Car Rankings: Affordable Midsize Cars
Ranking of midsize cars, generally priced under $25,000. Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and more. Rankings based on an in-depth analysis by U.S. News editors of all published auto ratings, reviews and test drives.
- MSRP: $19,900 - $27,095
- Invoice: $18,806 - $25,605
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
#1
2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Auto writers are pleased with the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu's driving dynamics, good looks and comfortable ride. Many say the car stacks up well against perennial class-leaders like ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.2 |
| Performance: | 7.6 |
| Exterior: | 8.7 |
| Interior: | 7.8 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $20,360 - $30,260
- Invoice: $18,473 - $27,419
- MPG: 22 City / 31 Hwy
#1
2008 Honda Accord
Redesigned this year, reviewers describe the 2008 Honda Accord as a better-driving, better-looking, better-functioning family sedan that should continue to please its loyal fans, and attract some ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.2 |
| Performance: | 8.1 |
| Exterior: | 7.4 |
| Interior: | 8.4 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $18,135 - $24,750
- Invoice: $16,943 - $22,716
- MPG: 20 City / 29 Hwy
#3
2008 Ford Fusion
The Fusion is seen by most reviewers as a well-styled family car with a roomy, well-made interior, a pleasant ride and good road manners. Plus it is ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.0 |
| Performance: | 7.8 |
| Exterior: | 8.3 |
| Interior: | 7.9 |
| Safety: | 9.2 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $18,570 - $28,120
- Invoice: $16,989 - $25,026
- MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
#3
2008 Toyota Camry
The Camry is a refined cruiser with a comfortable interior and a reputation for practicality and value.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.0 |
| Performance: | 7.5 |
| Exterior: | 7.9 |
| Interior: | 8.2 |
| Safety: | 9.3 |
| Reliability: | 8.0 |
- MSRP: $25,200 - $25,200
- Invoice: $22,680 - $22,680
- MPG: 33 City / 34 Hwy
#3
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a comfortable cruiser with great fuel economy and plenty of interior features, but as a hybrid car it doesn't have the ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.0 |
| Performance: | 7.4 |
| Exterior: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 8.0 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 8.0 |
- MSRP: $20,405 - $25,675
- Invoice: $19,079 - $24,006
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
#6
2008 Saturn Aura
The Aura delivers excellent safety features and ratings and a roomy interior, but it can't match the interior material quality of others in its class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.6 |
| Performance: | 8.0 |
| Exterior: | 7.9 |
| Interior: | 7.5 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $20,495 - $33,995
- Invoice: $19,365 - $31,534
- MPG: 20 City / 27 Hwy
#6
2008 Subaru Legacy Sedan
The Legacy delivers quick acceleration, interior comfort and all-weather safety, but can't match the body-styling and overall value of others in its class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.6 |
| Performance: | 8.2 |
| Exterior: | 7.5 |
| Interior: | 7.5 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $19,095 - $25,900
- Invoice: $17,661 - $23,785
- MPG: 20 City / 29 Hwy
#8
2008 Mercury Milan
The Milan delivers one of the best combinations of handling, interior room and pleasing styling in its class, but its drawbacks include a relatively weak engine lineup ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.5 |
| Performance: | 6.8 |
| Exterior: | 8.1 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | 9.2 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $18,620 - $28,670
- Invoice: $18,243 - $26,565
- MPG: 23 City / 32 Hwy
#8
2008 Nissan Altima Sedan
The Altima has a sporty ride, distinctive sleek styling, and one of the highest fuel ratings for non-hybrid vehicles in this segment, but it doesn't provide the ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.5 |
| Performance: | 7.9 |
| Exterior: | 8.5 |
| Interior: | 7.1 |
| Safety: | 9.3 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $21,500 - $23,770
- Invoice: $20,210 - $21,816
- MPG: 48 City / 45 Hwy
#8
2008 Toyota Prius
The Prius ranks solidly in the middle of the pack when considered as a hybrid or as a midsize sedan. The Prius's ranking is based on its ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.5 |
| Performance: | 7.0 |
| Exterior: | 7.5 |
| Interior: | 7.1 |
| Safety: | 8.6 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $23,990 - $38,000
- Invoice: $22,359 - $35,556
- MPG: 21 City / 29 Hwy
#8
2008 Volkswagen Passat
The 2008 VW Passat delivers excellent safety features, sporty performance and an upscale interior for its class, but spotty reliability history is a concern, as is its ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.5 |
| Performance: | 7.7 |
| Exterior: | 7.4 |
| Interior: | 7.9 |
| Safety: | 8.6 |
| Reliability: | 9.0 |
- MSRP: $17,670 - $24,170
- Invoice: $16,949 - $22,608
- MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
#12
2008 Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata delivers class-leading safety features, decent fuel economy, reasonable handling, and an incredibly spacious interior, but it can't match the more sporting performance and bold exterior ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.4 |
