latest C&D mid-size sedan comparo

[thomsbrain]

The latest issue of Car and Driver arrived in my mailbox a couple days ago with a new mid-size sedan comparison to include new arrivals like the Malibu and redesigned Accord. They tested 4-cylinder versions close to $22,000.

1. Honda Accord EX - "We've pretty much run out of nice things to say."
2. Nissan Altima 2.5S - "True dual personality - fun in the hills, serene on the interstate."
3. Chevy Malibu LT - "The best four-cylinder mainstream car GM has ever built."
4. Hyundai Sonata Limited - "One foot deeper into Accord territory."
5. Toyota Camry LE - "Practical and tranquil but not much of a dancer."
6. Ford Fusion SEL - "Right face, wrong drivetrain."
7. Dodge Avenger SXT - "A mid-size sedan relying almost entirely on sticker price."

They really liked the Malibu and Altima, but they were practically in hysterics over the Accord.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

GM should have made the 6 speed auto standard for entry level trim. Instead you have to wait until spring and then only for the upper end LTZ trim.

While I don't like the sedan's styling, it's hard to argue against the Accord taking the top spot.

 

[Arkaign]

lol @ the Avenger. A truly horrible car. Props to GM, Nissan, and Honda for building some good sh*t this gen.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
lol @ the Avenger. A truly horrible car. Props to GM, Nissan, and Honda for building some good sh*t this gen.

 

[ElFenix]

did they really pay 22 grand for a four-pot fusion? friend of mine just got one with leather and V6 for under that. that'd fix their drivetrain complaint. and the ability to get the V6 for the price of everyone else's 4 banger is one of the attractions of the fusion.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
did they really pay 22 grand for a four-pot fusion? friend of mine just got one with leather and V6 for under that. that'd fix their drivetrain complaint. and the ability to get the V6 for the price of everyone else's 4 banger is one of the attractions of the fusion.

Yeah, on that note, you can also bag a V6 Sonata (nice!, ~230hp IIRC) for cheap.

But I think these comparos have to go by retail/invoice in order to not be overly confusing.

 

[mwmorph]

C&D has always liked the Accord. If I've noticed anything, Motortrend are Camry biased and C&D are Accord biased.

There's little point in reading a C&D comparo with a Accord, I dont remember the last time it's lost one, maybe years and years ago back in the 20th century?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Odd to see a Camry come in fifth.

FWIW, and I am not a person who normally cares about the appearance of things like family cars, the current Accord and Camry are both too ugly for me to seriously consider buying.

 

[desy]

C&D only worries about the driving experience, not so much on cabins and reputations
So if your 60 you LUV a Camry with a mooshy ride

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: desy
C&D only worries about the driving experience, not so much on cabins and reputations
So if your 60 you LUV a Camry with a mooshy ride

Yep. Camry and Accord have both been truly excellent for about 20 years now (even back when the Camry was called something else .. Cressida?)

But the Camry has always been a little more towards luxury/looser suspension, and the Accord has always been a sliver more spartan/tighter gearing/suspension.

It shows in the sales as well, you see loads of manual tranny Accords out there, but very few manual tranny Camrys.

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Yeah, on that note, you can also bag a V6 Sonata (nice!, ~230hp IIRC) for cheap.

But I think these comparos have to go by retail/invoice in order to not be overly confusing.

I understand why they do it, but it really distorts the comparison for the cars with big discounts and rebates. I wonder how the Mazda6 would've done compared to the Fusion since they're platform twins. It's getting pretty old now.

 

[Dunbar]

I own an '03 V6 Accord but I put a few hundred miles a new Altima rental last year. I think if I were buying now I'd go with the Altima. I couldn't agree more with what C&D said about the dual personality. Plus, you can get screaming deals on slightly used Nissans.

I heard that the Wall Street Journal preferred the new Malibu over the Accord.

 

[prontospyder]

There are now so many great choices in the mid-size sedan segment. Hopefully many of them start offering diesels as an option.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Isn't this the same magazine that picked the Camry 1st, Malibu 2nd, and Accord 3rd in a similar comparison?

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: prontospyder
There are now so many great choices in the mid-size sedan segment. Hopefully many of them start offering diesels as an option.

Subaru is on it...