M/T Family Sedan 4-Cyl. Comparo
06-23-08, 06:53 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
M/T Family Sedan 4-Cyl. Comparo
1ST PLACE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Despite a high sticker and thirst for premium, wins by a nose due to driving fun.
2ND PLACE HYUNDAI SONATA
Only lacking the VW's verve; our #1 pick if family comes first.
3RD PLACE TOYOTA CAMRY
Efficient, well executed, it's the sound, yet charmless choice.
4TH PLACE HONDA ACCORD
Polarizing looks inside and out can't hide a great engine and chassis combination.
5TH PLACE FORD FUSION
Surprisingly athletic chassis hampered by wheezy engine and irritating transmission.
6TH PLACE KIA OPTIMA
Though due for a refresh, Kia finishes on top of the second tier. Room and economy are fine, it just needs the same refinements the Sonata received.
7TH PLACE NISSAN ALTIMA
Steepest sticker, yet not the best ride, performance, or value. CVT and light steering create an effortless drive, yet fully loaded, it still seems lacking.
8TH PLACE CHEVROLET MALIBU
Poor finish for arguably the best looker. Shame that sexy skin hides a weight problem the underpowered Ecotec can't handle.
9TH PLACE MITSUBISHI GALANT
Looks old, feels older, and saddled with many of this comparo's worsts, including power-to-weight and EPA and observed fuel economy.
10TH PLACE DODGE AVENGER
Drum brakes, four-speed trans, cheap plastics, and poor economy make this a frightful drive. Gaps between last and first don't get any wider than this.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html
Despite a high sticker and thirst for premium, wins by a nose due to driving fun.
2ND PLACE HYUNDAI SONATA
Only lacking the VW's verve; our #1 pick if family comes first.
3RD PLACE TOYOTA CAMRY
Efficient, well executed, it's the sound, yet charmless choice.
4TH PLACE HONDA ACCORD
Polarizing looks inside and out can't hide a great engine and chassis combination.
5TH PLACE FORD FUSION
Surprisingly athletic chassis hampered by wheezy engine and irritating transmission.
6TH PLACE KIA OPTIMA
Though due for a refresh, Kia finishes on top of the second tier. Room and economy are fine, it just needs the same refinements the Sonata received.
7TH PLACE NISSAN ALTIMA
Steepest sticker, yet not the best ride, performance, or value. CVT and light steering create an effortless drive, yet fully loaded, it still seems lacking.
8TH PLACE CHEVROLET MALIBU
Poor finish for arguably the best looker. Shame that sexy skin hides a weight problem the underpowered Ecotec can't handle.
9TH PLACE MITSUBISHI GALANT
Looks old, feels older, and saddled with many of this comparo's worsts, including power-to-weight and EPA and observed fuel economy.
10TH PLACE DODGE AVENGER
Drum brakes, four-speed trans, cheap plastics, and poor economy make this a frightful drive. Gaps between last and first don't get any wider than this.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html
06-23-08, 07:30 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Neighbor's daughter has a Passat. It's very very nice.
06-23-08, 07:40 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is going to make some people unhappy, lol. 
- The "acclaimed" Malibu 8th! Haha. And beat by an old Kia.
- Hyundai beats all but one. Hyundai still won't get respect from many. And this ain't even the Genesis.
- 1st place Passat wins for "driving fun". Isn't this the way every comparo ends? I'm getting tired of this already. There are many other reasons people buy cars but according to these mags, the most fun is all that matters.
- The "acclaimed" Malibu 8th! Haha. And beat by an old Kia.
- Hyundai beats all but one. Hyundai still won't get respect from many. And this ain't even the Genesis.
- 1st place Passat wins for "driving fun". Isn't this the way every comparo ends? I'm getting tired of this already. There are many other reasons people buy cars but according to these mags, the most fun is all that matters.
Last edited by -J-P-L-; 06-23-08 at 07:56 PM.
06-23-08, 07:42 PM
#5
This is going to make some people unhappy, lol.
- The "acclaimed" Malibu 8th! Haha. And beat by an old Kia.
- Hyundai beats all but one. Hyundai still won't get respect from many. And this ain't even the Genesis.
- 1st place Passat wins for "driving fun". Isn't this the way ever comparo ends? I'm getting tired of this already. There are many other reasons people buy cars but according to these mags, the most fun is all that matters.
