An a car enthusiast, the Mazda6 would be my choice with the Accord Sport a close second. Both can be had with a 6 speed manual if you can even find one. Not sure how the Passat won but hats fine. Some positive press is surely wanted by VW these days
How is the Accord not even in the top 4? I give the other three their place, but the Passat is way out of line. Listening to the comments, 75% of why the Passat won was space. "It's roomy, it's spacious..." So is a packing crate.
My top 4: 1) Toyota Camry: I drive a black 2015 XSE V6. Fantastic Car!!! 2) Mazda6: Would've checked one out if it offered a V6. Desperately needs one! 3) Hyundai Sonata: Looks beautiful especially in black, but again no V6. 4) Ford Fusion: My uncle is leasing one & he's loving it! So glad Ford is finally adding a V6 for the 2017 refresh & it's turbocharged!
The Arteon is doing good for my dad. A 2019, no issues. 25k miles. Just breaks had to change and oil. In the tailpipe though I put my finger and it was a little black. Does that mean it is burning oil or is that normal?
The Accord Sport is by far the best IMO. Honda reliability. Not as boring as a Toyota. The new sports look like a Mercedes E class from the outside and you can add options such a leather, moonroof, etc and still have the sticker only be 25-26k. God I love those rims.
bought a black one a month ago....I love it and I get A TON of compliments and folks saying...."that's an ACCORD?!"! $24,300 out the door with a moonroof installed!
The only mid-sized cars I'd completely avoid are the Passat and Altima. Fusion/6/Accord/Camry/Malibu/Sonata/Optima, it's really a choice of what characteristics one likes best. A bit more sporty, a bit more economical, a bit more practical, each one has its own personality.
My opinion is that you had 3 great cars until the VW. Where is the 2016 Honda Accord? it's the best with looks, power, interior quality, safety, the list goes on...Honda all the way!
I think you are right about vw. its a very high quality and comfort car. every one should drive this car and after drive experience jadge. but I like honda more than hyundai! and of course kia is on if the best this days! thanks for video
in the end style doesnt matter because most mid sized sedan buyers arent looking for swoopy lines that will be outdated in two years, Vws passat stays the same an that design proves strong.
Everybody loves to hate Volkswagen. I personally like Volkswagen. They are nice cars for the money. They were BMW money I probably wouldn't like them as much. But you definitely get your money's worth with a Volkswagen.
My 2015 mazda6 GT is still running strong with 100k miles not a single issue other than battery and oil changes. It handles better than any other midrange sedan.
i love reading the comments...people really get upset over the reviews...i love motorweek...rarely do they really get it wrong and genuinly you feel the love of the reviews...car guys forever...but a car by any car is up to the owner what they like...obviously looks...the way it drives ..how it feels when u sit in it..depending on size of you..some people need a bigger car feel..some people lkike economy looks and others not so much..its all relative to the eyes of the beholder for the most part...there is some expert driver critics they offer such as numb steering and so on..but some people really need that because they are not driving around a track and lets be honest not the besst drivers..put them in a car thats too responsive and their nervous and twitchy and end up off the road...all these car companies have their issues..and like honda gets it good car publicity everywhere but ive driven the hondas before and for my preference its cardboard rigid feel seat and go cart feel was not so much to my liking..no offense honda owners...interiors...somebody make up their mind...seems the passat at #1 because of styling? i must say seems buyers were conservative all the way around...u can go back to the 90's and see similar looking interior and exterior..although materials may be better and they put a nav where the cassette player used to be...maybe its true like fashion trends ,style is trendy...and looking ahead when in 20 years they look back and say man that was ugly ...we can all giggle
malibu making some serious gains in terms of quality and design, KIA as a brand has come leaps and bounds from their older times, and the passat is one of the most expensive so i can see it winning.
compared to the Current Fusion, Chrysler 200, Sonata, ect its leaps and bounds ahead in terms of tech, performance, and MPG results. why does that upset you?
also while we are at it i also forgot to mention the Malibu also comes with the one of the most powerful standard engines in its class, its one of the largest in its segment, and its one of the lightest in its segment.
"Impala is much better value. " *its one of the best full - larger mid sized sedans for the money... but the Lacrosse is even better value, just a bit more and you get far more leather and sound dampening if you can with stand the old people stigma... also the lacrosse is far better than any sedan Lincoln currently offers* "Ford offers a 325hp V6 option with AWD. That's unmatched in this segment" *thats why its also the most expensive in the segment now, despite lack of an upgraded interior, lack of upgraded materials, and lack of upgraded interior design* *i worked for dream cars for 3 years driving everything from Focuses to Porsches so i have my opinions on these kinds of cars ;) and seeing the last gen fusions interior was one of the worst in clas (not much better than the last gen malibu) im very disappointed to see them not improve it* "Anyway... For my $, it's probably the Kia or an Accord Sport." *Mazda for days if i had to pick a mid sized sedan, design, pretty good interior, good tech, and the drivers car of the segment, kia is great value and they have improved a ton... just not my cup of tea...* have a good night :)
***** I think the redesign will help it move a few more units. Not enough to beat the Camry but maybe the Fusion. If my 2016 Volt is anything to go by Chevy is heading in the right direction.
