventh generation and is one of the best all-wheel drive sports cars on the market. There are three finishes for the 2022 S-Class: the base S500, S580, and S 680. The S 500 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged inline six-cylinder mild hybrid system that produces 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S 580 has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8 that generates 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The S 680 gets a twin-turbo V12 that produces 621 hp.
That’s a lot of power over the trim options, but reviewers note that the S-Class handles well with a smooth ride. Thanks to the mild hybrid system, the acceleration of the line is impressive. Inside the S-Class you are greeted by luxurious amenities such as a fragrance diffuser, heated armrests, leather upholstery, wireless charging pads and a Burmester audio system with 15 speakers. There are over a dozen driving aids in each model. Edmunds called the S-Class the best large luxury sedan of 2022.
2022 Audi A7
MSRP: Starting at $69,200, according to Audi VS
Audi’s mid-sized Sportback A7 offers a trio of four-wheel drive sports car options. The standard 335 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine option is available for the base Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. The latter two can also come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
The Virtual Cockpit system is standard for 2022, but reviewers note that the 10.1-inch touchscreen can be difficult to use. Drivers can be distracted when choosing the right setup. However, the styling inside is of high quality, comfortable and supportive when seated. It’s a great AWD car with a much lower price tag than many competitors.
2022 Tesla Model S
MSRP: Starting at $96,590, according to Tesla
Tesla’s Model S full-size luxury sedan is another great four-wheel drive sports car. The standard Model S is equipped with twin electric motors with 670 horsepower and a range of 405 miles. The models Plaid trim brings the performance up to 1,020 horsepower, thanks to an improved battery system and an additional motor.
Although it has been on the market for years, US News says that the sports car still looks good. The Model S all-wheel drive system comes standard with Autopilot, which combines lane-keeping function and adaptive cruise control.
2022 Porsche Panamera
MSRP: Starting at $92,400, according to Porsche
Porsche’s only mid-sized car, the Panamera, comes with numerous options in 24 versions. There are three body styles: the regular sedan with a hatchback-style trunk, the executive model with more legroom in the rear and the Sport Turismo with a wagon-like layout and more cargo space.
Power starts with a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 that produces 325 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque with the base Panama City. It ties in with the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, producing 690 horsepower and 641 lb-ft of torque from a 4.0-liter turbocharged hybrid V8. All Panamera 4 trims (the 4, 4S, 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid) come with four-wheel drive.
These AWD cars can provide a lot of thrills behind the wheel. US News notes the tenacious handling and neck-breaking acceleration. With the driving experience and many trim levels, the Panamera can be any type of sports car you need.
2022 Tesla Model 3
MSRP: Starting at $40,390, according to Tesla
The most affordable four-wheel drive sports car on the list is no slouch. Tesla’s Model 3 compact sedan is a sports car that offers enough for all types of drivers. The Model 3 is available in three versions: the base, long distance, and Performance. The Long Range and Performance come standard with four-wheel drive.
The Long Range trim offers 358 miles of range on a full charge. Performance is slightly lower at 315 miles, but can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Both give the driver impressive driving dynamics combined with a comfortable, functional interior. Reviewers note that rear seat space may be lacking compared to other cars in the class.
Which four-wheel drive sports car is best for me?
It depends on what is most important to you. By far the best budget AWD car on the list is the Tesla Model 3, followed by the Audi A7. If you look purely at electric sports cars, the Lucid Air is an incredible new model on the market for a fair starting price. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is another excellent option if a higher MSRP is not an issue. If luxury and an internal combustion engine are a must, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is likely to lead the pack, followed by the A7 or Porsche Panamera for more space.
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