Midsize cars with loads and features.
If you want to stand out in a sea of sport utility vehicles, take a look at these versatile midsize sedans. Perennial favorites from brands like Honda and Toyota face great challengers from Kia, Dodge, and others. These midsize options can be an excellent addition to your driveway for years to come.
To help you on your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best midsize sedans for 2022 shoppers, based on CarMax vehicle and sales data from June 1, 2021, through November 30, 2021.
10.
Volkswagen Passat
Our list begins with the impressive Volkswagen Passat. Now in its eighth generation (2014-present), the Passat has evolved over several decades of production. 2017 models have two engine options: a 1.8L turbo-four with 170 horsepower or an optional 3.6L V6 with 280 horsepower. For 2018, Volkswagen bumps the base engine to a 2.0L with 174 horsepower, while newer Passat models (2019+) drop the optional V6 and only come with the 2.0L engine. You'll get 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space across 2017-2022 models.
Standard features on the 2017-2022 Volkswagen Passat include:
Automatic headlights
Cloth upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Five-inch touchscreen (6.3-inch for 2019+)
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity (2019+)
Heated front seats (2019+)
Find more Volkswagen Passat research to help you decide.
9.
Lexus ES 350
If you're looking to add a little luxury to your commute, check out the Lexus ES 350. With room for five and generous cargo capacity of 15.2 cubic feet on 2017-2018 models, you'll have lots of room for you and your friends or family. One engine is offered on the ES 350: a 3.5L V6 producing 268 horsepower for 2017-2018 model years and 302 horsepower for 2019+ models.
You'll find loads of features on the 2017-2022 Lexus ES 350, including:
Perforated premium vinyl upholstery (simulated leather for 2019+)
10-way power-adjustable front seats
Running lights and fog lights
Eight-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay (2019+) and Android Auto (2020+) connectivity
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Explore our Lexus ES 350 research to learn more.
8.
Dodge Charger
With plenty of passenger space and 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space on 2017-2022 models, the Dodge Charger is a great road-trip sedan with impressive performance. The base 2017-2022 Charger is powered by a 292 hp 3.6L V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic; there's also optional AWD. You'll find a variety of V8 engine options across 2017-2022, from the 370 hp R/T to the head-turning 797 hp Hellcat Redeye (2019+).
Standard features on the 2017-2022 Dodge Charger include:
Cloth upholstery
8.4-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Six-way power-adjustable driver's seat
Automatic headlights
LED daytime running lights
Find more Dodge Charger research to help you decide.
7.
Kia Optima
Are you looking for seating for five and an impressive 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space in a stylish midsize car? The 2017-2020 Kia Optima could very well end up in your driveway after the first test drive. 2017-2020 models are powered by a base 2.4L four-cylinder engine making 185 horsepower. If you prefer, you can opt for a 1.6L turbo-four making 178 horsepower, or a 2.0L turbo putting out 245 horsepower.
Standard features on the 2017-2020 Kia Optima include:
Cloth upholstery
Automatic headlights
Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert (2018+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2018+)
Five-inch central display (seven-inch for 2018+)
Find out more on our Kia Optima research page.
6.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu is a classic name from the 1960s that was given new life in the late 1990s as a midsize sedan. Now in its ninth generation (2016-present), the Malibu delivers about 15.7 cubic feet of trunk space and seating for five. For 2017 to 2022, you'll get a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's good for 160 horsepower. A 160-hp hybrid engine (2017-2019) and a 2.0L turbo-four with 250 hp (2017-2022) are optional.
Standard features on the 2017-2022 Chevrolet Malibu include:
Cloth interior
Keyless entry and ignition
Cruise control
Eight-inch touchscreen (2019+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2019+)
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Check out our Chevrolet Malibu research to learn more.
5.
Ford Fusion
The 2017-2020 Ford Fusion provides a great mix of sporty fun, impressive technology, and a wide selection of engine options to suit your needs. You'll also get 16 cubic feet of trunk space and seating for five—there's a lot to like about the Fusion. For 2017-2020, you'll also get a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower (173 hp for 2018-2020), with optional engines including a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder that produces 181 hp, a turbo 2.0L four-cylinder with 240 hp, and a turbo 2.7L V6 engine (2017-2019) with an impressive 325 hp.
Standard features on the 2017-2020 Ford Fusion include:
Cloth seating
4.2-inch color LCD screen with SYNC® system
Six-way manual driver's seat
LED taillights
60/40-split folding rear seats
Learn more at our Ford Fusion research page.
4.
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is another great option on our midsize sedan list. Powered by a base 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower, the 2017-2019 Sonata also comes in an Eco trim, with a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine with 178 horsepower. You can also find a top-spec 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 245 horsepower.
Starting in 2020 and continuing through 2022, the redesigned eighth-generation Sonata is powered by a 2.5L engine with 191 horsepower or an optional 1.6L turbocharged engine with 180 horsepower and a hefty 195 lb-ft of torque. All Sonatas have at least 16 cubic feet of trunk space.
The 2017-2022 Hyundai Sonata has standard features like:
Cloth upholstery
Heated mirrors
60/40 split-folding seatback
Seven-inch touchscreen (2018+) or eight-inch touchscreen (2020+)
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (2018+)
Continue your Hyundai Sonata research to learn more.
3.
Nissan Altima
Coming in at number three is a longtime midsize favorite, the Nissan Altima. With 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space on 2017-2022 models, the Altima can be a great road-trip partner for you and your crew. 2017-2018 models are powered by a base 179-hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine or an optional 270-hp 2.5L V6 engine. For 2019-2022, the base engine is bumped to 188 hp (182 hp for AWD models) and the optional engine becomes a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder putting out 248 hp (236 hp for 2021+).
You'll find these great standard features across all 2017-2022 Nissan Altimas:
Cloth upholstery
Push-button ignition
60/40-split folding rear seats
Five-inch display (eight-inch for 2019-2020; seven-inch for 2021+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2019+)
Explore our Nissan Altima research to learn more.
2.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry comes very well equipped, with a great mix of trim levels to help you find just the right option. The 2017 Toyota Camry comes standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine producing 178 horsepower, but you can also find an optional 3.5L V6 with 268 horsepower. For 2018-2022, the Camry is updated with a new base engine: a 2.5L four-cylinder putting out 203 horsepower. The optional 3.5L V6 is bumped to 301 horsepower (306 hp for 2021+).
Standard features on 2017-2022 base model Toyota Camrys include:
Cloth seating surfaces
6.1-inch Entune™ touchscreen interface (seven-inch for 2018+)
Automatic headlights
Heated mirrors
Sunroof
Find more Toyota Camry research to help you decide.
1.
Honda Accord
Coming in at the top of our list of the best midsize cars is the Honda Accord. Now in its tenth generation (2018 to present), Honda has continued to refine what has always been an impressive midsize car. Regardless of your midsize sedan needs, the Accord has you covered. The 2017 Accord is equipped with the option of a turbocharged 185-hp 1.5L four-cylinder engine or a 278-hp 3.5L V6. Honda completely redesigned the Accord for the 2018 model year, with a new platform and a host of new engines and equipment. For 2018-2022 Accords, Honda updated engine options to a standard 192-hp 1.5L and an optional turbo 2.0L with 252 hp.
The base Honda Accord for 2017-2022 comes with great features such as:
Cloth upholstery
Rearview camera
Bluetooth connectivity
Seven-inch touchscreen (2018+) and eight-inch (2021+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (2021+)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Learn more at our Honda Accord research page.
With such a great mix of practicality, utility, and performance, which midsize sedan will be the best daily driver or road trip companion for you?
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