| Performance: | 7.5 |
| Exterior: | 7.1 |
| Interior: | 7.8 |
| Safety: | 9.7 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $19,140 - $27,750
- Invoice: $17,705 - $25,628
- MPG: 21 City / 29 Hwy
#12
2008 Mazda MAZDA6
The Mazda6 has sporty handling dynamics and a sleek, stylish exterior, but lacks the off-the-line pickup or interior spaciousness of the top cars of its class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.4 |
| Performance: | 8.0 |
| Exterior: | 8.7 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | 8.8 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $19,999 - $27,149
- Invoice: $19,073 - $25,616
- MPG: 20 City / 27 Hwy
#12
2008 Mitsubishi Galant
The Galant has a spacious rear seat and strong performance from its sporty Ralliart trim, but its interior refinement trails most of the class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.4 |
| Performance: | 8.2 |
| Exterior: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 7.4 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $16,355 - $20,500
- Invoice: $15,435 - $18,985
- MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
#15
2008 Kia Optima
The Optima delivers a spacious and affordable ride, but can't match the reliability and solid performance of some of its competitors.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.3 |
| Performance: | 7.8 |
| Exterior: | 6.9 |
| Interior: | 7.6 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $23,900 - $23,900
- Invoice: $22,347 - $22,347
- MPG: 24 City / 32 Hwy
#16
2008 Saturn Aura Hybrid
The Aura Green Line has a comfortable and functional cabin, and offers hybrid technology for less money than key competitors, but it can't compete with the performance ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.2 |
| Performance: | 5.5 |
| Exterior: | NA |
| Interior: | 7.7 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $20,180 - $27,155
- Invoice: $18,160 - $24,438
- MPG: 22 City / 31 Hwy
#17
2008 Toyota Camry Solara
The 2008 Camry Solara delivers a smooth, comfortable, predictable ride, paired with spacious front and rear seating, and a massive trunk for the class. But its power ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.1 |
| Performance: | 7.2 |
| Exterior: | 6.8 |
| Interior: | 7.9 |
| Safety: | 8.3 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $25,480 - $25,480
- Invoice: $23,881 - $23,881
- MPG: 35 City / 33 Hwy
#18
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Fun on the road and easy at the gas pump, the Altima Hybrid provides a sleek sedan design and a spacious interior in an eco-friendly automobile. But ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.8 |
| Performance: | 7.0 |
| Exterior: | 8.5 |
| Interior: | 8.5 |
| Safety: | 9.8 |
| Reliability: | 7.0 |
- MSRP: $24,250 - $32,380
- Invoice: $22,916 - $30,599
- MPG: 17 City / 28 Hwy
#19
2008 Buick LaCrosse
The LaCrosse is ranked near the bottom of its class because it offers a safe and comfortable ride on the highways, but not much excitement.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.5 |
| Performance: | 7.0 |
| Exterior: | 6.7 |
| Interior: | 6.6 |
| Safety: | 7.7 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $18,765 - $26,960
- Invoice: $17,733 - $25,477
- MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
#19
2008 Pontiac G6
The G6 delivers style and good passenger space, but ranks near the bottom of our list because it falls short of midsize car competitors in overall refinement. ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.5 |
| Performance: | 6.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.0 |
| Interior: | 6.8 |
| Safety: | 8.7 |
| Reliability: | 8.0 |
- MSRP: $19,840 - $28,415
- Invoice: $18,401 - $26,119
- MPG: 21 City / 30 Hwy
#21
2008 Chrysler Sebring
The Sebring has impressive interior features and a comfortable cabin, but does not provide the driving performance or overall refinement of other cars in its class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.0 |
| Performance: | 6.5 |
| Exterior: | 7.3 |
| Interior: | 7.2 |
| Safety: | 9.5 |
| Reliability: | 4.0 |
- MSRP: $22,210 - $29,325
- Invoice: $20,988 - $27,712
- MPG: 18 City / 28 Hwy
#22
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
The Grand Prix has both V6 and V8 engines, but it does not deliver the refinement or handling of top competitors, and its aging style and mediocre ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.8 |
| Performance: | 7.0 |
| Exterior: | 7.0 |
| Interior: | 6.1 |
| Safety: | 7.2 |
| Reliability: | 10.0 |
- MSRP: $18,345 - $24,995
- Invoice: $17,036 - $23,021
- MPG: 21 City / 30 Hwy
#23
2008 Dodge Avenger
The Avenger trails its competitors because it can't match their performance, interior refinement and value.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.3 |
| Performance: | 5.7 |
| Exterior: | 7.4 |
| Interior: | 6.4 |
| Safety: | 9.7 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
Unranked: Affordable Midsize Cars
Our rankings are based on analysis of third party reviews. Sometimes, we are unable to find enough reviews to publish a definitive ranking. Please check back later, as we are constantly updating our reviews.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
MSRP: $23,895 - $23,895 | Invoice: $22,581 - $22,581 | MPG: 24 City / 32 Hwy
Check car prices and ratings to find a more fuel efficient car.