- The "acclaimed" Malibu 8th! Haha. And beat by an old Kia.
- Hyundai beats all but one. Hyundai still won't get respect from many. And this ain't even the Genesis.
- 1st place Passat wins for "driving fun". Isn't this the way ever comparo ends? I'm getting tired of this already. There are many other reasons people buy cars but according to these mags, the most fun is all that matters.
06-23-08, 08:03 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: A better place
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a curious observation; yet another MT comparo that places the Camry above the Accord, the opposite of most C&D comparos. Different priorities from different magazines.
Surprising how low the real-world mileage was for the Malibu 4 cyl with the 6-speed auto. Almost shocking that the Camry beat the Malibu in real-world mileage.
Surprising how low the real-world mileage was for the Malibu 4 cyl with the 6-speed auto. Almost shocking that the Camry beat the Malibu in real-world mileage.
Trending Topics
06-24-08, 04:25 AM
#9
Pole Position
I would have ranked them differently.
1. Passat
2. Accord (tied with Camry)
3. Camry (tied with Accord)
4. Malibu
5. Sonata
6. Altima
7. Optima
8. Galant
9. Fusion
10. Avenger
1. Passat
2. Accord (tied with Camry)
3. Camry (tied with Accord)
4. Malibu
5. Sonata
6. Altima
7. Optima
8. Galant
9. Fusion
10. Avenger
06-24-08, 08:54 AM
#11
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Inside, the Sonata's new interior simply turns out the lights on those of the Camry, Fusion, and Accord."
People should give credit where credit is due. This isn't the first time that the Sonata has topped the Camry in a comparo, and it isn't simply because it's cheaper. The reviewers clearly felt that the Sonata was the best family sedan here, regardless of price.
People should give credit where credit is due. This isn't the first time that the Sonata has topped the Camry in a comparo, and it isn't simply because it's cheaper. The reviewers clearly felt that the Sonata was the best family sedan here, regardless of price.
06-24-08, 02:11 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having my GS in for body work got me a brand new 4 cyl Camry for three weeks. Not a bad car, more room inside than a second gen GS but the 4 cyl is not a work of art. If you needed to floor it to get into traffic, it made more noise, just didn't pick up any speed. Handling was surprisingly good. Haven't seen the MT article but the ride sucked on the LE I had. I wouldn't want to live with it for very long.
Two interesting notes, I assume that thing is rated for regular. When we first got it with 860 miles on it, the 4 was pretty rough running. On the first tank, I put premium in it. My wife and I very quickly noticed the engine running much, much smoother. I know all about octane and engines and electronic engine controllers, yadda yadda yadda, but the higher octane gas made the Camry much smoother. Second thing is that it is rated 21/31 for EPA mileage. For the three weeks we had it, I got 21.5 mpg. I am willing to say it taught me about how much city driving I do but I have a different view of he 2k1 GS430 now which gets 18 to 19 mpg on my commute. Considering the vast improvement in drivability, the GS isn't looking so bad. At least not until the much better mileage cars make it out.
As for the Passat, it is one great car. And I am really interested in seeing the CC when it gets here. But the old reliability bugaboo rears its ugly head. I sure with Toyota didn't have to win sales by reliability. They used to be able to make category winners that were also deadly reliable. Haven't driven the new Accord but as for looks, especially in dark colors, it isn't close. The Accord and Civic are really good looking.
Two interesting notes, I assume that thing is rated for regular. When we first got it with 860 miles on it, the 4 was pretty rough running. On the first tank, I put premium in it. My wife and I very quickly noticed the engine running much, much smoother. I know all about octane and engines and electronic engine controllers, yadda yadda yadda, but the higher octane gas made the Camry much smoother. Second thing is that it is rated 21/31 for EPA mileage. For the three weeks we had it, I got 21.5 mpg. I am willing to say it taught me about how much city driving I do but I have a different view of he 2k1 GS430 now which gets 18 to 19 mpg on my commute. Considering the vast improvement in drivability, the GS isn't looking so bad. At least not until the much better mileage cars make it out.
As for the Passat, it is one great car. And I am really interested in seeing the CC when it gets here. But the old reliability bugaboo rears its ugly head. I sure with Toyota didn't have to win sales by reliability. They used to be able to make category winners that were also deadly reliable. Haven't driven the new Accord but as for looks, especially in dark colors, it isn't close. The Accord and Civic are really good looking.