Best Family Sedans for Road Trips
If the Toyota Camry were a person it would rule the world. While not exactly class leading in most any respect (yes, it even gets beaten in reliability), the current Toyota Camry sells like the proverbial hotcakes all the while maintaining the appearance of an overheated jellybean. Like some form of automotive royalty the Camry also manages to inspire utter loyalty among owners. What does that mean? It means that once Camry owners buy one of the luscious lovelies they usually wind up buying another down the road.Come on people, life is really short! Granted, the appeal of owning a smooth riding and easy to drive four wheeled lobotomy like the Camry has a certain appeal. But to keep buying them over and over again is just wasteful considering how many wonderful four door family sedan options there are on the market today.While the Camry is available with a sort-of sporty 3.5 liter V6 engine offering 268 horsepower, the majority of these Toyota four doors are sold with the four cylinder engine. And rightly so as it is less expensive to buy, cheaper to insure, gets better fuel economy and still offers 179 horsepower.Especially in light of fluctuating gas prices it just makes more sense to get a fuel efficient four cylinder when you are buying a family sedan. The six-cylinder option box should only be ticked when you are going the luxury route at BMW, Acura or Lexus dealers.No longer are owners of cars with four cylinder engines forced to listen to a buzzing monotone coming from their engine compartment. And even though refinement levels found in bread and butter family sedans has skyrocketed in recent years, there is no reason why you can't also have a little fun driving your 2.3 children to soccer games or to karate class.So if you are in the market for a family sedan here are some options you might want to look into before signing on the dotted line at your local Toyota dealer. All vehicles listed have four cylinder engines that can run on regular unleaded and have automatic transmissions. Also note that family cars made by companies that just left Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings or are currently working their way through them are not currently featured. This end of the market is where you find the most conservative buyersthe ones that are least likely to forgive such a huge failing.Here are five fuel efficient, good looking and fun to drive family sedans that are great for road trips because you don't need to take a minivan or SUV. Or most especially a Camry.Nissan Altima(23 city/31 highway)The Altima has always been the prettier sister when compared to the awkward looking Toyota Camry. Let's just say the Altima is the Marcia Brady while the Camry is more like Jan Brady. But isn't it always the pretty ones that are flawed? Not really. The Altima was just named the number one midsize sedan in a quality survey done by J.D. Power and Associates. Poor Jan. Everywhere she turns it's always Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.Ford Fusion(23 city/34 highway)Like the homely girl-next door type from a Hollywood movie, the Ford Fusion really didn't turn a lot of heads or get much attention when it was originally launched. But just like when the girl next door in that Hollywood movie finally takes her glasses off (in Los Angeles all homely people wear glasses, apparently) it seems that everyone is now finally starting to notice the Ford Fusion.With a restyle for the 2010 model year that gives it both a visual and technological boost, the Fusion now can easily claim the title as best American family sedan on the market. You can see it in the new 175 horsepower Duratec four cylinder engine with class leading fuel economy and the stylish new interior. The 2010 Fusion really has become a world class car. So much so that young people who long shunned American four doors (especially Fords) are now becoming interested in this car. Want proof? Check out the adventures one young couple as they drive across the country visiting friends and seeing the sights in their very own Ford Fusion at weddingroadtrip.com.Oh yes, and did I forget the part about how the Fusion wipes the floor with the Camry? The new hybrid version of the Fusion has a Camry hybrid pummeling 41 city/36 highway fuel efficiency rating. Also, the new Fusion hybrid can be driven in full electric mode at speeds up to 41 miles per houreven the Prius won't do that.Honda Accord(21 city/30 highway)To many people's eyes this latest edition of the Accord is possibly the ugliest version ever. But that doesn't mean all that much when it's a Honda. Honda cars aren't about sexy styling so much as perfectionism in engineering and on that count the Accord never disappoints. It's 190 horsepower 4 cylinder is sewing-machine smooth and even if you don't like the way it looks on the outside you can take heart knowing that your Accord will still retain a lot of its value come resale time.Still having trouble with the looks? Well, you can always blindfold yourself before you walk out to the car in the morning (hopefully your wife or husband will help get you to the car door). The interior, while not the most intuitive, is a perfectly pleasant and well built place to be. Plus, the exterior frumpiness can be minimized somewhat by optioning it with one of the darker paint colors. Just as with people, black is always very slimming for cars.Hyundai Sonata(22 city/32 highway)Why is it that Hyundai seems to be making some of the most coherent exterior design statements