Article Comments - 2007-2008 V6 Family Sedans Comparison

51 messages, Last post on Jan 03, 2008 at 10:38 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2007-2008 V6 Family Sedans - Each of the four entrants chosen for our comparison test represents the highest available trim level, and each is also packed with nearly every available option and an overachieving V6 power plant driving the front wheels. Heck, the least powerful engine in this test churns out 252 horsepower, a figure that was unheard of in the mainstream sedan world not long ago. (more)

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#2 of 51 PMC4 by pmc4 Dec 10, 2007 (9:53 pm)
Accord is first and Toyota suprises with last-place. I would like to have seen Nissan 3rd and Malibu 2nd, because the Nissan is too 'rorty' and too sporty to be a competent, well-rounded family car. The Malibu has a true, European ride. For this reason, and for the reason that Mark Maynard of the San Diego Union Tribune says the car feels like it costs $40,000, the Malibu should have made Second place. Furthermore, the fact that the car won Car and Driver's 10-Best Cars for the 2008 model year (and the Altima did not), adds further weight to my assertion. Like Edmunds having the winningest Cadillac CTS come in 3rd Place in their Sport Sedan Comparison test while everyone else is giving the CTS the most prestigious awards (CTS won Car and Driver's 10-Best, Motor Trend's Car of the Year award and Popular Mechanics Best car for 2008), I believe Edmunds made a judgement error in placing the Malibu 3rd. It should have come in Second, and Edmunds may regret their decision. Replies to this message: bv050506 (Dec 11, 2007 5:36 am) pmc4 (Dec 11, 2007 11:31 am) jd10013 (Dec 11, 2007 1:57 pm)
#3 of 51 Re: PMC4 [pmc4] by bv050506 Dec 11, 2007 (5:36 am)
Replying to: pmc4 (Dec 10, 2007 9:53 pm) Interesting what you would have liked to have seen. The Malibu is a vastly improved car but it's still not the car the Altima is. The CVT in the Nissan as disclosed in the article is superior to any of the other trannys. Further the VQ V-6 is a hallmark in vehicle power stations and will last forever. This car handles better, albeit more sporty, and blew the field away in the slalom. The Malibu is still a nice car and will sell well, but it's still a place behind the Altima and deserves the third place finish. You should look at Consumer Reports take on the Altima, which at the time was rated equal to the Accord. Edmund's is a huge lover of Honda's. So it was further predictable they would go first with the new Accord which I'm satisfied it deserves. Honda still has the refinement edge over Nissan. Replies to this message: pmc4 (Dec 11, 2007 11:31 am) jd10013 (Dec 11, 2007 1:57 pm)
#4 of 51 Re: PMC4 [bv050506] by pmc4 Dec 11, 2007 (11:31 am)
Replying to: bv050506 (Dec 11, 2007 5:36 am) I'm strongly disagreeing with this, of course. Mainly because of the Altima's slalom performance; if Nissan were to actually invest in a vehicle that can comfortably and confidently carry a family and do so economically, I can see that car in the #2 slot. But as it stands, a car with marginal interior room, a gimmicky transmission (shift points on a CVT?), a rough ride, and high levels of interior noise qualifies the vehicle for sport sedan duty, not family sedan duty. Excellent slalom performance notwithstanding. Again, for this reason, and for the reason that it's not well-rounded, means #3 position. Replies to this message: jd10013 (Dec 11, 2007 1:57 pm)
#5 of 51 Re: PMC4 [pmc4] by jd10013 Dec 11, 2007 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: pmc4 (Dec 11, 2007 11:31 am) thats funny, because I own a 2007 sedan and its perfect for the family. lots of room, power and safefy features, the ride is smooth as silk (especially with the cvt) no interior noise i've every heard. I think that article is spot on. honda always wins for refinement, nissan usually edges out in performance, and toyota is at the bottom only apealing to people who want perfect reliability.
