The Consumer Guide to 2008 Large Cars
by Tom Appel
2008 Large Car Lineup
Price Range: $26,245-$35,845 EPA MPG Range: 15-25 Body Style: 4-door sedan Lucerne occupies a middle ground between the flamboyant Chrysler 300 and the conservative Toyota Avalon. The well-appointed V6-powered CXL may be the most Lucerne for the money. However, the costlier, but still reasonably priced, CXS is tempting just for its better ride control, with V8 power an added bonus. New for 2008, the Super packs a sport suspension, unique trim, and a few extra horsepower than the CXS. | |
Price Range: $24,495-$41,385 EPA MPG Range: 15-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan Acceleration with the 2.7 V6 is weak, but otherwise the boldly styled 300 is a Best Buy combination of performance, roominess, and value. The startling SRT8 out powers cars costing twice as much with little compromise of the 300's other virtues. | |
Price Range: $21,675-$36,155 EPA MPG Range: 15-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan Charger's rakish sedan styling masks room for five, athletic moves, and reasonable prices. Acceleration with the 2.7 V6 is subpar, but the 3.5 V6 offers acceptable performance, and the R/T and SRT8 are muscle cars. With available all-wheel drive, solid construction, and striking styling, Charger has a lot to offer the full-size car buyer. | |
Price Range: $23,420-$37,905 EPA MPG Range: 15-26 Body Style: 4-door wagon Magnum proves aggressive styling and functionality are not mutually exclusive. The 2.7 V6 can't move this big wagon with much verve, but the 3.5 V6 offers acceptable performance, and the R/T and SRT8 are muscle cars. Cargo versatility, passenger room, available all-wheel drive, and solid construction inside and out make most any Magnum an outstanding value. The only wagon in the large car class gets the ax after 2008. | |
Price Range: $23,245-$28,695 EPA MPG Range: 17-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan Renamed and restyled versions of the Ford Five Hundred and the similar Mercury Montego, Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable earn Recommended status for their generous passenger space and cargo room, take-charge driving stance, good road manners, and available all-wheel drive. New for 2008 is a 3.5-liter V6 with 57 more horsepower than the 3.0-liter V6 it replaces. With the new V6, these roomy sedans have more than enough power for passing and merging maneuvers. | |
Price: $25,495 EPA MPG Range: 17-24 Body Style: 4-door sedan This often-overlooked large sedan combines luxury-level passenger accommodations with attractive pricing. Handling is sloppy, however, and the overly soft ride will be a deterrent to many shoppers. But for those who fondly recall the large American cars of the Seventies, this may be your car--even if it happens to come from Korea. | |
Price Range: $25,005-$27,895 EPA MPG Range: 15-23 Body Style: 4-door sedan Ford relegated the Crown Victoria to fleet sales for 2008, leaving the Grand Marquis the maker's only rear-drive large-car offering. The Marquis is a nice enough big sedan, but suffers from a Reagan-era basic design. We prefer the Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger, and Mercury's own Sable as more-modern, more-satisfying choices in this class. | |
Price Range: $23,540-$28,795 EPA MPG Range: 17-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan Sable and its Ford cousin Taurus are Recommended picks for their generous passenger room and cargo space and take-charge driving position. Acceleration is on par with most rivals, as are road manners and build quality. | |
Price Range: $27,075-$34,415 EPA MPG Range: 19-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan Avalon is no longer miles ahead in this class for refinement, room, or interior ambience, yet remains an unquestioned Best Buy. Among its many assets are a benchmark V6 powertrain, solid feel, composed ride, and surprisingly adept handling. |
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