Popular Midsized Sedans to Avoid and What to Buy Instead

There’s no need to settle for what’s trendy. Consider these reliable midsized cars, which performed well in CR’s tests.

Consumer Reports’ auto experts can tell you if the Volvo S90 sedan is a better choice than the Lexus ES 350.

By Jon Linkov

SUVs attract more buyers every year, with those new sales coming at the expense of sedans. As a result, automakers continue to cut sedans from their lineups to have more SUVs on the showroom floor.

Domestic automakers such as Ford and Chrysler have exited the sedan market entirely. Chevrolet will end production of its midsized Malibu sedan with the 2025 model year, leaving the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 as the only sedans in General Motors’ U.S. lineup.

But many consumers prefer sedans because they effectively blend fuel economy, passenger room, cargo space, and flexibility into a package that’s often more enjoyable to drive than the average SUV. Sedan enthusiasts don’t have to worry because there are still many models available from a variety of automakers.

Yet the car market works in mysterious ways. Good cars that perform well in Consumer Reports’ tests often don’t sell as well as models with lower Overall Scores. Here, we focus on models that are popular in their category and then present two alternatives.

• A better choice: Another vehicle that sells well but has a higher Overall Score.
• An “under-the-radar” alternative: A better-scoring model that doesn’t sell as well, in case you aren’t concerned with following the crowd.

The better choices and under-the-radar alternatives are vehicles recommended by Consumer Reports, meaning they’ve scored well in our road tests, have good reliability ratings, and performed well in crash tests. Each one also comes standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, AEB that works at highway speeds, blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW), unless otherwise noted.

If you’re a CR member, the list below is already available to you. But if you haven’t signed up, click below and become a member to access this list and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings on the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.

Popular Midsized Car to Avoid

See our ratings of midsized cars.

In a market where the remaining midsized sedans are all pretty good, the Malibu just doesn’t score high enough for us to recommend it. Its sleek body lines affect the driver’s outward visibility and passenger access. Inside, the car’s interior feels a bit inexpensive in the widely sold midgrade trim, although an upgrade to leather seats can improve that, if only in terms of seat comfort. Cargo space is generous, but the fold-down rear seatback doesn’t leave much of a pass-through for longer items. AEB highway, BSW, and RCTW are all optional. Reliability is average, but owner satisfaction is below average. Among the Malibu’s high points are attractive styling, a comfortable ride, and a very quiet cabin. If you need further convincing that the Malibu isn’t that competitive, Chevrolet has announced that it will stop building the car in the fall, with 2025 being the final model year.

The Better Choice

For the 2025 model year, the redesigned Camry comes only as a four-cylinder hybrid that delivered an impressive 48 mpg overall in our testing. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is now available on all trims. The electric drive can propel the car at low speeds if you’re gentle with the accelerator pedal, which keeps the cabin quiet. Higher power demands, however, elicit pronounced noise from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The ride in the SE model we tested is firm and composed yet still comfortable. Handling is responsive and very secure, even when pushed to its limits around our track. The cabin is reasonably roomy but the rear seat isn’t the most generous in the class, and the car’s low stance makes it a bit difficult to get in and out. The infotainment system is relatively easy to use.

The Under-the-Radar Alternative

As part of the K5’s freshening for 2025 it received a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the standard engine. In our tests, it proved quite fuel-efficient, returning 31 mpg overall. There’s a 2.5-liter turbo for the GT trim, which shouldn’t be confused with the mainstream GT-Line trim. The sedan has a composed ride and responsive handling. The cabin has a traditional layout with a conventional gear selector, but the dual-function audio/climate panel we saw on other Kia models is a nuisance. Other controls, including the infotainment system, are easy to use. We found the front seats comfortable and the rear seat roomy. All-wheel drive is available.

Popular Luxury Midsized Car to Avoid

See our ratings of luxury midsized cars.

Though plush and ornate, Volvo’s S90 falls short of the refinement expected of a midsized luxury sedan because of the stiff ride and gruff-sounding engine. The standard engine is a 295-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder with a mild-hybrid setup. All-wheel drive is standard. A plug-in hybrid version has an estimated 38-mile all-electric cruising range. Handling is sound but ordinary. The roomy cabin is gorgeous and has supportive seats, but the iPad-like touchscreen is frustrating to use. In addition, the impact from the stiff ride punches through to the cabin to make the driving experience unpleasant.

The comfortable, refined Lexus ES has a quiet, plush, and well-made interior, and its hybrid powertrain returned a stellar 42 mpg in our tests. The ES350’s V6 is mated to an eight-speed automatic, and this combination has prompt throttle response and linear power delivery while also returning 25 mpg overall in our tests. It absorbs bumps very well, and the body stays composed. Handling is sound and secure but isn’t sporty. The cabin is quiet and luxurious, and the front seats are very comfortable. The infotainment system is easy to use. Both reliability and owner satisfaction are above average.

While such a high-scoring model shouldn’t be considered “under the radar,” this formidable competitor still isn’t on many buyers’ minds when looking for a luxury car. And that’s too bad. The G80 comes standard with a responsive 300-hp, 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. Combined with a slick-shifting eight-speed automatic, this pairing returned just a so-so 24 mpg overall in our tests. Rear- or all-wheel drive is available. There’s also a punchy 375-hp, 3.5-liter turbo V6. The ride is plush, its handling is sharp, and the G80’s braking is top-notch. The interior is constructed of understated but well-assembled materials. The cabin is roomy, and the seats are comfortable in the front and rear. But the infotainment system is overcomplicated, and the unintuitive gear selector is tricky to use.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.