Judges ratings for $27,000 Midsize Sedan Challenge
The latest Cars.com/Paste BN/MotorWeek vehicle Challenge evaluated the current field of moderately priced midsize sedans for the budget-conscious family. The goal: Find the best moderately priced midsize sedan a budget-conscious family can buy.
The entrants were strictly limited to $27,000 on the sticker, including destination fees, and also had to offer good gas mileage — a minimum government rating of 28 miles per gallon.
Ten sedans qualified and makers provided their pick for the most attractive version of their car for price. The cars were then scored in 11 categories as diverse as fuel economy, upholstery and driving feel.
Experts from Cars.com, Motor Week and Paste BN plus a family in the market for such a vehicle rated the 10 cars. Experts' scores count for 75% of the total, the family score for 15%, the mileage run fuel economy, 10%.
And the results are:
No. 1: 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA SPORT
Points: 803 (out of 1,000) Price: $25,810
• Mileage test: 7th at 28.9 mpg (Government rated 24 city, 35 highway, 28 combined.)
• Notable: Has blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, proximity key, push-button start, heated front seats, automatic climate control, telematics connection, longest overall and powertrain warranties, rear cross-traffic.
• What they liked: "It has a substantial ride quality," Brian Robinson said, "and it feels surprisingly solid." Only entrant with leather seat trim. "Best (child seat) 'latch' anchors of the bunch," Jennifer Newman said. "Easy to find and use." Joe Wiesenfelder praised the "no-nonsense powertrain. The thing goes when you want it to, has good power to start with and always seems to have some in reserve, with no bogging down or lagging. Is this combination so difficult?"
• What they didn't: The new design looks "bland," Newman said. "It's clearly trying to compete with the Accord and Camry on which can induce the most yawns." "The new dash isn't as stylish nor as upscale as the previous design," Fred Meier said. "It's not as feature-packed as I expected" said Robinson. Meier found the steering improved but still "light and numb." Both Newman and Aaron Bragman found the brakes "grabby."
• Bottom line: "Rather than fixate on the redesigned 2015's looks, inside and outside, shoppers should explore a car that does many things well, has loads of space, more refinement than most of the sedans in the test and still offers plenty of value," Wiesenfelder said. "In the end, all it looks like is a winner."
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No. 2: 2015 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5i PREMIUM
Points: 741.5 Price: $25,785
• Mileage test: 4th at 30.8 (Rated 26/36/30)
• Notable: All-wheel drive, heated front seats, only one with full suite of camera- and radar-based driver safety assists (blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and collision avoidance braking).
• What they liked: "The Legacy is a 'space' ship," Meier said: "Comfort in front, grown-up room in back, and it even has trunk-lid struts rather than goose necks that eat cargo space." Newman said, "It's impressive how many safety features the Legacy has for its sub-$26,000 sticker." This was Amit Kapoor's pick for his family, despite never having driven a Subaru. Wiesenfelder liked Legacy's "high seating position, which contributes to otherwise good visibility" and also noted that, even with all-wheel drive, its "mileage would impress."
• What they didn't: "I noticed bumps in the road ... that I hadn't experienced in some of the other (entrants)," Newman said. Bragman said the "ride quality is stiff; it feels like a big compact car instead of a midsize one." Meier said that "highway road and tire noise, particularly in back, are loud enough to make conversation difficult." Judges found the styling bland.
• Bottom line: "You get standard all-wheel-drive, which will be very appealing in many parts of the country," Robinson said. "But with the 2015 redesign, you also get a great new interior and a very sporty ride. It's now one of the best cars in the segment."
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No. 3: 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T SE
• Points: 718.5 Price: $26,840
• Mileage test: 2nd at 32.1 (Rated 24/36/28)
• Notable: Only one that lacks USB plug, express up/down all four windows, leatherette seats, heated front seats, one year of complimentary maintenance.
• What they liked: Ride and handling were home runs for the Passat. "Plenty of power at all speeds," Wiesenfelder said. "The turbo four-cylinder is downright zippy," Newman said. "Very solid feeling," Robinson added. And it is roomy: "Its efficient packaging creates a spacious cabin, cross-your-legs room in the back," Meier said, "and a huge, easy-to-load trunk."
• What they didn't: More limited adjustments for the driver's seat and steering wheel "made it hard to find a just-right position," Meier said. The Passat's age showed in its technology, several judges remarked. "Feels and looks like a 10-year-old car," Robinson said. "In an austere but handsome interior, some bad elements stand out: no USB jack (iOS only), vinyl sun visors, blocky and monochrome display between the gauges," Wiesenfelder said. "Its looks embrace boring," Newman added.
• Bottom line: "The oldest design in this group is still a leader in space and handling," Meier said. "The 1.8-liter gasoline turbo is a gem, but the amenities, infotainment and interior materials now lag its rivals."
