- Midsize family-sedan shoppers should see a significant boost in fuel economy as new and improved 2013 models begin to reach the market.
- The redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima sedan is rated by the EPA at 38 mpg on the highway — the highest for a gasoline-engine model in the segment.
- The redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, due out this fall, will be rated at 47 mpg in the city and 44 on the highway — expected to be the highest for a gasoline-electric hybrid model in the segment.
DETROIT — Shopping for a midsize family sedan? Consumers should see a significant boost in fuel economy as new and improved 2013 models begin to reach the market.
Among the first of the redesigned family cars is the 2013 Nissan Altima, which was rated late last week by the EPA at 27 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway — the highest for a gasoline-engine model in the segment. Those numbers are for the 2013 Altima with 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission.
The 2013 Altima, which begins arriving at U.S. dealers this month, starts at $22,280, including a $780 shipping charge.
The new Altima will square off against the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion, which goes on sale this fall, in both standard gasoline and hybrid gasoline-electric variants, as well as a new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.
The EPA has not officially rated the 2013 Fusion, but Ford said at the car's introduction in January that the Fusion's 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine will deliver 26 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway, while the Fusion Hybrid, with a new 2.0-liter gasoline engine, will return 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. The latter numbers are expected to make the 2013 Fusion the highest-rated hybrid in the midsize family-sedan segment.
The 2013 Fusion will start at $22,495, including a $795 shipping charge.
Chevrolet has begun selling the redesigned 2013 Malibu Eco, a gasoline-electric hybrid with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and General Motors' eAssist "mild hybrid" system that is rated by the EPA at 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Prices start at $25,995. A base 2013 Malibu with standard 2.5-liter Ecotec four-cylinder gasoline engine goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai last month priced its 2013 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, which are essentially carryover models from 2012. The EPA has not released fuel-economy figures yet for the 2013 Sonatas, but the 2012 Sonata with 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while the 2012 Sonata Hybrid is rated at 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. The 2013 Sonata is priced from $21,670, including a $775 shipping charge.
Competing favorably with both the gasoline and hybrid family sedans is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel that is rated by the EPA at 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway — the highest numbers in the family-sedan segment for a non-hybrid model. The 2012 Passat TDI SE is priced from $26,765, including $770 shipping; the base Passat S with four-cylinder gasoline engine starts at $20,765. Since the Passat was redesigned for 2012, the 2013 model due out this fall is expected to be largely carried over with few major changes.
A redesigned 2013 Honda Accord sedan is due to reach U.S. dealers this fall, but few details have been released. The current 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2012 Accord returns 23 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The 2012 Accord LX is priced from $22,270, including $790 shipping. The 2013 Accord gets a new 2.4 direct-injection engine, and the EPA fuel-economy ratings are expected to rise. An all-new Accord Plug-In Hybrid, with a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system, will reach U.S. dealers next winter. Honda has not provided fuel-economy estimates.
The Toyota Camry was redesigned for model year 2012, so no significant changes are planned for the immediate future. The base 2012 Camry L, which has EPA city/highway ratings of 25/35 mpg, is priced from $22,815, including $760 shipping. The 2012 Camry Hybrid LE, which is rated at 43/city and 39/highway, starts at $26,750.
Inside Line says: Midsize family cars offer relatively decent fuel economy — and reasonably good values — whether you're shopping for a standard gas engine, a hybrid or a high-mileage diesel.
Add A Comment »
drjjjj says:
01:27 PM, 07/18/2012
I've looked at the 2012 Camry hybrid under a microscope and can't find fault anywhere with the engine and drive train-can't same the same for any others! I'm not sold on direct injection, belt driven CVTs and lithium batteries either (for the long run)! Camry may not be the best looking in the bunch, but the best engineered for reliability in my opinion! I was looking hard at the prius,but can't live with the looks/size! Been burned by Ford too many times to gamble again-week/sloppy trannys in particular! Picky engineer
m6user says:
08:40 AM, 06/12/2012
Good point. It seems that every long term test I've seen of any TDI vehicle the average MPG has been at or just slightly better than the EPA numbers whoud suggest. However, whenever you read in diesel forums of any kind, the diesel fans usually say they get way better. I guess if you drive one trying to achieve max mpg it is possible to do much better. But if you drive like a normal person or a little spirited then the EPA numbers probably apply.
tbone85 says:
08:02 PM, 06/11/2012
jm1212, there's always seems to be so much anecdotal back and forth on diesel mileage. I've always wanted to understand why that is. Insideline's long term 2011 Jetta tdi averaged 36.7 over 22,500 miles, which seems to be just a hair higher than one might expect with a 30/42 EPA rating.
