USED CARS - Family Sedans

Best 2007 family cars: Accord vs. Camry

As in years past, two classic family sedans, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, are locked in a dead heat as the best mainstream family car. The Camry was redesigned for the 2007 model year, while the Accord remains essentially unchanged after tweaks to design for the 2006 model year.

For 2007, the Honda Accord (*est. $18,625 to $29,500) is one of the year's 10 Best Cars at Car and Driver magazine. Editors say its "all-around excellence" helps the Accord stand out against the competition. A note of interest in this review is that the Accord has won a spot on the 10 Best listing at Car and Driver 21 out of 25 years.

Rated as one of the best sedans available for families by Metroarent Magazine, the article states that the sedan excels due to its shifting power. Safety and reliability ratings are also excellent for the Accord, and as reported in Money magazine, the Accord is one of the most notable cars for long-term reliability in surveys conducted by Consumer Reports. Other review sources, such as Cars.com and CNet.com, have nothing but positive feedback for the Honda.

The Honda Accord is available in a huge range of trim levels. All models include ABS, front airbags, front side and curtain side airbags. Also standard on all models are power locks and doors, keyless entry and an emergency inside trunk release. Engines include a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter I-4 or a 244-hp 3.0-liter V-6. Higher-end models include leather seats, a navigation system, audio upgrades and more. EPA fuel mileage estimates are 20 to 26 mpg/city and 29 to 34 mpg/hwy depending on the engine. In real-world fuel economy tests at Consumer Guide, the manual transmission I-4 version of the Accord got an average of 30.6 mpg in mixed driving -- that's excellent for its class. Other versions attained between 22.4 and 26 mpg, depending on the engine type.

The Toyota Camry (*est. $18,270 to $27,820) got a ground-up redesign for 2007, and reviews rank it right up there with the Honda Accord when it comes to the best family cars. The most notable honor bequeathed upon the Camry is the Car of the Year title given by Motor Trend. Editor in Chief Angus MacKenzie writes: "The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone -- performance, efficiency, and roominess -- at a price point most Americans can afford." The Camry also gets awards at Cars.com and SPEEDtv.com. Reviewers are excited about the '07 Camry, gushing praise over the improvements. According to the review at SPEEDtv, the Camry "excels in almost every conceivable category."

The Toyota Camry is available with a 155-hp, 2.4-liter I-4 engine, a 158-hp, 2.4-liter I-4 or a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. In terms of fuel efficiency, EPA estimates are between 22 to 24 mpg/city and 31 to 34 mpg/hwy, depending on the chosen engine. In informal real-world mileage tests at ConsumerGuide, testers got about 26 mpg from the 4-cylinder engine on the base model, and about 22.5 mpg in mixed driving from the Camry SE with a V-6 engine.

Standard on all Camry models are antilock 4-wheel disk brakes, front, front side and curtain side airbags, along with driver's side knee airbag. Slit-folding rear seats are standard on all but the SE model. All Camry models come with a tire-pressure monitoring system, power doors/locks, emergency trunk release, and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.

The Accord and the Camry have generally run neck and neck in reviews, but with the 2007 redesign of the Toyota Camry, Camry has a slight edge this year. A test drive both will likely be the tiebreaker for most people. Comparing the base models turn up some interesting research.

In terms of sheer horsepower, the base Accord rolls out 166 hp, while the base Camry has 158 hp. Nonetheless, the torque of each car is nearly identical. The Accord is heavier than the Camry. The Accord gets slightly better mileage, but has a smaller gas tank than the Camry. Both vehicles have identical warranties, so there’s no issue on that point. In terms of features, the Camry dominates, offering standard extras like knee airbags and wheel-mounted audio controls. The Accord has steering wheel audio controls only on SE and higher models, and knee airbags aren't available. The sizes of the vehicles are comparable, only off by two inches in length and height at most, with the Accord being longer and the Camry being higher. In terms of price, the Camry is the winner, albeit only slightly.

So the Toyota Camry has a small edge for the 2007 model year, but not by much. Seeing them in person is your best bet.

