The midsize sedan segment used to be chock full o' mediocrity.
The Camrys and Accords piloted by suburban families were moderately stylish, moderately affordable, and moderately efficient. While the segment's mainstays made a name for themselves with sterling quality and ease of ownership, the benchmark for the ubiquitous family sedan was a faint beige stripe on an off-beige wall.
New players and new attitudes injected some much-needed zest into the segment over the last 10 years, but never before has this race been so rapidly evolving and fiercely competitive. 2012 is quickly shaping up to be "the year of the car", and with gas prices lingering just below the $4 mark, just about every automaker is introducing a fuel sipping midsizer.
2013 Ford Fusion
Ford's Fusion has quickly made a name for itself in this segment since its introduction as a 2006 model. On the heels of a successful 2010 enhancement which saw the addition of a 40-mpg Hybrid variant, the 2013 model is all new and looks to shake things up. The standard Fusion will come with a choice of 3 powerplants: The base engine will be a 2.5L 4 cylinder making 170hp, a fuelmiser "EcoBoost" twin-turbo 1.6L 4-cylinder will be optional with 179hp and making 26/37MPG, and a larger "EcoBoost" twin-turbo 2.0L 4-cylinder will top the range with 237hp and achieving 23/33MPG.
In the way of non-conventional powerplants, the Fusion offers two more choices: Fusion Hybrid returns to the lineup with a smaller, 2.0L engine making 185 horsepower and 44/47mpg, and Fusion Energi plug-in electric hybrid which is rated at 100MPGe.
Noticeably absent is a V6 engine option, but I don't expect many customers to notice. 2013 Fusion goes into production this August.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2008 Malibu made the midsize Chevy a serious contender in the class, but a lack of updating (and decontenting, in come cases) have left it near the bottom when compared to other brand's newer entries. The 2013 version, vaguely familiar yet new, is already in production and on sale, though only in "Eco" mode. The 2013 Malibu Eco, featuring GM's "eAssist" BAS mild hybrid technology, is currently selling alongside the 2012 model until production of other 2013 trim levels ramps up later this year.
The Eco model combines GM's 2.4L Ecotec engine and a 15kW motor and Lithium-Ion battery, delivering 187hp and 25/37MPG. Later this year, a naturally aspirated 2.5L engine and turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder will come online. Figures for the 2.5L haven't been released yet, but the turbocharged 2.0L has been rated at 259 horsepower. Mileage figures are still unavailable.
2013 Nissan Altima
Nissan shocked just about everybody when they pulled the wraps off the newest version of their hot-selling Altima last week, debuting a car that was lighter, more efficient, and more affordable. The new Altima, which goes into production later this year, hits the market with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to an updated version of the much maligned Continuously Variable Transmission with a class-leading 38MPG. A 3.5L V6 engine, carried over from the 2012 model, will also be available. Nissan says the Altima will start at $21,500, plus a $760 destination charge.
The Rest of the Pack:
Toyota's venerable Camry just received a thorough refresh for 2012, gaining new exterior syling, an all-new interior, and some powertrain changes. The 2.5L 4-cylinder carried over from 2011 mostly unchanged, though fuel economy has been bumped to an estimated 25/35MPG. The 3.5L 268hp V6 carries over as well, returning 21/30MPG. The Hybrid model got the most attention, with an updated drivetrain presenting 200hp combined and 43/39MPG.
Hyundai's Sonata and Kia's Optima, both new-for-2011 model, soldier on with strong sales and a 200hp, 35/40MPG powertrain.
The Chrysler 200 / Dodge Avenger duo also continue on with only minor changes since their 2011 freshening (and, in the case of 200, renaming), returning 20/31MPG in their most fuel efficient guise.
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