Lmao. There is a ton of Kia/Hyundai bashing. Hyundai and Kia are among some of the best cars you can buy now. There are a lot of people on here who are still stuck in the 80s and 90s. Own one and you will see for yourself, cause I doubt most of you even own one. And I understand if you had one in the past that has had problems, but every car company has a lemon or you clearly aren’t maintaining your vehicle. If you take care of it, it will last, and that applies to every car, even though I still don’t trust GM or FCA. And yes, the Japanese make fantastic cars also. If I were to buy any car, I would get a Mazda, Hyundai, or Kia. Honda’s are not as good as they used to be imo, (I used to be a Honda fan until 2016 came around) and I’m not a big fan of Toyota bc (with the exception of the NEW Camry) I honestly think they are a bit boring. They are rock solid reliable, but not everybody, especially car enthusiasts, look for reliability alone. They look for much more. Like, safety, value for the money, and fuel economy.
You're absolutely right. I remember when Hyndai and Kia (along with Daewoo) were considered tin-can-disposable econoboxes. I understand that these companies are now top contenders. However, some older folks like me (53 y.o.) just cannot shake that original image and still cannot imagine owning a car with one of those names on the back.
I guess the winner last time, sonata was too plain jane in exterior styling, but very good Passat went from 3rd to 1st place. Very roomy rear seat, and great fun to drive. But I'd swap the optima's 2nd place for the Accord or Mazda6.
It not plain maybe in the video but it real life there's a lot going on inside simple easy to go through and the touch screen is faster than a lot of cars that I tested are slower!!!!😫
Great comparison. It's really inspiring how much Hyundai and Kia have improved for the past few years that sonatas and optimas would easily surpass camrys and accords. On the other hand, I find the passat's looks are dull and boring which would alone, decrown it from the first place. Nissan is disappoiting and not showing drastic improvements especially it is still dragging that CVT behind it, making it always at the back of the stack.
+megaroast I'm not predicting and this is not coming out of no where. You could just read numerous consumer reports and check out reliability lists, and you will find previous -yet not too old- Nissans being unsatisfactory when it comes to their reliability mainly due to CVTs. However, I hope Nissan will be able to work it out in the future either by letting go of the CVTs or improving them.
Working for a rental company has some perks, and one of them is that I've driven almost all of these cars (havn't driven a Mazda 6 ), and I can tell you 100% that the Passat being the #1 best mid-sized sedan in this list is an absolute JOKE. As a matter of fact they are so crappy that we actively try to get rid of them whenever one gets returned to our branch because they ALWAYS have something wrong with them that requires a trip to the dealer. The only thing it has going for it is that its "fast" with the 2.0T, but that's it. As much as I hate to say this, i'd rank the Camry and Accord as the best mid-sized cars out there, but the Fusion, Malibu, Sonata, And Optima are all solid. The Altima is so so mainly because the CVT it has is just brutal. And if you need to rent and the only car left is a Chrysler 200...run.
You clearly don't know much about VW because the Passat is powered by a 1.8T. My Jetta has been the most reliable out of the 4 cars I've had. (Subaru, Kia, Chrysler)
You clearly don't know much about VW... they're famous for being unreliable. I had an 03 Jetta. LCD screen on the speedo burned out, rear windows didn't work, sunroof didn't work, and at 130k miles the transmission started bucking. Replaced it with an 09 Sonata V6 and everything still works, even after 7 years. Fuck Volkswagen and their overpriced pieces of shit. If you own a Jetta, I GUARANTEE you have had problems. Don't even lie.
Passthedutch My car has had a few issues, but like I said it's been more reliable than a Kia Soul, Chrysler Sebring (What isn't) and a Subaru Outback. I've put just about 41 thousand miles on my car in 2 years and it's at 79k. We shall see what the future brings.
I can't believe the Camry and the Accord didn't make the list, I am happy to see that the Hyundai Sonata did, I feel the Hyundai Sonata is a very underrated car that gets overlooked in favor of the Camry and the Accord.
The VW is all about feel, driving experience, interior switches feeling much more refined and proper placement of pretty much everything. The seats, the view outside of the car.. it is TOPS. Trouble is maintenance, and repairs. Which everyone seems to bring up. A lot of you are likely the typical American that gets rid of cars by the 100 thousand mile mark, every 6 years, etc. So I am not so sure you should concern yourselves with the car's long term ownership costs? Every car, every brand will be fine through that time. I for one am not that American, I still have and love my 92 VW GTI 16v. The newer cars, particularly, VW, are very complicated. I will stick with the VW's before 1993. For new cars I will only chose Subaru. My wife just replaced the last one. Our 04 Forester never had one issue in 160k, sold above KBB. Our new 2016 mid range model was 25 grand out the door, gets over 30 mpg highway, has a big sunroof, comfy seats, and the best view out of the car. Only sold it to buy new due to the rear seat design making a rear facing car seat difficult for the front seat occupants. we would have continued to own it. This one will be with us at least 20 years. If you want value out of your cars... Keep Them.
I have never known anyone with a VW more than 2 years old that did not complain of it being a rolling rattle-bag of expensive troubles. Not to mention routine maintenance, which is 2x the cost of an American or Asian vehicle. VW is a triumph of savvy, demographics-driven marketing versus substance and solidity.
I would say the Ford Fusion it's probably the best, not the most reliable that would definitely be the Camry. The MKZ would also finish tops but it's different class however at this time you could have gotten a deeply discounted
Skyactive technology, highest compression ratio , so high, that Mazda already came out with Skyactive X gas engine with no spark plugs. 100 % gas up to 70mpg. And it gets better.
It's amazing to me how close these new mid sized cars really are in terms of creature comforts, styling, and overall power.. They really feel much bigger than they are. Mileage is impressive and the old 4 cylinder vs V6 moniker seems less and less of a real world power problem and more of a mental problem. I have test driven every 1 of these cars except the VW and they each had very appealing features and driving attributes. Some had too many gadgets for my taste, but that's what people are looking for these days. So be it. If 1 is looking for a base model, it seems 1 must special order it.