Other top family cars

One of the most notable new cars for 2007 is the Saturn Aura (*est. $19,945 to $23,945) noted as one of the years ten best new cars by Army Times and judged the best new-for-2007 $20,000 to $25,000 sedan at Kiplinger magazine. What seems to be setting the Aura apart is a number of exclusive options in the vehicle and a style that seems classier than the price implies. Editors at Car and Driver say the Aura is a big lea forward for Saturn, and that the Aura has a more European style and ride quality. However, Car and Driver editors say the Saturn Aura doesn't quite surpass the Honda Accord. Motor Trend also praises the Saturn Aura, saying it's the most important new car ever for GM and Saturn. Though editors praise the higher-end V-6 engine as equal in smoothness and refinement to imports, it's not as quick as the Accord or Camry.

Auto123.com refers to the Aura as "the best driving Saturn ever," while Interest.com, which chose the Saturn as one of the top three family sedans for 2007 remarks "we guarantee it's the snazziest Saturn you've ever seen." The rest of the reviews for the Saturn Aura are similar. The Aura comes in two versions, each with a different V-6 engine. The Saturn Aura XE comes with a 224-hp 3.5-liter V-6, while the Aura XR comes with a 252-hp 3.6-liter V-6. EPA estimates for both engines is about 21 mpg/city and 29 mpg/hwy. ConsumerGuide got about 21 mpg in mixed driving from the more powerful V-6 engine.

The Aura has some nice standard options on both models, including ABS, traction control, six airbags, auto climate control, a tire-pressure monitor, power doors and locks, a slit-folding rear seat and remote keyless entry. Another plus is standard On-Star with new turn-by-turn navigation service. European styling and ride comfort make it an excellent family car. The only negatives seem to be road noise and rear-seat headroom, especially with the optional sunroof. Though reviews say the Saturn Aura really doesn't surpass the Accord or Camry, it's an excellent value -- the higher-end XR version of the Aura is especially well priced compared to a similar V-6 Camry or Accord.

When it comes to large sedans the Chrysler 300 (*est. $23,880 to $30,760) is notable for its roominess and aggressive design. The 300 actually straddles a couple of car classes. While the Chrysler 300 fits solidly into the family-car class, the more powerful and expensive Chrysler 300C (*est. $34,525 to $36,600) and 300C SRT8 (*est. $40,420) are sports sedans. In reviews, the Chrysler 300 gets major points for exterior styling (it shares the same underpinnings as the Dodge Charger). While most family sedans on the market play it safe in terms of design, the Chrysler 300 stands out with a large front grille and long, boxy styling.

The Chrysler 300 was also chosen as one of the ten best cars for 2007 by Car and Driver, where editors say it's "the best big mainstream sedan on the market." In addition, the Chrysler 300 is also a favorite at CNet.com, Automobile Magazine and Cars.com. While the Chrysler 300 gets lower long-term reliability scores than other cars, the V-6 Chrysler 300 is better than the V-8 Chrysler 300C in that respect. The size of the vehicle is a boon, but less responsive steering and handling are not up to par with the Accord and Camry.

The Chrysler 300 has two available engines. The base model has a 200-hp 2.7-liter V-6 with 4-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring edition has a 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 5-speed automatic with manual shifting. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Chrysler 300 are 17 to 21 mpg/city and 24 to 28 mpg/hwy depending on the engine. At Consumer Guide, testers got about 19.5 mpg in mixed driving from the Touring version of the Chrysler 300.

Although it's not as fuel efficient or as powerful as smaller family sedans like the Accord or Camry, the Chrysler 300 is a good choice for those who want a far roomier interior and unique profile. Standard safety features are pretty paltry -- only 4-heel disk brakes and front airbags are standard on the base model; everything else, including front side and side curtain airbags, are added cost options.

The Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050 depending on model and options) is a sportier family sedan that sits somewhere between a true family car and a sports sedan like the BMW 3 Series. Many reviews draw parallels between the Infiniti and the more expensive 3 Series. If you're not sure whether you want a more basic family sedan or a more luxurious sports sedan, reviews say the Infiniti G35 is an excellent compromise. The G35 saw a redesign for the 2007 model year.

