My comparison: 10 midsize sedans

[ifcar]

I don't have full reviews up of all the cars, but I've put a lot up at once in response to the criticisms that it's a pain when it trickles out slowly.

What's posted:

Introduction: Photos of the tested cars, cursory market analysis, list of the vehicles tested.
http://www.examiner.com/article/comparison-review-ten-2013-midsize-sedans-introduction

Short reviews (generally five paragraphs each) of each of the 10 cars:
http://www.examiner.com/list/comparison-review-ten-2013-midsize-sedans-the-best-and-the-worst

Ratings detailing how the cars compare in different areas: Comfort/luxury, driving experience, practicality, safety, fuel economy, price, and overall.
http://www.examiner.com/article/comparison-review-ten-2013-midsize-sedans-ratings

Rankings that change how different factors are weighted for different types of customers' preferences, under the headings of fancy yet attainable, useful family car, fun yet practical, bargain hunter's pick, and overall:
http://www.examiner.com/article/comparison-review-ten-2013-midsize-sedans-rankings


Full reviews of all or most of the 10, with more detail and complete photo galleries, will go up at some point. Feedback welcomed on the revised format, and apologies in advance for the auto-playing ad videos (which I can't control).

[Madman]

Holy shit, the pop-up ads on that site are fucking annoying!!!!!!!!   

[68_427]

Accord Sport would probably be my pick. 

[Colin]

Surprised and a little disappointed that the Mazda 6 does not fare better, otherwise, I think I would broadly agree with your conclusions, including putting the Camry at the bottom of the list. It really is automotive white goods of the "we made it literally no better or more inspiring than we thought we needed to" type, which will be absolutely fine for a lot of people, but not for me.

Will be interested to try a new Fusion. We are not going to get the Euro version now til late 2014 owing to a change in where they will build it. It appears to be the only recent Ford which has avoided the temptation to provide an overly complex and horrid to look at button-fest dashboard. Every single European review of the new Kuga has complained about this aspect.

[MrH]

You put the Avenger ahead of the new Camry?

[Payman]

You put the Avenger ahead of the new Camry?

Lol. Awesome.

[Payman]

I'd have an agonizing time deciding between a Fusion, Mazda6, and Optima. Maybe the Passat in 2.0T guise as well. The others aren't even on my radar.

[ifcar]

You put the Avenger ahead of the new Camry?

I did indeed decide that the Camry wasn't worth $5,000 more than the Avenger, particularly in light of its lousy crash test ratings, yes.

And basically, in the overall ratings, cars with some reason to buy them outrank cars that have no special trait -- and the Avenger's below-compact pricing is that reason.

[cawimmer430]

May the quickest car to 60 mph win! 

[Madman]

Even though it wasn't part of this 10-way super-test, the Volkswagen CC would be my first choice in this class.  Second is the Ford Fusion, third is the Mazda 6 and fourth is the Kia Optima.  I'd be happy with any of these.

As for the rest, I'm not interested in any of them.

[Cookie Monster]

I think my top 3 would be the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, and Kia Optima.

[ifcar]

Even though it wasn't part of this 10-way super-test, the Volkswagen CC would be my first choice in this class.  Second is the Ford Fusion, third is the Mazda 6 and fourth is the Kia Optima.  I'd be happy with any of these.

As for the rest, I'm not interested in any of them.

It's not in this class, not with a $31,000 base price. You might as well say your pick is a 3-Series.

[2o6]

Iffy, I don't understand how the Canry scored decently, yet still came dead last.

[ifcar]

Iffy, I don't understand how the Canry scored decently, yet still came dead last.

Below average in most ways, never top of the class at anything.

[68_427]

Hows yhr refinement of the 200 compared to the Avenger?

[ifcar]

Hows yhr refinement of the 200 compared to the Avenger?

I haven't driven a four-cylinder 200, but I haven't seen any reviews saying it's much different from the Avenger. It's got a slightly dressier interior (some chrome accents) but not many other differences.

[68_427]

My friend had one as a rental when his wrx was totaled.  I have next to no experience with any recent midsizers but I sure as hell wouldn't be disappointed if I had to drive one.

[MrH]

My friend had one as a rental when his wrx was totaled. I have next to no experience with any recent midsizers but I sure as hell wouldn't be disappointed if I had to drive one.

  Good thing you prefaced that.  The 200 and Avenger are pretty awful, at least according to everyone but ifcar.

[280Z Turbo]

I did indeed decide that the Camry wasn't worth $5,000 more than the Avenger, particularly in light of its lousy crash test ratings, yes.

And basically, in the overall ratings, cars with some reason to buy them outrank cars that have no special trait -- and the Avenger's below-compact pricing is that reason.

I think I'd rather drive a Camry, even if it had no seat belts and spikes sticking out of the door panels.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I think I'd rather drive a Camry, even if it had no seat belts and spikes sticking out of the door panels.

That's one way to make a Camry interesting.

[ifcar]

  Good thing you prefaced that.  The 200 and Avenger are pretty awful, at least according to everyone but ifcar.

I hold a $20,000 car to a different standard than a $25,000 car.

[SVT666]

I hold a $20,000 car to a different standard than a $25,000 car.

If the car sucks, then it sucks.  Who cares what the price is.

[Eye of the Tiger]

If the car sucks, then it sucks.  Who cares what the price is.

Camry

[GoCougs]

My choice for the class:

1.) Camry SE V6
2.) Accord EX-L V6

[ifcar]

If the car sucks, then it sucks.  Who cares what the price is.

....many people?

[Raza]

If the car sucks, then it sucks.  Who cares what the price is.

If it costs more, it has to do something to justify the added expense. 

I think of all these cars, Iffy's top 3 would be just about my top 3.  I recommend the Passat, but I wouldn't drive one myself.  No stickshift, absolutely enormous, and I don't think I could take that ride.  My friend drove me to lunch in his and it was like being driven in the lovechild of a limousine and a mattress.  Fantastic ride quality, which I appreciate as a passenger, but not so much as a driver. 

I'm intrigued by the new Accord and the Fusion.  I think I'd take the Accord though.  Great track record in that bloodline, hard to deny that.  The Fusion looks pretty dope in the right colors, but the Accord looks just fine itself. 

[SVT666]

I drove a 200 vert for a week in L.A.  It was decent, but there was a lot wrong with it too.  It certainly wasn't as bad as a lot of mags say it is, but the Camry is definitely a better car.

[Rich]

I think I'd take the Accord though.  Great track record in that bloodline, hard to deny that.  .....but the Accord looks just fine itself. 

+ big greenhouse and good sightlines 

[NomisR]

I think there's way too much emphasis being placed on price.  It may make sense for compact and sub-compact segments, but in the midsizers, there's more to that than pricing.  A car with last place in pretty much everything but the best price does not make it a better car than a mediocre car. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I think there's way too much emphasis being placed on price.  It may make sense for compact and sub-compact segments, but in the midsizers, there's more to that than pricing.  A car with last place in pretty much everything but the best price does not make it a better car than a mediocre car.

Yeah, but the Camry is a deathtrap.