Latest News
1955 Ford Crown Victoria
Mid-size sedans are the perfect blend of drivability, efficiency, and affordability. These are the best the segment has to offer.
Value Leaders
In an age where the crossover is ascendant, it can be easy to overlook one of the automotive industry’s strongest segments. Mid-size cars remain one of the very best values around. When it comes to mid-sized sedans, their comfort, efficiency, drivability, and affordability all outperform SUVs and pickups by a wide margin. Spend a weekend driving one of the segment’s top picks and you’ll quickly remember all we’ve been giving up for our RAV4s and F-150s. With this kind of value proposition, it’s not going too far to say these cars make their owners look smarter. Below are our picks for the best mid-size cars.
7. Chevrolet Malibu
The Breakdown
Unfussy interior layout
Outstanding 2.0L engine
Great cargo space
Sedate styling
Lackluster base drivetrain
No AWD
Chevy needs a Charger challenger
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.6/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$24,395 - $34,495
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
29 City / 36 Hwy (MPG)
The Chevrolet Malibu starts out our list as a mid-tier option that leans heavily on its no-frills nature. A rather anemic base 1.5L delivers the Malibu’s best fuel economy while a punchier 2.0L turbo delivers better horsepower. But at just 26 MPG combined, efficiency takes a resulting hit. The Malibu’s interior is a mixed bag. The design is slick and modern but material quality leaves something to be desired. On the upside, our reviewer noted a good amount of sound deadening provides for a quiet highway drive. Tech is another place where the Malibu gets both good marks and bad. The good: the infotainment is quick to respond and intuitively designed. The bad: the Malibu lacks a good number of standard safety tech features rivals provide in their base configurations. As a result, the Malibu isn’t quite the deal that its initial MSRP would have you think. The Chevrolet Malibu is a decent car with many worthy rivals.
6. Nissan Altima
The Breakdown
Fuel efficient
Optional AWD
Awesome climate controls
CVT diminishes both engines
Poor ride quality
Cheap interior
A turbo engine plus AWD would be great
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.7/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$24,550 - $34,250
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
28 City / 39 Hwy (MPG)
The Nissan Altima is another good if unremarkable choice among mid-sized sedans. Neither the base nor turbocharged engines are especially efficient or sporty, merely adequate for the task. All-wheel drive is optional, just, disappointingly, not with the more powerful turbocharged engine. Ride quality is subpar and a step below what you’ll find from the segment leaders. The interior is decently comfortable, but swaths of hard plastic and a basic design hold it back somewhat. The Altima redeems itself when it comes to standard and available tech. The infotainment system is easy to navigate, and Nissan offers a good selection of advanced safety features as standard equipment. Overall, the Nissan Altima doesn’t stand out from the crowd, but also won’t offend potential buyers either.
5. Hyundai Sonata
The Breakdown
Fantastic powertrains
Excellent infotainment
Lots of trim options
Handling could be sharper
Love it or hate it styling
Not luxurious at all
We want a real N version
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$25,175 - $35,400
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
27 City / 37 Hwy (MPG)
With the boldest styling in the segment, the Hyundai Sonata makes up for its average performance in other areas. The base engine in the Sonata is inoffensive but not especially memorable as fuel economy and power are average for the segment. The Sonata Hybrid, on the other hand, gets impressive figures with the Sonata Blue getting 53 combined MPG. The Sonata N Line offers a proper sports sedan experience with a turbo 2.5L making 290 horsepower. Handling falls a little short of rivals, however, without the N Line’s sport suspension tune. Inside the Sonata, we find Hyundai’s designers haven’t put in quite as much work here as they have on the exterior. Material quality is good but not great. The Sonata offers one of the best infotainment systems in the segment. Crisp graphics and fast response times complement an easily navigated layout. An abundance of safety tech culminates in a unique blind spot monitoring display. The Hyundai Sonata has something to offer every buyer. Affordability, efficiency, and even a sporty option in the form of the Sonata N Line.
4. Kia K5
The Breakdown
Stylish exterior design
Punchy turbocharged engines
Available AWD
High seating position
Choppy ride on larger wheels
Average performance with base engine
Offers style and substance
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.1/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$23,790 - $31,190
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
29 City / 38 Hwy (MPG)
For those who felt the Sonata’s looks were too bold, there’s its badge swapped sibling the Kia K5. That’s not to say the K5 doesn’t take some chances, as with its bold headlamp design, but overall, it’s the more button down of the two. The K5 offers fewer options when it comes to powertrains, just a turbo 1.6L offering average levels of fuel economy or a larger turbo 2.5L in the GT trim that provides up to 290 horsepower. Sadly, there is currently no hybrid option for the K5. Similar in build and material quality, we preferred the K5 over its twin the Sonata given the formers more thoughtful design. Ride quality suffers a bit when opting for the larger 18-inch wheels. The K5 too, stands out from rivals when it comes to available tech. Infotainment impressed our reviewer with its ease of use and sharp graphics, and driver assist features are generously apportioned to even the base model. The Kia K5 combines bold styling with serious substance and makes for a great mid-size sedan.