Drove a Passat in Germany last fall; liked it a lot. Suproised that it was in the price range mentioned. Would definitively rate it higher than the Camry (recently bought one for my son and one for my sister--Toyota negotiates well on price!!). I also like the Kia and Hyundis as well--no mention of the longer warranty here.
Keep in mind.....the European Passat is a different car altogether than the dumbed-down version we get in America...and that's what makes this comparo so much garbage! VW doesn't even give us the BEST version, and they sill voted it number 1
VW wanted more sales in the USA. Therefore, the created a cheaper Passat. They stated this. VW said the car would be around $7k cheaper than the euro passat. They even built a factory in Tennessee.
They are there not to luxurious but they are at least comfortable and they are easy to navigate through in my opinion it doesn't distract you while you're driving!
It's a clean design. My company provides me with long term rentals so I have had opportunity to drive many different cars in past year. I like the simplicity of the interior controls. I am not wasting time trying to go through menu screens or search for hard to find buttons. As an everyday driver, its spacious, seats are supportive, decent trunk, reasonable fuel economy for the performance. RIde is comfortable, and handling is stable on curves without beating you up. The only reason I wlll never buy one is because it is unreliable. The manager at Enterprise complained about the cost of maintaining them. As much as I liked the Passat, the Ford Fusion SE with ecoboost beat it in every category except fuel economy, that thing is as thirsty as a 3.0 V6.
Aaron P No, what i mean is that Ford and Hyundai promised V6 performance and 4 cyl fuel effiecney with their turbo 4s but the turbo four only gets me 18 city 24 highway
John Wayne Volkswagen is as dated as can be. The car looks like it was made in the 1990s and hasn't changed the design in years. It's awful. Camry deserves number one and accord or Mazda for second place.
Come on MW. Where's the Fusion? I know there's a lot of cars but you gotta have the Big 5. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, and Honda. Hyundai/Kia is getting to that level.
1. VW Passat 2. Kia Optima 3. Toyota Camry 4. Chevrolet Malibu I cannot own a Honda or Mazda, their A/C is too weak for me, it is there just for decorative reasons and the reason of no altima on my list is no manual transmission and the auto is a CVT.
I have the Accord Sport.....you only notice the CVT when you're TRYING to notice it. If I KNOW i need to gun it....I use the paddles and they work great! Not sure where you live, but AC performance isn't all that important to EVERYONE. Not sure just how cold folks want their interiors to be actually, but I haven't noticed it. Not to mention, in MIchigan, you need it (maybe) 60 days outta the yesr...not worth going to a Camry for that! Sorry dude, but that Camry is the car for folks who want to do NO research on their vehicle before purchasing, b/c if they DID, they prolly wouldn't buy it! Same for Corolla
I live in Australia and I need it, Honda along with mazda and euro fords have the worst a/c systems in the industry, i just came from a holiday from europe and hondas a/c couldnt even cool at 25c to 30c external temperatures, my Skoda cools even at 50c external temperatures to 16 to 18 internal. And as for cvt, i can notice straight away.
so if you equip the Sonata to the level the kia was equipped. Would they both be in second place? thats crazy considering just a few years ago hyundai was considered cheap crap. Loving my sonata. definitely recommend it.
These results may look good on paper but at the end of the day, which cars last over ten years with no issues. Reliability is the name of the game. I'll stay with what last and not what looks good according to some car "experts" and a couple looking for a new car. And VW, I've heard too many bad stories from people who owned Jettas and Passats.
As far as imports, give me the Subaru Legacy; it’s a far better car than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The Hyundai Sonata is a great second choice. I do not want a car that everyone else owns, which is the case of the Camry and Accord. The Chevrolet Malibu is an underrated car for what it is, and it’s a beautiful car that’s proven and reliable. This is NOT a “rental car” reject; its track record is excellent. I’d buy a Malibu over a Camry or Accord!
What?? Passat #1? you gotta be kidding. that boring grill has been in that car for at least 10 years: 1.- TOYOTA CAMRY 2.- HONDA ACCORD 3.- HYUNDAI SONATA 4.- CHEVROLET MALIBU 5.- MAZDA 6 6.- VW PASSAT 7.- SUBARU LEGACY 8.- KIA OPTIMA 9.- NISSAN ALTIMA
The only cars here you will still see on the road 20 years from now will be the Accord, Camry and 4wd Camry aka Subaru legacy both of which come from the same factory.
That Passat looks and feels old now! And, aside from the emissions scandal, the Euro-spec Passat is much better! Traditional yet modern looks, modern technology and a much better cabin!
I have driven several of these as rentals while my Acura awaits the airbag recall. In my opinion, the Passat was complete junk and way behind the times in terms of technology. Inside and out it looked and felt old. The Fusion was very nice and came with a lot of standard features, but it felt under powered, big, and only averaged 29 MPG. The Sonata is what I am currently driving and I am enjoying it. It feels smaller than it is and averages 34 MPG.
I think the vw is the ugliest in the group as are all vws, just my opinion. Reliability is questionable. Repair costs are outrageous. Oh and don't forget vw did rip off consumers with false epa ratings. Other than that, what a great choice to win.
It seems VWs are an acquired tasted or something. I personally think the Passat looks better than all the others except for the Sonata. It looks more refined and classy instead of the wanna-be sporty look of Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Also, VW didn't rip anyone off. They still get the advertised MPG ratings, sometimes even better. The problem was that the EPA didn't like that VW basically flipped them the bird by rigging the efficiency killing emissions systems to shut off when the car wasn't being inspected.
