Family sedans have come a long way in just a few years. Not only have automakers ditched the boring midsize sedan styling in favor of sleeker exteriors, but many have also engineered their large sedans for better performance. While most sedans on the market today are good enough to fit the needs of the average car buyer, there are a handful of cars that stand above the rest and go well beyond average. Learn what these four excellent family sedans have to offer when it comes to style, performance, and tech. They may just make you think twice about going for that crossover.
1. 2019 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord was completely redesigned in 2018 with the updates carrying over into the 2019 model year. The most noticeable changes to this popular sedan are visible before ever getting in the driver's seat. A sleek, sporty exterior with a sloped roof gives it almost a fastback look. This is just an optical illusion because the cargo space has, in fact, gained a cubic foot of space.
The 10th generation Accord has stepped it up in the performance department with improved agility and handling plus an optional manual transmission for the Accord Sport trim that will please the driving enthusiasts. The three engine options include a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four, a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four along with a hybrid powertrain available in the Accord Hybrid, the EX, EX-L and Touring trims. Honda offers car shoppers a high level of customization for the Accord with six different trims and multiple engine options for most.
The redesigned Accord also gets a new interior with an upgraded infotainment system with physical buttons and knobs which have been added after some negative feedback about the touch-based controls in previous models. Along with quality materials and improved tech, every trim of the 2019 Accord comes standard with the Honda Sensing package which includes traffic sign recognition, driver support information, collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. Finally, the Accord's class-leading cargo space will be coveted by owners of other sedans when they see that every family member's suitcase fits into the 16.7 cubic feet of space.
2019 Honda Accord base MSRP: $23,720
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2. 2019 Toyota Camry
Just like its archrival, the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry also got a full redesign in 2018 making it a great choice for car shoppers. Aside from the addition of standard Apple CarPlay for the 2019 model, all the 2018 changes carry over. Toyota used a new global architecture to improve the overall stance of the Camry and make it lower, longer and wider. The Camry's redesign transformed it into a sporty sedan with a more aggressive front end and stronger lines for an eye-catching profile.
To improve performance, Toyota added more power to the Camry's V6 engine and gave the midsize sedan a revised suspension system. Available in the XSE trim is a 3.5-liter V6 which makes 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque for quick acceleration and a fun ride. Whereas the last-gen Camry was unengaging to drive, the new one delivers quite the opposite.
Inside the 2019 Camry, you'll find a new infotainment system which brings the Camry's tech into the modern age. The standard infotainment is a 7-inch touchscreen, app suite, Siri Eyes Free, and 3 years of no-charge GPS. Shoppers can upgrade to get an 8-inch screen with HD Radio, wireless charging, and Verizon 4G LTE Wi-Fi. Although the cargo space in the Camry isn't as vast as the Accord, the 2019 Camry still gets you and yours a generous 15.1 cubic feet.
2019 Toyota Camry base MSRP: $24,095
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3. 2019 Mazda6
The Mazda6 got a refresh for 2018 which improved upon its already attractive exterior. Subtle style changes include a new mesh grille, more aggressive framing, and a new wraparound headlight taper. These updates give the midsize Mazda6 a sports sedan vibe. For 2019, the changes carry over to gift the new Mazda6 owner with a sophisticated and athletic exterior.
Mazda also added a little something under the hood of the 6 as part of the 2018 refresh. The new engine option for the 2019 Mazda6 is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder for an increased 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque which is available in the higher trims. Even the base 187 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the lower trims of the 6 outperforms the competition's base engines. In addition to this power boost, the Mazda6 also gets new chassis tuning that improves handling.
The interior of the Mazda6 was not neglected in the refresh and it won't leave you or the family disappointed. The refined interior of the top trims rivals that of premium brands with quality materials like ultrasuede and wood. Passenger room in the front and rear seats is not as spacious as some of the other sedans on our list but the 6 still fits full-grown passengers comfortably. Even the affordable Sport trim offers car buyers a laundry list of standard features including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, low-speed forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an 8.0-inch Mazda Connect touchscreen. Cargo space in the 6 comes in below some competitors in the segment with 14.7 cubic feet, but it is very usable with a wide trunk opening and a flat floor.
2019 Mazda6 base MSRP: $23,800
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4. 2020 Hyundai Sonata
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata will arrive in October of 2019 to shake up the family sedan segment. The impressive new exterior styling features a sporty four-door coupe design. The 2020 Sonata's styling is reminiscent of luxury brands which is not a surprise since the chief designer comes with experience working for Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley. Key design improvements include a larger, wider and lower sedan with sporty details like a trunk spoiler and black side skirts along the lower flanks. Another stand out feature is the all-new lighting architecture with four-lens wraparound LED headlights and one of a kind LED Daytime Running Light elements in the hood.
Hyundai didn't make such dramatic aesthetic improvements without revamping some performance features to match. Two new engines options include a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four for 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder offering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. New suspension and improved steering and handling will make the 2020 Hyundai Sonata a quick and nimble family sedan that's not only practical but fun to drive.
Buyers will be thrilled with the new interior in the Sonata with features like a smart trunk, high-speed wireless smartphone charging pad with cooling fan, standard Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats and split-folding rear seats. Along with safety features such as the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Safe Exit Assist, the new Sonata has a unique feature called the Blind-Spot View and Collision Warning. This system scans for vehicles entering the driver's blind spot when the turn signal is activated and displays a view of the respective side in the tach and speedometer so you don't have to divert your eyes. Pricing for the 2020 Sonata has yet to be announced, but we expect to see an increase from the $22,500 base MSRP of the 2019 model.
2019 Hyundai Sonata base MSRP: $22,500
