Best Family Sedan

Share

By By Herb Weisbaum

Summary

Consumer Reports cites the Honda Accord hybrid.

Story Published: Mar 8, 2005 at 7:42 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:52 AM PDT

Best Family Sedan
SEATTLE - Consumer Reports annual auto issue is out, and the editors say the 2005 Honda Accord hybrid is the best family sedan they tested. The Accord provides "an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, and handling."

David Champion, the magazine's Senior Director of Automotive Testing, says the hybrid's combination gasoline and electric engine delivers faster acceleration than the standard Accord and two miles a gallon better fuel economy. You will pay about $3,000 more for the hybrid, but Champion says, you get more.

"It does give you better performance, better fuel economy, and very low emissions, so you're doing your bit for the environment. And it holds five people and their luggage really well. It's just a no-compromise vehicle."

The 2005 Honda Accord sells for between $21,000 and $30,000 depending on the trim line you want. Its crash-test results are "impressive." Like many other hybrids, the Accord hybrid qualifies for a tax credit (find out more at this link)

Consumer Reports says other good family sedans include the Toyota Camry, and the Volkswagen Passat GLS.

Best Upscale Sedan: Acura TL

Maybe you'd prefer something a little more upscale. Consumer Reports says the 2005 Acura TL is the top model in that class. The new TL provides a blend of sporty performance and good handling, although the editors point out that the ride "is a little on the stuff side."

The interior is very roomy with beautiful detail. The editors call it "impeccable." It really gives you a sense of luxury. Considering its size and performance, they TL gets pretty respectable fuel economy, 23 miles per gallon. For what you get, the Acura TL sedan is reasonably priced at around $34,000.

Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS430

If price is no object, then consider the Lexus LS430, Consumer Reports top pick in the Luxury Sedan category. David Champion says Lexus does everything well with the LS430. "It's beautifully trimmed inside, it's very quiet, very comfortable, has all the luxury features that you can think of. The performance is good, it just is a dream to drive. I just wish I could afford one."

The LS430 is luxury-priced at around $70,000 when typically equipped. For that price, you'll get a sedan that should deliver above-average reliability. Depreciation for this vehicle is very low.

Best Green Car: Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius was rated the No. 1 green machine. Consumer Reports says it's "a good alternative to a conventional mid-size family sedan." This gasoline/electric hybrid has a roomy interior and the versatility of a hatchback. It performs well on the road and delivers a whopping 44 miles per gallon... making it the highest overall fuel economy Consumer Reports has ever recorded in a 5-passsenger vehicle. The Toyota Prius is priced at around $23,000. Reliability for the Prius has been outstanding.

Best Small Sedan

The editors had chosen the Ford Focus as their No. 1 pick for small sedans. But because it performed poorly in the side-impact crash tests conducted by the insurance industry. Those results were released Sunday. Read the results here.)

If you're buying a small car, Consumer Reports says you should consider the Toyota Corolla with the optional side impact air bags. The Corolla has good head room and rear seat room. It's also reliable. This year you can get the Corolla with stability control, an important safety feature.

You'll find ratings for more than 200 vehicles in the April issue of Consumer Reports