#6 of 51 BAD TEST by bmitche3 Dec 11, 2007 (2:25 pm)
How dare they comapre a Toyota Camry XLE with those other models. A Toyota Camry V6 SE would have been the most appropiate for this test. Of course the suspension of the XLE is gonna be soft compared to the other cars in the test, that was Toyota's intent with the XLE trim line, its geared towards the buyers who prefer more luxury and a nicer ride. Unlike the other cars, the camry posseses different personalities among its trim levels. The motor trend comparo seems to be a more suitable test because they used similar equipped vechicles.
#7 of 51 Why Altima Is not better than Malibu by mbukukanyau Dec 11, 2007 (3:22 pm)
If this was a Corvette vs. GT-R Vs. NSX comparison, I could see, shifting and salom numbers being the decisive factor in the results. However, this is about your ride to the sunday brunch with beloved, the twins and visiting granny. For one the Altima styling is too boy racer, while the Malibu is downright classy.. The interior noise of the Malibu is knocking on Lexus ES doors, and its as it is more spacious and rides softer. In most other comparisons, it has defeated the Nissan. I can understand the perenial king of this type of comparison test Honda winning, however, being currently in the Market for a family hauler and having test driven both the Altima and Malibu this last weekend, I am sorry to say, that between the two, Nissan is not in the race for my money. It was eliminated by both Malibu and Camry. Replies to this message: pmc4 (Dec 11, 2007 9:25 pm) bv050506 (Dec 12, 2007 9:20 am)
#8 of 51 No more pay-offs? by oldfarmer50 Dec 11, 2007 (4:49 pm)
So what happened? Did Toyota stop the payola to the automotive press? 4th place to a Chevy? It can't be!
#9 of 51 Re: Article Comments: V6 Comparison Test [kirstie_h] by colloquor Dec 11, 2007 (5:38 pm)
Replying to: kirstie_h (Dec 10, 2007 5:04 pm) "Similarly, the Camry's steering is reasonably precise, yet it feels almost completely numb." I'm not sure how a car can have precise steering without any feel - seems like an oxymoron to me. I've rented several Camry's, and own a 2007 Camry LE, and I find the steering quite acceptable when compared to my two European cars - not over-boosted and decent steering feel. And, one of the carps posted in several of the 2008 Accord forums is the cheaper materials used in the 2008 as compared to the previous generation. One "spot on" observation is the Accord's HVAC center stack with all of the switches - just give me 3 knobs please - much more intuitive and you don't even have to look at the stack to adjust them.
#10 of 51 Bad review and poor fact checking.... by jerseypr5 Dec 11, 2007 (7:01 pm)
Ok, I was not going to do this but the line about the options on the Malibu are misleading at best and a lie at worst. "The Malibu's dashboard is impeccably fitted, yet the black plastic pieces look cheap. And if you're looking for dual-zone HVAC, Bluetooth compatibility, and keyless ignition, you won't find them in the Malibu, as this car's cost-conscious character means they can't even be found on the options list." Dual zone HVAC - Edmunds got it right, single zone only. Bluetooth - Is unnecessary when OnStar call forwarding is used. I will admit that the system is flawed, you can still have calls come in through the audio system and Bluetooth is hence unnecessary. Keyless ignition - Here is the out and out lie on Edmunds part. The Malibu has (optional on 1LT and standard on 2LT and LTZ) a keyless remote starter system. So although you still need to put the key into the ignition switch and turn it to "on", the car can be started from your kitchen as you have your morning cup of coffee. Replies to this message: blufz1 (Dec 11, 2007 7:46 pm) pmc4 (Dec 11, 2007 9:39 pm)
#11 of 51 Re: Bad review and poor fact checking.... [jerseypr5] by blufz1 Dec 11, 2007 (7:46 pm)
Replying to: jerseypr5 (Dec 11, 2007 7:01 pm) I wonder if there is an optional gas fill cap for the driver's side of the car?