MT: 2012-2013 Family sedan showdown

[Andy@Ross-Tech.com]

its the newest one on newsstands...so probably won't be online for a bit

Article paraphrased here:

http://www.hondasacuras.com/2012/10/...size-cars.html

[akuma]

actually, with a little research, the Accord EX seemed to win because of its heavy advantage in powertrain over the Fusion. they both had the same score for vehicle evaluation 82 /100 points and chassis score 54/60 points. but the Accord got 52/55 points for powertrain vs 45/55 from the Fusion, and the Accord surprisingly got 23/25 points for fun to drive compared to 21/25 points from the Fusion contradicting the Motor Trend comparison which stated that the same Accord EX was no fun to drive at all. however, they did use the automatic version of the Fusion which is probably much more boring than the manual. so it appears that the Fusion wasn't as knocked over its ergonomics and interior styling as i thought it would be. or maybe the Accord lost points in probably being the most expensive vehicle in the test, or something.

[Shomegrown]

Article paraphrased here:

http://www.hondasacuras.com/2012/10/...size-cars.html

I can't blame them. I'm pretty sure I'd take the Fusion over a 2.5 Passat too.

(TDI is a different story)

[69Beetle]

Article paraphrased here:

http://www.hondasacuras.com/2012/10/...size-cars.html

I'm looking forward to a TDI Passat comparison to the hybrid or new DI Accord.

[TOMPASS]

Looking at the charts rather than reading the text shows these cars to be remarkably close, so a few observations:
Based on observed MPG, the Malibu's 21.3 really is off; the Passat's "good, but not outstanding" 25.5 is only .3 off the Accord's "fine" 25.8 and .8 off the Altima's leading 26.3.
The Passat's "massive trunk" is smaller than the Malibu and Fusion.
The Passat, for all the bally-hoo about its interior size, comes up first only in rear legroom, and that by .2 over the Camry. If you're a tall driver, you'll want the Altima.
They're all pretty close 0-30 and 0-40, the Passat lags (probably noticeably) 0-60 and 45-65.
Based on the numbers, there's no clear winner.
Interior and exterior styling preferences are ultimately personal, so I doubt that anyone choosing based on that will be disappointed.
I suspect that the driving experience is the clearest variable. If you're not an enthusiast and/or have a brand preference, it probably won't make a difference; and while the Malibu and Camry seem to come up a bit short, I wonder whether the on-the-road difference between the others is that significant. Personally, I've driven a prior gen Camry, ridden in my brother-in-laws Eco-Malibu-sort of unimpressed, especially compared to his previous gen Malibu; and taken a Passat 2.5 for an unfortunately short test drive-satisfied enough to give it another shot; test drove an Optima-impressive; and have no experience with recent Accords or Altimas.
I know I sound non-committal, but this test gives me no reason to believe that whichever car one picks it won't disappoint, nor will nitpicky hairsplitting change anyone's mind.
All in all, I guess that's a testament to the manufacturers' strides in a very competitive segment, or an indictment of their universal blandness-I'll go with the former.

[Yo Teach]

C&D is smoking the good stuff.

Looking at articles on their website, you can find a ZL1 vs M6 comparo, XTS and Bentley, Scion vs. Porsche Cayman S, and a Rubicon with a G550.

It doesn't get any more ridiculous. They determined the winner of the G550/Rubicon test from the slalom speed!

Car and Driver's tongue was placed firmly in their cheek when they came up with those comparisons, but they still had a point - What is the gap in performance, comfort, quality, etc. between luxury and non-luxury brand vehicles? Is the price jump for a BMW over a Chevy worth it?

I'm assuming there's more than four since they mentioned it was last.

It was just the four cars; Accord, Fusion, Altima, Passat, respectively.

[joe97]

Book another C/D 10Best win for the Accord. It's already wrapped up.

[Swallow Doretti]

Book another C/D 10Best win for the Accord. It's already wrapped up.

My only comment about the article is that several of the journos with whom I've spoken about the Accord say that the new steering system really reduces the fun-to-drive factor.

The new Fusion really does look great, but I remain concerned about how Ford handles the whole integration of the stereo and A/C--the center stack in the M/T test looks utterly button-rific.

[Ross1013]

My only comment about the article is that several of the journos with whom I've spoken about the Accord say that the new steering system really reduces the fun-to-drive factor.

The new Fusion really does look great, but I remain concerned about how Ford handles the whole integration of the stereo and A/C--the center stack in the M/T test looks utterly button-rific.

When you hear gripes like that, do you assume that the steering actually sucks, or that you're talking to people who haven't acclimated to EPS yet (or just dislike it)?

[69Beetle]

Article paraphrased here:

http://www.hondasacuras.com/2012/10/...size-cars.html

Altima is quick and efficient.

[rynodyno312]

When you hear gripes like that, do you assume that the steering actually sucks, or that you're talking to people who haven't acclimated to EPS yet (or just dislike it)?

A good EPS system shouldn't need the driver to be "acclimated." My GTI has EPS and it has amazing steering feel with excellent feedback--it loads up in the corers just as well as a good hydraulic system and doesn't feel disconnected at all. I had to look it up to find out it was electrically-assisted. I like it much better than the hydraulic variable-assist steering in my GF's Infiniti.

[Ross1013]

A good EPS system shouldn't need the driver to be "acclimated."

Any new control system requires some getting used to.

[Impeccable]

This a classically styled, sagely engineered four-door that focuses on bona-fide family sedan requirements while delivering a notably superior driving experience

I knew MT was full of horse manure when they said classically styled

[rynodyno312]

Uh...you sure?

EPS can be twitchy and it takes a while to re-adjust IMO. In most EPS cars, the sharpness and the length of your inputs need to decrease compared to what you need to use on a hydraulic car.

And if it's a more performance-oriented system like what Honda use on their cars, it's going to feel even more twitchy and reactive.

No, Ross, I actually have no idea how my own car's steering feels.

I'm sure EPS can be twitchy and can take awhile to adjust to. I'm just saying it doesn't have to be that way, and the car I drive every day is proof of that. I haven't driven a newer honda with EPS and can't compare it to that specific system, but the EPS I do have experience with feels just like a good hydraulic system.

[Ross1013]

I'm sure EPS can be twitchy and can take awhile to adjust to. I'm just saying it doesn't have to be that way, and the car I drive every day is proof of that. I haven't driven a newer honda with EPS and can't compare it to that specific system, but the EPS I do have experience with feels just like a good hydraulic system.

What I am saying is, it all depends on what you are coming from, and what you are comparing it to.

[CP1]

They would have been placed behind Camry anyway.

Not the Optima.

Both the new Camry and Altima got a 3-1/2 star rating from MT while the Optima received a 4-star rating.

So, in order of Dumb to Righteous Choices for Mid-Sized Sedans (According to TCL):

Dumbest:Malibu
Galant
Avenger
200
Camry
Accord
Altima
Regal
Legacy
Optima
Sonata
Fusion (but preferably with Euro "Mondeo" badging)
The upcoming Mazda6 that isn't even for sale yet anywhere in the world
Passat
Most Righteous: Kizashi

Always Optima > Sonata.

It seems that the new Accord is the best all-around "family sedan" - much like what the Camry was during the early 1990s.

For the best driver, it'll probably come down btwn the Fusion and the 6, but there is one Euro review which found the steering in the Mondeo to be better than in the 6.