Comparison Test: Accord vs Malibu vs Fusion vs Mazda6 vs Sonata

The sedan has always been the vehicle that drives America. Wagons, trucks, minivans, SUVs and crossovers have each had their day, but the traditional family sedan has stood the test of time, accounting for nearly 2.2 million sales last year. Today's batch is better than ever, but the choices are varied, and differences are sometimes difficult to discern. After all, most have roughly the same dimensions and deliver the same sort of performance, and many even look similar to the untrained eye. Moreover, all five participants in this test scored five stars in the government's frontal and side-impact crash tests.

So which is the best midsize family sedan for the greatest number of car buyers? And which cater to specific buyers? To find out, we compared the top sedans that have been recently updated, namely the 2010 Ford Fusion and 2009 Hyundai Sonata, along with three we've rated highly in previous testing: the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2009 Honda Accord and 2009 Mazda 6. The 2009 Nissan Altima was invited, but there wasn't one available in Nissan's press fleet. And that's correct, no Toyota Camry. It finished a distant last in the two Inside Line comparison tests it participated in (four-cylinder test, six-cylinder test), and was universally panned by our six real-world consumer testers. Great sales don't necessarily equal a great car.
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fatandsassy - 7/24/2009 11:21:54 AM

+4 Boost

Go FORD.....

rigid - 7/24/2009 1:25:53 PM

-3 Boost

Where are the Dodge and Midsubishi? Also how do you not have a Camery, OK it has received poor reviews previously? That is just plain stupid they sell tons of the things it at least deserves to be there. And Nissan how can you not have an Altima availible? I see them on lots all over the place not selling. I also wonder why these people do not add the last generation BMW 3 and Audi A4, they would sell for similar amounts as these and would probablt win the test.

wins555 - 7/27/2009 3:24:35 AM

+2 Boost

If the Toyota Camry is not improved significantly when it is replaced by the next model in 2012, it will be the beginning of the end. Improved meaning more fun to drive, not boring, more power and response, interior materials, etc. This day and age, just plain reliable can't cut it anymore.

MSP6 - 7/24/2009 1:36:36 PM

-2 Boost

The only car in that group that retain a decent resale value is the Accord.

I don't think buying any of these fully loaded intermediates is a smart move. When in the market for a midsize sedan, stick with the base engines which are way enough, and avoid some costly options such as in-dash nav, get the car that will have the best resale value.

How much a 33 grand Mazda 6 will be worth in 4-5 years ?

inspirion7 - 7/24/2009 1:56:42 PM

+1 Boost

Let's cut through the doo doo. What is the problem with the Focus winning MSP6? That is the issue really. Secondly, what you are saying to individuals that want to spend money on these options and features is, children,don't get all that stuff, a basic running model will do just fine. Why if they what the options? It's like telling a person that wants a Porsche GT3 to purchase a VW Golf GT. What is your point?

MSP6 - 7/24/2009 2:15:48 PM

+1 Boost

inspirion, you sound like someone who just paid over 30K for a Fusion.

I haven't said anything about the Fusion, I said stick with the base engines when buying that kind of cars, get some lux, not to much. Keep the invoice around 25K. If you are willing to pay 33K, well, there's a whole lot of other possibilities in the 30-35K range that are better values and better cars.

The biggest diffence between a well equipped 4 cyl. midsize and it's V6 fully loaded variant is the price tag.

Even with 400 hp, none of these will ever be a blast to drive, so 170-180 hp is just right, as well as helping to reduce torque steer and MPG.

Mason3Robert - 7/24/2009 2:30:35 PM

-1 Boost

"And that's correct, no Toyota Camry"

Whatever, I love my camry SE V6.....Not sure what the problem is if the idiots would just test the right cars....If the suspension is too soft, why not use the SE instead?? Oh, I'm sorry Rocket Science.....lol

I don't have any problems at all with my 440 watt JBL, my 268 HP V6, Perforated Leather, shiftable trans (does Honda have that yet?)