on the market nowadays? This is, of course, despite their occasional struggles with being blatant stylistic copy cats. Ah-hem. I am talking about you Mr. Hyundai Genesis Sedanyou owe an apology to Lexus, Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Infiniti and pretty much every car that has ever come with a leather interior. That car copies so many other vehicles it practically creates an entirely new stylistic genre.But with the exterior design of the Sonata Hyundai really hit one out of the park not because it is ground breaking or sexy but because it is simple. It has a crisp, organic shape that avoids the two pitfalls of most modern car designers. It doesn't look like a jellybean and it doesn't have creases in the bodywork where no creases need to be. I blame Chris Bangle from BMW for the latter modern design issue.The Sonata also got a real boost last year when the firm updated the somewhat awkward looking dashboard with a unit that really does bring to mind the one found in the previous generation Acura TL. The 2009 Sonata also comes standard with a 175 horsepower 2.4 liter engine as well as that epic 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.This South Korean automaker really has been piling on the deals as of late with various offers ranging from their Hyundai Assurance Plan (for up to one year they will buy back your new car if you lose your job) to yet another Free Gas for a Year scheme. No matter what deal it comes with, the Sonata is a solid buy.Mazda 6(20 city/29 highway)While the insane looking flared front wheel arches on this new Mazda midsize sedan do take a little bit of getting used to, any new owner of a 2009 Mazda6 can take heart knowing their car comes standard with zoom-zoom. And what is zoom-zoom? Well, it is two things really. First off, it is a marketing campaign slogan for Mazda Motors. And second? It's the annoying phrase you can you can repeat over and over again while driving your new 6 that will surely cause your friends and family to plot your untimely death.While the Mazda 6 has always been the really quirky choice among Japanese family sedans, never before has it been as space, power and technology competitive with the Accord or Camry. The interior, while spartan in some places, is nicely equipped in all forms. As with all Mazdas, the 6 makes the most sense from an economic standpoint when equipped with each and every option. I mean, really, a $34,000 mid-size Mazda? Who do they think they are trying to overcharge us like that? Toyota?
If the Toyota Camry were a person it would rule the world. While not exactly class leading in most any respect (yes, it even gets beaten in reliability), the current Toyota Camry sells like the proverbial hotcakes all the while maintaining the appearance of an overheated jellybean. Like some form of automotive royalty the Camry also manages to inspire utter loyalty among owners. What does that mean? It means that once Camry owners buy one of the luscious lovelies they usually wind up buying another down the road.
Come on people, life is really short! Granted, the appeal of owning a smooth riding and easy to drive four wheeled lobotomy like the Camry has a certain appeal. But to keep buying them over and over again is just wasteful considering how many wonderful four door family sedan options there are on the market today.
While the Camry is available with a sort-of sporty 3.5 liter V6 engine offering 268 horsepower, the majority of these Toyota four doors are sold with the four cylinder engine. And rightly so as it is less expensive to buy, cheaper to insure, gets better fuel economy and still offers 179 horsepower.
Especially in light of fluctuating gas prices it just makes more sense to get a fuel efficient four cylinder when you are buying a family sedan. The six-cylinder option box should only be ticked when you are going the luxury route at BMW, Acura or Lexus dealers.
No longer are owners of cars with four cylinder engines forced to listen to a buzzing monotone coming from their engine compartment. And even though refinement levels found in bread and butter family sedans has skyrocketed in recent years, there is no reason why you can't also have a little fun driving your 2.3 children to soccer games or to karate class.
So if you are in the market for a family sedan here are some options you might want to look into before signing on the dotted line at your local Toyota dealer. All vehicles listed have four cylinder engines that can run on regular unleaded and have automatic transmissions. Also note that family cars made by companies that just left Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings or are currently working their way through them are not currently featured. This end of the market is where you find the most conservative buyersthe ones that are least likely to forgive such a huge failing.
Here are five fuel efficient, good looking and fun to drive family sedans that are great for road trips because you don't need to take a minivan or SUV. Or most especially a Camry.
Nissan Altima(23 city/31 highway)The Altima has always been the prettier sister when compared to the awkward looking Toyota Camry. Let's just say the Altima is the Marcia Brady while the Camry is more like Jan Brady. But isn't it always the pretty ones that are flawed? Not really. The Altima was just named the number one midsize sedan in a quality survey done by J.D. Power and Associates. Poor Jan. Everywhere she turns it's always Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.