I have owned 3 VW's and currently drive a 2017 Jetta I have had ZERO problems. Japanese cars and thier CVT engines suck.. My second choice would be the Hyundai or Kia.
Kia and Hyundai aren't the most reliable cars, people complaining about Kia's problems everywhere. I had an Accord 2015 EXL and couldn't deal with the CVT and road and wind noise, I got a Camry 2016 and its quiet and its one of the most reliable cars as same as Lexus. And it's made in USA
Do you really need both the Optima AND the Sonata? Aren't they the same car? You could've included a Fusion instead of one of the Korean twins. The Malibu's mpg is pathetic. It has the smallest engine yet delivers the second worst fuel economy (only the Subaru is worse, and that's because it has AWD). Subaru should offer a 2.0L FWD for better mileage. There's no way in hell VW deserves to be first. They are just not reliable, especially the 1.8T!
BOY you racist! I love my Volkswagon. I was drunk driving and crashed into a parked car in the street, and man i SLAMMED into that car. And i walked away!!! Vw makes a great product.
lol Americans don't maintain their cars and then complain when it breaks, I just came back from Europe and saw so many high mileage VW's of all sorts still going without needing any work other than scheduled maintenance, ass long as you follow its service book's schedule it will be ok.
US Passat shouldn't wear a VW badge, or a Passat name. That thing is shit. The quality levels are worse than in a VW Polo (the small 3door hatchback in Europe, basically the cheapest VW). Even a Golf 7 is several steps above in terms of quality.
Subarus have average liability, their CVT transmissions can become very problematic, and the 2.5 boxer engine has a propensity to burn oil. I would highly recommend getting the extended warranty
An a car enthusiast, the Mazda6 would be my choice with the Accord Sport a close second. Both can be had with a 6 speed manual if you can even find one. Not sure how the Passat won but hats fine. Some positive press is surely wanted by VW these days
Volkswagen has paid them off! they need good press.... Honda would be my pic
Passat also comes in stick just FYI
Any evidence to back up your claims?
PASSAT lost its manual for 2016...
vwmatt33 accord has a cvt. 👎
How is the Accord not even in the top 4? I give the other three their place, but the Passat is way out of line. Listening to the comments, 75% of why the Passat won was space. "It's roomy, it's spacious..." So is a packing crate.
Passat: "High quality materials!" Proceeds to show crappy, grey fake leather that looks like a bus seat
Direct Reply
It's like Mercedes Benz Tex. Ughh
My top 4:
1) Toyota Camry: I drive a black 2015 XSE V6. Fantastic Car!!!
2) Mazda6: Would've checked one out if it offered a V6. Desperately needs one!
3) Hyundai Sonata: Looks beautiful especially in black, but again no V6.
4) Ford Fusion: My uncle is leasing one & he's loving it! So glad Ford is finally adding a V6 for the 2017 refresh & it's turbocharged!
Good luck with the Passat for reliability. Get rid of it after 3 years.
The Arteon is doing good for my dad. A 2019, no issues. 25k miles. Just breaks had to change and oil. In the tailpipe though I put my finger and it was a little black. Does that mean it is burning oil or is that normal?
The Accord Sport is by far the best IMO. Honda reliability. Not as boring as a Toyota. The new sports look like a Mercedes E class from the outside and you can add options such a leather, moonroof, etc and still have the sticker only be 25-26k. God I love those rims.
bought a black one a month ago....I love it and I get A TON of compliments and folks saying...."that's an ACCORD?!"! $24,300 out the door with a moonroof installed!
The only mid-sized cars I'd completely avoid are the Passat and Altima. Fusion/6/Accord/Camry/Malibu/Sonata/Optima, it's really a choice of what characteristics one likes best. A bit more sporty, a bit more economical, a bit more practical, each one has its own personality.
I would choose Malibu. Always loyal to it and the last longer. Also Chevy makes cars that last.
HAHA good one
My opinion is that you had 3 great cars until the VW. Where is the 2016 Honda Accord? it's the best with looks, power, interior quality, safety, the list goes on...Honda all the way!
Nick Larson lol agreed. I would have ranked them as follows: 1. Optima 2. Accord 3. Sonata 4. Malibu
I’d have done: Legacy, Malibu, Accord, Sonata.
I think you are right about vw. its a very high quality and comfort car. every one should drive this car and after drive experience jadge. but I like honda more than hyundai!
and of course kia is on if the best this days!
thanks for video
VWs best for sure. No one can match their fit and finish at the price.
Ford Fusion is a NO SHOW again?!?!? You couldn't rent one for this test?
what I was thinking
gene978 no pay no show
The fusion is easily top 2 or 3 of all of these
go team ford :(
Wee they won't even be making them anymore, lol
in the end style doesnt matter because most mid sized sedan buyers arent looking for swoopy lines that will be outdated in two years, Vws passat stays the same an that design proves strong.
This presenter has been yelling since the 1980s ;o)
Well his voice was much calmer in the 80s. He got louder gradually over the years.
+lfsracer79 he sounds the same to me
RetroGamerVX That's because he's the best.
RetroGamerVX
YES
Really shocked about the exclusion of the Ford Fusion.
Where s the Fusion, its segments 4th best seller and I think a heavily under rated machine
Everybody loves to hate Volkswagen. I personally like Volkswagen. They are nice cars for the money. They were BMW money I probably wouldn't like them as much. But you definitely get your money's worth with a Volkswagen.
My 2015 mazda6 GT is still running strong with 100k miles not a single issue other than battery and oil changes. It handles better than any other midrange sedan.
