The Consumer Guide to 2009 Midsize Cars
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
The Mazda 6 gained in size and horsepower for 2009.
Just because midsize cars fulfill a variety of needs, that doesn't mean attractive styling, strong performance, and upscale luxury can't be found in this class. Midsize cars appeal to many buyers who are seeking a reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle that still offers standout styling and a solid fun-to-drive ratio.
The Players
Perennial bestsellers like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima reside in the midsize car class. For 2009, there are 26 models in Consumer Guide's midsize car class. Manufacturers from the U.S., Japan, Europe, and South Korea all have entries in this highly competitive class.
Pricing in this segment runs anywhere from the mid-teens to over $30,000. That means there is a lot of variety to be had in terms of size, available powertrains, and options.
Base models often come with 4-cylinder engines and manual transmissions. Standard features may include power windows and door locks and air conditioning. Standard safety features may include ABS and curtain side airbags.
Moving up the ladder to top-line trim levels usually results in beefier powertrains and more available features. Top-line midsize cars often come with V6 engines and automatic transmissions, and it's not uncommon for them to have upscale options like a navigation system and leather upholstery. In some cases, a V8 engine is available.
Some models place more value on performance and luxury. Those models often cost more than $35,000, and they can be found in our premium-midsize car class.
How to Shop for Midsize Cars
The sheer number of choices in the midsize class is staggering. You could consider an old standby, like the Accord or Camry. Or how about something a bit sportier, like the redesigned-for-2009 Mazda 6? What about a wagon-type car like the Toyota Venza, Mazda 5, or Kia Rondo?
Obviously, when considering a car in this class, figuring out what best suits your individual needs is the first priority. But once you've determined what those needs are, how do you choose among the cars that might fit?
Safety features are a strong consideration in this class. For example, you may find yourself leaning toward a model that has a standard traction control system over one that makes you pay extra for that feature.
The next big consideration is the powertrain. Four-cylinders are usually more fuel-efficient, but a V6 will provide extra passing punch for your daily commute. A manual-transmission may shave some money off of the sticker price, and many drivers find them more engaging to drive, but an automatic may offer more convenience if you often drive in stop-and-go traffic.
Although most cars in this class have four doors, some--like the Accord and Nissan Altima--are available with two doors. Are you willing to sacrifice some practicality for a more stylish look? And don't forget about the convertible models available in this class, like the Chrysler Sebring.
Interiors in this class are important, as well. Which features tickle your fancy? Do you need a navigation system to get around? Is an uplevel stereo important to you? Would a wireless cell phone link help you stay connected to your office?
Midsize cars tend to be passenger-haulers, and they are often taken on road trips. So, as you shop, consider interior comfort. Do both the front and rear seats offer enough headroom and legroom? Are the seats supportive? Are entry and exit awkward? Is there enough cargo room?
Fuel economy is a concern in every class these days, and midsize cars are no exception. When selecting a car in this class, engine size and transmission type should be considered--a 4-cylinder with a manual transmission may earn better mileage than a V6 paired with an automatic. Some cars in this class--like the Nissan Maxima--may require more-expensive premium gas. Several hybrids are available in this class as well: Toyota's Prius hybrid is classified as a midsize, and there are hybrid versions of Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry.
Perhaps the final consideration a buyer must think of is resale value. Some manufacturers in this class rarely offer rebates or discounts up front, but their models retain a high resale value. A strong resale value can help offset initial costs. Buyers must decide for themselves whether it's better to save money up front or down the line, when it comes time to trade the car in for a new model.
Hybrid and Flex-Fuel Midsize Cars
As noted above, there are five hybrid models in the midsize car class. All have battery-powered electric motors that work in combination with a gasoline engine. Hybrids use one or both of their power sources depending on driving conditions and require no plug-in charging. Hybrids may save on gas, but they usually have a higher sticker price.
Flex-fuel vehicles offer an alternative to conventional gasoline and hybrid powertrains. These vehicles have engines that can run on gasoline, E85 ethanol-blended fuel, or a mixture of the two. Ethanol is produced from renewable plant products grown on both U.S. and foreign soil. It's been touted as an alternative to conventional gasoline that may help reduce the dependence on foreign oil. On the downside, E85 fuel is not available everywhere. It's only offered at a small fraction of the country's gas stations, and most of those are in the Midwest's corn-producing states. E85 also has less energy content than a comparable volume of conventional gasoline, so fuel economy can suffer by as much as 20 percent per gallon.
Three midsize cars offer V6 engines with flex-fuel capability: the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, and Chevrolet Impala. E85 capability does not add to the cost of these cars.
New for 2009
Toyota's Venza is a new-for-2009 addition to the midsize car class. It's overall shape and size suggest entry to the midsize SUV class, however, Venza is a 4-door, five-passenger wagon with a car-like mission.
Several models are redesigned for 2009: the Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, and Nissan Maxima. The Kia Optima and Mitsubishi Galant also receive minor styling refreshes, among other updates.
The Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger lose their all-wheel drive models for 2009. The 2009 Volkswagen Passat is no longer available with a manual transmission, a V6 engine, or all-wheel drive. The Pontiac Grand Prix and Toyota Solara coupe and convertible are no longer for sale.
Safety Features
As you consider which midsize car to purchase, you should make sure that at a minimum, the car is equipped with ABS and curtain side airbags. Often times, these features come standard.
Antiskid and traction control systems are also available on many midsize cars. An antiskid system helps the driver maintain the intended path in fast curves and on slippery roads, while traction control guards against wheel slip during acceleration from a stop. The Mazda 5 and Mitsubishi Galant do not offer an antiskid system, although the Galant does offer traction control. An antiskid system is newly available on the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.
All-wheel drive can be an important traction aid in inclement weather. Among midsize cars, it's available on versions of the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Volkswagen Passat. It's standard on the Subaru Legacy and Outback.
Spice It Up
Midsize cars don't have to be boring. Fancy alloy wheels, uplevel audio systems, spoilers, fog lamps, heated seats, and even swoopy coupe and convertible body styles are there for the taking in the midsize category.
Many midsize cars come in sport versions, with sport suspension settings, wide low-profile tires, and powerful engines. Chevrolet Impala has an SS version with V8 power, for example.
Nothing in life is free, as is the case here. Performance models often cost more, have stiffer rides, and get worse gas mileage.
Reliability and Warranties
Don't forget to take the length of the warranty into account. If you plan on keeping your car a long time, those manufacturers that offer a longer bumper-to-bumper warranty may be more appealing to you. For example, Hyundai's bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles, while Honda's is 3 years/36,000 miles. Kia and Hyundai also offer 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranties, which cover engine and transmission components. Several other manufacturers also offer 100,000 mile powertrain warranties, but for a shorter duration.
Shop Smart
The intense competition in this segment should work to the buyer's advantage. With so many models being so close in price, it shouldn't be hard to negotiate the best deal possible.
Make sure to shop not just the make and model, but the dealership as well. Visit as many different dealerships as you can. Never let the salesperson forget that you have many options to choose from. Use the bottom-line figure--which includes destination charge and taxes--for any price comparison.
A good way to save money is to not overbuy. If you never need to use a navigation system, it's probably not worth purchasing. It's also a wise idea to choose optional safety features over optional luxury features.
Don't forget to test drive a model that has the engine and transmission combo that you're considering. It's best to test drive the exact trim level you are considering, equipped with the features you want. Specific equipment differences could cause variations between different trim levels of the same model, and you want to make sure you are testing the exact car that you might buy.
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