Ford Fusion(23 city/34 highway)Like the homely girl-next door type from a Hollywood movie, the Ford Fusion really didn't turn a lot of heads or get much attention when it was originally launched. But just like when the girl next door in that Hollywood movie finally takes her glasses off (in Los Angeles all homely people wear glasses, apparently) it seems that everyone is now finally starting to notice the Ford Fusion.
With a restyle for the 2010 model year that gives it both a visual and technological boost, the Fusion now can easily claim the title as best American family sedan on the market. You can see it in the new 175 horsepower Duratec four cylinder engine with class leading fuel economy and the stylish new interior. The 2010 Fusion really has become a world class car. So much so that young people who long shunned American four doors (especially Fords) are now becoming interested in this car. Want proof? Check out the adventures one young couple as they drive across the country visiting friends and seeing the sights in their very own Ford Fusion at weddingroadtrip.com.
Oh yes, and did I forget the part about how the Fusion wipes the floor with the Camry? The new hybrid version of the Fusion has a Camry hybrid pummeling 41 city/36 highway fuel efficiency rating. Also, the new Fusion hybrid can be driven in full electric mode at speeds up to 41 miles per houreven the Prius won't do that.
Honda Accord(21 city/30 highway)To many people's eyes this latest edition of the Accord is possibly the ugliest version ever. But that doesn't mean all that much when it's a Honda. Honda cars aren't about sexy styling so much as perfectionism in engineering and on that count the Accord never disappoints. It's 190 horsepower 4 cylinder is sewing-machine smooth and even if you don't like the way it looks on the outside you can take heart knowing that your Accord will still retain a lot of its value come resale time.
Still having trouble with the looks? Well, you can always blindfold yourself before you walk out to the car in the morning (hopefully your wife or husband will help get you to the car door). The interior, while not the most intuitive, is a perfectly pleasant and well built place to be. Plus, the exterior frumpiness can be minimized somewhat by optioning it with one of the darker paint colors. Just as with people, black is always very slimming for cars.
Hyundai Sonata(22 city/32 highway)Why is it that Hyundai seems to be making some of the most coherent exterior design statements on the market nowadays? This is, of course, despite their occasional struggles with being blatant stylistic copy cats. Ah-hem. I am talking about you Mr. Hyundai Genesis Sedanyou owe an apology to Lexus, Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Infiniti and pretty much every car that has ever come with a leather interior. That car copies so many other vehicles it practically creates an entirely new stylistic genre.
But with the exterior design of the Sonata Hyundai really hit one out of the park not because it is ground breaking or sexy but because it is simple. It has a crisp, organic shape that avoids the two pitfalls of most modern car designers. It doesn't look like a jellybean and it doesn't have creases in the bodywork where no creases need to be. I blame Chris Bangle from BMW for the latter modern design issue.
The Sonata also got a real boost last year when the firm updated the somewhat awkward looking dashboard with a unit that really does bring to mind the one found in the previous generation Acura TL. The 2009 Sonata also comes standard with a 175 horsepower 2.4 liter engine as well as that epic 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
This South Korean automaker really has been piling on the deals as of late with various offers ranging from their Hyundai Assurance Plan (for up to one year they will buy back your new car if you lose your job) to yet another Free Gas for a Year scheme. No matter what deal it comes with, the Sonata is a solid buy.
Mazda 6(20 city/29 highway)While the insane looking flared front wheel arches on this new Mazda midsize sedan do take a little bit of getting used to, any new owner of a 2009 Mazda6 can take heart knowing their car comes standard with zoom-zoom. And what is zoom-zoom? Well, it is two things really. First off, it is a marketing campaign slogan for Mazda Motors. And second? It's the annoying phrase you can you can repeat over and over again while driving your new 6 that will surely cause your friends and family to plot your untimely death.
While the Mazda 6 has always been the really quirky choice among Japanese family sedans, never before has it been as space, power and technology competitive with the Accord or Camry. The interior, while spartan in some places, is nicely equipped in all forms. As with all Mazdas, the 6 makes the most sense from an economic standpoint when equipped with each and every option. I mean, really, a $34,000 mid-size Mazda? Who do they think they are trying to overcharge us like that? Toyota?
