Need advice on larger car

[IHateMyJob2004]

I am looking to get a new car this summer. I have some projects to do with my truck but when they are done, there is no reason to own a truck anymore. And we need a comfy car for long trips. my wife has a Prius. We did a 5 hour trip in it which was OK but that was pushing it a bit in terms of comfort. I care about fuel economy but I want a large vehicle for long trips with my kids.

I like the Toyota Camry but I want something larger. But I also want 30+ mpg.

I would consider a small SUV.

So, basically, what is the largest car that:
1) Is FWD
2) gets 3028+ mpg
3) Under $40K

What are my options?

And why is there no web site that lets me filter for this criteria?

Wow, cars.com can filter for this stuff but it sucks at doing so. For example, you can only choose 40+ MPG. No other options. RETARDED.

Anyway:
Toyota Avalon is full size but Camry is not? Bull shit. It's 6" longer than a Camry but identical in almost every other way.

Cars.com says:
Chevy Impala
Toyota Avalon
Chrysler 300
Ford Taurus
Volvo S80 (29 mpg is close enough)
Mazda Mazda 6 - good fuel economy and a pretty damned big car.

Never though I'd consider a vovlo but I am off to look at the web site.

What is in and out of the running (started 2/23):
IN:
accord Hybrid - $29-$32K
Toyota Camry - Hybrid
Toyota Avalon - Hybrid $35-$36K
Chevy Impala - Hybrid (ECO model), FWD and 35 MPG - $29K-$31K - see: Post 58
Ford Taurus - Same interior volume as avalon and bigger trunk - no hybrid - $26-$33K
Lexus - ES350 hybrid - $39,500
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - $36,500

OUT:
Acura TSX wagon - too small
Anything Kia .... test drove one 5 years ago. Cheap garbage.
Buick Lacrosse/Regal - meh
Chrylser 300 - no FWD option.
Dodge - I don't see wanything here that interests me. The cars I would like are not FWD.
Toyota Hylander Hybrid - 28MPG but too expensive.




Locked due to spam necro.

Anandtech Administrator
KeithTalent

 

[WilliamM2]

If you like the Camry, look at the Avalon. The base model will get just over 30 mpg highway. The hybrid starts at 35K, and will get 40 mpg.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you like the Camry, look at the Avalon. The base model will get just over 30 mpg highway. The hybrid starts at 35K, and will get 40 mpg.

I'd love an Avalon but there really isn't much more to them than the Camry. Both come in Hybrids with nearly identical fuel economy. But yes, the Avalon is high up on the list of options.

I think I have to reduce the mpg number to 28 mpg. just to many 28/29 mpg (highway) cars out there.

What's the deal with the Acura TSX wagon? Hard to tell from pics how big it is. Looks mid sized though.

 

[aShufflinZombie]

I would probably start with the 300 or the impala.

 

[NutBucket]

Impala looks damned nice. Still can't bring myself to buy a Chrysler product that isn't a truck.

 

[NutBucket]

What's the deal with the Acura TSX wagon? Hard to tell from pics how big it is. Looks mid sized though.

TSX wagon is compact. Decent cargo space but the back seat isn't great for adults.

 

[norseamd]

why do you want fwd

you want awd

 

[aShufflinZombie]

AWD kills gas mileage.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid - same interior space as a Taurus but a smaller trunk.
VW Passat 2.0T or TDI -

We had a Altima as rental a few months back and thought it was cavernous inside. The mid-size choices are all quite large - not sure why anyone needs a full size car unless your transporting 2- adults in the back on a daily basis.

Midsize Comparo - http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2013-nissan-altima-25-sv-page-3

+ Fourth: 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE
+ Third: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV
+ Second: 2013 Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost
+ First: 2013 Honda Accord EX


Car&Driver did a great test of the full size offering - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPuEZnMK_Bs Article here: http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...adenza-2013-toyota-avalon-xle-comparison-test

+ Sixth: 2013 Hyundai Azera
+ Fifth: 2014 Kia Cadenza
+ Fourth: 2013 Chrysler 300S
+ Third: 2013 Dodge Charger SXT
+ Second: 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT
+ First: 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE

 

[nerp]

Chrysler 300 is RWD unless you go AWD.