The Infiniti G35 was honored as one of Car and Driver's top ten vehicles for 2007, as well as being designated an automotive all-star by Automobile Magazine. Power is a high point. All G35 sedans have a 306-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The long list of standard safety features includes ABS, traction control, antiskid, a tire pressure monitor and emergency trunk release, along with front airbags, front side airbags and curtain side airbags for front and rear seats. Leather upholstery, a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio input (for iPods and other audio players) are also standard. Options include lighting upgrades, a navigation system and a rear-view camera.

As you might expect for an engine of its size, the Infiniti G35 sedans don't get the best gas mileage. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 mpg/city and 27 mpg/hwy, but Consumer Guide got an average of only 18.6 mpg in mixed driving with the automatic transmission. Infiniti recommends premium fuel for the G35, which adds to long-term costs.

Other notable family cars

The Acura TSX (*est. $27,000 to $28,000) is listed in the top five vehicles chosen by IFCAR as the best family sedans of 2007. The main benefits, according to the review, are luxury touches for the price; in addition, the car receives positive marks for fuel efficiency and safety, although it isn't as spacious as some of the competition. Cars.com compliments the way the car drives, noting the sporty nature of the Acura and the joy of driving the car around twisting roads.

The Buick Lucerne (*est. $25,660 to $34,660) is one of the more expensive family sedans, which is a point of contention at CNet.com. The options and the power of the Lucerne are the high points of the vehicle, while the fuel efficiency and control design of the vehicle are negatives in addition to the high price. Still Buick sedans are notable for their quiet ride quality. I cabin noise is a big issue, the Buick is a comfortable family car that's worth a look.

The Chevrolet Impala (*est. $20,945 to $27,945) has a lot of space and an energetic drive quality, particularly when equipped with the V-8 engine. Unfortunately, the tradeoff for this extra engine pep is poor fuel efficiency. Road noise can be an issue in highway driving, but this is somewhat offset by the Impala's generous interior and comfort for the money.

The auto reviewers at the San Jose Mercury News choose the redesigned Chrysler Sebring (*est. $18,320 to $23,320) as one of the top five family cars for 2007. According to the review, the Sebring is an excellent buy due to the low price, fuel efficiency and a number of interesting features. The opinion at Cars.com, on the contrary, is that the Sebring feels small on the inside and lacks the acceleration of its competitors.

Ford receives a lot of praise from Cars.com, with a review of the Ford 500 (*est. $22,230 to $29,230). Editors say it is "arguably the most underrated and underappreciated car on the market." In addition, the car is noted as a value by both IFCAR and Metroarent Magazine. The amount of room available in the vehicle receives special notice, as does the optional all-wheel drive, which is an uncommon-yet-appreciated option for family sedans.

Another Ford family sedan to receive a lot of press is the Ford Fusion (*est. $18,295 to $23,295) . With reviews at CNet, IFCAR and Autooortal, the general consensus is that the Ford could be an excellent option, but lacks features that are standard in competitors with lower prices, such as power passenger seats and stability control. The Fusion does receive high marks for fuel efficiency and ride comfort.

The Honda Civic (*est. $14,810 to $21,390) is an option as a low-priced family sedan, receiving kudos from Cars.com, as well as being chosen on of the Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles of 2007 by Edmunds.com, where the writeup decrees the Civic may perhaps be "the best vehicle in terms of value for the dollar." Reviewers like the room available in the vehicle, as well as the comfort, fuel efficiency and safety of the Civic. The Honda Civic is covered more extensively in our report on economy cars . The Honda Civic hybrid is covered in our report on hybrid cars .

Taking second place on the IFCAR listing of best family sedans is the Hyundai Azera (*est. $24,535 to $27,135) , which also sees favorable comments from Cars.com and Consumer Guide. It's also judged Best in Class in the $25,000 to $30,000 price range at Kiplinger's magazine. The Azera receives positive comments in regard to the size, acceleration and quality of the vehicle. Unfortunately, IFCAR finds fault with the price of the car and the fuel efficiency, while Consumer Guide finds the fuel efficiency to be around the class average.

