The Best Midsize Sedan: A List of Our Favorites

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Forget everything you've heard about the Chrysler 200 -- the newly redesigned 2015 model corrects nearly all the flaws of the outgoing car, which was among our least favorite midsize sedans. The latest Chrysler 200 is much different: it has reasonable pricing that starts around $22,500, and boasts a larger interior, far more refinements and an impressive fuel economy that reaches as high as 36 miles per gallon on the highway. It also offers Chrysler's impressive Uconnect infotainment system, a standard 9-speed automatic transmission and the optional 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. In short, the new 200 deserves a place on your shopping list, even if the old 200 wasn't worth a second look.

The Ford Fusion is excellent for a number of reasons. Obviously, the Fusion has a breathtaking style that's mostly unprecedented among such midsize cars. But the Fusion is also noteworthy for its reasonable pricing (which starts around $23,000 with shipping) and for the wide variety of choices it offers to satisfy any car buyer. For instance, there's a hybrid that returns 47 mpg in city and highway driving, while the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi can travel more than 20 miles on electric power alone. And for sport-minded drivers, the Fusion even offers a 240-horsepower turbocharged variant.

We like the Honda Accord for its interior space, its competitive pricing and its legendary reputation for durability. New models also impress us with their steering and handling capabilities, which are among the best of any midsize car. But our favorite thing about the latest Accord is LaneWatch, Honda's blind spot camera, which essentially renders the passenger-side mirror unnecessary. It's standard on all Accord EX models, which start around $25,500, and we highly recommend it to any shopper who spends a lot of time on crowded streets.

In terms of family cars, the Toyota Camry has become cliché -- but that's because the Camry offers impressive reliability, excellent interior volume and competitive pricing for a starting price of around $23,000 with shipping. The sedan also boasts available items like an excellent Entune infotainment system and a sporty 3.5-liter V6 that reaches an impressive 268 hp. The forthcoming 2015 Camry will offer a host of alluring updates to today's model, so it's worth the wait if you're not looking to buy a new one right away.

There are several reasons why the Volkswagen Passat, built in the U.S., is one of our favorite midsize sedans. One is interior space: Not only is the Passat near the top of its class for passenger volume, it also has a huge trunk capable of carrying all sorts of cargo. We're even impressed with its pricing, which starts around $21,500 for a base model. But mostly, we like the wide variation in the Passat's range, which includes basic trims for budget-minded shoppers, TDI versions for drivers interested in fuel economy, and V6-powered SEL trims for those who want added luxury and performance.

1/5

Forget everything you've heard about the Chrysler 200 -- the newly redesigned 2015 model corrects nearly all the flaws of the outgoing car, which was among our least favorite midsize sedans. The latest Chrysler 200 is much different: it has reasonable pricing that starts around $22,500, and boasts a larger interior, far more refinements and an impressive fuel economy that reaches as high as 36 miles per gallon on the highway. It also offers Chrysler's impressive Uconnect infotainment system, a standard 9-speed automatic transmission and the optional 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. In short, the new 200 deserves a place on your shopping list, even if the old 200 wasn't worth a second look.

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