DaftRyosuke's Top Ten Best Mid-size sedan designs as of March 2018

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke) 03/02/2018 at 11:39 • Filed to: None

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I had fun doing that last one and your replies made it even more fun. Let’s do it again.

This was admittedly a tad harder to do because I believe that we’re on the cusp of the era of some of the greatest looking cars in this segment. But of course, some are better than others.

10. Volkswagen Passat

The Passat is bland, period. It’s sad to see a car which has had interesting and exciting designs in its heritage be reduced to a somewhat bland mishmosh of safe design cues. The only thing this design does for it is reaffirm its German-ness, with such cues as the hoff kink in the rear...but that’s the wrong German brand doing it. Oh well.

9. Hyundai Sonata

I quite liked the design of the Sonata that was on sale before this recent refresh, but the wide-mouth trend has not fared well on this Alabama-born Korean. It took me months to realize this was a new Sonata and not a new Elantra or something.

8. Nissan Altima

If this list would have been done about 5 years ago, the Altima would have probably fared even lower than it is here. Luckily the recent refresh with Maxima-like design cues pumped a sliver of excitement in an admittedly bland car. In any other comparison, the Altima would be at the bottom with its gutless engine and horrid CVT, but it does look sort of exciting...sort of.

7. Toyota Camry

It was a hard decision to put the Camry so low on the list, because I admittedly like the new Camry a lot. It seems for once that Toyota didn’t half-ass the whole thing and it’s actually a car that I’d like to drive. But, that grille and those rear vents are just a huge mistake.

6. Chevrolet Malibu

When the Malibu dropped on the scene, I was all for it. It was an exciting and exotic design that paved a new way for Chevrolet’s design theme. Now that it’s been a few years, I can say that it’s still a looker, but I’ve grown kind of cold to it. It’s definitely in its best guise in the top trim LTZ, lesser trim LTs and LSs do not do it any favors.

5. Subaru Legacy

I admit, it was hard trying to find a place in this list for the Legacy. I think the car is handsome, but say it’s too handsome and that’s just blatant bias because I own a Subaru. But it’s not inherently ugly either. It’s got a lot of good lines and nice, muscular tones in the front. I’d say it’s best here smack dab in the middle.

4. Kia Optima

Ooh, now this might be a surprise to some, and it’s even somewhat shocking to me, but I can’t help but like the new Optima, especially when spec’d with the sport package and those attractive red calipers. It’s no secret that Kia’s been penning some astonishingly good designs lately, and while the jury is forever going to be out on the Stinger for me, I can say with confidence that I like the Optima...a lot.

3. Ford Fusion

Yes...yes...YES...ever since its debut in 2012 I have been all over the Fusion (or as some may call it, the Mondeo). It may look like an Aston Martin from some angles, but that only helps it. This is a good-looking car all around, no matter trim nor color. It would have topped this list easily a few years ago, however, two cars have come since which have ultimately best it, but the Fusion is still a favorite in my heart.

2. Honda Accord

The Accord still wows me to this day. How can Honda, creators of the new Civic, give us something so striking? It’s amazing. The Accord has a profile of a car that costs easily twice the price and has about the same features as one as well. A neighbor recently got one in bright red and good god is it amazing to look at. Yes sir, indeed...if Honda can keep up designs like this...I may have a new favorite Japanese brand.

1. Mazda 6

I mean, come on? We’re all Oppos here, we all love Mazda, and there’s a reason why. Mazda doesn’t follow the bland trends of today, they set out to shock them. They’re one of few brands that manage to have a full line that looks great, from the MX-5 to the CX-9, there’s really no slouch, and it’s all thanks to the 6's radical design from a while back. This car is sex appeal, it’s soul. It’s one of few new cars to rival the Giulia in my book, and it just keeps looking better and better with each refresh. Bravo, Mazda.

Anyway yeah, as always, this is my opinion. You’ll probably disagree. I’ll probably reply with a meme. It’s all fun and games.

Textured Soy Protein > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:44

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6
Optima
Accord
Malibu
Fusion
Sonata
Legacy
Passat
Camry
Altima

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:46

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2017 Accord> 2018 Accord. RIP Coupe

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Textured Soy Protein 03/02/2018 at 11:48

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I’d put the Camry ahead of the passat, but yeah. totally.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:49

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I actually like the rear of the Camry, assuming it has the exhaust on both sides.