Has anyone ever collected mass data on actual diesel mileage versus the EPA figures?
jm1212 says:
04:28 PM, 06/11/2012
These fuel economy numbers are pretty impressive! Numbers like these are great signs for the industry. Not only are manufacturers starting to embrace lower vehicle weights and more advanced engines, but they, and the consumers, are now seeing the benefits.
The Altima seems like a really solid choice in this segment, and because of this, I am very excited to see what the new Sentra brings. Part of me hopes that they will just drop the 2.5 I4 and CVT from the Altima in the smaller and lighter Sentra, but I know that won't happen. I'm excited to see how this new CVT and engine technology translates to the Sentra with its likely 2.0 or 1.8L I4.
The Fusion looks like it could be the class leader, at least the versions without MyFord Touch. The fuel economy is fantastic, and the 1.6T will likely make the car feel pretty quick as well. The hybrid is also very impressive. Overall, I think I would give up 1 mpg compared to the Altima to get a much better looking vehicle. I would also like to see this engine in the Focus as a higher-fuel economy and higher-output version...perhaps a top-of the line version. I have no doubt that this engine would provide more than 40 mpg highway and be quicker than the 2.0.
I can't wait to see what the new I4 going into the Passat in the next few years will look like in terms of fuel economy. I will say though that the EPA really should revamp its system in testing diesels. many publications, including Consumer Reports (which is usually pretty tough in terms of fuel economy) got much better fuel economy on the highway than the EPA figure...51 mpg.
Overall, I think that this new leap in midsize sedan fuel economy puts even more pressure on small cars to make their fuel economy better. Right now, the Altima is getting nearly the same fuel economy as the Versa, and the Fusion is getting the same as the Focus. Hopefully, automakers will step up their games in the small car category and really migrate these engine and transmission technologies down to those cars as well.
kymerik says:
11:53 AM, 06/11/2012
I do believe this is the epic DUH post of the week for Insideline. New CAFE regulations, higher gas prices, smaller engines, newer technology screams the need for higher efficiency in mid-size cars. (arguably, because of the monstrous size of these "mid-size" cars)
viper74 says:
11:09 AM, 06/11/2012
Just waiting for those posters that riducule the higher MPG numbers because it limits their ability to choose what kind of vehicle they can buy. Darn you gov't!! lol!
aviboy97 says:
10:19 AM, 06/11/2012
Mazda will debut the all-mew Mazda6 at the Paris Auto Show in September and go on sale in January/February 2013. This vehicle is to showcase their Skyactiv technology and all fingers point to great fuel economy as well.
If you are in the market for a mid-sized car, the choices have never been better. Not that long ago, 30mpg highway was the standard for this segment.
greenpony says:
09:09 AM, 06/11/2012
"the 2012 Sonata with 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 24 mpg city and 25 mpg highway"
Assume this is a typo.
"Midsize family cars with relatively decent fuel economy"
Please replace "relatively decent" with "outstanding". Remember, just a few short years ago, economy cars struggled to put up numbers this good. Even now, what kind of crazy world is this that some of these midsize cars beat the fuel economy of a Honda Fit?
m6user says:
08:51 AM, 06/11/2012
Article mentions the Altima hwy mpg of 38 being best in segment. Isn't 27mpg city also best in segment? I don't know of any other midsizer that is rated that high. To my knowledge the highest city, other than the Altima, is the Camry at 25mpg. I realize the new Fusion may be high but those EPA numbers have not been determined yet(or at least released yet). Anwyay, pretty impressive numbers.