Get convenience and comfort with a midsize sedan.
The midsize sedan is an attractive choice if you're in the market for a set of wheels and it's not hard to see why. Ideal for comfortable commuting, midsize sedans also come well-equipped to satisfy the needs and wants of your passengers as well. Trunk space, technology, and trim level options all factor into the equation; luckily, there are some great choices that are ready to meet and exceed your expectations.
To help you on your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best midsize sedans for 2020 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from August 1, 2019, to January 31, 2020.
If you prefer your car to have as much style on the outside as it does power under the hood, the undeniable curbside presence to this retro-inspired two-door coupe sedan is sure to catch your eye. Make no mistake though, the 2017–2019 iteration of the Dodge Challenger is thoroughly modern, delivering an exciting ride with plenty of engine and tech options throughout its myriad trim levels, including standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ on all 2017–2019 models. But it doesn't stop there, all five-seat models from these years also offer:
- Four engine sizes: 3.6L, 5.7L, 6.2L, and 6.4L
- Six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission
- 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space
- Manual rear-seat easy entry as standard
With an interior the feels as luxurious as its exterior looks stylish, once you get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz C300, you won't want to get out. And if the standard four-door sedan option isn't quite what you're looking for, you might find the available two-door coupe or convertible body styles (available across all model years) more suited to your tastes.
The 2019 model year brought with it a model refresh for the C300 sedan, including a re-imagined front and a new look for both head and tail lamps. In addition, you'll find plenty of standard features across all model years from 2017, including:
- A 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine delivering 273 lb-ft of torque
- Nine-speed automatic transmission (from 2018)
- Rearview camera
- Adaptive braking technology
- Power sunroof (from 2018)
Kia Optima
With a wide range of standard upscale offerings in terms of technology and driver-assistance features across all trim levels, 2018 to present Kia Optimas are sure to impress you on your first test drive. And if you have a green lifestyle in mind while deciding which sedan to purchase, the Kia Optima has Hybrid and PHEV models available too. Other attractive features found on 2017 to present Kia Optimas include:
- Sporty S trim
- Three engine options: 1.6L turbo, 2.4L four-cylinder, and 2.0L turbo
- Blind-spot detection (standard from 2018)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (standard from 2018)
- Cargo capacity of 15.9 cubic feet
Ford Fusion
If you're looking for a sedan to handle not just your daily commute but your long-distance road trips as well, you may find the Ford Fusion to be more than up to the task. Available in trim levels S, SE, SEL, Sport, Titanium, and Platinum (2017–2019 models), you can expect to find a wide selection of features to choose from. And if you're after just the right specs to meet your needs, with the Fusion you have a choice of four different engines, including turbocharged options, a V6 that comes with AWD on 2017–2019 Sport models, and the 1.5L EcoBoost engine which was introduced with 2017 models. Some of the standard features you'll find on 2017–2019 Ford Fusions include:
- Ford Co-Pilot360™ driver-assist technology (2019 only)
- Rearview camera
- Spacious 118.8 cubic feet of interior space with 16.0 cubic feet of cargo storage
- Height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats (SE trim and up)
If you're a commuter with a family or teen driver in mind, the Chevrolet Malibu deserves a spot on your shortlist. For 2019, the 1.5L turbo engine comes mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and starting with 2017 models, you get a wide range of tech features across all trims.
Standard features on 2017–2019 models:
- Teen Driver feature (LS trim and above)
- Wireless phone charging (standard on Premier trim; optional for LT and Hybrid)
- Standard 1.5L or available 2.0L turbo engine mated to standard six- or available nine-speed automatic transmission
- Seven-inch (2017–2018 models, LS trim and up) or eight-inch touchscreen (from 2019)
If you're looking for a versatile and well-equipped sedan, the 2017–2019 Hyundai Sonata is an excellent choice. The Sonata can be found in five different trim levels (and an ECO model from 2019) and offers plenty of style, standard features, and technology even at the base trim level. With 2018–2019 models you'll get standard features like:
- Six-speed automatic transmission with FWD (SE, SEL, Sport, and Limited)
- Blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assist
- Heated front seating for SE trim and up (optional on 2017 Sport trim)
- Bluetooth®
- Cruise control
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality
Toyota Camry
Currently in its eighth generation (2018 to present), the Toyota Camry is a great choice if you're looking for a solid daily driver or something you can run errands in when the weekend comes around. And with the choice of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a more powerful 3.5L V6 (XLE and XSE trims), the 2018–2019 Camry is versatile enough to meet your needs. You'll also get these features as standard on 2018–2019 models:
- Toyota suite of driver-assist features
- Adaptive cruise control
- Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa™ compatibility (standard on 2019 models only)
- Interior space of 115.5 cubic feet
Honda Accord
A sleek sight on the open road, the Honda Accord is a great choice if you're after a midsize sedan that's as good-looking as it is practical. 2017 models come in both coupe and sedan platforms with an available V6 engine at EX-L and Touring trim levels. The 10th-generation Honda Accord debuted in 2018; completely redesigned from the 2017 model year, you can expect plenty of technology and driver-assist features even at the base trim level. Highlights of the 2018 to present redesign also include:
- Five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring
- Active Noise Cancellation™ across all trims
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward-collision warning with automatic braking
- Lane-departure warning
With its spacious interior with room enough for child seats or even tall adults, the Elantra is a must-see if you're shopping with a young family or large crew of friends in mind. This compact sedan's storage options are plentiful too, with 14.4 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk for 2017 to present models. Debuting in 2017, the sixth-generation Elantra offers three different engine options: a 2.0L four-cylinder base engine, a 1.6L four-cylinder engine on the Sport trim, and a 1.4L four-cylinder engine on the ECO trim. The SE Value trim, a 2017 mid-season addition that continues into later model years, offers an incredible amount of standard technology. 2017 to present Elantra SEs boast the following features as standard:
- Bluetooth
- Cruise control
- Satellite radio
- Six-speaker sound system
The Nissan Altima is an attractive five-seat sedan that boasts comfort and class in equal measure and is sure to make your daily or weekend commute that much smoother. The 2019 Altima sports a sixth-generation redesign with many features carried over from earlier 2017–2018 iterations. A popular choice based on CarMax sales data, you're sure to find the Nissan Altima ticks all the boxes when it comes to engine performance and driver comforts.
On 2017–2019 models you can expect the following features:
- Altima Zero Gravity front seats.
- Bluetooth connectivity (standard from 2019)
- Eight-inch touchscreen interface (standard from 2019)
- Emergency brake assist
Thanks to a lively market full of updated and re-imagined models, the midsize sedan has never looked better. With plentiful trim and package options and an increasing amount of driver-assistance features as standard, the midsize sedan is an attractive choice for comfortable everyday driving and longer journeys on the open road.
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Unless otherwise noted, information relating to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.