My Top 4
1. Mazda 6
2.Honda Accord
3. Kia Optima
4. Nissan Altima ( And I'm A Nissan Guy)
we know you're a nissan guy. no one else would put the nissan in the top 5
+judge sim Uhhh It's Just My Opinion , But I Didn't Ask For Yours Though✌🏾️
Too many bad experiences in VWs to ever consider another one. For the most part they do drive nice though.
agreed. VW repair bills are nightmarish.
I have a 92 GTI. It is a great car.
Martin Smith I remember having a VW hatchback as a teen, many mechanical problems.
i love reading the comments...people really get upset over the reviews...i love motorweek...rarely do they really get it wrong and genuinly you feel the love of the reviews...car guys forever...but a car by any car is up to the owner what they like...obviously looks...the way it drives ..how it feels when u sit in it..depending on size of you..some people need a bigger car feel..some people lkike economy looks and others not so much..its all relative to the eyes of the beholder for the most part...there is some expert driver critics they offer such as numb steering and so on..but some people really need that because they are not driving around a track and lets be honest not the besst drivers..put them in a car thats too responsive and their nervous and twitchy and end up off the road...all these car companies have their issues..and like honda gets it good car publicity everywhere but ive driven the hondas before and for my preference its cardboard rigid feel seat and go cart feel was not so much to my liking..no offense honda owners...interiors...somebody make up their mind...seems the passat at #1 because of styling? i must say seems buyers were conservative all the way around...u can go back to the 90's and see similar looking interior and exterior..although materials may be better and they put a nav where the cassette player used to be...maybe its true like fashion trends ,style is trendy...and looking ahead when in 20 years they look back and say man that was ugly ...we can all giggle
malibu making some serious gains in terms of quality and design, KIA as a brand has come leaps and bounds from their older times, and the passat is one of the most expensive so i can see it winning.
compared to the Current Fusion, Chrysler 200, Sonata, ect its leaps and bounds ahead in terms of tech, performance, and MPG results. why does that upset you?
also while we are at it i also forgot to mention the Malibu also comes with the one of the most powerful standard engines in its class, its one of the largest in its segment, and its one of the lightest in its segment.
hmmm, not sure really, for the price i would rather have a Mustang eco boost or a Camaro RS... before i get to old ;)
"Impala is much better value. "
*its one of the best full - larger mid sized sedans for the money... but the Lacrosse is even better value, just a bit more and you get far more leather and sound dampening if you can with stand the old people stigma... also the lacrosse is far better than any sedan Lincoln currently offers*
"Ford offers a 325hp V6 option with AWD. That's unmatched in this segment"
*thats why its also the most expensive in the segment now, despite lack of an upgraded interior, lack of upgraded materials, and lack of upgraded interior design*
*i worked for dream cars for 3 years driving everything from Focuses to Porsches so i have my opinions on these kinds of cars ;) and seeing the last gen fusions interior was one of the worst in clas (not much better than the last gen malibu) im very disappointed to see them not improve it*
"Anyway... For my $, it's probably the Kia or an Accord Sport."
*Mazda for days if i had to pick a mid sized sedan, design, pretty good interior, good tech, and the drivers car of the segment, kia is great value and they have improved a ton... just not my cup of tea...*
have a good night :)
***** I think the redesign will help it move a few more units. Not enough to beat the Camry but maybe the Fusion. If my 2016 Volt is anything to go by Chevy is heading in the right direction.
The Legacy is the best choice imho...a
I am surprised by the comments about VW reliability. I have owned a Jetta for 7 1/2 years with absolutely zero problems.
vw’s fall apart after a few years
no fusion?
And no Chrysler 200?
The Chrysler 200 is all but dead.
+radudeATL Hardly. They're on The Price is Right all the time. 😝
Lmao. There is a ton of Kia/Hyundai bashing. Hyundai and Kia are among some of the best cars you can buy now. There are a lot of people on here who are still stuck in the 80s and 90s. Own one and you will see for yourself, cause I doubt most of you even own one. And I understand if you had one in the past that has had problems, but every car company has a lemon or you clearly aren’t maintaining your vehicle. If you take care of it, it will last, and that applies to every car, even though I still don’t trust GM or FCA. And yes, the Japanese make fantastic cars also. If I were to buy any car, I would get a Mazda, Hyundai, or Kia. Honda’s are not as good as they used to be imo, (I used to be a Honda fan until 2016 came around) and I’m not a big fan of Toyota bc (with the exception of the NEW Camry) I honestly think they are a bit boring. They are rock solid reliable, but not everybody, especially car enthusiasts, look for reliability alone. They look for much more. Like, safety, value for the money, and fuel economy.
You're absolutely right. I remember when Hyndai and Kia (along with Daewoo) were considered tin-can-disposable econoboxes. I understand that these companies are now top contenders. However, some older folks like me (53 y.o.) just cannot shake that original image and still cannot imagine owning a car with one of those names on the back.
C'mon judges...SERIOUSLY?! That Passat looks (and probably drives) like a 75 year old accountant drives it.
key word "probably"
...my guess is that you're "probably" a dumbass who's never even sat in a Passat.
J O no i’ve driven plenty he’s not wrong u dipshit
I guess the winner last time, sonata was too plain jane in exterior styling, but very good Passat went from 3rd to 1st place. Very roomy rear seat, and great fun to drive. But I'd swap the optima's 2nd place for the Accord or Mazda6.
It not plain maybe in the video but it real life there's a lot going on inside simple easy to go through and the touch screen is faster than a lot of cars that I tested are slower!!!!😫
Great comparison. It's really inspiring how much Hyundai and Kia have improved for the past few years that sonatas and optimas would easily surpass camrys and accords. On the other hand, I find the passat's looks are dull and boring which would alone, decrown it from the first place. Nissan is disappoiting and not showing drastic improvements especially it is still dragging that CVT behind it, making it always at the back of the stack.
