BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Some might think it’s the ugly duckling in this pond. It looks like an oddly shaped sedan with a blunt butt end. Is it a hatchback? Is it a wagon? We’re not sure. But if you appreciate performance and function all in one package, the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo might be a welcome sight.
The 535i Gran Turismo has BMW’s 3.0-liter Twin-Scroll TwinPower Turbo with 300 ponies and 300 lb-ft of torque. But the more impressive option is the 550i. Now you get the 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 with 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. That goes like stink, especially paired with BMW’s xDrive system.
You can get the Gran Turismo styling in the 3-Series also. But why would you? The 5-Series is much more impressive.
Kia Forte 5-Door
If you drove a Civic or Focus hatchback when you were a poor, ramen noodle-eating student, you may be attuned to the Kia Forte5. It’s your usual hatchback style with the steeply sloped liftgate in the back and modest affordability up front. You’ll find the Forte5 is a five-door vehicle – four doors plus the hatch, hence the five in the name.
Unlike that beater you drove years ago, the Forte5 is a blast. In a compact car like this, 201 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission make it feel more like a sports car than a compact runabout.
You can load this Kia up with all the goodies too. Rearview camera, power sunroof, blind spot detection system, push-button start and dual-zone automatic climate control are just a few of the available features on this car peppy little hatchback.
Audi A4 Allroad
Let’s skip past the VW Golf and hit up their luxury brand, Audi. The Audi A4 Allroad is another veritable wagon with crazy cool skills. It can be a premium daily driver to the office. It can be the grocery-getter and sports practice attender. Or it can be that ravishing beauty you take for a drive just for fun. Its structure looks more wagon-like than the others, but it’s still good-looking. It definitely helps that the Audi grille has vertical lines to stretch its jaws wide open.
Its only engine option is the 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder that VW and Audi are known for, so 252 horsepower will have to do. The most impressive powertrain feature is the Quattro all-wheel drive system that’s paired with the Audi drive select with Offroad mode. Unlike other station wagons, the Allroad can confidently handle a bit of rough terrain.
Audi’s A3 Sportback is an option as well, if the A4 Allroad is too much to handle. You might regret it though.
