Best Midsize Sedans for 2018

See our Best Midsize Sedans for 2019

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Conventional wisdom has it that today's car buyers are in full swoon over SUVs, spurning the humble sedan that's been America's benchmark family transport for decades. And it's true that SUVs are increasingly outpacing sedans in the sales column.

But it's also true that some people believe pineapple belongs on pizza.

In other words, forget what you've read: The sedan is not dead. The latest models offer spacious interiors, impressive fuel economy, and a satisfying blend of comfort and control on the road. They're even pretty stylish these days. Utility vehicles certainly have their appeal, but don't count out the humble sedan just yet. If you're shopping for a midsize sedan, let our expert vehicle testers be your guide with this curated list of the best midsize cars on the market.

Best Midsize Sedans for 2018

Midsize cars range from prudent to decadent, from humble commuter appliance to extravagant executive conveyance. How do you find the right model for your life? Based on our proprietary vehicle testing program, we've narrowed the field to 10 of the best midsize cars. All are roomy, all can carry five passengers in comfort, and all offer advanced safety aids. Among our mainstream selections, pricing is another common thread since less than $2,000 separates the highest and lowest starting prices. (The gap grows markedly among the luxury sedans.) We'll start at the more affordable end of the spectrum and get fancier as we go.

Best Midsize Sedans: Mainstream

There's nothing mysterious about the midsize-car formula: four doors, room for five passengers, big trunk, decent power, good fuel economy, and up-to-date technology. Most mainstream family sedans start at around $23,000 and try to match each other feature for feature, making this one of the most competitive car segments you'll find. There are a number of good sedans out there, but these are our top picks.

2018 Ford Fusion

Entering its sixth year of production for 2018, the Ford Fusion remains a midsize-car favorite thanks to its nicely trimmed interior, advanced Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system, and spirited driving character. The Fusion isn't a performance sedan, but it corners with confidence and doesn't mind a sprint now and then. The V6-powered Sport model is not to be missed if you're looking for swift acceleration, but most shoppers will appreciate the fuel savings afforded by the trio of four-cylinder engine options, particularly the turbocharged 1.5-liter version. If you're really trying to minimize fuel costs, consider the Fusion Hybrid (42 mpg combined) or the Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid that can cover about 20 miles on a full electric charge before the gas engine takes over. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $23,090
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 20-27 mpg combined

2018 Ford Fusion Overview and Pricing

2018 Honda Accord

Along with the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord rewrote the American family sedan narrative, shifting it from the lumbering relics of the Jet Age to more compact and fuel-efficient transportation. Despite decades of success with the Accord, Honda clearly isn't resting on its laurels. For 2018, the Accord shows some of its sharpest style yet with a sleek fastback design. And more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, a revamped infotainment system, and standard advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, make the Accord one of the best picks, even among this elite group. A hybrid is also available, rated at 47 mpg. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $24,460
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 26-33 mpg combined

2018 Honda Accord Overview and Pricing

2018 Hyundai Sonata

Introduced to America in 1989, the Sonata has emerged as a major player within the past decade, fueled by confident design, a spacious cabin, and an impressive collection of standard features for the price. Recent interior design changes give the Sonata an even more upscale feel, and its infotainment system, while plain, is among the more user-friendly systems out there. A capacious trunk, numerous available trim levels, and a 42-mpg hybrid model also contribute to the Sonata's standing as one of the most compelling midsize car values. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $22,935
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 26-31 mpg combined

2018 Hyundai Sonata Overview and Pricing

2018 Mazda 6

Styling is subjective, but we think the Mazda 6 is one of the most handsome sedans in this class. Its swooping lines and creases may not suit everyone's taste, but an anonymous box the Mazda 6 is not. It also backs up its bold looks with outstanding performance. We're not talking about pure speed — others are faster — but rather a complete package of taut handling, prompt transmission response, and precise steering that adds gusto to virtually any driving scenario. A cool, modern interior and a dial-controlled infotainment system cap off the Mazda 6's all-around excellence. The lack of all-wheel drive or a hybrid version will keep the Mazda 6 out of contention for some buyers, however, while others may think twice about its relatively small trunk. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $23,890
Fuel economy: 26-29 mpg combined

2018 Mazda 6 Overview and Pricing

2018 Toyota Camry

Like the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry is a family-sedan archetype, a benchmark by which all others are judged. Gone, however, is the sleepy style of Camry's past. Today's Camry is lower, sleeker and sportier, without sacrificing interior space. The Camry's standard engine is a mild-mannered four-cylinder that balances power and fuel economy, but an optional V6 with spirited performance is available on high-end models. Serious fuel-watchers will want to consider the Camry Hybrid and its eye-popping EPA rating of 52 mpg combined. Only the Camry's subpar infotainment system and intrusive safety features drag down its standing among the best in this class. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $24,390
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 26-34 mpg combined

2018 Toyota Camry Overview and Pricing

Compare Midsize Sedans

Best Midsize Sedans: Luxury

If you want the space and versatility of a family sedan along with extra power and refinement, a luxury midsize sedan makes for a refreshing alternative to the pullulating herd of luxury SUVs. These premium sedans provide more elegant cabin materials, more advanced technology, more engaging performance and, yes, more precious price tags. You won't find many hybrid options; in this group, only BMW and Lexus offer upscale hybrid motoring. But you will find some of the most satisfying driving experiences that today's market has to offer.

2018 Audi A6

Today's A6 may be getting long in the tooth — it hasn't had a significant overhaul for about six years — but that doesn't diminish its appeal. It still delivers space, technology, luxury and performance in spades, and at a price that splits the difference between its German rivals and the American and Asian competition. Available with a stout turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a neck-straightening supercharged V6, the A6 won't leave you pining for more acceleration, although you may find yourself wanting a softer ride. With its typically European sporting bias, the A6 rides a tad firmer than some shoppers might prefer, but it's a remarkably well-rounded car overall. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $50,675
Fuel economy: 23-28 mpg combined

2018 Audi A6 Overview and Pricing

2018 BMW 5 Series

One of the longest-running nameplates in this group, the 5 Series lives up to the legend in its latest iteration, featuring robust engine power, lively handling, and a raft of modern safety and infotainment technology. The across-the-board competence of this 5 Series makes it a reference point for any aspiring midsize luxury rival. Today's 5 Series lineup is more varied than ever, with numerous powertrain options, a dizzying array of optional features, and cutting-edge safety systems that inch closer to autonomous driving. Fuel-efficient alternatives include a diesel model and a plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 16 miles on a full battery charge before the gas engine kicks in. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $53,645
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 23-30 mpg combined

2018 BMW 5 Series Overview and Pricing

2018 Cadillac CTS

Once the premier name in American sedans, Cadillac is a latecomer to the modern luxury-sedan world. It hasn't taken long for the fabled brand to reassert itself, though. The midsize CTS stands apart thanks to its distinctive design, sporty performance and advanced technology features. The standard four- and six-cylinder engine options don't overwhelm with power, but the optional turbo V6 is the equal of almost any rival. On a winding road, the CTS is easily one of the most engaging cars in its class, even alongside the 5 Series. The downside is a stiff ride quality that may give buyers pause, as well as an iffy control layout that incorporates Cadillac's sometimes-frustrating CUE infotainment system. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $48,485
Fuel economy: 19-25 mpg combined

2018 Cadillac CTS Overview and Pricing

2018 Lexus GS

With mild, medium and hot versions, the Lexus GS lineup achieves a synthesis of comfort, luxury and performance. The GS 300 serves as the entry point with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the next rung up occupied by the V6-powered GS 350. The GS F — with its brawny, old-school V8 (no turbo, thank you) — is a welcome foil to the high-performance turbocharged offerings from BMW and Mercedes. There's even a hybrid version, the GS 450h, rated at 31 mpg combined. Regardless of powertrain, GS models feature top-quality interiors, a generous list of standard features, and sporty steering and handling. Unfortunately, the GS is plagued with an awkward infotainment interface that requires too much driver attention to operate, as well as subpar smartphone integration. But these are hardly deal-breakers since the GS compensates with cosseting luxury and a healthy dose of sport at a reasonable price. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $48,300
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 19-26 mpg combined

2018 Lexus GS Overview and Pricing

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The yin to BMW's yang, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the answer for buyers who prefer comfort and elegance to the BMW's performance edge. That's not to say the E-Class is a wallflower when push comes to shove. Hardly. One ride in the spirited AMG E43 model (396 horsepower) will make you a believer. But the E-Class is really about luxury and craft. It's a finely built sedan with a taut yet forgiving suspension, exceptional seat comfort, a wide range of options, and world-class safety features that include some of the best semiautonomous driving systems available. The E-Class tends to cost more than its rivals, but it's hard to argue that it's not worth it. This is simply one of the best luxury sedans you can buy. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $53,935
Fuel economy (non-hybrid): 21-25 mpg combined

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview and Pricing

Compare Luxury Midsize Sedans

Midsize Sedan Features to Consider

Although midsize sedans make up one of the largest car segments in production, most models follow a familiar recipe of features and offerings. Across the board, you can expect to find a base four-cylinder engine with an optional performance upgrade. (The single-engine Mazda 6 is a rare exception.) At the luxury level, virtually every entrant offers all-wheel drive to entice buyers in harsher climates. A roomy cabin and a rear seat that's comfortable for large adults are common characteristics. Most will offer sizable trunks with 16 to 18 cubic feet of cargo space, but some trunks are on the smaller side, especially those in hybrid models.

Advanced driver safety aids such as automatic emergency braking have become commonplace in midsize sedans, but some automakers limit certain features to higher trim levels. For example, don't expect adaptive cruise control or blind-spot monitoring to come free with every model. Another thing to keep in mind is that there may be multiple infotainment systems on offer within a given model range, so make sure you check out any differences at the dealership before going with a lower-spec system.

Choosing the Best Midsize Sedan for You

If you've chosen a midsize sedan over an SUV, you've already addressed some key buying concerns. Sedans get better gas mileage and handle better than SUVs, all else being equal, and there's something timelessly classy about a sleek sedan parked at the curb. When you're ready to buy, let Edmunds' expert reviews guide you to the midsize sedan of your dreams, whether it's a practical, no-nonsense commuter or an executive-class special with all the trimmings. For a complete list of Edmunds' best sedans, visit our Sedan Rankings page.

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