Hydraulic steering technology is almost extinct in the modern automotive world. This type of power steering system, once widespread but now largely phased out, uses fluid pressure to assist steering. A belt running off the engine drives the power steering pump and pressurized fluid flows into a cylinder when the steering wheel turns. The result is easier steering effort, while the system still communicates road conditions through the wheel. The result is favored by car enthusiasts because it lends itself well to high-performance driving.Hydraulic steering does, however, have some downsides, which have contributed to car manufacturers moving away from it in recent years. It is less efficient and puts more strain on the engine; it also has more moving parts, which increases wear and tear and the risk of failure. Maintenance and repair costs are also higher as a result.SubaruMost automakers have pivoted towards electric power steering, a more sophisticated and efficient form of steering technology that relies on an electric motor to assist steering. Sensors detect how much assistance is required at any given moment, and communicate with the motor accordingly.The last sedans with hydraulic-assisted power steering on board are highly prized by car enthusiasts, who are unlikely to part with them now that this type of steering tech has gone the way of the dodo. Sedans are something of an endangered species anyway, so the combination of hydraulic steering and a sedan body style is increasingly rare and highly valued. Here are a few models that make up this small club, along with what you can expect to pay for them should you wish to snap one up on the used-car market. 2011-2016 BMW 5 Series 2014 - 2016 BMW 5 Series Sedan F10 Facelift Side View DrivingAlthough rear-wheel-drive versions of the BMW 5 Series phased out hydraulic steering with the end of the fifth (E60) generation, xDrive AWD models retained hydraulic steering into the sixth (F10) generation. This generation was introduced for the 2011 model year, and remained on the market until the seventh-gen G30 model replaced it in 2017. It carried over many of the controversial design cues from the Chris Bangle-designed E60 model. Still, it updated them and refreshed them for a new era, with the shape of the headlights and grille being slightly reworked among other changes.Power came from a lineup of engines that included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (gas or diesel), and a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. xDrive models in this generation on the used market today are available across a wide range of prices, from as little as $5,000 to around $40,000. 2005-2011 Audi A6 2011 Audi A6 - front 3/4 angle The last generation of the Audi A6 to be equipped with hydraulic power steering is the C6, which was in production between the 2005 and 2011 model years. The C6 carried forward many of the design cues seen in its C5 predecessor, but also introduced some styling updates, including sleeker, upward-slanting headlights and a reworked grille. It underwent a facelift in 2008, which included minor cosmetic changes and a few engine upgrades.Power came from a wide range of engines, which included a V6, a V8, and even a V10. While other markets offered a six-speed manual, in the US, a six-speed automatic was the only transmission available.Examples of this generation of the A6 are highly affordable today, though you might need to set aside some money for repairs with some of the cheaper cars on offer. The lower end of the price range is around $3,000, and even the most expensive examples will only set you back about $11,000. Lexus IS Lexus IS 500 Climax Edition The Lexus IS has been around for over 25 years, first introduced in 1999. Hydraulic steering was only widespread across its lineup during the model’s first generation. Still, in more recent years, the last IS to feature this technology was, appropriately enough, the most enthusiast-oriented one in the bunch.We’re talking about the IS 500 F Sport Performance, which was discontinued after the 2025 model year as the IS lineup for the American market was slimmed down. While the third and current generation of the IS arrived in 2014, the IS 500 F Sport Performance was introduced for the 2021 model year, marking the first V8-powered model in the IS range since the second-generation IS F."The current IS only beats its rivals in one area, and it's steering. Perfectly weighted, sharp responses, very precise turn-in behavior. Lots and lots of fun"-Brett T. Evans, CarBuzzThe V8 in question was a 5.0-liter unit producing 472 hp and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine was not the only interesting thing about the F Sport Performance; it was also equipped with several other performance-oriented features, including upgraded brakes and suspension, sport bucket seats, and an upgraded exhaust system.Today, prices for the IS 500 F Sport Performance range between around $45,000 and around $90,000. 2015-2021 Subaru WRX STI Blue WRX STI front on trackThe next item on our list is a car that’s beloved by automotive enthusiasts all over the world. While between 1992 and 2014, the WRX and WRX STI were variants of the Impreza, in 2015, the WRX became a standalone model. It has since been in production across two generations, the second of which is still on sale today.The sportier STI variant, however, was only around for the first (VA) generation, produced between 2015 and 2021. When the model was phased out, a few markets around the world received a limited-run “Final Edition” version; the US was unfortunately not one of them.While a 2.0-liter flat-four engine powered the Japanese-market WRX STI, the US and global versions used a slightly larger 2.5-liter engine from the same family. In both cases, a single transmission was available: a six-speed manual. Today, prices for the VA-generation WRX STI vary from around $12,000 to around $50,000."There’s no replacement for a great hydraulic steering setup – something the folks at Subaru's STI department clearly understood when they stuck with a hydraulic rack for this while the regular WRX migrated to an EPAS system. And it resulted in one of the most engaging driver's sedans of the era, with razor-sharp responses and almost telepathic feedback. The way the WRX STI telegraphed the road surface to the driver through the wheel was so vivid, it felt like you could drive over a coin and read the year in which it was minted through the steering wheel alone."-Roger Biermann, CarBuzz 2008-2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan Front Angle ViewThe last generation (W204) of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to feature hydraulic steering was available between the 2008 and 2014 model years. The W204 introduced a considerable design change compared to its predecessor: the headlights were reworked into a sleek rectangular shape, and the grille was given a complete overhaul, with the Mercedes logo prominently centered. This generation also scored high in CarBuzz’s own reliability ranking, earning second place.Power came from a range of engines, including a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four, a 3.0-liter V6, and a 3.5-liter V6. While a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic were both available initially, after a 2012 facelift, which also introduced the four-cylinder engine, only the automatic remained.With even the youngest cars in this generation being over a decade old, the W204 C-Class is now quite affordable on the used market. The cheapest examples can be found around the $5,000 mark, while the most expensive will set you back around $50,000. 2014-2015 Infiniti Q50 2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior The last car on our list is the Infiniti Q50, introduced to replace Infiniti’s “G” line. The Q50’s first two model years (2014 and 2015) were the only ones with hydraulic steering. Power came from a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 328 hp, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Q50 was also available with the same engine as part of a hybrid powertrain, making it the first model in Infiniti’s lineup to offer hybrid propulsion in its entry-level trim.A 2016 facelift brought several updates, most notably the removal of hydraulic steering from the lineup and the introduction of DAS (Direct Adaptive Steering, a sophisticated steer-by-wire system) across the board. The Q50 remained in production until the 2024 model year, after which it was discontinued with no direct successor. Although it looks like Infiniti may revive the nameplate in the not-too-distant future.Those without the critiqued Direct Adaptive Steering [steer-by-wire] felt more communicative behind the wheel. Still falling short compared to other European sedans in its class, but it made the rear-wheel-drive platform somewhat engaging.- Adrian Ma, CarBuzzToday, prices for early examples of the Infiniti Q50 range between around $7,000 and around $23,000.Sources: BMW, Audi, Lexus, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti