The Best Big Sedans

Nissan calls the Maxima ($32,610 base MSRP) a four-door sports car but that isn’t really the case. It just a very good large sedan with a powerful engine, an adequate 14.3 cubic foot trunk, and enough amenities to challenge many premium brand sedans. The Maxima’s styling is a bit polarizing, but the car makes up for it with good driving dynamics, plenty of power, and a long list of standard and available features, including an 8-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, a 7-inch screen in the instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, predictive collision warning, and a surround view camera.

While many cars are offered with a variety of engines, the Maxima only has one. The 3.5-liter V6 offers 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque no matter what trim level you buy. Fuel economy for the engine is rated at a respectable 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. If you're looking for power and efficiency, the Maxima has both.

The Chevrolet Impala (27,500 base MSRP) is a well-rounded sedan that offers owners a little of everything. It has a spacious 18.8 cubic foot trunk, a split folding rear seat, attractive exterior, simple controls for technology, and a ride that balances comfort and performance well. Its cabin is spacious and attractive and the model can be had with quite a lot of features, including USB and Bluetooth connectivity, Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Impala comes with a couple different engine options. There’s the 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 197 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque or the 3.6-liter V6 that manages 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The Impala does a decent job on efficiency, too. The 2.5-liter engine makes 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway and the 3.6-liter engine makes 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The Toyota Avalon ($33,500 base MSRP) has been a go-to for many American families now for decades. Although the sedan market seems to be shrinking, we have a feeling that the Avalon isn’t going anywhere. It’s smooth, Lexus-like ride and comfortable interior mean it’s one of the most pleasurable vehicles to helm as long as you don’t have too sporty of intentions. It has a spacious 16 cubic foot trunk, and it also comes with plenty of modern standard and available technology and features, including a backup camera, leather seats, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and an Entune infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen.

Under the hood lies your choice of a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque or a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that’s good for 156 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, if you’re after efficiency, the hybrid is the way to go. It manages 40 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. However, the V6 engine doesn’t do too bad, making 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Buick redesigned the LaCrosse ($32,065 base MSRP) for 2017 into a sleek and attractive large sedan. While the model looks twenty times better than the 2016 model what’s really great about it is its luxurious interior, its competent driving dynamics and modern technology features. The LaCrosse comes with 4G LTE Wi-Fi, keyless entry, push-button start, a backup camera, parking sensors, heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. Also, the LaCrosse comes with a smaller than average 15 cubic foot trunk.

Under the hood sits a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 310 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque. The V6 manages to get 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway when the car has front-wheel drive and 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway when it has all-wheel drive. If you want a LaCrosse that handles very well, then the all-wheel-drive system is something you should definitely consider.

Now in its second generation, the Kia Cadenza ($31,990 base MSRP) continues to put other automakers on notice. The car was decent in its first generation, but now it’s better-looking, better to drive, and has a beautiful and extremely comfortable interior that’s fitting of an entry-level luxury car. The trunk is 16 cubic feet which falls about in the middle of its competitors, but the spacious cabin and long list of features set it apart. Standard and available equipment includes dual-zone climate control, push-button start, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon audio system, UVO infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, GPS navigation, and Nappa quilted leather seats.

There’s only one engine for the Cadenza. Under the hood, Kia places a 3.3-liter V6 that’ makes 290 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. The 3.3-liter makes 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. It’s not the most powerful or efficient but it’s still a satisfying motor nonetheless.