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Sure, it might seem vanilla, but the Camry delivers what shoppers want in a midsized sedan. The Camry's no-fuss driving experience—great outward visibility, controls that fall easily to hand, a roomy interior—appeals to drivers of all ages. A quiet cabin, slick powertrains, a comfortable ride, and sound handling make it pleasant and capable. Year after year, this sedan has delivered outstanding reliability and solid owner satisfaction. The Camry acquitted itself well in crash tests, and fuel economy is competitive. We got 26 mpg overall with the V6 and 28 mpg with the four-cylinder, topping out with the Hybrid's 38 mpg. The four-cylinder model, in particular, is well-suited to teen drivers. A redesigned Camry comes out later in 2017, hence the significant discounts on this popular sedan.

Read the complete Toyota Camry road test.

Kia's recently redesigned Optima midsized sedan packs a lot of substance and value. It drives nicely, with a firm-yet-absorbent ride and responsive, secure handling. The mainstream 2.4-liter four-cylinder is pleasant and unobtrusive, and returned 28 mpg overall in our testing; the uplevel 2.0-liter turbo four packs more punch. New to the line is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. At around $26,000, the EX trim features comfortable leather seats, automatic climate control, a roomy rear seat, and heating for the seats and steering wheel. The controls are very intuitive, while low-positioned dash vents are our only gripe. The latest version of Kia's UVO touch-screen infotainment system works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A hybrid is also available. The Optima is on several CR lists this year, including 2017 Top Picks and best cars for teens.

Read the complete Kia Optima road test.

Spacious, quick, and quiet, the Avalon is an old-school big sedan updated for modern times. The engine delivers punchy performance and a commendable 24 mpg overall. The four-cylinder hybrid version delivers an outstanding 36 mpg overall. Easy-to-use controls include a straightforward touch-screen infotainment system. Interior noise is subdued. Recent updates have tuned the ride to better reflect the car's mission as a plush and comfortable cruiser. The 2017 Avalon gets standard advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking.

Read the complete Toyota Avalon road test.

Sporty, yet sparing with fuel, the Mazda6's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 32 mpg overall in our tests, the best fuel economy among conventional midsized sedans. The six-speed automatic is very smooth and delivers quick shifts. We found the 6 to be responsive and capable in the corners. The ride is taut and steady but on the firm side, and the cabin is rather loud for the class, despite some tweaks Mazda has recently made. The car received a recent mild freshening with a new dash and a center display screen that is operated via a central knob on the console, which takes practice to master. A head-up display is optional. The Mazda6 is not only family-friendly, but well-suited to teen drivers.

Read the complete Mazda6 road test.

As minivans go, the Sienna is a sensible choice, but it isn't very engaging to drive. The Sienna rides very comfortably and is quiet inside, but handling is lackluster. The 3.5-liter V6 engine is lively and returned a respectable 21 mpg overall in our tests with the new-for-2017 eight-speed automatic. The all-wheel-drive version—the only minivan so equipped on the market—sacrifices 1 or 2 mpg. An eighth seat can cleverly store in the back when it isn't installed. The 2017 update also brought a standard backup camera, an additional LATCH attachment, and a front-passenger seat-cushion airbag. Reliability and the availability of all-wheel drive are the Sienna's biggest advantages over the Honda Odyssey.

Read the complete Toyota Sienna road test.

Nissan's midsized SUV uses a punchy, refined 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. The cabin is quiet and well-finished, and has an upscale feel to it. Handling is not very sporty, with overly light steering that reduces driver confidence. The ride is steady and absorbent on the standard 18-inch tires, but it's less so on the Platinum trim's 20-inchers. Optional safety features include blind-spot and cross-traffic warnings, as well as forward-collision warning with automatic braking. An available 8-inch color display houses the NissanConnect infotainment system. Good crash-test results are a plus.

Read the complete Nissan Murano road test.

Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 is fun to drive, thanks to its perky handling and an engine that tends to sing rather than buzz. At 33 mpg, the Mazda3 is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the compact class. It also offers a host of luxury features rarely matched by any compact car, including a multimedia system with a large center screen and active safety features such as a blind-spot monitoring system. On the downside, the car tends to be loud on the highway, and ride comfort isn't the best. The infotainment system controls can be daunting at first and take a while to master. The Mazda3 also makes our list of best cars for teen drivers.

Read the complete Mazda3 road test.

This second-generation Edge carries itself like a pricier European SUV. Based on the commendable Fusion sedan, the Edge delivers a steady, comfortable ride and confident handling that makes it fun to drive. The standard 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine gets 21 mpg and is more pleasant than the 3.5-liter V6; a twin-turbo, 2.7-liter V6 is offered on the Sport trim. All use a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. The quiet cabin wouldn't be out of place in a luxury car. The roomy interior provides comfortable quarters, front and rear, and cargo space is generous. Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system is comprehensive and easy to use. Safety options include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear cameras.

Read the complete Ford Edge road test.

The boxy Flex combines SUV-like versatility with almost carlike driving dynamics. The interior is highly functional, with room for up to seven passengers in three rows, and its shipping-container shape works well for carrying cargo. The generous space is well-suited to family road trips and getting kids to their sports activities. Rear visibility is hampered by big head restraints. Handling is not particularly nimble, but the ride is comfortable and the cabin remains quiet. The base 3.5-liter V6 engine gets just 18 mpg overall. Think about getting the turbo V6: It gives you faster acceleration, but only costs you 1 mpg. The complicated and distracting MyFord Touch infotainment system has been replaced by the much better Sync 3 system.

Read the complete Ford Flex road test.

Among our top-scoring midsized SUVs, the Sorento is functional and refined, and its wide price range makes it an alternative to other small and midsized options. Three engines are available: the base 185-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four; and the smooth and quiet 290-hp, 3.3-liter V6. All are mated to a six-speed automatic. The cabin is quiet, and the ride is comfortable and composed. Handling is responsive and secure. Supportive seats and simple controls help make the Sorento easy to live with. Available safety gear includes forward-collision warning, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as a surround-view monitor. The Sorento is notably teen-friendly.

Read the complete Kia Sorento road test.