 

[Doppel]

Get the Avalon and be done with it. It is a killer highway cruiser.

 

[thedarkwolf]

VW passat TDI

 

[praeter]

For comfort and some gadgets with back seat space I would definitely test drive the azera and cadenza. Feel larger than the Avalon.

 

[halik]

Lexus es?

I was in a new Avalon recently (uber car) and was blown away by the interior.Two tone tan&black, leather stitching on the doors etc etc. Very well done; I totally see them raiding the lexus parts bin for that car.

Also Lincoln MKS, very overlooked car...so there might be some value in terms of dollar for dollar.

 

[heymrdj]

I would lower the MPG desire myself. My current favorite large cars, in order:

Chrysler 300 V6/8spd AWD
Taurus SHO (or limited for the non-turbo 3.5L)
Avalon
Impala
Camry

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

why do you want fwd

you want awd

AWD is a waste of money up front and eats gas long term. And it provides no benefit. But the detriment is that it puts torque to the rear wheels which in snow can only cause fishtailing as the rear wheels slip.

 

[norseamd]

AWD is a waste of money up front and eats gas long term. And it provides no benefit. But the detriment is that it puts torque to the rear wheels which in snow can only cause fishtailing as the rear wheels slip.

the gas thing was already covered before. awd does have better handling conditions than other types over all conditions though. fwd is known for understeer.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Starting to review alot of the cars mentioned. I think I'll end up going Hybrid with whatever I get. Or "Eco" in Chevy's case.

 

[norseamd]

Starting to review alot of the cars mentioned. I think I'll end up going Hybrid with whatever I get. Or "Eco" in Chevy's case.

think that a plug in hybrid would be a good choice if you can get one. especially if the gas motor is used as nothing but a generator for the electric motor. and only the electric motor drives the wheels. those seem to get much more gas mileage.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I've never looked at Hyundai. How is build quality on those?

On another front, I have a major hatred of road noise in a car. Are there any brands that I should avoid?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

For comfort and some gadgets with back seat space I would definitely test drive the azera and cadenza. Feel larger than the Avalon.

Kia and Hyundai. brands that 5 years ago I would never consider. Have things changed?

 

[Demo24]

On another front, I have a major hatred of road noise in a car. Are there any brands that I should avoid?

Honda seems to struggle with this, especially tired noise. Ford seems to have focused on it in their new cars, and I've heard the fusion is particularly quiet, the Taurus should be as well. The Avalon will probably be incredibly quiet inside judging by the market they are aiming for.

Why fwd specifically?

 

[Jimzz]

Impala looks damned nice. Still can't bring myself to buy a Chrysler product that isn't a truck.

Yea the new Impala looks really good. I would at least test drive it.

Kia and Hyundai. brands that 5 years ago I would never consider. Have things changed?

Yea I like them now. The Azera looks nice and is FWD. Gas mileage is only rated up to 29mpg so will do worse than other options for the city.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Why fwd specifically?

I live in CT and get snow on occasion. So RWD is not a real option.

No AWD because I don't want to spend money on it's up front cost and lesser fuel economy for the 10 minutes a year I'd actually want it. (Note that I did not say need it). If the roads are that bad, stay home.

/dead horse

Thanks for the advice on Honda. I'll probably avoid Honda all together. That's the thing about Toyota cars. I'd think that the Camry and the Avalon are both very quiet with the Avalon being quieter. I'm surprised that the Prius is one of the quietest cars on the road after doing some reading. I guess I never noticed how quiet it is.

Anyway, I've been reading up on the Chevy Impala. I'm starting to really like what I am hearing about the ECO model. 35 MPG, $29-$31K. Redone for 2-014 and people are raving aobut it.

 

[NutBucket]

Fuck the eco model. 3.6 V6 or bust. The previous POS model was damn zippy. The drivetrain was the only good thing about it!