Best Midsize Sedans | 2026 Top Midsize Sedans Rated | CarBuzzThough not as popular or prevalent as they once were, sedans continue to sell well for a variety of reasons. The midsize sedan proves that the body style isn’t about to go out of fashion without a fight. While smaller and more manageable than an SUV, it’s still large enough to be comfortable and practical. A good midsize sedan will also be quite affordable and boast competitive fuel economy. However, the classification comprises vehicles from luxury, economy, hybrid, and other segments, so there are a lot of options. To help you find the right one to fit your needs, our in-depth reviews have broken down the best midsize sedans of 2026 and given them each a score out of 10.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Hyundai Sonata Our highest-ranked mainstream model among all the best midsize sedans is the Hyundai Sonata. We know that Hyundai doesn't have the best reputation for quality or reliability, but it's seriously gotten better over the last five years or so. The Sonata is a great choice for those who like options, since it's available with either a standard gas engine or a hybrid powertrain. The gas version starts at $27,450 (one of the cheapest midsize sedans), while the hybrid starts at $29,200. Opting for the hybrid means getting up to 56 MPGe combined and making a reasonable 196 horsepower."Even the base model feels high-tech inside, though we wish Hyundai didn't lock its most premium amenities to the hybrid-only Limited trim. The N Line gets a unique cabin with suede seats that are comfortable and more highly bolstered than the chairs in other trims. Hyundai also adds red stitching and red accents on the air vents for a pop of color that isn't too childish. We have almost no complaints about this interior; it's well-done and trouble-free."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Kia K5 The Kia K5 is another affordable midsize sedan to make our list with a BuzzScore of 8.6 out of 10. It's affordable, with a starting price of $27,490, and is available with multiple powertrains. Unlike the Sonata, this model lacks a hybrid system, though. Instead, buyers can choose to stick with the base model's 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 that makes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, or upgrade to the GT trim's turbocharged engine with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. On the inside, rear-seat passengers have 35.2 inches of legroom. Cargo volume in the trunk reaches 15.6 cubic feet. Cadillac CT5 The best midsize sedan for those with a slightly larger budget is the Cadillac CT5. Though not the most expensive model on this list, Cadillac ensures the CT5 is worth your money with plenty of comfort features and premium styling inside and out. It starts at $49,200; for that price, you get a standard 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 that makes 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between RWD and AWD, and an optional 3.0L turbo V6 engine makes it a bit quicker. The CT5 comes with over 16 standard safety and driver assistance features, too. Toyota Crown The Toyota Crown rests among midsize sedans as a somewhat unexpected model. It accounts for just 12,309 units sold in the 2025 fiscal year - for comparison, the Camry sold 316,185 units. However, we're surprised it doesn't sell well; the Crown is a reliable, efficient, and fairly luxurious model for a Toyota. It starts at $41,440, which isn't cheap. When you look inside at all its standard features and a relatively plush cabin, it starts to make more sense. Under the hood is a standard 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid that makes 236 hp, but buyers can opt for a 2.5-liter turbo inline-4 hybrid that makes up to 340 combined horsepower. In its most efficient layout, the Crown gets 41 mpg combined."This is not a typical Toyota product, which is why the Crown Signia starts at the XLE grade, a moniker typically reserved for a higher end model. This trim comes well-equipped with leather seats, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated leather steering wheel, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto up/down windows, and hands-free power liftgate."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Toyota Camry The Toyota Camry is perhaps the most expected model on this list, since its name has been synonymous with practicality and reliability for decades. While the first Camry debuted for the 1983 model year with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the current lineup features hybrid-only trims. There are five trims to choose from, including the base model LE for $29,100, and the top-of-the-line XSE for $35,500. When you reach its most expensive version, it doesn't take many options to elevate it to Lexus levels of luxury inside. Powering them all is a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes a combined 225 hp with FWD, and 232 hp with AWD."Handling is great with a minimal amount of roll. Even quick highway lane changes and twisting back roads are easy and fun in the Camry. It also has excellent braking that keeps you confidently in control. The ride itself is smooth with a minimal amount of road and wind noise. The plush seats make it easy to relax without being so soft that longer rides prove uncomfortable. Whether you're driving the Camry or simply along for the ride, it’s a fantastic sedan."- Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz Tesla Model S We were just as surprised as all of you to hear about Tesla discontinuing the Model S and Model X in favor of robotic dreams that may never come to fruition. Knowing how Musk fails to meet expectations and comply with his own promises, it feels as though the Model S is gone for nothing. Nevertheless, it's still around for a little longer. There are two versions to choose from; the base model starts at $94,990, and the Plaid variant starts at $109,990 before destination and options. Choosing the less-expensive version grants you 670 horsepower and up to 410 miles of range. Nissan Altima The Nissan Altima is another direct competitor to the Toyota Camry, Kia K5, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Accord. They're all relatively affordable midsize sedans, so each has to do something to stand out from the crowd. Nissan's entrant doesn't stand out much, as seen by its 7.6 out of 10 on the BuzzScore Scale. That doesn't mean it's not worth checking out, though. it starts at $27,580 for the SV trim in front-wheel drive, but its most expensive version is cheaper than the rest at $32,480 with AWD. In the SR Midnight Edition, buyers will get wireless smartphone connectivity, a power moonroof, sport cloth seats, and more."The Altima wasn't designed as a driver's sedan, but as a comfortable cruiser, it's highly compelling. It delivers a cushy ride with limited road or wind noise as highway speeds. On the highway, Nissan's ProPILOT Assist... is one of the best driver-assist packages in a mainstream sedan. It keeps you in the lane and provides excellent adaptive cruise control."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz Honda Accord The Honda Accord is extremely common for a few reasons: it's reliable, simple, relatively affordable, and can be bought with either a gas-only or hybrid powertrain. There are currently six trims to choose from, with four of those being hybrids. The most basic version is the gas-only LX for $28,395, while the cheapest way to get a hybrid in is the Sport Hybrid trim for $33,795 before destination. Either way, you'll be stepping into a comfortable, efficient midsize sedan. The hybrid is more efficient with its 2.0L I4 hybrid system that gets an estimated 51/44/48 mpg in EX-L Hybrid guise."It's a pleasant place to spend a commute in, and rear passengers get loads of legroom. The driver and front passenger get new seats, which we loved on the first drive event over the course of a few hours, and we didn't get tired of them through this full week's use. Annoyingly for those of us that live in hot states, heating and ventilation on the seats are only available on the top trim."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz Toyota Mirai Rounding off our list of the best midsize sedans is another unexpected model: the Toyota Mirai. It's only unexpected, since the Mirai has rather limited availability across the United States. Being a hydrogen-powered car, the refueling infrastructure mainly exists in California. It's an incredibly cool car, which emits water as its only "exhaust" after using hydrogen and oxygen to churn out 402 miles of range. This revolutionary model isn't cheap, as it starts at $51,795. If you live in California, we highly recommend taking one for a test drive. It also comes with massive incentives, like $15,000 worth of fuel for the first 6 years of ownership. Characteristics Of Midsize Sedans Naturally, every new midsize sedan has four doors, but aside from this, there is much room for individuality. This makes it difficult to point out specific traits shared between the top midsize sedan models. Nevertheless, there are definitely certain things buyers in this market want from their car, which is what we pay special attention to: Size: The key classifier in this segment is the word midsize. These vehicles aim to be the Goldilocks of cars. Many popular luxury liners populate the class, and it’s hard to make an impression driving a subcompact, no matter how good it looks. However, they need to remain maneuverable around town or on the highway, which directly impacts their appeal as sports cars. Performance: Nobody wants to drive a dud. But, because they are well-balanced and have a reasonable weight, good midsize sedans don’t need high-displacement V8s to feel lively. A good turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides loads of kick and also helps to give these 4-door cars acceptable mpg ratings. Versatility: Depending on how they are built, there really isn’t much a midsize sedan can’t do. They might be built for speed, with comfort taking a back seat, or they may focus on supplying a good balance between passenger and cargo space. The roomiest midsize sedans excel at rear passenger space. Price: Now, we’re not saying there aren’t some ridiculously expensive cars in this classification, but you normally won’t struggle to find a cheap midsize sedan that also ticks all the essential boxes. You can usually get a decent level of performance and comfort, as well as respectable practicality, and it shouldn’t cost you more than $30k. What To Consider When Buying A Midsize Sedan A sedan might not be the right choice for everyone, especially since there are more options than ever before when it comes time to buy a new car. However, a quick look at the top sellers in the USA shows that there is still demand for these cars. So, before you dismiss them in favor of a more imposing SUV, consider the pros and cons of owning a midsize sedan: Pros Good amount of space for both passengers and their stuff Sedans are generally more fun to drive than bigger, bulkier vehicles Not particularly heavy on fuel Lots of hybrid options and even a few EVs Automakers have had decades of experience building sedans, so they are quite reliable Cons You won’t find SUV-levels of practicality no matter how hard you look If you have a family of six or seven, a sedan just won’t do Luxury and high-performance models are expensive They are not really designed for towing a lot Sources: Hyundai, Kia, Cadillac, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Tesla
+20 others
