Reasonable size family sedan w/ MPG

[rjundi]

A reasonable sized family sedan with excellent MPG.

The 2013 Altima soon to be released has 27MPG city and 38MPG highway with their 2.5L and CVT for $22k base. I never gave Nissan much thought but will.

Not a fan personally of small/compact cars for family of 4 that is active, this is a viable choice that will drive the others hopefully.

 

[Barkleymut]

CVT's always make me cringe. It may not be justified but I remember a lot of problems on the Hondas when they came out. Have they gotten a lot better? How many years has Nissan been using them?

If this car turns out to be reliable, then the MPG alone will sell quite a few of these at that price.

 

[Barkleymut]

And oh yeah...is this a DI engine?

 

[Tros]

Those are some nice figures, to say the least. You will see many car's mpg figures increase in the coming years to meet the increased mpg standards put in place.

 

[dparm]

The current-generation Fusion is one to consider for sure. I've had a few as rental cars this year and am always impressed.

 

[IndyIan]

The 4 cyl recent Malibu's rate very well for mileage too.

 

[JimPghPA]

One of my brothers and his wife leased a Nissan Murano and the CVT went bad on it after a couple of years. It was replaced under warranty. I asked how much it cost and they said that the warranty covered it, but when they asked how much it would cost if they did not have a warranty the dealer said you do not want to know.

CVT require expensive fluids and should be flushed more often then regular transmissions.

It has been a few years but I had heard that Nissan had stopped making the Murano for a year because of all of the problems with the CVT. Then I heard that they were making it again with a regular transmissions.

We live in Pittsburgh so vehicles here are going up and down hills all the time. Pretty hard on transmissions and tires.

If I were in the market for a vehicle that had a CVT and I had no intention to ever tow with it, and I lived in a flat state then I would consider it.

But living in a hilly area, forget about it.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
The 4 cyl recent Malibu's rate very well for mileage too.


I saw them but more $$$ and use mild hybrid drive to achieve slightly less MPG 25/37.

My wife has an aversion to domestic branded cars and Korean ones so it makes shopping choices limited.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: dparm
The current-generation Fusion is one to consider for sure. I've had a few as rental cars this year and am always impressed.


+1......the Ford Fusion would be my choice, as well.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Originally Posted By: dparm
The current-generation Fusion is one to consider for sure. I've had a few as rental cars this year and am always impressed.


+1......the Ford Fusion would be my choice, as well.



The new Focus hatch is surprisingly roomy and well-appointed in my opinion too. Not a bad alternative if the Fusion is getting too pricey.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

A 4-cyl Camry gets 25/35. That's what compact cars were getting a few years ago. And if it's anything like the '04 we have, it probably gets higher than the rated mileage.

 

[Trav]

The Camry Hybrid is looking like a real value at a good price, economy is great on the 4 cyl.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I like both the Camry and the Fusion in this segment. I like the Camry's interior and ergonomics better (at least with the prior generation; I haven't sat in a new one), and I like the Ford's suspension and chassis better. Blend the two and that'd be my perfect family sedan, if I were in the market for one.

The Accord is supposed to be new in 2013, and they're talking smaller and lighter weight, which is good news for handling and fuel economy. But I haven't seen anything tangible on it yet (like pictures, specs, etc).

 

[1999nick]

The Nissan Altima has been using the CVT transmissions for about 5 years, and I haven't heard about an unusual number of failures. Lately, the Altima has been the second best selling car in the US, right next to the Toyota Camry, and passing the Honda Accord. A lot of people must like their CVT transmissions.

I am old, on pension now, but back in my younger days, I owned a 1955 Buick Century with the Dynaflow transmission. While complete3ly different in design from the CVT, in operation and feel, they sound similar. The 1955 model Dynaflow was mainly torque converter driven, with a manually shifted low gear for the occasional fast take-off. The torque converter had a switch-pitch that activated when the throttle was floored; the engine speed increased to 3200 rpm and held there until the speed of the car matched the 3200 rpm speed, or until you backed off the throttle.

 

[Nick R]

The cruze is actually an option too. It is rated as a midsize sedan for interior volume. Plus you can get it in a manual if you wanted, ask sciphi how that's working out for him lol.

Also the new Fusion or malibu for sure.

 

[tig1]

My Fusion is pretty good on fuel and comfort with head and leg room.

 

[Rickey]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
The cruze is actually an option too. It is rated as a midsize sedan for interior volume. Plus you can get it in a manual if you wanted, ask sciphi how that's working out for him lol.

Also the new Fusion or malibu for sure.


I have a 2011 Cruze Eco 1.4 Turbo with the 6MT.
The 42 MPG highway rating is underrated IMHO.
I can get into the 50 MPG plus range easily with careful driving.
With almost 15K on the odometer there are no problems whatsoever.

Good day.

Rickey.

 

[kkreit01]

I'd wait a few for a 2013 Fusion. It looks very promising (but also could be risky buying the first round). Current 2012 Fusion is also great.

 

[dparm]

I have had some Cruze rentals and will agree that the mileage is good but the rest of the car was not that impressive.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I like both the Camry and the Fusion in this segment. I like the Camry's interior and ergonomics better (at least with the prior generation; I haven't sat in a new one), and I like the Ford's suspension and chassis better. Blend the two and that'd be my perfect family sedan, if I were in the market for one.


I don't know if the ergonomics are the same as the Camry but a Mazda6 seems like a good option if for some reason one can't bring themself to buying a domestic. The gas milage may not be the greatest on the Mazda6 but I think it drives even better than the Fusion, has lots of room, no CVT to worry about etc.