Mid-Size Sedan Shootout

[dorfmac]

Looking at trading in a Yukon and Infiniti G35S for something that's going to be more fuel efficient and economical. Don't need anything flashy so we are checking out the overpacked mid-size sedan market. We've test driven the Altima, Optima, Fusion, Camry. The others we have already crossed off the list for one reason or another (Sorry Chevy die-hards, the Malibu sucks). After test driving, the Camry is off the list as well. Regardless, we probably won't be able to go for the top end model of any as we want to keep the total price in the mid-20s.

I like the Optima most because of the features they offer for the comparable price. Ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, huge warranty, and the 274/269 hp/tq.

My girlfriend prefers the Altima because her sister has one. She isn't really considering the Optima because it is a Kia and she doesn't want to be seen in a Kia.

The Fusion we drove wasn't bad. I prefer it's styling to both the Kia and Nissan, but it's interior was the worst of the three. Driving wasn't as good as the Optima but better than Nissan.

Any insight or opinions on any of the three are welcome. Help us find some sort of compromise!

[HeavyIOM]

Malibu lol

[mikeyg36]

Fusion

[RubyCamaro]

I'm liking my Altima Coupe (not making them anymore). I now have put a little more than 2000 mi on her driing her daily to work (35 mi both highway & city traffic) no real compliants. Only minor things that I will get figured out or used to. I wish the seat height adjusted as I feel I sit too low in it. The huge outside rear view mirrors create the biggest blind spot making it difficult to see the curb when you make left turns (like on to divided highways). It automaticly turns the lights off & locks the doors at night faster than I can gather my things & get out then I can't see the door locks to get out. You can't open the door with the engine running to check how you are parked & have to shut it off then start again if you are not happy with how you parked. And it is taking me a while to get used to the keyless entry. Like if I open the passenger door to put things in & put my purse (with the key) in too, then it won't let me in on the driver's side & I have to go back around & get my purse.

But it drives good, gets good mileage, I am happy with my purchase.

[crysalis_01]

Of the three you've narrowed it down to:

What are the costs?
What trim levels?
What drivetrains?

[Silverlsinva]

Say go with the Kia since its a better deal and has a better warranty than Nissan or the fusion. Nissan has also the Cvt tranny in it as well so it keeps the revs high when accelerating or merging. I also just imo that the Kia optima is a very good looking car as well better than the Nissan and on par with the fusion so it does stand out a bit more.

[G8GT4now]

My 1.6L ecotec Fusion SE gets 30 mpg combined. About 75% highway and 25% city.

I have not driven any of the Japanese vehicles you mentioned as I am biased towards domestic vehicles.

[Scalded Dog]

Kia's had a reputation as cheap and disposable for a long time... sort of the same way the Honda entered the U.S. market many years ago. However, Kia's products seem to be getting better and better, and the stigma is slowly fading. Eventually, it won't be so much of a "downer" to be seen in one. However... maybe you can talk your GF into realizing that by getting that one (my vote for best on your list!) she'll be blazing the trails of cool, by getting a cool Kia before Kias are cool?!?

[MikeSVX]

Have you looked at the Subaru Legacy? The 25i Limited Starts at $25,895 and includes Leather interior, heated driver and front passenger seats, 440w stereo, moonroof, fog lights 18in wheels.

The 2.5L engine is a little low on power at 173hp , but gets 24 City / 32 Hwy

The 3.5L engine is 256hp and gets 18 City / 25 Hwy, but to get in it it starts at 28.895, but it is fully loaded too.

[matt55]

If it not a emotional decision , I would look at price, residual value http://www.cars.com/go/alg/index.jsp and safety rating http://www.iihs.org/iihs.



To add ..
My parents just bought there first "imported" car are very happy with it , 2013 Altima and getting a lifetime average 32 mpg .

[dorfmac]

Originally Posted by RubyCamaro

I'm liking my Altima Coupe (not making them anymore). I now have put a little more than 2000 mi on her driing her daily to work (35 mi both highway & city traffic) no real compliants. Only minor things that I will get figured out or used to. I wish the seat height adjusted as I feel I sit too low in it. The huge outside rear view mirrors create the biggest blind spot making it difficult to see the curb when you make left turns (like on to divided highways). It automaticly turns the lights off & locks the doors at night faster than I can gather my things & get out then I can't see the door locks to get out. You can't open the door with the engine running to check how you are parked & have to shut it off then start again if you are not happy with how you parked. And it is taking me a while to get used to the keyless entry. Like if I open the passenger door to put things in & put my purse (with the key) in too, then it won't let me in on the driver's side & I have to go back around & get my purse.

But it drives good, gets good mileage, I am happy with my purchase.

Thanks for all of the details! I think a lot of those little things would be annoying/take some time to get used to. I know her sister loves hers so it's good to hear she's not the only one!

Originally Posted by crysalis_01

Of the three you've narrowed it down to:

What are the costs?
What trim levels?
What drivetrains?

The range we are looking at is 26-29.

For the Acura, we are looking at both the 2.5 and the 3.5. For the Kia, I'm pushing for the SXTurbo. For the Fusion, we are looking at a low-level Hybrid or mid-level gas. I haven't done as much research on the Fusion so I don't know the specific trims.

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Kia's had a reputation as cheap and disposable for a long time... sort of the same way the Honda entered the U.S. market many years ago. However, Kia's products seem to be getting better and better, and the stigma is slowly fading. Eventually, it won't be so much of a "downer" to be seen in one. However... maybe you can talk your GF into realizing that by getting that one (my vote for best on your list!) she'll be blazing the trails of cool, by getting a cool Kia before Kias are cool?!?

Trendsetters!

Originally Posted by MikeSVX

Have you looked at the Subaru Legacy? The 25i Limited Starts at $25,895 and includes Leather interior, heated driver and front passenger seats, 440w stereo, moonroof, fog lights 18in wheels.

The 2.5L engine is a little low on power at 173hp , but gets 24 City / 32 Hwy

The 3.5L engine is 256hp and gets 18 City / 25 Hwy, but to get in it it starts at 28.895, but it is fully loaded too.

Subaru is already off the list. Their mileage is lower than their counterparts, significantly so on the 3.5. :(

[crysalis_01]

Since you didn't do a lot of looking into the Fusion I just hopped over to the ford vehicles site and prices out a '14 Fusion SE 2.0LEB with the 202A package and it came to $27.4k. Since you were willing to go to $29k there were a few other options that could've been selected as well while allowing you to stay within your budget.

[dorfmac]

To put a bow on this, she's going to get the Altima tomorrow. Reasoning is that it's not a Kia and she doesn't like the Kia grille. The added features of the Kia (heated rear seats, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, seat memory, twice the warranty) were outweighed by the name and remote start.

Not my money to spend, but still disappointed. At least she won't have to worry about me being in a rush to drive it! Haha

[Truck Norris]

I got the wife a 2013 Subaru Legacy because she needs the AWD because we live where it snows and thats one less thing I need to worry about. Her Subaru out performs my 1 ton 4x4 diesel on snow covered roads.