SUVs have become the toast of the automotive world these days that it’s hard to argue against anyone who wants to buy one. It’s just that even though SUVs continue to grow in popularity, it can’t replicate the suave styling and sophistication of some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market today. The best midsize sedans are often those that give you the best of all words. They’re stylish, powerful, comfortable, and spacious. Some even combine all those qualities in one package. SUVs have these qualities, too, but they’re often a product of customers needing them as opposed to wanting them.

With midsize sedans, especially the luxury types, you don’t need space because you have a family to fit inside it, you want the space because you want to show off your ride to your friends. Likewise, you don’t need it to be powerful for your next weekend getaway. You want it to be powerful, so it grabs the attention of the people around you. In here is a list of the best midsize sedans of 2018. Pay attention to who made it because there’s a good chance that if you’re in the market for one, you’ll end up getting one of these models.

Best Affordable Midsize Cars of 2018

2018 Mazda 6

The 2018 Mazda 6 is arguably one of the most underrated midsize sedans in the market today. It doesn’t get as much shine as the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, but it’s every bit as competent as its Japanese rivals. Inside, the 6 looks just as good, thanks to an upscale feel that normally doesn’t translate well in its segment. Its tech features shine through, as well. The sedan boasts dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a six-speaker audio system, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and the MazdaConnect infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. The base 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine isn’t punchy enough for some, but there is an option to get the car with a turbocharged engine that produces 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. That’s more than enough power for a car that already boasts a smooth and clean ride.

Engine:

2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

15 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

26 mpg (city) / 35 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$21,950


Read our full review on the 2018 Mazda 6

2018 Ford Fusion

Despite Ford’s plan to focus on crossovers, SUVs, and utility vehicles moving forward, the Ford Fusion remains one of the Blue Oval’s best value-for-your-money vehicles. The Fusion doesn’t look as crisp as the Mazda6, but it makes up for it by having a wealth of engine options, a comfortable interior, plenty of tech offerings, and one of the most spacious trunks in its class. The Fusion is the mid-size sedan you want if you’re picky about certain things. Fortunately, Ford did a great job stacking up a lot of noteworthy features on the Fusion, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Bigger and more powerful engine options are also available. The Fusion is one of the most practical models in its segment. Combine that with a comfortable ride and balanced handling, and you get a model that’s worth the price you’re paying for it.

Engine:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine

Output:

173 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Six-speed automatic

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

16 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

21 mpg (city) / 32 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$22,215


Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Fusion

2018 Hyundai Sonata

In a market as competitive as the midsize sedan segment, the Hyundai Sonata stands out for being good at just about everything. Style? Check. Comfort? Check. Tech features? Check. Cargo space? Check that one, too. I If you can live with that, then you’re getting a sedan that makes up for its not-as-fresh styling with a lot to offer in other ways. It has one of the classiest and most comfortable interiors in the segment. The interior design might be too simple for some, but simplicity works for a lot of other people, too. Its base four-cylinder engine produces 185 horsepower. That’s more power than the base units of other models. The Sonata is also one of the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans in its class, earning 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Engine:

2.4-liter four-cylinder engine

Output:

185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Six-speed shiftable automatic

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

16 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

25 mpg (city) / 35 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$22,050


Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai Sonata

2018 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is the king of the roost in the midsize sedan segment. Sales of sedans have been on a steady decline in the past few years, but the Toyota Camry has remained a popular choice, finishing as the best-selling midsize sedan in 2017 ahead of the Honda Accord. What’s really there to say about the Camry that hasn’t been said before? It comes with a high-quality interior, an updated infotainment system, and a number of advanced safety features. The 2018 Camry even gets a boost in performance thanks to an impressive lineup of engine options. It’s not a perfect sedan by any means — cargo space is only at 15.1 cubic feet — but the Camry still holds court as having the b best combination of quality and value in its class. Other models, namely the Honda Accord, have come close to challenging the Camry’s stature, but Toyota’s venerable midsize sedan remains an industry favorite for a reason.

Engine:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine

Engine:

203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Eight-speed shiftable automatic

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

15.1 cubic feet

Output:

28 mpg (city) / 39 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$23,495


Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Camry

2018 Honda Accord

The 2018 Accord is even better, thanks to wholesale changes that addressed old concerns about the Accord. Honda’s prized sedan has more power for the 2018 model. It also has a bigger trunk capacity than its immediate predecessor. It also boasts one of the most advanced driver-assistance features in its class. The 2018 Accord comes with driver drowsiness monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a head-up display, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. These safety features are just the tip of the iceberg, too. Step inside the Accord, and it doesn’t matter where you sit. There are no bad seats inside this sedan. Both the front and back rows are spacious. The front seats are comfortable and supportive while the rear seats have outstanding legroom. I could go on and mention, too, that the Accord has a pair of snap-happy turbocharged engine choices that help with its smooth ride and engaging handling, but you probably already get the point. The Honda Accord is one of the best midsize sedans in the market today.

