Midsize Sedan Buyer's Guide
The Most Popular Car in the Country
Accounting for almost one of every six cars sold annually, the midsize sedan segment is the country's best-selling car category. And it's a big year for this big group.
The Chrysler 200, Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy have all been totally redesigned for 2015, and the best-selling car in the country, the Toyota Camry, gets a new look and more.
But those are just four of 11 midsize sedans worth considering. With more great choices than any other group of car buyers, midsize sedan shoppers aren't facing an easy task. But we've driven them all, and we're here to help.
Eleven Options
Want to see more pictures of the redesigned Toyota Camry? Wondering how much you should really pay for a Honda Accord? Click a thumbnail below for a quick overview of each car and easy access to our full review, Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own figures, expert and consumer ratings, and everything else you need to make your best decision.
Typically Equipped
Most of these midsize family sedans start in the low $20,000 range and top out in the low- to mid-$30,000 range. Some offer V6, turbo or hybrid power, but most buyers go for the base 4-cylinder engine and pay about $25,000 on average.
New Features
The list of features now offered on these middle-of-the-market vehicles still reads a bit like science fiction: text-to-speech message reading, blind spot detection, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, push-button start and one-touch Pandora internet radio to name a few.
Best Buy
It was a tight race between some great sedans, but the 2015 Honda Accord was named Midsize Car Best Buy of 2015. It was one of 12 category champions in our inaugural Best Buy Awards.
Broad Appeal
You'll find five of these midsize sedans on our most recent list of 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000, three of them made our list of 10 Best Hybrids Under $30,000 and two are among our 12 Best Family Cars of 2014.
Resale Value Recognition
The Honda Accord is a perennial resale value standout, and it took home our most recent Best Resale Value Award in the Mid-Size Car category. Following in the second and third spots were the Kia Optima and Ford Fusion.
Unavenged
While the Chrysler 200 was completely redesigned for 2015, its corporate-cousin Dodge Avenger calls it quits after 2014.
Deeper Dives
Our long-term vehicle test fleet currently includes a Chevrolet Malibu and a Mazda6, and we're in our third year with a diesel-powered Volkswagen Passat TDI.
Looking Ahead
The 2016 Mazda6 will feature subtle styling tweaks inside and out, plus a significant tech upgrade. It was among several 2016 models unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Interesting Alternatives
Want the amenities of a midsize sedan but don't need all the room? Today's compact cars offer an increasingly compelling array of features for less. Or for greater versatility and a higher driving position, check out this year's compact SUV lineup.
Gallery: A Quick Look at Your 11 Midsize Sedan Options
