Family sedans

Some models miss the mark, but the diesel Jetta TDI is a near bull's eye

Despite being smaller and less roomy than the family sedans in this month's test group, the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI (available to subscribers) outranks them all. In fact, the Jetta TDI now ranks among our top sedans that cost under $25,000.

Another supposedly greener car we tested, the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (available to subscribers), left us disappointed. The Malibu Hybrid got only 2 mpg better in fuel economy than the four-cylinder Malibu (available to subscribers), which we also tested this month. And it cost about $3,000 more than the regular Malibu version.

The four conventional family sedans in this month's test group don't unseat the perennial leaders in the competitive family sedan category. The group includes the four-cylinder Malibu with a new six-speed automatic transmission, the Hyundai Sonata, the redesigned Mazda6, and a Saturn Aura (all available to subscribers) with an updated powertrain.

Prices for the conventional cars in our group range from $20,735 for the four-cylinder Sonata to $30,790 for the V6 Mazda6 Grand Touring.

The Sonata and the four-cylinder Malibu have better than average reliability and are our only recommended models. All other cars in this group are too new for us to have sufficient reliability data to recommend them.

Clean diesel trumps a hybrid?

The Jetta TDI is the first clean-diesel vehicle we have tested from Volkswagen. It has a new engine with more power and cleaner emissions than the previous TDI.

Although it's half a size smaller than the midsized sedans in this group, the Jetta is an impressive package overall. Because its emissions are now clean enough, the Jetta TDI can be sold in all 50 states.

Among family sedans that cost $20,000 to $25,000, the Jetta TDI scores second only to the four-cylinder Nissan Altima, outscoring the highly ranked Toyota Prius Touring and Honda Accord four-cylinder. With 33 mpg overall, the Jetta TDI also far outscored its five-cylinder gasoline-powered version.

The Malibu Hybrid is the very definition of a mild hybrid. Its hybrid system shuts down the gasoline engine at stops and supplies a mild electric boost from a standstill, but it doesn't do much more.

Also, see our comparison of the Jetta TDI and the Malibu Hybrid.

Coming soon

Family sedans might make more sense than ever as consumers are looking for ways to economize. And buying a family sedan doesn't necessarily mean giving up creature comforts to save on fuel, either. Higher trim levels in this category offer many opulent features, and fit and finish levels of family sedans can reach near-luxury models.

Most models in the family sedan category are relatively new, having been redesigned in the last few years. Look for a freshened Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in early 2009, and a new Subaru Legacy sedan to debut in the spring. Those are among the few models in this category that are available with all-wheel drive. Hybrid versions of the Fusion and Milan are also coming.

Used-car alternatives

You can save money or get more for your money by buying a used model. The sedans below have been reliable and did well in our testing when new.