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No. 4: 2015 MAZDA6 i TOURING
Points: 716 Price: $26,010
• Mileage test: 3rd at 31.7 (Rated 26/38/30)
• Notable: Blind-spot monitor, express up/down all four windows, leatherette seats. Only entrant without automatic headlights and heated side mirrors. Only one with navigation.
• What they liked: "Gorgeous," Bragman said. "Not only the best-looking car in the bunch, it's one of the best-looking cars on the road today." Not only looks sporty, Robinson said, "it's still one of the better-handling cars in this segment." Amit Kapoor: "The handling's awesome — tight!" Wiesenfelder: "Engine and six-speed transmission that do what they're supposed to: Give you plenty of power when you want it, and do so efficiently." Meier liked its "driver-centric interior." Bragman: "Lots of value: big wheels, passable fake leather, navigation system."
• What they didn't: But, Bragman noted, "It's a terrible nav. Half the streets weren't labeled." "Noisy," Robinson said. Newman said she had a hard time "getting comfortable in the driver's seat because it didn't have an adjustable bottom cushion (for) more thigh support." She noted limited "cubbie space." "The rear seat is the snuggest of the group and hardest to get into and out of," Meier said.
• Bottom line: "The Mazda6 continues to be the most fun-to-drive car in this segment," Robinson said. "It also looks great, but the interior is really not as nice as most in this segment, both in material quality and overall comfort."
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No. 5: 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1LT
Points: 676.5 points Price: $26,310
• Mileage test: 9th at 28.2 (Rated 25/36/29)
• Notable: 4G telematics connection, one of three with auto-dimming mirror, two years complimentary maintenance
• What they liked: "It's the connectivity champ," Meier said, citing Malibu's MyLink and 4G LTE, though, he wondered, "do people want to pony up for more subscriptions?" "The storage bin behind the MyLink screen may be my favorite feature," Robinson said. Wiesenfelder warmed to the remote start via fob or OnStar. "It's a big deal in winter." "The interior style is appealing," Bragman said, "it doesn't have the same generic look as the other sedans." Newman called out the "attractive faux wood trim, contrast stitching in the dash and seats and chrome-looking and plastic trims across the dash."
• What they didn't: Others disagree on the interior. "Quality is just not there," Wiesenfelder said. "The GM ice blue interior lighting belongs in the 1990s," Robinson said. "The engine definitely has the power, but the transmission doesn't want to give it to me," Wiesenfelder said. "The thing's clearly tuned for mileage." Meier liked the stop-start engine feature, but wondered why drivers can't turn it off. Biggest complaint: "A hell of a lot of noise," Amit Kapoor said. "The tires are exceptionally noisy," Wiesenfelder said.
• Bottom line: "The styling won't suit everyone," Meier said, "but the Malibu offers a lot of value for the price."
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No. 6: 2015 Ford Fusion SE
Points: 665 Price: $25,550
• Mileage: 10th at 28 (Rated 24/36/28)
• Notable: Inflatable rear safety belts, only one with power passenger seat, express up/down all four windows.
• What they liked: The Fusion drew very split opinions from our judges, but one attribute they all agreed on was its handling. "Great handling was an unexpected surprise," said Robinson. The most serious splits came over the engine and seats. There's "plenty of power from such a tiny engine," Bragman said. "The Fusion's turbocharged engine made driving a blast," Newman said. "Merging and passing on highways was effortless." Newman found the seats "extremely comfortable."
• What they didn't: Bragman and others didn't enjoy the driver's seat. "Why are the seats so short?" he asked. "I feel like I'm sitting on the edge." Wiesenfelder "couldn't get comfortable; I also think the upholstery looks and feels cheap." Said Robinson, "It's one of the cheapest feeling interiors here." Wiesenfelder found the EcoBoost engine "underpowered." "What good is all of the technology when you get neither power nor mileage?" he asked.
• Bottom line: "This is the car for people who like to drive, and who like their choice to be something stylish. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine is also pretty impressive," Bragman said. "But the value proposition isn't there: I can get navigation, decent fake leather and 19-inch wheels in the Mazda6, but the Ford comes with a dinky display screen, small seats and second-rate upholstery."
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No. 7: 2015 Chrysler 200 Limited
Points: 656 Price: $26,715
• Mileage: 8th at 28.7 (Rated 23/36/28)
• Notable: Telematics connection, heated front seats, one of three with auto-dimming mirror.
• What they liked: The interior was the 200's high point for the judges. "Dynamite," Bragman said. "Gorgeous and well-executed," Robinson said. "Looks richer than the price," Meier added. The Uconnect system was a close second for its large screen, easy phone connections. "Intuitive," Wiesenfelder said. "It remains the best in the business," Bragman said. Storage also won praise. "Well-designed cabin has lots of places to store both small and big items," Newman said. "I love the front row's cupholders that slide back to reveal a deep storage well."
