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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13285 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 8:27 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#11206 of 13285 Ford tops safe car list. by TheUkrainian Nov 27, 2008 (1:28 pm)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081125/ap_on_bi_ge/safe_cars   Good news for Ford. They need to market this, or at least make it poster sized at dealerships. The 2010 Fusion is amazing in both safety and technology. Looks are subjective, safety is not. I personally love the new redesigned Fusion, it looks more sporty and aggressive. I currently own a 07 Fusion I4, and I'm pretty sure that the new Fusion will be my next vehicle.   Before I got my Fusion I test drove a Camry. Hated it. The suspension was too floaty, the interior was not appealing, and the exterior looks are bland. Toyota salesman tried to steer me away from the Fusion based on reliability. Since it's launch, I don't believe the Fusion has had any recalls. Since I've owned mine, I haven't had any issues, just 25,000 happy satisfied miles.
#11207 of 13285 CR tests 2009 Sonata, Malibu, Mazda6, Aura, Jetta TDI by backy Nov 29, 2008 (5:06 pm)
The CR January issue has tests of the cars listed in the title of the post. Spoiler alert: do not read further if you don't want to find out how they scored!   Of the cars tested for January, the Sonata GLS I4 and Limited V6 were the top-scoring mid-sizers in their respective groups (which are $20-25k and $25-30k). However, the top-scoring car that CR tested, as a sidebar to the other tests, was the Jetta TDI, which CR put just one point behind the top-scoring car in its $20-25k sedans class, the Altima 2.5S.   The relatively poor showing of the all-new Mazda6 was surprising, since it is the newest mid-sized design. Also, the comments about the Mazda6 were pretty positive, with the only knocks being about road noise and the fuel economy of the V6 (20 mpg measured), and quibbles on some of the interior trim on the 6i Sport and head room in back. It could just be a reflection of the fact that the mid-sized sedan class is pretty darn good across the board; e.g. only four points separated the Sonata GLS from the Mazda6i, and only 2 points separated the Sonata Limited V6 from the 6s Grand Touring.   Just kind of interesting though that CR would rank cars like the Prius and Optima (pre-2009 model) ahead of the Mazda6, refreshed Sonata, or even the Malibu. Probably shows that CR weights fuel economy pretty highly in its rankings (cf. Jetta TDI and Prius).   Rankings of cars tested for January issue:   Jetta TDI: 84 Sonata Limited V6: 83 6s Grand Touring: 81 Sonata GLS I4: 77 Malibu LT I4: 74 6i Sport, Malibu Hybrid (tie): 73 Aura XE I4: 67   I guess we'll have to wait until sometime next year to see how the refreshed 2009 Optima and 2010 Fusion, Milan, and Legacy fare. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Nov 30, 2008 5:17 am) backy (Nov 30, 2008 7:15 am) mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:28 am)
#11208 of 13285 backy... by iluvmysephia1 Nov 29, 2008 (6:39 pm)
can you recall what it was they didn't like about the new Saturn Aura XE I4? Bad gas mileage, perhaps? Replies to this message: backy (Nov 29, 2008 8:35 pm)
#11209 of 13285 Re: CR on Aura XE I4 by backy Nov 29, 2008 (8:35 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Nov 29, 2008 6:39 pm) They basically said it isn't as good as the Malibu--sound but unexceptional handling, rear seat not as good as the Malibu's (bottom is hard, flat, and low, and back is angled rather steeply), worse fuel economy (but just 1 mpg less) and noise isolation. They also mentioned a cheap-feeling, creaky center console that robs knee room and some complaints about the front seats and seat belts.   Odd thing, though: CR did not recommend the Aura because it said the four-cylinder model is "new." But the Aura has been around awhile, and the powertrain is the same as in the Malibu LT that they also tested--and recommended.
#11210 of 13285 Re: CR tests 2009 Sonata, Malibu, Mazda6, Aura, Jetta TDI [backy] by mickeyrom Nov 30, 2008 (5:17 am)
Replying to: backy (Nov 29, 2008 5:06 pm) Hi Backy, As I remember,my 06.5 Optima score 87 at that time,so does that mean it's better than the new models? Replies to this message: backy (Nov 30, 2008 7:15 am) mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:28 am)
#11211 of 13285 mickeyrom... by iluvmysephia1 Nov 30, 2008 (7:10 am)
your '06.5 Kia Optima is sound as a pound, man. You have a nice car, remind me what color you chose for your Optima. The refresh of the Optima that is your year has an interesting headlamp design, it gives the car sort of a Jetta cum Audi look to it. Definitely unique and refreshing IMO.   And the '06.5 Kia Optima has been mostly treated fairly by the automotive press, too. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:24 am)
#11212 of 13285 Re: CR tests 2009 Sonata, Malibu, Mazda6, Aura, Jetta TDI [mickeyrom] by backy Nov 30, 2008 (7:15 am)
Replying to: mickeyrom (Nov 30, 2008 5:17 am) Well, I think you transposed the numbers in your mind. Not even the top-ranked car in the $20-25k grouping, the Altima 2.5S, got 87. The Optima EX I4's score is 78, with the V6 at 75. But that 78 is still better than all of the newer models tested for January, except the Jetta TDI, and the Sonata and Mazda6 V6s. Not too shabby for the old Optima. Replies to this message: mickeyrom (Dec 06, 2008 11:28 am)
#11213 of 13285 Ya see what I'm sayin' mickeyrom? by iluvmysephia1 Nov 30, 2008 (7:33 am)
Read backy's post above. You and csandste have scored very, very good automobiles that have caused the automotive press to stand up and deal wid it honestly, and the Optima actually came out smelling like a Washington state rose in glorious bloom. A good looking rose, too, I might add.
#11214 of 13285 Three mid-sized sedans make Ward's 10 best engines list by backy Dec 06, 2008 (10:33 am)
The Accord and 2010 Fusion/Milan hybrids are represented on the latest Ward's 10 Best Engines list--the 3.5L V6 for the Accord and the 2.5L hybrid powertrain for the Fulan:   http://wardsauto.com/home/best_engines_2009_081205/   It is encouraging that Ward's notes the Ford hybrid powertrain (tested in the Escape hybrid) managed to easily exceed its EPA ratings in their tests. That bodes well for the Fulan, which should be able to get better fuel economy numbers than the Escape.
#11215 of 13285 Re: mickeyrom... [iluvmysephia1] by mickeyrom Dec 06, 2008 (11:24 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Nov 30, 2008 7:10 am) Sorry I didn't reply sooner,but I never got notification of your post.There seem to be some issues with that on this site. My Optima EX is black.I did not choose that,but with the equipment I wanted it was the only one my dealer could get his hands on.I've got over 24K on it and so far so good.I have had three people comment on it's good looks.This has never happened to me with any of the many cars I have owned.

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