The optima should win it..1.6 turbo engine is a mixed balance in my opinion though
+crysisownz yes i think optima's warranty also gives it a decent push towards the top.
I had a manual Nissan and it was a one reliable badass. Nissan's CVT is simply problematic and unreliable in the long-run.
+megaroast I'm not predicting and this is not coming out of no where. You could just read numerous consumer reports and check out reliability lists, and you will find previous -yet not too old- Nissans being unsatisfactory when it comes to their reliability mainly due to CVTs. However, I hope Nissan will be able to work it out in the future either by letting go of the CVTs or improving them.
not according to google. it's an unreliable piece of shit.
Working for a rental company has some perks, and one of them is that I've driven almost all of these cars (havn't driven a Mazda 6 ), and I can tell you 100% that the Passat being the #1 best mid-sized sedan in this list is an absolute JOKE. As a matter of fact they are so crappy that we actively try to get rid of them whenever one gets returned to our branch because they ALWAYS have something wrong with them that requires a trip to the dealer. The only thing it has going for it is that its "fast" with the 2.0T, but that's it. As much as I hate to say this, i'd rank the Camry and Accord as the best mid-sized cars out there, but the Fusion, Malibu, Sonata, And Optima are all solid. The Altima is so so mainly because the CVT it has is just brutal. And if you need to rent and the only car left is a Chrysler 200...run.
You clearly don't know much about VW because the Passat is powered by a 1.8T. My Jetta has been the most reliable out of the 4 cars I've had. (Subaru, Kia, Chrysler)
You clearly don't know much about VW... they're famous for being unreliable. I had an 03 Jetta. LCD screen on the speedo burned out, rear windows didn't work, sunroof didn't work, and at 130k miles the transmission started bucking. Replaced it with an 09 Sonata V6 and everything still works, even after 7 years.
Fuck Volkswagen and their overpriced pieces of shit. If you own a Jetta, I GUARANTEE you have had problems. Don't even lie.
Passthedutch My car has had a few issues, but like I said it's been more reliable than a Kia Soul, Chrysler Sebring (What isn't) and a Subaru Outback. I've put just about 41 thousand miles on my car in 2 years and it's at 79k. We shall see what the future brings.
+Anthony Cuda my Passat was a money drain, get rid of your piece of crap before it's too late
Passat has Audi like styling!!!
Best sedan is 2017-2018 Malibu premier hands down
where is the Ford Fusion??
4 years later you would want to own the camry, maybe the Accord.
The Honda Accord absolutely slaughters the unreliable VW Passat
i can't agree more with u
Just bought a 'Sport' this week.....LOVE this thing...and that Passat looks geriatric
Without a doubt. I had an accord. Very reliable car. Loved it
Even thou the Honda may kill you in an accident with exploding air bag shrapnel lol
Cut it out! :)
For new cars: Malibu 2.0T/Legacy 3.6
For used: 7th Gen Accord v6
I can't believe the Camry and the Accord didn't make the list, I am happy to see that the Hyundai Sonata did, I feel the Hyundai Sonata is a very underrated car that gets overlooked in favor of the Camry and the Accord.
Honda and Mazda not in top four!? Weird, but that's ok. Maybe things have changed a lot since I test drove a bunch of these a few months back.
VW Passat of course!
The VW is all about feel, driving experience, interior switches feeling much more refined and proper placement of pretty much everything. The seats, the view outside of the car.. it is TOPS.
Trouble is maintenance, and repairs. Which everyone seems to bring up. A lot of you are likely the typical American that gets rid of cars by the 100 thousand mile mark, every 6 years, etc. So I am not so sure you should concern yourselves with the car's long term ownership costs? Every car, every brand will be fine through that time.
I for one am not that American, I still have and love my 92 VW GTI 16v. The newer cars, particularly, VW, are very complicated. I will stick with the VW's before 1993.
For new cars I will only chose Subaru. My wife just replaced the last one. Our 04 Forester never had one issue in 160k, sold above KBB. Our new 2016 mid range model was 25 grand out the door, gets over 30 mpg highway, has a big sunroof, comfy seats, and the best view out of the car. Only sold it to buy new due to the rear seat design making a rear facing car seat difficult for the front seat occupants. we would have continued to own it. This one will be with us at least 20 years.
If you want value out of your cars... Keep Them.
I have never known anyone with a VW more than 2 years old that did not complain of it being a rolling rattle-bag of expensive troubles. Not to mention routine maintenance, which is 2x the cost of an American or Asian vehicle. VW is a triumph of savvy, demographics-driven marketing versus substance and solidity.
I like the Malibu. I own an 08 and it has 166K on it. Still runs great. I want to get a new card but this one just won't die.
Where is the Fusion? its the best selling american sedan and 4th overall....
I think one Ford/Chevy on the list is quit enough don't you?
I was wondering that as well...
I would say the Ford Fusion it's probably the best, not the most reliable that would definitely be the Camry. The MKZ would also finish tops but it's different class however at this time you could have gotten a deeply discounted
Boo, The Mazda is much better then most of those, can't understand why it's not towards the top.
john have you even driven the other cars? What makes the Mazda the best?
Skyactive technology, highest compression ratio , so high, that Mazda already came out with Skyactive X gas engine with no spark plugs. 100 % gas up to 70mpg. And it gets better.
