Midsize Cars Buying Guide
What do you expect from a mid-sized sedan?
It's a family car, so you want 4-5 people to be comfortable, plenty of cargo space for groceries, the latest safety features and Consumer Report singing its praises on reliability. But you probably also commute in it, so you don't want to drive a boat and you'd like at least a smattering of high-end amenities and styling.
Consumer demand for smooth ride and nice-to-haves has helped pull up the quality of this segment over the last decade, with the VW Passat and Nissan Maxima setting the pace. The other models, led by the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus, have followed, usually a little slower but also with a closer eye on providing value as the price-tag inches up. For example, Car and Driver reports that the more expensive versions of the Honda Accord are better all-around cars than the Acura was when it debuted as a luxury car in the mid-80s - and cost about $5,000 less, when adjusted for inflation.
The Passat has been the reviewers' darling the last couple of years, mainly because VW transplanted engines and styling from its higher-end Audi line and given its base model standard features, like ABS brakes, that were still optional on others in the segment. These improvements appear to have outweighed the Passat's poor reliability track record, as sales have jumped. The Maxima also lives at the high end of the segment, backing up its higher price tag with strong performance (like segment-leading acceleration), reliability, and options like a Bose sound system. But the bulk of the buying public still steers toward the more value-priced, bland dependability of the Camry, Accord and Taurus.
Bringing up the rear is the Saturn L-Series, which has the worst reliability record in the segment, according to Consumer Report, but hangs in with bargain prices, innovations like its dent-resistant body and high customer satisfaction ratings from a loyal following.
What's the one reason you'd buy each model?
Honda Accord: Does everything just well enough.
Toyota Camry: Edges the Accord on reliability and engine quality.
Ford Taurus: Roomiest of the bunch.
VW Passat: Luxury styling at mid-size price.
Nissan Maxima: Highest reliability.
Saturn L-Series: Fits any budget
What do you expect from a mid-sized sedan?
It's a family car, so you want 4-5 people to be comfortable, plenty of cargo space for groceries, the latest safety features and Consumer Report singing its praises on reliability. But you probably also commute in it, so you don't want to drive a boat and you'd like at least a smattering of high-end amenities and styling.
Consumer demand for smooth ride and nice-to-haves has helped pull up the quality of this segment over the last decade, with the VW Passat and Nissan Maxima setting the pace. The other models, led by the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus, have followed, usually a little slower but also with a closer eye on providing value as the price-tag inches up. For example, Car and Driver reports that the more expensive versions of the Honda Accord are better all-around cars than the Acura was when it debuted as a luxury car in the mid-80s - and cost about $5,000 less, when adjusted for inflation.
The Passat has been the reviewers' darling the last couple of years, mainly because VW transplanted engines and styling from its higher-end Audi line and given its base model standard features, like ABS brakes, that were still optional on others in the segment. These improvements appear to have outweighed the Passat's poor reliability track record, as sales have jumped. The Maxima also lives at the high end of the segment, backing up its higher price tag with strong performance (like segment-leading acceleration), reliability, and options like a Bose sound system. But the bulk of the buying public still steers toward the more value-priced, bland dependability of the Camry, Accord and Taurus.
Bringing up the rear is the Saturn L-Series, which has the worst reliability record in the segment, according to Consumer Report, but hangs in with bargain prices, innovations like its dent-resistant body and high customer satisfaction ratings from a loyal following.
What's the one reason you'd buy each model?
Honda Accord: Does everything just well enough.
Toyota Camry: Edges the Accord on reliability and engine quality.
Ford Taurus: Roomiest of the bunch.
VW Passat: Luxury styling at mid-size price.
Nissan Maxima: Highest reliability.
Saturn L-Series: Fits any budget
I would have thought it would say fastest!!! I can't argue with the reliability except I still think the Toyota edges it out.
Junior Member
Despite being in the upper price segment, the Maxima still has no sideairbags standard. But you can get them as a mere $200-300 option, like on other cars, right? Wrong, you have to fork out an extra $2,000 for a moonroof and an upgraded stereo. Lumping safety options with frivolous luxury options is disgusting marketing. At least on the Altima, you have a standalone ABS/side airbags options. That makes a lot more sense.
I would have thought they would say the Maxima as the leading performer too. I agree with the opinion that Toyota would edge Nissan out.
I hope when they said that Toyota edges out Honda in terms of engine quality they're talking about smoothness and low-NVH because with 135HP and 192HP the Toyota engines are no screamers
I hope when they said that Toyota edges out Honda in terms of engine quality they're talking about smoothness and low-NVH because with 135HP and 192HP the Toyota engines are no screamers