3. Tesla Model 3
The Breakdown
Bleeding-edge technology
Outstanding range
Top-tier performance
Expensive and limited options list
No long qualified for Fed Tax Credit
No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
A $35K model can come out any time now
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.3/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$44,990 - $58,990
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
272 Miles of Range
The Tesla Model 3 is the only dedicated all-electric vehicle on our list. But the Model 3 is a standout thanks to more than just its powertrain, modern design and industry-leading software help round out an impressive package. The Model 3 features three different trims with progressively more performance and range. The standard rear-wheel drive Model 3 offers an excellent 272 miles of range and a swift leap to sixty in under six seconds. The Performance trim cuts that time to around 3 seconds, absurdly fast for a sedan of any kind. The Long Range, fittingly, grants 358 miles of range. The Model 3 is well equipped for efficiency and speed, but the suspension isn’t as well tuned and can get choppy over rough pavement. The Model 3’s cabin is one of the car’s biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses. Design is clean, simple, Scandinavian in its minimalism. And yet, build quality has been a consistent complaint with trim pieces sometime not aligning and squeaks and creaks that might not be noticed if not for the quiet electric powertrain. The Tesla’s infotainment system is an industry-best, and response is lighting quick. Yet with literally everything controlled via the massive infotainment touchscreen, the Model 3 comes with a distinct learning curve. And then there’s Tesla’s driver assist systems. Though questionably titled Autopilot and Full Self Driving, they are among the most sophisticated in the industry. The Model 3’s price tag, starting at nearly $45,000 puts it a tier above the competition, and not in a good way. We’ll keep hoping Tesla figures out how to bring us that $35,000 Model 3 they’ve been promising lo these many years.
2. Toyota Camry
The Breakdown
Fantastic hybrid fuel economy
Great V6 engine
Wonderful safety equipment
AWD not available where it counts
Numb steering
Average sound system
A RWD TRD would be great
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.6/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$26,320 - $33,385
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
28 City / 39 Hwy (MPG)
The Toyota Camry, the long-time sales champion of the mid-sized sedan continues to outpace the competition. First among its strengths is a wide selection of powertrains to suit nearly every buyer. The base four-cylinder engine is competitive with the segment in terms of efficiency and power, a hybrid version offers an impressive 52 MPG combined, and a 3.5L V6 is on tap for a sportier driving experience. Sadly, the latter of these two aren’t available with the optional all-wheel drive the base engine gets access to. Toyota has gone to great lengths in the Camry to shed their reputation for dull yet functional interiors. The functionality is still here, and so is a striking look with bold colors and a swooping dash design. Room is plentiful both in front and back, and the comfortable seats are perfect for long highway drives. Toyota does a laudable job in balancing physical buttons and touchscreen inputs and the software is intuitive and offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Camry is especially generous when it comes to standard safety features like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Good looks, your choice of powertrains, and a pleasant and functional cabin, the Toyota Camry is one of the best options in the segment.
1. Honda Accord
The Breakdown
A great value in most every aspect
Above average infotainment system
Great handling
Louder cabin than expected
Some blind spots
Warranty is unimpressive
We’d love an Accord Type R
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.7/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$25,470 - $37,400
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
30 City / 38 Hwy (MPG)
The Honda Accord gets the nod for your top pick among mid-size sedans. The Accord is a Swiss Army knife of a car that does a bit of everything while sacrificing little in the process. Every powertrain option impresses. The base 1.5L inline-four offers nearly 200 horsepower while still achieving 33 MPG combined. The Accord Hybrid gets both more power (212 horsepower) and greater efficiency at 48 MPG combined. Of course, there’s also a sportier option, a turbocharged 2.0L making 252 horsepower. The only real compromise? The Accord is strictly front-wheel drive, for now at least. The Accord’s cabin strikes a perfect balance of refinement and functionality. Materials are high quality, and we loved design flourishes like the honeycomb dash trim. The rear seats are as spacious and accommodating as it gets in the segment. Like the Toyota, Honda has smartly continued to offer physical buttons as well as an impressive infotainment system. With seven trim levels (including two hybrids), finding a configuration that suits your needs and your budget is easy. Like the best athletes, the Honda Accord flawlessly executes all the basics to surpass the competition.