It's amazing to me how close these new mid sized cars really are in terms of creature comforts, styling, and overall power.. They really feel much bigger than they are. Mileage is impressive and the old 4 cylinder vs V6 moniker seems less and less of a real world power problem and more of a mental problem. I have test driven every 1 of these cars except the VW and they each had very appealing features and driving attributes. Some had too many gadgets for my taste, but that's what people are looking for these days. So be it. If 1 is looking for a base model, it seems 1 must special order it.
my top cars would be Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata.
Drove a Passat in Germany last fall; liked it a lot. Suproised that it was in the price range mentioned. Would definitively rate it higher than the Camry (recently bought one for my son and one for my sister--Toyota negotiates well on price!!). I also like the Kia and Hyundis as well--no mention of the longer warranty here.
Keep in mind.....the European Passat is a different car altogether than the dumbed-down version we get in America...and that's what makes this comparo so much garbage! VW doesn't even give us the BEST version, and they sill voted it number 1
VW wanted more sales in the USA. Therefore, the created a cheaper Passat. They stated this. VW said the car would be around $7k cheaper than the euro passat.
They even built a factory in Tennessee.
Hyundai & Kia's interiors are so basic laid out, I don't know how everyone's saying they look luxurious
They are there not to luxurious but they are at least comfortable and they are easy to navigate through in my opinion it doesn't distract you while you're driving!
Wow, no Japanese cars in the top 4 of mid-size sedan comparison....
I am especially surprised by Honda Accord not making the top 4....
Even with a redesign the Passat does not look good and is boring imitate doesn't deserve 1st place at all
It's a clean design. My company provides me with long term rentals so I have had opportunity to drive many different cars in past year. I like the simplicity of the interior controls. I am not wasting time trying to go through menu screens or search for hard to find buttons. As an everyday driver, its spacious, seats are supportive, decent trunk, reasonable fuel economy for the performance. RIde is comfortable, and handling is stable on curves without beating you up. The only reason I wlll never buy one is because it is unreliable. The manager at Enterprise complained about the cost of maintaining them. As much as I liked the Passat, the Ford Fusion SE with ecoboost beat it in every category except fuel economy, that thing is as thirsty as a 3.0 V6.
+John Wayne A 3.0 Ecoboost V6 in a 2016 Ford Fusion?
Aaron P No, what i mean is that Ford and Hyundai promised V6 performance and 4 cyl fuel effiecney with their turbo 4s but the turbo four only gets me 18 city 24 highway
John Wayne Oh okay now I see what you mean. That's what I get for just skimming a comment. 😨
John Wayne Volkswagen is as dated as can be. The car looks like it was made in the 1990s and hasn't changed the design in years. It's awful. Camry deserves number one and accord or Mazda for second place.
When those cars are picked over an accord or altima...something isn't right..
Incredible how familiair these cars are all designed.
Honda Accord is the best.
Mazda6 is very good. Too bad they don't sell us the JDM version. 2.2 SkyActiv-D 6-speed manual, and AWD.
Come on MW. Where's the Fusion? I know there's a lot of cars but you gotta have the Big 5. Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, and Honda. Hyundai/Kia is getting to that level.
My top 4:
1. Honda Accord
2. Kia Optima
3. Nissan Altima
4. Chevrolet Malibu
Anyone else agree?
1. VW Passat
2. Kia Optima
3. Toyota Camry
4. Chevrolet Malibu
I cannot own a Honda or Mazda, their A/C is too weak for me, it is there just for decorative reasons and the reason of no altima on my list is no manual transmission and the auto is a CVT.
Dude seriously...you put a CAMRY in the top 5.....just stop it :-O
The camry while boring to drive like other japanese cars of today at least doesnt have a cvt and the a/c works.
I have the Accord Sport.....you only notice the CVT when you're TRYING to notice it. If I KNOW i need to gun it....I use the paddles and they work great! Not sure where you live, but AC performance isn't all that important to EVERYONE. Not sure just how cold folks want their interiors to be actually, but I haven't noticed it. Not to mention, in MIchigan, you need it (maybe) 60 days outta the yesr...not worth going to a Camry for that!
Sorry dude, but that Camry is the car for folks who want to do NO research on their vehicle before purchasing, b/c if they DID, they prolly wouldn't buy it! Same for Corolla
I live in Australia and I need it, Honda along with mazda and euro fords have the worst a/c systems in the industry, i just came from a holiday from europe and hondas a/c couldnt even cool at 25c to 30c external temperatures, my Skoda cools even at 50c external temperatures to 16 to 18 internal. And as for cvt, i can notice straight away.
Where's the Ford Fusion?
so if you equip the Sonata to the level the kia was equipped. Would they both be in second place? thats crazy considering just a few years ago hyundai was considered cheap crap. Loving my sonata. definitely recommend it.
Why all or most VW have plastic shell on the inside??
They should've compared the top of the line trims
These results may look good on paper but at the end of the day, which cars last over ten years with no issues. Reliability is the name of the game. I'll stay with what last and not what looks good according to some car "experts" and a couple looking for a new car. And VW, I've heard too many bad stories from people who owned Jettas and Passats.
Where is the Ford Fusion?
I like how the new Honda civic has more hp and is cheaper and still great quality
And why Volkswagen is not at the top of my list is because if feels a bit old.
As far as imports, give me the Subaru Legacy; it’s a far better car than the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The Hyundai Sonata is a great second choice. I do not want a car that everyone else owns, which is the case of the Camry and Accord. The Chevrolet Malibu is an underrated car for what it is, and it’s a beautiful car that’s proven and reliable. This is NOT a “rental car” reject; its track record is excellent. I’d buy a Malibu over a Camry or Accord!
