Pros and cons of the most popular family sedans right now

Compact SUVs and crossovers are quickly becoming the hottest vehicles on the market, but luckily, a host of compelling sedans are still out there. These cars, which are perfect for families, offer a blend of power and efficiency, and some even offer the promise of performance, too.

Ahead, check out the pros and cons of 10 of the year’s top-selling sedans, all of which offer something unique for buyers looking for their next family vehicle.

2017 Honda Accord

Starting price: $28,455

Pros: The Honda Accord is a perennial all-star in this segment, and it’s been completely redesigned for 2018. The new interior design is Audi-level gorgeous. Plus, the vehicle is bigger and more efficient, but has lost the option of a V6 engine. (You can only get a base four-cylinder or a turbocharged four-cylinder as the high-feature engine.)

Cons: Honda’s proprietary shifter design is clumsy.

2018 Toyota Camry

Starting price: $24,000 ($23,495 for L trim, late availability)

Pros: The all-new 2018 Toyota Camry takes on a bold, sporty look. SE and XSE trims back it up with taut handling. Even the base four-cylinder engine provides enough power. The Camry now comes with forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning systems. It boasts spacious seating front and rear, and has easy-to-use audio and climate controls.

Cons: The touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive, but lacks support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Starting price: $21,680

Pros: The Chevy Malibu is available with a 250-horsepower engine, but the base engine provides an impressive 36 miles per gallon on the highway. It has a spacious rear seat and all the latest safety technology, such as an available 360-degree camera and the MyLink touch screen system, which is considered one of the best on the market.

Cons: Trunk space isn’t that generous, and the cabin materials can feel pedestrian at times.

2018 Ford Fusion

Starting price: $22,120

Pros: The Ford Fusion delivers a sporty ride, spacious trunk, and the easy-to-use SYNC 3 infotainment system.

Cons: The base engine lacks real power, but you can get an available EcoBoost four-cylinder. It makes an impressive 325 horsepower, but gives up fuel economy: 17/26/20, city/highway/combined versus 23/34/27 in the 1.5L engine.

2017 Nissan Altima

Starting price: $22,500

Pros: For its class, the Altima puts up respectable fuel economy numbers (27/39/31, city/highway/combined), and Nissan’s zero-gravity seats are comfortable, especially during long road trips.

Cons: The infotainment screen is relatively small and the CVT features a “rubber band” effect. It puts too high a priority on efficiency while momentarily hindering acceleration.

2018 Hyundai Sonata

Starting price: $22,050

Pros: The all-new 2018 Sonata boasts an aggressive new look and the latest safety features, and the controls and touchscreen are extremely user-friendly. It also provides as much as 245 horsepower with the Limited 2.0T.

Cons: The newly crafted, sloping roof eats into rear seat headroom.

2017 Kia Optima

Starting price: $22,200

Pros: The Kia Optima is a sporty option in the sedan segment. It features a racy exterior design, complemented by dialed-in brakes and steering. The cabin features high-quality materials and a crisp, upscale layout. The touchscreen system is easy to use.

Cons: The mid-level 1.6L engine exhibits turbo lag. Some might find the sporty brakes and steering too sensitive.

2017 Volkswagen Passat

Starting price: $22,440

Pros: Volkswagen provides impressive standard safety tech in the Passat, including forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking. It also features a spacious back seat and quiet cabin.

Cons: The base model is short on features, and the touchscreen is quite small.

2017 Mazda6

Starting price: $21,945

Pros: The Mazda6 has great handling and cornering abilities, and has a near-luxury feel to the cabin.

Cons: The MazdaConnect system is easy to use, but can be sluggish at times.

2017 Subaru Legacy

Starting price: $21,995

Pros: The Subaru Legacy is the only midsize sedan to offer standard all-wheel drive. A spacious interior and good fuel economy numbers keep the Legacy attractive, and it has some of the best safety scores among midsize sedans.

Cons: The base four-cylinder engine is underwhelming, and the ride quality is lacking over rough surfaces.