Available As: Midsize sedan and convertible

Base Price Range (MSRP): $19,110-$32,375

Pros: Price, fuel economy (4-cylinder), acceleration (3.5-liter).

Cons: Interior comfort, interior quality, trunk space, ride, handling, refinement (2.4-liter).

Overall: Unacceptable even at its low price.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

The Sebring sedan was just redesigned for 2007, but did not come to the market competitive even with long-existing models. As with its twin, the Dodge Avenger, it is not only mediocre but almost risibly inferior in a remarkable number of ways. The interior, as in many Chrysler products, is sloppily assembled from the cheapest plastics. The seats are hard, poorly shaped, and uncomfortable. The trunk is small. The ride lacks control and the car handles clumsily. The two base engines are weak, and even the line-topping 3.5-liter V6 isn't at the level of some competitors, and gets poor gas mileage for a family sedan. Chrysler clearly hopes to excuse the Sebring's consistent inferiority with low prices, but until it significantly undercuts every competitor (though hardly expensive, it currently doesn't come close), there is no reason to even consider it. The convertible is a rare choice in a shrinking market, and is an acceptable choice by default. Although it shares most of the sedan's vices, it is more comfortable and practical than most like-priced drop-tops, and comes with a retractable hardtop on high-end models.

The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are far better choices as inexpensive and pleasant family sedans than the Sebring. They offer roomy, comfortable, and high-quality interiors, a long warranty, adequately powerful 4-cylinder or V6 engines, good ride and handling, and excellent safety ratings. Either can be had new reasonably equipped for under $17,000. For a bit more driving enjoyment than either of those, consider the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, which aren't as roomy or smooth riding as the Sonata and Optima and (except for the Ford) are more expensive than any of the three, but handle more nimbly, and in the Altima's case, have a lot more power. And the ever-popular Toyota Camry is a very pleasant car, roomy and quiet, but not agile or inexpensive. Among convertibles, the Toyota Solara is more luxurious and comfortable, but costs more and lacks a retractable hardtop, and the Pontiac G6 hardtop has a tiny rear seat and trunk, but both are better all-around cars than the Sebring.

See the 2007 Sebring Touring in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test

See the 2008 Sebring Limited sedan in the IFCAR Premium Family Sedan Comparison Test

Available As: Midsize sedan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $18,910-$25,590

Pros: Price, fuel economy (4-cylinder), acceleration (3.5-liter).

Cons: Interior comfort, interior quality, trunk space, ride, handling, refinement (2.4-liter).

Overall: Unacceptable even at its low price.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

The Avenger was just introduced for 2008 to replace the old Dodge Stratus, but did not come to the market competitive even with long-existing models. As with its twin, the Chrysler Sebring, it is not only mediocre but almost risibly inferior in a remarkable number of ways. The interior, as in many Chrysler products, is sloppily assembled from the cheapest plastics. The seats are hard, poorly shaped, and uncomfortable. The trunk is small. The ride lacks control and the car handles clumsily. The two base engines are weak, and even the line-topping 3.5-liter V6 isn't at the level of some competitors, and gets poor gas mileage for a family sedan. Dodge clearly hopes to excuse the Dodge's consistent inferiority with low prices, but until it significantly undercuts every competitor, there is no reason to even consider it.

The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are far better choices as inexpensive and pleasant family sedans than the Avenger. They offer roomy, comfortable, and high-quality interiors, a long warranty, adequately powerful 4-cylinder or V6 engines, good ride and handling, and excellent safety ratings. Either can be had new reasonably equipped for under $17,000. For a bit more driving enjoyment than either of those, consider the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, which aren't as roomy or smooth riding as the Sonata and Optima and (except for the Ford) are more expensive than any of the three, but handle more nimbly, and in the Altima's case, have a lot more power. And the ever-popular Toyota Camry is a very pleasant car, roomy and quiet, but not agile or inexpensive.

See the 2008 Avenger SXT in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test

See the 2008 Avenger R/T  in the IFCAR Premium Family Sedan Comparison Test

Available As: Midsize station wagon

Base Price Range (MSRP): $23,420-$38,105

Pros: Acceleration (V8), rear seat space.

Cons: Acceleration (2.7-liter), fuel economy, cargo space, visibility.

Overall: This Dodge Charger station wagon is more practical than the sedan version, but suffers most of the same other vices.

Rating: 5/10

Recommended: NO

With the Magnum, Dodge put a 340-horsepower V8 into a station wagon body, to offer performance and practicality. Unfortunately, the optional V8 is the only sporty aspect of the car, and the wagon's inherent practicality is diminished by the style-focused low roof, cutting into cargo space. The styling also cuts into visibility. The Magnum handles like the large car that it is, leaving V6 versions with nothing going for them but a comfortable rear seat, which is hardly rare among family cars. The concept of the sporty wagon works, but the execution is lacking, and the V6 versions have only the styling in their favor.

