M/T The Big Test 2014/2015 Midsize Sedans
05-19-14, 09:22 AM
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M/T The Big Test 2014/2015 Midsize Sedans
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._the_big_test/
luv mazda 6. i would've had accord 2nd. they should've waited out and added new camry & sonata in the mix.
6th Place: Chevrolet Malibu
A lackluster engine, cheap interior, cramped rear seat, and poor efficiency seal Malibu's fate.
5th Place: Nissan Altima
Good value and space; shame about the lethargic powertrain and poor steering response.
4th Place: Honda Accord
If all you need is space and speed, look no further. A rough ride might be solved by a non-Sport model.
3rd Place: Chrysler 200
Chrysler gets an A for effort, but is let down by a lethargic powertrain, less-than-roomy cabin, and lack of refinement.
2nd Place: Kia Optima
A solid second-place finish for a comfortable, stylish, value-packed option that is also highly efficient.
1st Place: Mazda6
Roomy, composed, quick, and fun to drive, the Mazda's victory was unanimous among our judges.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz32BAhav7W
A lackluster engine, cheap interior, cramped rear seat, and poor efficiency seal Malibu's fate.
5th Place: Nissan Altima
Good value and space; shame about the lethargic powertrain and poor steering response.
4th Place: Honda Accord
If all you need is space and speed, look no further. A rough ride might be solved by a non-Sport model.
3rd Place: Chrysler 200
Chrysler gets an A for effort, but is let down by a lethargic powertrain, less-than-roomy cabin, and lack of refinement.
2nd Place: Kia Optima
A solid second-place finish for a comfortable, stylish, value-packed option that is also highly efficient.
1st Place: Mazda6
Roomy, composed, quick, and fun to drive, the Mazda's victory was unanimous among our judges.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz32BAhav7W
luv mazda 6. i would've had accord 2nd. they should've waited out and added new camry & sonata in the mix.
Last edited by hlee12; 05-19-14 at 09:40 AM.
05-19-14, 09:39 AM
#2
The Accord should have done better, but I hate CVT's, even Honda's.
200 with the Pentastar V6 is MUCH better than the Tigershark 4 cylinder. I know the 4 cylinders are the volume engines in this segment, but the V6 paired with the AWD was pretty stellar overall in my quick drive of it.
200 with the Pentastar V6 is MUCH better than the Tigershark 4 cylinder. I know the 4 cylinders are the volume engines in this segment, but the V6 paired with the AWD was pretty stellar overall in my quick drive of it.
05-19-14, 09:45 AM
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My only gripe with the Mazda 6 is the size of the nav screen.
05-19-14, 09:50 AM
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05-19-14, 10:14 AM
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I've driven most of these cars myself, and I think the new Ford Fusion would have done very well against any of them. I thought they were a little too hard on the Malibu, though I agree it can't match its far-superior big brother Impala, which is superb. The Optima probably deserves second place.....it is a surprisingly good design, though the SX version rides too stiffly. From a strictly driving-enthusiast point of view, I can probably see how the Mazda6 would have won, but, in the real world, more is involved than just a sporting drive and quick reflexes.
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05-19-14, 11:22 AM
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But let's get down to business: Who's up to bat and who's warming the bench? In this comparison, we have the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Kia Optima, both recently refreshed, along with the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200. We also let in three big players that were launched within the past couple years: last year's three-car midsize comparo winner, the Mazda6, the second-place finisher Honda Accord, and the Nissan Altima. That's a total of six midsize sedans.
Why didn't your favorite make the grade? Well, the Volkswagen Passat with the new 1.8T engine was invited, but a last-minute recall having to do with the transmission cooler O-ring wasn't resolved by game time. The Ford Fusion was also invited, but Ford politely refused to give us a car. OK, but how could we possibly overlook the best-selling Toyota Camry, for Pete's sake? Simply put, the Camry finished third in last year's three-car comparison, and there is a large-scale refresh on the horizon for the 2015 model year. We'll wait until the new car becomes available. Same goes for the all-new Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy both due to launch toward the end of the year. Stay tuned to see the winner of this comparison lock horns with all of these upcoming models. For now, grab a cup of coffee and make yourself comfortable.
Why didn't your favorite make the grade? Well, the Volkswagen Passat with the new 1.8T engine was invited, but a last-minute recall having to do with the transmission cooler O-ring wasn't resolved by game time. The Ford Fusion was also invited, but Ford politely refused to give us a car. OK, but how could we possibly overlook the best-selling Toyota Camry, for Pete's sake? Simply put, the Camry finished third in last year's three-car comparison, and there is a large-scale refresh on the horizon for the 2015 model year. We'll wait until the new car becomes available. Same goes for the all-new Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy both due to launch toward the end of the year. Stay tuned to see the winner of this comparison lock horns with all of these upcoming models. For now, grab a cup of coffee and make yourself comfortable.
05-19-14, 11:59 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
I've driven most of these cars myself, and I think the new Ford Fusion would have done very well against any of them. I thought they were a little too hard on the Malibu, though I agree it can't match its far-superior big brother Impala, which is superb. The Optima probably deserves second place.....it is a surprisingly good design, though the SX version rides too stiffly. From a strictly driving-enthusiast point of view, I can probably see how the Mazda6 would have won, but, in the real world, more is involved than just a sporting drive and quick reflexes.
Now if GM could just stop wasting their time on almost nice SS and the SS interiors we might just a nicer Malibu
05-19-14, 02:25 PM
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05-19-14, 03:46 PM
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. As to the Fusion, there's nothing to be afraid about, and it's won a few of it's own.Congrats to Mazda. I too would have rated the Accord higher
05-19-14, 04:26 PM
#15
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MT, of course, is entitled to its opinion (as you are). From other tests/reviews I've seen of the latest mid-sized sedans, some publications agree, and some disagree.
This specific test is also lacking several cars that would compete strongly, such as the Fusion, Passat, Legacy, Sonata, and Regal, although it could be argued that the Regal is in a slightly higher price-range.
Now if GM could just stop wasting their time on almost nice SS and the SS interiors we might just a nicer Malibu
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-20-14 at 06:16 AM.