Engine:

1.5-liter four-cylinder engine

Output:

192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Continuously variable-sped automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

17 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

30 mpg (city) / 38 mpg (highway)

Engine:

$23,570


Read our full review on the 2018 Honda Accord

Best Midsize Luxury Sedans of 2018

2018 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS is a great choice for a midsize luxury sedan, provided you understand that it has its share of flaws, too. It has one of the most dynamic looks in the market, a product of Caddy’s new design language the successfully blends sporting aggression with style and class. It also handles well, thanks in large part to its precise steering and overall outstanding athleticism. Cadillac’s not short-changing you in the interior, too. The CTS has a well-appointed cabin that features upscale trim pieces like wood and suede. You can even upgrade from the standard leatherette upholstery to real leather or premium semi-aniline leather, provided you can pay for them. That said, the CTS has a small trunk compared to its rivals. The infotainment system and its corresponding controls take a while to get used to. But the CTS’ biggest drawback is actually not its own fault. It belongs in a market that’s also populated by the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class, two of the best sedans you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Engine:

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Eight-speed automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

13.7 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

22 mpg (city) / 30 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$51,995


Read our full review on the 2018 Cadillac CTS

2018 Audi A6

Perception is a tricky thing, especially in the luxury mid-size sedan segment. The Audi A6, for all of its tremendous qualities — it has a lot — doesn’t get as many platitudes as the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class. Part of that is because the 5 Series and E-Class are awesome cars themselves, but another part of it is because of the perception that Audi doesn’t have as much cache as its rivals. A case can be made that the A6 looks better than its rivals. A case can also be made that the A6 has the best cabin of the bunch. Dig a little deeper, and you might be surprised that the A6 has powerful engine options and handling capabilities that few other midsize luxury sedans can match. It also has good gas mileage, a lot of user-friendly tech features, and the cache of being built by one of the most renowned automakers in the world. Don’t dismiss the Audi A6 just because it competes against BMW and Mercedes. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find any reasons not to buy the A6.

Engine:

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Eight-speed automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

14.0 cubic feet

Output:

25 mpg (city) / 34 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$54,100


Read our full review on the 2018 Audi A6

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Just like the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class is in a class of its own. It’s a testament to the quality of the E-Class that even though it’s not as attractive as the Audi A6 or the BMW 5 Series, it still holds court as one of the best luxury midsize sedans in the market today. It has, hands down, the most luxurious interior in the segment. It has a lineup of powerful engines. It handles like a champion, and the overall ride quality is without peer. You’re not getting cheated out of the tech features with the E-Class, either. There’s a reason why the Mercedes E-Class is one of the first models that comes to mind when talking about midsize luxury sedans. Like the BMW 5 Series, the E-Class is arguably one of the market’s most important models, largely because it helped shape the segment to what it’s become today.

Engine:

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Nine-speed automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

13 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

22 mpg (city) / 30 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$52,950


Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2018 BMW 5 Series

There are good luxury midsize sedans. There are great luxury midsize sedans. Then there’s the BMW 5 Series, regarded as the benchmark model for all models in the segment. The 5 Series is one of the best vehicles in the business, regardless of the market. The 2018 5 Series is a good example of BMW sparing no expense in the development of its models. It has one of the best designs in its class. The interior is comfort redefined and is filled to the brim with luxury amenities. There’s comfortable seating for five people, and Bimmer dropped a load of tech and safety features on the model. Outside of its design, the 5 Series also scores high in terms of its performance. There are a number of engine options to choose from, and that translates to incredible handling and top-class drivability. The 5er’s excellent fuel efficiency ratings are the cherry on top of this sundae. You can’t go wrong choosing the BMW 5 Series. You really can’t.

Engine:

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Eight-speed automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

18.7 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

24 mpg (city) / 34 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$52,650


Read our full review on the 2018 BMW 5 Series

2018 Lexus GS

The Lexus GS is the only Japanese model in this list of best midsize luxury sedans. Part of that is due to the fact that, until recently, Japanese automakers didn’t occupy a significant amount of space of this market. But the GS is a good example of a car that has made steady gains throughout the years. The first thing you’ll notice about the GS is its aggressive appearance. Outside of the A6, the Lexus sedan arguably has the most striking look of any luxury midsize sedan in the segment, 5 Series and E-Class, included. It also has one of the most high-class cabins in the segment, defined largely by Lexus’ smart use of top-quality premium materials. Engine choices aren’t a problem with the GS, too. There are three to choose from, including a potent 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a tidy 241 horsepower. If the GS has one flaw, it’s the infotainment system. The display, for instance, isn’t a touchscreen, which seems absurd for a car that’s otherwise dripping in high-tech features.

Engine:

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine

Output:

241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque

Transmission:

Eight-speed automatic transmission

Passenger capacity:

Five people

Cargo space:

18.4 cubic feet

Fuel economy:

22 mpg (city) / 32 mpg (highway)

Base price:

$46,310


Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus GS