Buying Guide Index

Cars.com Recommended Sedans

By Cars.com Staff  Cars.com

To qualify as a Cars.com Recommended vehicle, models must have average or higher ratings in crash tests, reliability and mileage within their classes.

Recommended Cars
Cars are listed in alphabetical order by their class.
Compact Cars
Honda Civic
$15,605 - $26,155

  • Full redesign for 2012

  • Manual or automatic

  • Efficient HF version

Hyundai Elantra
$15,195 - $20,445

  • 148-hp four-cylinder

  • Six-speed manual or automatic

  • 40 mpg on the highway

  • Available heated rear seats

Kia Forte
$15,200 - $19,600

  • Sedan, coupe or hatchback

  • Choice of four-cylinder engines

  • Standard USB port

  • Optional push-button start

 

Mazda Mazda3
$15,200 - $23,400

  • Sedan or four-door hatchback

  • Light exterior restyling

  • Interior tweaks

  • Highway mpg up to 40

  • New seat fabric patterns

  • Manual or automatic transmission

Subaru Impreza
$17,495 - $29,095

  • Redesigned for 2012

  • Sedan or four-door hatchback

  • New 2.0-liter four-cylinder

  • Manual or CVT 

  • Standard all-wheel drive

  • Larger interior

Midsize Cars
Ford Fusion
$20,200 - $29,100

  • Four-cylinder or choice of two V-6s

  • Manual or automatic

  • Available AWD

  • Available blind spot warning system

  • Available backup camera

Honda Accord
$21,380 - $29,930

  • Four-cylinder or V-6

  • Sedan or coupe

  • Manual or automatic

  • Available navigation system

Hyundai Sonata
$19,695 - $28,095

  • High-efficiency four-cylinder engine

  • High-power turbo four-cylinder

  • Six-speed manual or automatic 

  • Hybrid version offered

Kia Optima
$19,500 - $26,500

  • More standard features for 2012

  • Choice of two four-cylinders, including a 274-hp turbo engine

  • Available hybrid version 

  • Available heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel

  • Available voice-recognition audio system 

Mazda Mazda6
$20,480 - $29,810

  • Optional 272-hp V-6

  • Manual or automatic transmission

  • Available blind spot warning system

  • Available backup camera

 

Nissan Altima
$20,550 - $30,940

  • Sedan or coupe

  • Standard four-cylinder; available 270-hp V-6

  • Continuously variable automatic transmission

  • Available iPod connectivity

  • Available navigation system

Subaru Legacy
$19,995 - $31,595

  • Larger, restyled interior

  • Three engine choices

  • Standard AWD

  • Manual or automatic

  • Newly available stereos

Toyota Camry
$21,955 - $29,845

  • Redesigned for 2012

  • Four-cylinder or V-6

  • Standard automatic transmission

  • 2 mpg better gas mileage

  • Larger trunk

 

Full-Size
Hyundai Azera
$32,000

  • Redesigned for 2012

  • Full-size sedan, front-wheel drive

  • Direct-injection V-6

  • Heated leather seats, navigation system standard

  • Improved highway gas mileage

Toyota Avalon
$33,195 - $36,435

  • Standard V-6 

  • Six-speed automatic

  • Full-size dimensions

  • Reclining rear seats

© Cars.com 02/17/2012