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Sedan smackdown: The best new family cars

The 2014 Mazda6 is going on sale in early 2013.

The stalwart family sedan is maligned almost as much as the poor minivan. But like that versatile people mover, it’s incredibly practical. Four doors, ample room for five and a good-sized trunk. Plus, it’s affordable and gets better gas mileage than a minivan or SUV.

No wonder 27 percent of vehicles sold during the first half of 2012 were mid-sized sedans, according to Experian Automotive. In fact, mid-sized cars account for five of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the U.S., and sales in the segment are up 25 percent, growing faster than the overall industry.

This fall, there’s an all-out family car feud going on in dealer showrooms, with newly redesigned mid-sized entries from just about every major player. What’s nice is there’s not a plain-vanilla one in the bunch.

All feature more expressive styling (a couple are downright sexy), better fuel economy, lots of premium features and oodles of advanced technology, for around $25,000 to $30,000.

The average American is driving an 11-year-old car, so your shopping list is probably different from the last time you shopped for a sedan. For the past couple of decades, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord were the only real choices. The Japanese makers dominated the mid-sized car segment years, but lately, U.S. carmakers have been showering more love on their passenger cars, and it shows in their latest models like the Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu, which are better-looking, better-equipped and more refined than their predecessors.

New competitors have elbowed their way into consideration, too. Just two years ago, the redesigned Hyundai Sonata – loaded with premium features and more fuel-efficient than any of its rivals – was a finalist for 2011 North American Car of the Year. (It lost to the breakthrough Chevrolet Volt). Now the Sonata’s almost stale by comparison, even though it remains one of the best mid-sized cars on the market.

Now comes a bevy of models that have been redesigned for 2013, including the Malibu, Fusion, Accord and Nissan Altima. Early next year, the 2014 Mazda6 will debut. Even the Camry and the Volkswagen Passat, both redesigned last year are practically brand new. Each one has added more expensive features and technology than the outgoing models, but for about the same money, a measure of the intense competition.

With so many appealing new choices in showrooms now, and the next Mazda6 just around the corner, buyers probably shouldn’t automatically go for the familiar Camry or Accord. Take some extra time to drive them all. See what the family thinks.


2014 Mazda6

Despite its fun-to-drive characteristics, the Mazda6 has often struggled to keep up among better-selling mid-sized sedans. The 2014 model, which goes on sale early in 2013, makes a big leap forward in fuel economy, aiming for 40 mpg with more lightweight steel and its new SkyActiv gasoline engines. Price: not yet announced

Safety features in the new Mazda6 include Hill Assist, to keep the car from rolling backwards, and Smart City Brake Support, which applies the brakes automatically to avoid collisions in traffic.


2013 Ford Fusion

The newest Fusion turns heads for its upscale design, reminiscent of an Aston Martin. It'll be available with five powertrains: three four-cylinder engines, a 47-mpg hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid Ford says will get the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. Price: $22,495 to $32,995. Plug-in pricing not yet announced.

The new Fusion is loaded with technology typical of luxury cars, including a lane-keeping system that gently directs you back between the lane markers and an auto start-stop system that saves gas.


2013 Honda Accord

The ninth generation Accord has a more sculpted body and will be available as a plug-in hybrid and a conventional hybrid, along with four- and six-cylinder engines. Embedded cameras all over the vehicle provide improved visibility, including a LaneWatch feature that displays your blind spot on a screen when the turn signal is on. Price: $21,680 to $33,430.

The Accord's interior is well-appointed and comfortable, with a generous trunk. Its HondaLink infotainment system includes standard Bluetooth hands-free calling and text messaging and uses voice recognition to connect with Pandora radio, Aha, and other services.


2013 Nissan Altima

The base engine in the new Altima gets 38 mpg on the highway, best in the segment for a conventional gas engine. Its new sloping roofline and wider stance give it coupe-like appearance. If you need to fill the tires, the horn sounds when you've reached the proper tire pressure. Price: $21,500 to $30,080.

A new NASA-inspired seat in the Altima is designed to help reduce fatigue and improve comfort. The NissanConnect system includes standard Bluetooth technology to connect your smartphone to the car's infotainment system for streaming audio, hands-free calls, Pandora radio and Google location search.


2013 Toyota Camry

The Camry, America's best-selling family car, got a full makeover a year ago, and reset the bar for refinement, comfort and roominess. The four-cylinder base engine gets 27 mpg overall, but you can also buy a V6 or hybrid. The hybrid version gets 38 mpg. Price: $22,055 to $30,115.

The new Camry's interior quality is noticeably improved, with more soft-touch surfaces and premium stitching. Bluetooth and USB port are standard; also available with Toyota's new Entune smartphone system for Bing search, streaming Internet radio, traffic, sports and stock information.


2013 Volkwagen Passat

Redesigned for the 2012 model year, the Passat is still a favorite among automotive critics for its European handling and clean, crisp lines. It's the only family sedan with a diesel option, which gets 43 mpg highway. Price: $20,845 to $33,525.

The current Passat is roomier than the previous one, and has a lower starting price to better compete with mid-sized rivals. But the base model is stripped down, and interior quality isn't what it used to be
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