If you want a true sporty wagon, look at the Subaru Legacy and Mazda6, which offer performance, handling, comfort, and practicality on a scale beyond the Magnum's, which has the available V8 as its only advantage. Another option for a combination of acceleration and practicality is the Toyota RAV4, a compact SUV with an available 268-horsepower V6.

Available As: Midsize sedan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $17,295-$23,825

Pros: Price, ride, handling, interior comfort, fuel economy (4-cylinder), available AWD.

Cons: Fuel economy (V6).

Overall: A well-rounded well-priced family sedan with more sport than most.

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

The Fusion, and its twin the Mercury Milan, is a well-rounded midsize sedan whose weak points are generally only areas where it doesn't stand out in its competitive class rather than where it falls short. Though it isn't as vastly roomy as some competitors, it offers a very comfortable interior, and rides and handles well. (While it's nimble for a midsize sedan, but unlike the related Mazda6, it's not as sporty as it pretends to be.) Get the peppy and economical 4-cylinder over the pricier V6 (unless you need the V6-only AWD option), which doesn't add as much power and refinement as it should to justify the added cost and decreased fuel economy.

The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are well-rounded and quite inexpensive, and the V6 Sonata is powerful, but neither car handles as nimbly as the Fusion or offers all-wheel-drive. The related Mazda6 offers sharper handling than the Fusion, but a bit less interior space and a stiffer ride on some versions. The Honda Accord offers a similar driving experience to the Fusion with a higher-quality feel and more refined engines, but costs more and has a smaller trunk. The Nissan Altima offers excellent 4- and 6-cylinder engines and good ride and handling, but a somewhat cramped rear seat and a higher price than the Fusion.

See the 2006 Fusion SEL 3.0-liter in the IFCAR Premium Family Comparison Test

See the 2007 Fusion SE 2.3-liter in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Comparison Test

See the 2007 Fusion SE 3.0-liter in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Comparison Test

Available As: Midsize coupe and sedan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $

Pros: Interior space and comfort, ride, handling, acceleration (V6), fuel economy.

Cons: Price, trunk space.

Overall: It's not cheap, but with its combination of space, comfort, and driving enjoyment, it's not overpriced.

Rating: 9/10

Recommended: YES

The Accord was redesigned and enlarged for 2008 to give it even more mainstream appeal. Despite its ubiquity in the market, the previous version was criticized for its relatively firm ride, relatively small back seat, and relatively loud tires, when compared to its Toyota Camry rival. But while the Accord has softened a bit, it continues to offer competitive handling and more driving enjoyment than most other family sedans, all while improving its ride, refinement, and interior space. Fuel economy has also improved, as has V6 acceleration. The trunk remains somewhat small, the rear seat still folds only in one piece, and the discounts that graced the last year of the previous Accord have evaporated. But the latest Accord is a top-notch family sedan, and worth a look even at its lofty price. 

Available As: Midsize Family Sedan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $16,355-$20,400

Pros: Price, interior comfort, fuel economy (4-cylinder), safety ratings, ride, interior quality, warranty.

Cons: Trunk space.

Overall: Comfortable, safe, and inexpensive with no glaring weaknesses.

Rating: 9/10

Recommended: YES (IFCAR Top Pick)

Drive the Optima, and no aspects of it are likely jump out to wow you. It's not stylish or sporty or luxurious. But that doesn't make it any less of an excellent family car, because much of what makes it excellent is what won't be noticed. Like bumps on the road, or excessive noise, or a lack of power, or discomfort from cramped or poorly shaped seats. And just driving it, you can't notice the safety ratings, the fuel economy (on the four-cylinder model), or the excellent price and warranty coverage. If you aren't looking for your family sedan to excite you, the Optima's ride, refinement, interior comfort and quality, safety, and value should put it at or near the top of your shopping list.

The closest thing to cross-shop the Optima against is the Hyundai Sonata. The two offer a similar feel, the same warranty, and similarly low prices, but the Sonata is a bit roomier and has a larger V6, and the Optima is quieter, has a nicer interior, and handles better. Choose between the two based on your preferences on their slight differences, and based on whichever is selling for less when you buy. If you're looking for the family sedan basics with a touch of sport, consider the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion, but expect to pay quite a bit extra for the Honda and to give up some refinement, interior quality, and power with the Fusion. If you want more space and luxury, consider upgrading to the Hyundai Azera or Kia's own Amanti, or the Ford Taurus. For the family sedan basics done at a near ideal, consider the Toyota Camry, though it has some cheap interior details and a relatively high price. And for a sporty family sedan, consider the Nissan Altima, Mazda6, or Mitsubishi Galant.

See the 2007 Optima LX 4-cylinder in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test

See the 2007 Optima LX V6 in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test