Jury is still out on the Accord, I see quite a few by me and I haven’t really looked twice.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:50

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At first I was like “No Regal?” Then I realized it technically isn’t a sedan anymore.

benjrblant > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:50

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Wait, you’re saying the Passat has out-Camry’d the Camry?

What is this world we live in?

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:51

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Optima

Accord

6

Fusion

Malibu

Sonata

Legacy

Passat

Camry and Altima tie for ugliest

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 03/02/2018 at 11:51

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I also think it’s technically a slot above this segment. Buick is more of a premium brand.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > benjrblant 03/02/2018 at 11:52

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I know. It’s scary.

Nothing > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:52

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Was there a price limit on this list? Seems we’re missing some Europeans and perhaps even some Cadillacs.

404 - User No Longer Available > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:54

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From day 1 of the Passat, I thought it was a W-Body.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 03/02/2018 at 11:54

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6 in third? BOOOOO, mods plz ban.

(/s)

Nibby > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 03/02/2018 at 11:54

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you can still buy a C class coupe anyways

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 11:58

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Two things.

1. The Legacy got a fascia refresh for 2018, which to me enhances the muscular tones you’re a fan of. It’s a little more WRX-ey (see what I did there?).

2. 100% agree that the current Sonata is a let-down. When the 2011 Sonata came out there was NOTHING else in this segment that looked that striking. Nothing else seemed to have been designed with such purpose. But now, on multiple occasions I’ve seen one and thought, “That new Elantra looks pretty sharp” only to see a Sonata badge on the back.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 03/02/2018 at 12:00

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Hissssss

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Nibby 03/02/2018 at 12:03

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True. 302HP RWD <17K miles for $$28,847. I’d do it in a heartbeat

http://www.acuraofmemphis.com/used-inventory/used/Mercedes-Benz/2015-Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-981ab4f80a0e0aea73690c8e02ebba77.htm

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Nothing 03/02/2018 at 12:07

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Yeah, these are the regular mid-size sedans. Throw in the luxury cars and it’s a whole new game.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy 03/02/2018 at 12:07

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I couldn’t really find a good image of the refresh, so I used what I could get.

interstate366, now In The Industry > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 12:11

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Personally, I’d put the Camry behind the Altima, but otherwise I agree with this.

Vicente Esteve > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 12:13

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How can the refined, restrained Passat be worse looking than the abomination that is the Altima.

With everything else I sort of agree.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 12:20

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These are “midsize” cars?? Every option is gigantic, id consider these full size. I mean the Civic is more of a midsizer now than the Accord. Its funny because the Civic definitely used to be a subcompact.

Agreed on the Mazda6 being the winner in this category though regardless. It’s best competition is the Mazda3 really lol.

My citroen won't start > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 12:50

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This list is wrong.

How can Mr Malibu Von Underbite be better than the Asspat? How is the Asspat below the melty weird Sonata.

Asspat must be at least a 4 or 5

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 13:09

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Passat in tenth?

Have you not seen the Malibu and Altima?

They’re fucking hideous.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 13:18

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If there was a Mazda 6 wagon in the States with a stick, I’d go way out of my way to get one.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > My citroen won't start 03/02/2018 at 13:46

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Disagreement meme

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 03/02/2018 at 13:47

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Bias

Matt Nichelson > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 13:50

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The only thing I would change is swapping the Accord and the 6. This is the first time in a very long time that I really like the looks of the Accord Sedan. Also lol FCA.

Amoore100 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/02/2018 at 13:52

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I concur although the Accord is somewhat disappointing to me because although it’s good, it could have been better had some restraint been applied—if the little strip from the foglight to the leading edge disappeared along with the sloping trim on the sides, it would be absolutely perfect. Also, that hood shutline bothers me but that’s secondary and angle-dependent.

I agree on the Leggy—everyone seems to think it’s boring or ugly but I find it well-proportioned and better with every facelift. Definitely dowdier than the Accord or 6, though; those are practically Italian in design with the Accord looking very Bertone and the 6 definitely Pininfarina inspired.

wafflesnfalafel > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy 03/02/2018 at 22:16

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Agree - the Legacy is better than the market indicates, (my subie sales guy had one with the 3.6 and a catback and it sounded awesome.) The new Elantra is a better machine than the Sonata and looks better too. The Camry just continues to be so distractingly weird looking that I can’t say I’d consider it even if the v6 version is a heck of a highway cruiser. And Mazda shoulda made a proper Speed6 - but they didn’t. The new Accord is pretty darn good looking in the sport guise and the both the 1.5 and 2.0 motors seem surprisingly punchy.