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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18183 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 5:47 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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

Messages Page 1740 of 1819

#17383 of 18183 Re: 2014 Mazda6 vs 2013 Honda Accord [romil01] by gregg_vw

Jan 27, 2013 (10:47 am)

Replying to: romil01 (Jan 27, 2013 8:17 am)
The Fusion should be about as reliable as any of the other choices. Cars are just like that today.
 
One small gripe about the Fusion...with the longest wheelbase (over 112"), it should have full-size room, like the Accord and Sonata do. The Passat with 2" less wheelbase is cavernous by comparison. The Ford may be high style, but that doesn't explain the lack of interior room. It is not lower or narrower than any of its rivals. Its back seat hardly even trumps the Malibu's, which rides on a wheelbase many inches shorter.

#17384 of 18183 Re: 2014 Mazda6 vs 2013 Honda Accord [romil01] by backy

Jan 27, 2013 (11:11 am)

Replying to: romil01 (Jan 27, 2013 8:17 am)
Personally I prefer the interior esp. the dash of the Mazda6 over the Accord's. The Accord's dash is too over-styled for my taste. I prefer the simpler lines of the Mazda6's dash. It reminds me of the dash of some German luxury cars. Accord's dash... looks like some Japanese engineers were trying too hard. I think the interior styling of the Mazda6 will wear better over time.
 
As for exterior... no comparison there, the Accord looks like any Accord from the past 15 years or so. Not bad, and the Genesis-like rear end is an improvement over last generation. But nothing to heighten the pulse rate like the Mazda6, Fusion, Sonata, and Optima. At least the Accord is less boring outside than the Impala... I mean, Passat!

#17385 of 18183 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [benjaminh] by hill02

Jan 27, 2013 (11:42 am)

Replying to: benjaminh (Jan 27, 2013 4:56 am)
Quality/reliability, safety, styling, and handling. When I first started looking for a new sedan the optima was top on my list until I saw the front grill and price tag in person for all the features I want. I'm open to looking at other vehicles I'm just familiar with Ford and Nissan and both vehicles match my 25,000-30,000 price range.

#17386 of 18183 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [hill02] by benjaminh

Jan 27, 2013 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: hill02 (Jan 27, 2013 11:42 am)
hill wrote:
 
"Quality/reliability, safety, styling, and handling. When I first started looking for a new sedan the optima was top on my list until I saw the front grill and price tag in person for all the features I want. I'm open to looking at other vehicles I'm just familiar with Ford and Nissan and both vehicles match my 25,000-30,000 price range."
 
There are a lot of great choices in the 25-30k price! The consumer is king in the midsize field because of the intense competition.
 
Since you put quality and reliability at the top, let me reveal my personal bias right now in that I owned a Ford and VW long ago that were lemons, and as a result I've written off those brands. But I do realize that Ford and VW are much better today! Ford is having some trouble with the launch of the Fusion, as this article in the WSJ indicates. But perhaps the problems are mostly in the past?:
 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324640104578165540663925634.html
 
"Ford Recalls Cast Spotlight on Fusion
 
...Ford hasn't disclosed how it will fix a problem linked to 13 engine fires in certain 2013 Fusion and Ford Escape crossovers. Ford last week recalled about 19,000 of its 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL sedans equipped with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine....
 
Ford said there were no injuries related to the fires, but told owners of the vehicles to stop driving them. As of Thursday, Ford had not come up with a repair for the problem....Ford has said during its quarterly earnings calls that it isn't hitting its goals for improving quality."
 
I personally feel that Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and KIA are probably about equal in quality. And maybe Ford and VW are about the same now too. I just don't know.
 
My personal experiences owning a 2002 Accord LX and 2008 Accord EXL is that these have been the two best and most reliable cars I've ever had in 33 years of driving all sorts of brands. Both were made in the Honda factory in Ohio. Both of these cars needed only routine maintenance and nothing else. Perhaps I was lucky, but I do think Honda makes good cars. I plan to buy another new Accord at some point in the next year.
 
The Accord earned the top safety rating in the new IIHS small offset crash test. It was the only top selling car to do that, and even outscored the BWM 3 series and Mercedes C class. The Camry got a Poor rating, and so basically failed. Watch this video. It's an eye-opener:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByPAhoeU6UQ
 
In terms of style, probably the most exciting choices are the Fusion, Mazda 6 and Optima. As many have said, the Accord has rather subdued styling, which I like, but for many it's just bland.
 
In terms of handling the top picks are probably the Passat, Fusion and Accord.
 
For me visibility is an important thing. I don't like blind spots, which I now have on my 2010 Mazda 5. My Accords were/are so outstanding in terms of visibility that I took it for granted somehow that other cars were similar. But they simply are not. Most cars have thick rear pillars and small windows in back that made for a closed-in coupe like feel and poor visibility. That's the trade-off often for flashy styling. My wife and I argue in a good natured way about who gets to drive the "good car"—which for us means the Honda.
 
As you can tell, I favor the Accord. That's what I'm going to buy. But there are lots of good choices!
 
I imagine the people who like KIA, Ford, VW, Hyundai, etc., will add in their 2 cents.
 
I hope you test drive at least 3 different cars before you make your choice to see what YOU actually like the best.
 
Happy shopping! Hope you'll let us know how it goes.

#17387 of 18183 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [hill02] by cski

Jan 27, 2013 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: hill02 (Jan 26, 2013 11:23 pm)
Don't drive yourself insane with this decision. You really can't go wrong with any of the current mid-size sedan lineup.
 
For example: I personally am afraid of CVT's still. I like the idea of actual gears and not a band that will wear out at some point. It is probably silly to even have this preference, since both are tested, tested, and re-tested for reliability. I am sure both units will last a long while.
 
My point is that after you have done your homework and know that 2 or three cars meet your needs; then buy the ONE THAT YOU LOVE.
 
It's a big purchase. Enjoy it .

#17388 of 18183 Motorweek comparison test by stickguy

Jan 27, 2013 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: cski (Jan 27, 2013 1:56 pm)
Watched the latest episode today, and they compared 5 mid size sedans. Criteria was 28K sticker max. Reviewers were from a few magazine/car sites, and a local family.
 
in the end, the Accord won. Not a "star" in any one area, but very good in all of them.
 
the Altima finished last, and they did not eve talk about it. 4th was the Camry. 3rd was the Optima (I think) and 2nd was the fusion.

#17389 of 18183 Re: Motorweek comparison test [stickguy] by backy

Jan 27, 2013 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 27, 2013 2:29 pm)
Too bad they didn't include the new Mazda6, or the Passat.

#17390 of 18183 Re: 2013 Nissan Altima VS 2013 Ford Fusion, which one would you choose? [gimmestdtranny] by akirby

Jan 27, 2013 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 27, 2013 7:53 am)
It was a combination of assembly issues, software and cooling system design. It really was a perfect storm of multiple things. The software change will prevent future problems.
 
I think Ford has been consciously pushing hard to get a lot of new vehicles out the door in a short time and now it's catching up to them. But these aren't long term reliability problems and most are being caught before customers are taking delivery.

#17391 of 18183 Re: Motorweek comparison test [backy] by m6user

Jan 27, 2013 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 27, 2013 2:31 pm)
Comparo was conducted prior to the Mazda being officially for sale. Don't know why the Passat was excluded. IMO or my guess I should say is that sometimes they just limit the number of cars in a comparo because otherwise it can just get way to confusing or that is all the testers they could get ast the same time from the manufacturers.

#17392 of 18183 Pic by akirby

Jan 27, 2013 (3:10 pm)

Messages Page 1740 of 1819

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