According to Consumer Guide, the Hyundai Elantra (*est. $13,695 to $16,695) falls in exactly at the class average for family vehicles, with the major flaw being the acceleration. Build quality and fuel economy are high points. Canada.com also finds good in the Elantra, with kudos going to the styling, spaciousness and safety of the car, and reasonable price tag.

Ranked third in a listing of the best family sedans by the Institute For Consumer Automotive Ratings, the Hyundai Sonata (*est. $17,895 to $22,895) receives solid reviews all around. According to IFCAR, "The Sonata is an excellent choice for the budget minded shopper looking for a very good car with nice features." Other reviews note the Sonata as a reasonablypriced vehicle that offers extensive features and comfort beyond its class designation.

Kia receives a number of positive reviews when it comes to the updates to the Amanti (*est. $25,395 to $27,995) for 2007. Perhaps the most impressive change is the engine update, which not only increases power but improves fuel efficiency. According to Auto123.com, the car is not sporty by any means, but does offer a lot in terms of comfort. Another problem that some reviewers have with the vehicle is a dated feel to the exterior styling, even though the Amanti has been updated for the current model year.

Another family sedan from Mazda, the Mazda3 (*est. $13,975 to $19,795) receives praise from Cars.com, and in addition is noted as being an automotive all-star by Automobile Magazine. While not impressed with the interior, the folks at Cars.com enjoy the handling of the Mazda3, as well as the comfort of the vehicle; the review from Automobile Magazine applauds the pickup, as well as the spaciousness and fun of driving the vehicle. This car is covered in our report on economy cars; it comes as a sedan or a hatchback.

Another vehicle noted as an editors' choice by Edmunds.com, as well as receiving praise from IFCAR, is the Mazda6 (*est. $18,930 to $27,800) . According to IFCAR, the Mazda6 has "the best handling found in a family sedan, with quick steering responses and a very agile feel." The review goes on to say that the Mazda6 was the most fun car tested. Edmunds.com also likes the Mazda6 for value and wellrounded performance for the price.

Another favorite in Canada.com's listing of the best family sedans is the Mitsubishi Galant (*est. $19,899 to $26,899) . The Galant receives compliments for being sporty and spacious while still maintaining an air of class. Consumer Guide finds the better qualities of the Galant to be acceleration, ride quality and build quality while the headroom in the rear is criticized.

The Nissan Altima (*est. $17,750 to $29,750) gets some mixed reviews. While it receives a very encouraging review at Canada.com, as well as being noted as the best in class between $20,000 and $25,000 at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the reviews from Cars.com and Mercury News are less than enthusiastic. Canada.com likes the size of the vehicle and the power, while Cars.com notes that it receives poor crash-test ratings without the optional side airbags. The review at Mercury News doesn't offer much in the way of opinion, instead noting statistics geared towards the hybrid Altima. Kiplinger’s appreciates the redesign of the vehicle and the powerful engine.

There was not much said about the Nissan Maxima (*est. $28,000 to $30,300) , with the exception being an excellent writeup at Auto123.com, where the Maxima was chosen as one of the best family vehicles over $30,000. According to the review, the steering, handling and braking are excellent; in addition, a sprucing up for 2007 has corrected a number of flaws. The negative aspect of the Maxima is that it hasn't received the same amount of engine tuning as some of the competition.

According to Army Times, the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix (*est. $21,745 to $28,745) is one of the best family cars for the current model year, while Consumer Guide finds the vehicle to be slightly below the class average. While Army Times appreciates the power and optional heads-up display, Consumer Guide finds some fault with the fuel efficiency, rear seat comfort and the quality of interior materials used in the Grand Prix.

While most reviewers are quick to review the sportier WRX and WRX STi models, there is much good to be said about all iterations of the Subaru Impreza (*est. $18,325 to $33,325) . The main benefit of the vehicle is the track record of the Subaru. Reviewers from Cars.com, Edmunds and others note its reliability. In addition, the Impreza offers some zip while still maintaining a more mature image.