• What they didn't: The transmission. "The nine-speed automatic shuffles gears like a Vegas dealer hopped up on Red Bull," Robinson said, "yet it rarely seems to find the right one. And no manual control means you can do nothing about it." Said Wiesenfelder, "The point to more gears is higher gas mileage (but) the 200 was beaten by four conventional six-speeds and three CVTs. Where's the upside?" A few judges found the brakes "grabby." And some found rear head room crimped by the sleek design. "Looks good, but crowds adult heads in back and adds difficulty getting in and out," Meier said. "Not for the family with adult-size needs in back."
• Bottom line: "The 200 has all the pieces in place to be a great midsize sedan," Newman said, "but until it gets the basics — transmission and brakes — right, it's not going to make a lot of headway in this segment."
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No. 8: 2015 HONDA ACCORD EX
Points: 649.5 Price: $26,620
• Mileage test: 5th at 30.2 (Rated 27/36/31)
• Notable: One of two with moonroof, only one without roadside assistance.
• What they liked: Accord is "smooth in everything it does," Bragman said, "from handling to ride to engine sounds." Said Wiesenfelder, "This is the drivetrain that convinced me that a CVT and a four-cylinder engine can be inoffensive." "It handles better than you are expecting," Meier said. A big winner: The LaneWatch camera system that allows the driver to view on the dash screen down the passenger side of the car. "Sounds gimmicky on paper," Bragman said, "but it proves totally useful in real life." "A much more effective way to know your right-hand blind spot is clear than a radar-based warning," Wiesenfelder said. Meier noted "a feeling of precision," and Robinson said that "Honda's reputation for quality and long-term reliability is still hard to ignore."
• What they didn't: "I've driven an old Honda Civic," Amit Kapoor said, "and it feels the same. I feel like I'm driving an old car." "The multimedia system features a plethora of confusing buttons, controls and screens," Bragman said. Judges nearly unanimously complained of noise. "On the highway, the road, engine and wind noise combined to make for an exhausting ride," Newman said. Bragman said the "front seats are completely shapeless planks with no support."
• Bottom line: "Our winner from last time still has a number of strengths, such as roominess, general comfort and drivability," Wiesenfelder said. "Like many top-selling sedans, it does little to offend — or impress."
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No. 9: 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SV
Points: 629.5 Price: $26,880
• Mileage test: 1st at 32.4 (Rated 27/38/31)
• Notable: One of two with moonroof, one of three with auto-dimming mirror, one of two with rear cross-traffic assist, one of two without heated side mirrors.
• What they liked: Altima's "Zero Gravity" seats got high praise from some. "The front seat cushions are well-bolstered and offer support," Bragman said. They "became more comfortable the more time I spent in them," Newman said. Robinson noted that its "ride quality is very good." Newman also liked that it "had a lot of little creature comforts, such as the moonroof, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, keyless start and entry, and auto headlights."
• What they didn't: Robinson noted that even with all those features, "The Altima certainly doesn't look or feel like the most expensive car here, which it is." Wiesenfelder said the seat "has too much lumbar support." "The Altima didn't handle well on the twisty roads," Newman said. Singled out for near-universal hatred was Altima's CVT and "droning" engine. Amit Kapoor captured it best, while accelerating onto a freeway: "It feels like I'm hurting the car." For Wiesenfelder, "The disconnect between accelerator pedal movement and the motion of the car is far too great for this day and age. It also comes with appallingly loud and relentless noise."
• Bottom line: "It's hard to get past the Altima's engine noise and sloppy handling," Newman said, "but even if you do, there's not much there to recommend it to families."
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No. 10: 2015 TOYOTA CAMRY SE
Points: 621 Price: $24,890
• Mileage test: 6th at 29 (EPA 25/35/28)
• Notable: Two years complimentary maintenance
• What they liked: "It's a bargain," Meier said, and he was right; the Camry was the least-expensive entrant. Amit Kapoor found the "handling nice; it has a tight feel." Wiesenfelder liked its "in-cabin storage. It had the best combination of roomy cubbies, door pockets and bottle holders, center storage console and glove compartment," all of which are important in a family sedan. "The Camry's giant grille takes some getting used to," Newman said, "but I appreciate that Toyota tried something bold. Several judges applauded the roomy back seat, and Bragman lauded "decent power from its four-cylinder engine."
• What they didn't: While Newman liked the new grille, Meier asked "will it survive city street parking?" Others said Camry has lost ground. "It's the very definition of generic transportation," Robinson said. "Its multimedia system is still at least one generation behind," Bragman said. Several complained about road and wind noise. Wiesenfelder said "This is the only car in which I thought I might lose control in the curves, and it was strictly because of the tire performance." Camry's ride was described as "easily unsettled," "stiff."
• Bottom line: "It boggles me that this is the best-selling car in the country," Bragman said. "Maybe if Toyota had sent one closer to the price cap with more equipment, it might feel better, but its bouncy ride, road noise, drab interior and newly uglified front styling make me wonder how this is any way competitive with the Accord or Altima."