The Big Test: 2013/2014 Full-Size Sedans

This Week: Full-size sedan comparison, 2014 Chevy Malibu, 2014 BMW X5, 2014 Acura MDX      NEW CARS USED CARS ROAD TESTS AUTO SHOWS FUTURE NEWS VIDEOS FEATURES BLOGS FORUMS WOT

The Big Test: 2013/2014 Full-Size Sedans Chevrolet Impala LTZ vs. Chrysler 300S vs. Ford Taurus SEL vs. Kia Cadenza vs. Toyota Avalon Ltd Is there a more peculiar automotive segment than that of the entry-level, full-size sedan? Loved by comfort-seeking retirees, client-shuttling businessmen, and family-hauling parents alike, the full-size sedan means many things to many people. To us, the full-size segment should mean comfort, interior space, and lots of features. As a step up from the popular midsize market, these sedans are aimed squarely at those who can't quite afford (or don't want to pay for) a full-fledged luxury platform. The last time we visited this space, we pitted the Toyota Avalon (the very same one we have here, in fact) against the new Hyundai Azera and the aging Nissan Maxima. The result of that comparison was a photo finish between the Hyundai and the Toyota, with the Avalon winning by just a grille. Now, we've invited the Avalon back to take on two brand-new-to-market challengers, the Chevrolet Impala and Kia Cadenza, along with two recent large refreshes, the Chrysler 300S and the Ford Taurus. The winner will need to display superiority through multiple criteria, including ride comfort, interior refinement, performance, fuel economy, safety, and value. Full-size sedan shoppers are about as concerned with the fun-to-drive aspect as they are Justin Bieber, so we'll put our normal enthusiast perspectives aside for this one and concentrate on what makes a full-size sedan so desirable to so many people. READ THE FULL STORY Hyundai Azera vs. Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV vs. Toyota Avalon Limited 2012 Buick LaCrosse vs. 2012 Hyundai Azera vs. 2013 Lexus ES 350 2014 Kia Cadenza First Test 2014 Chevrolet Malibu First Look 2014 BMW X5 First Look Next Chrysler 200's Styling Influenced by Fusion, Sonata 2014 Acura MDX First Drive Corvette, Veyron Star as Autobots in "Transformers 4" Subscribe to Motor Trend REFRESHING OR REVOLTING Refreshing or Revolting: 2014 Chevrolet Malibu POPULAR ON YOUTUBE Leaf-Blower Supercharging a 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder! - Roadkill TOP BLOG The Big Test TO OUR E-MAIL SUBSCRIBERS: YOUR PRIVACY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS EMAIL IN ERROR OR WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, PLEASE CLICK HERE. Write to us at: Motor Trend Digital Newsletter 831 S. Douglas Street El Segundo, CA 90245 Privacy Policy (c) 2013 Source Interlink Media, Inc. All rights reserved.