Another Subaru garnering some attention is the Subaru Legacy (*est. $21,695 to $35,695) , which receives positive marks for offering a "near-luxury" experience, although their near-luxury prices are receiving some mixed reviews. What matters however, is that the car drives well, which is something that the Legacy does consistently. In addition, the vehicle carries the Subaru tradition of reliability, making it an attractive option.

Another vehicle chosen as one of the best family sedans by Metroarent Magazine is the Toyota Avalon (*est. $26,775 to $33,875) , which they recommend due to a favorable review from Consumer Reports. Cars.com says the Avalon is notable for power and fuel efficiency, although it has less interior room than the Ford 500.

Volkswagen is not without its entrants in the family sedan market, and a number of reviewers have been quick to praise the newlyredesigned VW Passat (*est. $22,950 to $31,950) . Sites such as Autooortal and Auto123.com offer favorable views of the vehicle, although the price of the Passat is somewhat of an issue. Cars.com finds another fault in the current lack of reliability in regard to Volkswagens, but notes that the Passat is newly redesigned and hopefully signals a change in this respect.

Always known for safety, Volvo continues to impress with the S40 (*est. $24,000 to $29,900) . Consumer Guide likes the handling of the vehicle, as well as the quietness and build quality, but finds that in the end it simply doesn't compare with the competition. Cars.com appreciates the level of interior refinement and the distancing from the boxy, unattractive Volvos of the past.

Important Features: Family edans

The following is what experts say to look for when choosing a family sedan:

• The sedan should comfortably seat four and have adequate space for a fifth person, at least for short trips. Think about the people you are going to transport, not only now but in five years. If you think the car may be too small, it's good to look elsewhere.

• Look at the amount of storage space. Don't just look at the trunk space. Take a minute and look at the back seat as well. Do the back seats fold down? Is there a luggage rack on the vehicle? All of these are issues that can impact the storage capacity of your car.

• Consider standard safety features. A full complement of airbags (six or more) is now standard on many cars, but still an option on many. An automatic braking system (ABS) and traction control are also becoming more common. If you are caught between two cars, this is often the issue that tips the scales.

• Note the fuel statistics. With the increasing cost of fuel, mileage is becoming an increasingly important car statistic. In addition, it is a good ruleofthumb to find out what type of fuel a car takes before purchase. A car that takes premium fuel may cost hundreds more annually than a car that relies on regular fuel.

• Make sure to test drive before buying. Nothing about a vehicle matters if you don't enjoy the driving experience. The only way to know if you are going to enjoy a vehicle before you buy it is to take it for a test drive. When you do, attempt to take it over some potholes, something that will really tell you about drive-feel.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Edmunds.com
7	Honda Accord (*est. $18,625 to $29,500)	details
7	Toyota Camry (*est. $18,270 to $27,820)	details
5	Saturn Aura (*est. $19,945 to $23,945)	details
4	BMW 3 Series (*est. $38,700 to $40,600)	details
4	Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050 depending on model and options)	details
3	Chrysler 300 (*est. $23,880 to $30,760)	details
3	Hyundai Azera (*est. $24,535 to $27,135)	details
3	Nissan Altima (*est. $17,750 to $29,750)	details
3	Volkswagen Passat (*est. $22,950 to $31,950)	details
2 each	Toyota Prius , Honda Accord hybrid , Ford Fusion , Subaru Legacy , Toyota Camry hybrid
1 each	Pontiac Grand Prix , Mazda6 , Hyundai Sonata , Hyundai Elantra , Chrysler Sebring , Chevrolet Malibu , Ford 500, Mercury Milan , Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart , Kia Amanti , Kia Magentis LX, Nissan Maxima , Volvo C70 , Saab 9-2 2.0T

As in years past, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry run neck and neck in review. For 2007, the redesigned Camry seems to have the slimmest lead over the Accord. New for 2007, the Saturn Aura is the most notable new family car, and certainly the best American family sedan this year.

The Chrysler 300 is noted as an excellent large family car, despite hiccups over long-term reliability, and rather paltry standard safety options. The Infiniti G35 is a sportier, more luxurious family sedan that often is compared with the BMW 3 Series sports sedan (covered in our report on sports sedans ).

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