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We test all types of cars at Consumer Reports—pickup trucks, sports cars, hybrids… you name it. But the most-popular car type remains the traditional four-door sedan. There are many sedans to choose from, and as our tests show, they are not all created equal.
Celebrating the new year, we look back at the best sedans of 2014. All of them are recommended, which means they did well in our tests, didn't fail any government or insurance industry crash tests, and have at least average reliability. And the best part? None are over $34,000.
The cars below are in rank order, leading up to the class-topping Subaru Legacy. Click on the model names to access the complete road tests, pricing, owner satisfaction, reliability, and more. See our complete guide to sedans.
Base MSRP price range: $22,465 - $30,480
The Malibu's strengths include a comfortable and quiet ride, easy-to-use controls, and impressive crash test results. We tested two versions: the lower-level 1LT and the top-of-the-line 2LTZ. The uplevel 259-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine in the 2LTZ gets 24 mpg and zipped to 60 mph in only seven seconds. The base Malibu engine is a 197-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which provides plenty of power and returns 26 mpg overall. Overall, this is a car that's a fine day-to-day companion. But be careful adding options because the Malibu can get pricey.
Base MSRP price range: $22,500 - $36,630
The stylish Fusion is a delight to drive. All versions feel solid and upscale, and deliver a supple ride and agile handling. The cabin is blessedly quiet. The Titanium version is among the best-handling midsized sedans we've tested. And the Hybrid model has great fuel economy at 39 mpg overall. The main engines are 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinders, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. We averaged 24 and 22 mpg overall, respectively. The 1.5-liter does the job, but the 2.0-liter is punchier. All versions have a nicely finished cabin with comfortable seats, but the rear is somewhat snug. The available MyFord Touch infotainment system is needlessly complicated. Reliability has been average for all versions as of late.
Base MSRP price range: $21,120 - $35,660
Looking for a family sedan with king-sized room inside? The Passat may be your ticket. Front seats are accommodating but very firm. Extra-spacious rear seats are a big plus, and the trunk is huge. What also sets the Passat apart from the rest of the pack is its combination of responsive handling, a comfortable and quiet ride, and the choice of four-cylinder, V6, and diesel powertrains. The energetic 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine averaged a respectable 28 mpg overall and 39 mpg on the highway in our tests. The diesel has an amazing 690-mile cruising range. Plus, our data shows that the reliability of the diesel version has been average and the 1.8T is well above average. Another reason to consider the diesel model: Our owner satisfaction survey showed that 80 percent said they'd buy it again.
Base MSRP price range: $22,970 - $31,370
The Camry is almost always among the top-selling models year after year. Why? It's quiet, rides well, and very roomy. Over the years Toyota has improved the interior, making it feel less utilitarian. And while the handling is relatively crisp, the Camry will likely never be confused with acting like a sports sedan. All models get very decent fuel economy: The more-powerful V6 gives up only one mpg overall (26 mpg) to the four-cylinder version (27 mpg). The four-cylinder hybrid gets an outstanding 38 mpg overall, and it has a crazy-long 650-mile cruising range. Sealing the deal is that the Camry is among the most reliable cars made.
Base MSRP price range: $22,105 - $35,055
There are so many reasons to get an Accord than space here permits. For starters, the Accord has one of the best driving positions available, comfortable seats, and terrific visibility. All Accords have a standard backup camera—rare among family sedans. Uplevel models include advanced safety features seldom found in this category, including forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems, and Honda's new Lane Watch blind-spot camera system. The zippy four-cylinder engine's overall fuel economy is impressive, coming in at 30 mpg. The powerful V6 gets 26 mpg. The hybrid version tops them all with 40 mpg. Years of strong reliability is icing on the cake.
Base MSRP price range: $21,695 - $29,595
Live where you're regularly inundated with snow? The Legacy's standard all-wheel drive can pull you through. Need a car with plenty of room, a smooth ride and secure handling? The Legacy checks all these boxes. Worried about compromising fuel economy by choosing all-wheel drive? Relax… the Legacy returns a very good 26 mpg overall. And let's say you want the reassurance of confident reliability and a strong, crash-worthy structure? The Legacy's got you covered, acing the tough Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests. We simply don't have many criticisms for the Legacy. Well, the clock is a little small. We can't think of anything else.
—Mike Quincy
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