What?? Passat #1? you gotta be kidding. that boring grill has been in that car for at least 10 years:
1.- TOYOTA CAMRY
2.- HONDA ACCORD
3.- HYUNDAI SONATA
4.- CHEVROLET MALIBU
5.- MAZDA 6
6.- VW PASSAT
7.- SUBARU LEGACY
8.- KIA OPTIMA
9.- NISSAN ALTIMA
Where is fusion and 200!?
No way VW tops the list of vehicles compared, MT you are too subjective
Wich models are missing? Fusion and cousin Mkz, Regal? Who else?
The only cars here you will still see on the road 20 years from now will be the Accord, Camry and 4wd Camry aka Subaru legacy both of which come from the same factory.
That Passat looks and feels old now! And, aside from the emissions scandal,
the Euro-spec Passat is much better! Traditional yet modern looks, modern technology and a much better cabin!
Ray Boccino and almost twice the price. No one in USA would buy the Passat is a great value when you get it well equipped
I have driven several of these as rentals while my Acura awaits the airbag recall. In my opinion, the Passat was complete junk and way behind the times in terms of technology. Inside and out it looked and felt old. The Fusion was very nice and came with a lot of standard features, but it felt under powered, big, and only averaged 29 MPG. The Sonata is what I am currently driving and I am enjoying it. It feels smaller than it is and averages 34 MPG.
Yes I was surprised by 2016 Hyundai Sonata mpg its almost close to my 2016 Honda Civic while it was in the shop it's a gas saver for real!!!!
I think the vw is the ugliest in the group as are all vws, just my opinion. Reliability is questionable. Repair costs are outrageous. Oh and don't forget vw did rip off consumers with false epa ratings. Other than that, what a great choice to win.
Yeah and Kia also ripped off the epa as well. Honda has exploding airbags, and Chevy has never ending recalls.
Dan Kelsey I honestly think it looks good (other Volkswagens make me wanna puke) but the reliability SUCKs!
It seems VWs are an acquired tasted or something. I personally think the Passat looks better than all the others except for the Sonata. It looks more refined and classy instead of the wanna-be sporty look of Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Also, VW didn't rip anyone off. They still get the advertised MPG ratings, sometimes even better. The problem was that the EPA didn't like that VW basically flipped them the bird by rigging the efficiency killing emissions systems to shut off when the car wasn't being inspected.
I have owned 3 VW's and currently drive a 2017 Jetta I have had ZERO problems.
Japanese cars and thier CVT engines suck..
My second choice would be the Hyundai or Kia.
Passat hands down !
If the VW is so good why can't they give them away and resale so bad? Discounts were massive when I checked.
Kia and Hyundai aren't the most reliable cars, people complaining about Kia's problems everywhere. I had an Accord 2015 EXL and couldn't deal with the CVT and road and wind noise, I got a Camry 2016 and its quiet and its one of the most reliable cars as same as Lexus. And it's made in USA
When I see a Hyundai and Kia on the list then I know it'll be a f*cked up list
Is that passat based on VW latest MQB platform?
the Accord, Camry, Altima, & 6 disappeared??
James Raymond They only discussed the top 4 finishers in this video.
the Camry is the best car fellas, I dont care if u dont agree with me, Toyota cars R the Best cars American cars no bueno
VW paid for this. The car has low hp #s and MPG.
Do you really need both the Optima AND the Sonata? Aren't they the same car? You could've included a Fusion instead of one of the Korean twins.
The Malibu's mpg is pathetic. It has the smallest engine yet delivers the second worst fuel economy (only the Subaru is worse, and that's because it has AWD). Subaru should offer a 2.0L FWD for better mileage.
There's no way in hell VW deserves to be first. They are just not reliable, especially the 1.8T!
You racist!
BOY you racist! I love my Volkswagon. I was drunk driving and crashed into a parked car in the street, and man i SLAMMED into that car. And i walked away!!! Vw makes a great product.
lol Americans don't maintain their cars and then complain when it breaks, I just came back from Europe and saw so many high mileage VW's of all sorts still going without needing any work other than scheduled maintenance, ass long as you follow its service book's schedule it will be ok.
if Subaru offers FWD it's not a Subaru lol.
bottomlayer first of all I have a 2014 sonata and it drives good and it's fast and also stylish it's suppose to be number 1
You have a fucking Altima and not a Fusion?!?!
I'll go the the new Malibu or Ford Fusion. sure not VW ur winner cuz 1. I don't like it looks 2. don't know what scam do they have this time.
Mazda 6 should be the only choice.
I guess reliability doesn't count lol
Wait until the 2018 Toyota Camry comes out, It will reclaim the title of top midsize sedan.
Love my passat
can't do better than Camry....had 3 of them getting 4th soon
He called the Altima stylish? Lmao. It's hands down the ugliest and worst sedan in the class.
KentB27 right
Camry or Accord for me.
Yup Altima 3rd and Mazda 6 4th
Why no Fusion?
Why wont Volkswagen bring the new Passat from Europe to America? That US version is lame as hell.
US Passat shouldn't wear a VW badge, or a Passat name. That thing is shit. The quality levels are worse than in a VW Polo (the small 3door hatchback in Europe, basically the cheapest VW). Even a Golf 7 is several steps above in terms of quality.
How is the Honda not even in the top 3!?
What network is motor week on.
PBS
I'd take the Subaru or Fusion over any of these any day.
what happened to fusion
How reliable are subarus?
Subarus have average liability, their CVT transmissions can become very problematic, and the 2.5 boxer engine has a propensity to burn oil. I would highly recommend getting the extended warranty
AWD is also nice to have, too, but is very expensive to take care of.