The comparison of the Mid Size car is getting out of control. And regarding this comment, "Great sales don't necessarily equal a great car", Just because its on your dumb list doesn't mean anyone is going to buy it and at the end of the day its about sales (more so the ones with the huge incentives)

Just my thoughts......my car rocks!

Mason3Robert - 7/24/2009 3:06:49 PM

-2 Boost

I meant to say more so the ones without the BIG cost incentive and the ones with the incentive of an expectant life span of over 300K mile....Im just saying

MSP6 - 7/24/2009 9:06:08 PM

-1 Boost

Mason,

just my thoughts....your car s*cks.

Mason3Robert - 7/27/2009 1:45:53 PM

+1 Boost

Humm...the Camry sucks....you know what? You might be right and although this isn't news to you, they still rank #1 in sales for how many years straight? Right.

Secondly, The Accord. Nice reliable car, right? Let's talk about Honda feeling the need to place 4 million buttons in a car; swindling me to buy? Whats up with that whack factory stereo??? I dont think so....Let's also discuss that crappy transmission in the Accord thats a whole load of fun to drive....vs the Camry, right?

Now, lets talk about used cars. Would you buy a Ford with 100k miles? The answer is no, because you know just as well as I know that times almost up buddy. It's a wonder one of the main cars in the market now that you WILL see hit 300K isnt on the list. LOL Give me a break...moron

From your statements above, it doesn't look like it takes much thinking for you to buy a car. you don't much horsepower and the sticker prive is what brings you into the market. Stick with Ford, they cut you a deal...I promise! lol

thstone - 7/24/2009 4:12:45 PM

+4 Boost

Re: Camry - I love it when buyers ignore the "experts" advice and buy the "wrong" cars!

Next they'll have a sports car test and not include Porsche because everyone knows that sales don't equal great cars.

Anthony - 7/25/2009 3:48:27 AM

0 Boost

The Camry is the benchmark for all these cars, and with the new updates it only further improves a class-leading package. I am sick and quite frankly bored with Toyota hate. This magazine hates the Camry so much they couldn't even bother to stick it in the comparison? Not even just for fun? It's no wonder automotive magazine subscriptions are on the decline, and practically free now.

toolatetorace - 7/25/2009 7:42:23 PM

0 Boost

Maybe it's because so many people are getting tire of Consumer Reports being so slanted to Toyota for so long and people are seeing through the BS . Case in point , why does CR gave poor marks to last years Toyota Tundra and this year they recomend the same vehicle ?

freshseth83 - 7/25/2009 8:32:54 PM

-1 Boost

the camry sells for a reason, it is the best car in this segment and people know it. all this crap about it being boring is stupid. get the SE with the V6, it wont be boring, get the optional 18 inch TRD wheels and leather interior, it wont look so bland.

exgmer - 7/26/2009 9:41:01 PM

+3 Boost

Not a very well done review. Gimme a break.... Malibu was marked down as it received "demerits for lacking features. Items like a REARVIEW CAMERA!"

How could anyone possibly consider buying a Malibu given this obvious design oversight?

andraz - 7/27/2009 4:08:11 AM

+2 Boost

hehe, funny, have you read anything similar in Europe, where people have hardly heard of Camry?

In europe, Renault Laguna, Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, Citroen C5, Peugeot 407, Mazda 6 and Honda Accord would be competing .

detfan - 7/27/2009 4:09:19 AM

-2 Boost

I'll have to stick up for my 2008 Malibu. At the time, before I bought my Malibu, I drove both 4 and 6 Camry, Accord, Altima, and Fusion. Really, there was no comparison. It was that the Malibu was THAT good, that it out classed the major competition on most fronts. So, I sold my 2000 Acura TL and bought the LTZ. Its been the best, most quiet car I've owned. Can't wait for the next gen Malibu to arrive in a couple of years, keeping it ahead of the competition. I'm convinced that if anyone is interested in a midsized sedan, and actually takes the time to drive all the contenders, the Malibu will make the final cut.