large cars
2008 Ford Taurus

Once the staple of the American automotive market place, large cars have fallen from grace in recent decades, supplanted by minivans, SUVs, and smaller sedans.

Still, the segment accounts for nearly one million cars annually in the U.S., and for truck rejectors that regularly carry rear-seat passengers, large cars remain as relevant as ever.

As a class, this seemingly traditional gathering of sedans appears misleadingly dull. But with available all-wheel drive, V8 engines with over 400 horsepower, and an available sporty wagon, this segment is as compelling as it has ever been.

What is a Large Car?

Traditionally, large cars have offered the most passenger and cargo room on wheels. That changed with the arrival of the minivan 20 some years ago, but large cars still offer more than enough passenger space for most buyers. Large cars also have huge trunks, some swallowing as much as eight full-size golf bags.

But the large-car landscape has changed, or should we say evolved, over the past decade. As consumers switched to SUVs for family duty, large cars found a niche as taxis, police cruisers, and rental cars. That meant fewer features, less personality, and discounted prices.

Recently, automakers and the buying public have rediscovered large cars. Some have personality--like the Chrysler 300; some have luxury--like the Toyota Avalon; and some are just plain commodious--like the Ford Taurus.

While the large-car marketplace has changed dramatically over the past decade, one thing hasn't changed: value. Large cars still offer buyers the biggest bang for the buck, the most features per dollar, and bottom-line prices only slightly higher than mainstream midsize sedans. That makes large cars a great deal for today's shoppers.

What to Look for in a Large Car

Obviously, if you're in the market for a large car you need passenger or cargo room--oftentimes both. Though most large cars offer plenty of space, it's important to know that they aren't all created equal. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable have the most interior room and the largest trunk among all large cars. The Kia Amanti favors value pricing and luxury features over cargo space.

Some large car shoppers may be looking beyond passenger space to features, and this is where the new generation of large cars excels. All large cars offer leather upholstery as standard or optional equipment. Most offer navigation systems and satellite radio. Some have a simple rear-seat pass-through to the trunk while others offer full-folding rear seats to increase cargo space.

Some large cars are front-drive, others are rear-drive, and a few offer all-wheel drive. Buyers in northern climates may want to consider front- or all-wheel-drive models, while those who tow may want to consider rear-drive models.

Most large cars come with V6 engines; a few offer V8s that have plenty of power. But buyers have to keep in mind that the extra power comes with lower fuel economy and higher insurance costs. Some of the V8s even require premium-grade gasoline, which further increases annual fuel costs.

Large-Car Safety

Large cars are among the safest vehicles on the road. Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compiles a list of vehicles with the fewest occupant deaths per million miles driven. The cars with the least driver deaths per million miles are almost always large cars. The statistics make sense, since large cars have ample room for occupant protection and are usually driven by responsible adults with families to think about.

Antilock brakes and front airbags are standard equipment on all large cars. Buyers will also want curtain and side airbags as well. These airbags are standard on a few vehicles and optional on others.

2008 Large Car Best Buys and Recommendeds
Best Buys
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Dodge Magnum
Toyota Avalon

Recommendeds
Ford Taurus
Mercury Sable

A few large cars offer stability control systems. The systems work with the antilock braking system to help drivers maintain control of the vehicle in turns and on slippery roads. Though stability control isn't a necessary safety feature like curtain airbags, it can be worthwhile for drivers in climates where snow or rain frequently covers the road.

Consumer Guide always recommends that buyers opt for as much safety equipment as they can afford. When weighing options, shoppers should always place occupant safety before comfort. In cases where money is tight, that may mean foregoing the sunroof or leather upholstery in lieu of optional safety equipment.

Large-Car Shopping Tips

Buyers of large cars need to be aware of a few things before they head out to dealerships. First off, most large cars can be had below sticker price--some even lower thanks to generous manufacturer rebates. Secondly, large cars usually aren't in huge demand. That means shoppers have the upper hand when it comes to selection and bargaining.

Large-car buyers also need to use their head when it comes to selecting options. For the most part, large cars start out in the low $20,000 range, but prices quickly escalate for top-line models and can approach $40,000 if buyers are not careful.

The Dodge Charger is a great example. A Charger SE with the 2.7-liter V6 and side curtain airbags stickers for a reasonable $21,800. However, a Charger R/T with its standard V8 and luxury and performance features costs $30,215. That's a big jump.

You might have guessed that luxury and performance are big-time players in the large-car marketplace--and the automakers' biggest profit centers. As a buyer, it is your job to make sure you pay only for the luxury and performance you need. In most cases, that means reasonably fuel-efficient V6 engines and a few luxury features. Load the car up with equipment and you might as well purchase a luxury car.

The bottom line is shop smart. Choose the least-expensive model that meets your needs, select only the options that you need, and don't skimp on safety.