There comes a time when a small car just won’t do, when it’s time to enjoy success in one’s endeavors. And for the Medium-size sedan market, we have today a selection of family sedans displaying an impressive resume of performance, comfort and value.
For this category is semi-luxurious without being Euro-snooty, comfortable without telling the world you’re another SUV-driving soccer mom (or dad). With the exception of one, these medium-size sedans breach the one million peso mark. That’s about a third more than what you’d need for a compact car, and just enough to buy you a small SUV. But they are by no means scandalously expensive nor offer gratuitously complicated, overly indulgent luxury features.
Instead, they offer traditional family sedan traits such as space for 5, dependable engineering under the sheetmetal, and add luxury and performance indulgences for that extra bit of exclusivity over their lower-priced, compact car siblings. In alphabetical order...
It’s fitting that this Honda has such a name, because it’s a natural reaction of many to agree with how the car works. And by that we mean its design in and out, its composure on the road, its balance of refinement and user-friendliness. Styling is sophisticated without going overboard, and it goes, stops, turns, and gobbles up the miles at a level of speed and quiet sophistication that brings to mind a German propeller badge. Except this is a front-wheel drive car with a marriage of i-VTEC engine technology, 5-speed automatic convenience, Euro-esque chassis solidity, and double wishbone suppleness. The steering is pinpoint precise, the drivetrain works efficiently, and it athletically carves up mountain roads without sacrificing highway stability or comfort. It’s a logical step up from the Civic, with the Accord offering enhanced driver-oriented dynamics and more executive touches to go with the extra cachet. The Accord starts at P1,140,000 for the VTi, and an extra 140k gets you the VTi-L with comforts like leather and a premium sound system.
This is the lone car in the pack that (barely) checks in below P1M. For 997,000, the Sonata offers a host of features that will satisfy value-oriented buyers who opt to buy South Korean. You get a smooth 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine just like the Japanese, but you also get an advanced 4-speed automatic transmission that offers a manumatic function found in only one other car: the Galant GT-A.
It makes no apologies for taking the luxury tack when it comes to styling. Indeed, the Jaguar-esque flanks and rear end draws many favorable comments, and Hyundai’s impressive performance in the world market now makes it a brand to be considered when going M-car shopping. Despite its tidy size, it rides like a much larger car. The suspension and steering are tuned for comfort rather than speed, delivering a ride that borders on cloud-like. This fully-equipped boulevardier has a competitive list of features like ABS, dual airbags, and a premium sound system — and a price that undercuts the competition by a goodly amount.
One look at the "6" and you know it aims to excite. Its muscular flanks, racey front fascia, sports car-style cockpit, and semi-low profile wheels give credence to Mazda’s "zoom-zoom" message. And indeed, it does 90 percent of what its looks promise. Car guys already know that Mazda makes driver’s cars; just look at the wildly successful Miata roadster and sinister RX-8 sports car. In the Mazda6’s case, a very competitive price of P1.105M as of press time gets you all-disk brakes, projector-type headlamps, traction control, carbon-fiber trim, and a front/rear double wishbone/multilink suspension...and you can still bring your family along for the joyride!
The sole engine available is a 134PS, twincam, 2.0-liter four-banger matched to a 4-speed automatic; the result is more drivetrain than powertrain. It makes nice noises right up to the redline, and it pulls the car fine on most roads a family man would subject it to. But take it up a winding mountain road with the family onboard and you’ll wish for that nice V6 motor you keep reading about in Mazda’s overseas advertising. The drivetrain has to work a little too hard to keep up with its sporty demeanor. That said, the chassis is up to the task of zoom-zoom driving with sharp steering responses, near-flat cornering sensations, and firm braking feel. Combine those with nice touches like strut-type trunk hinges, trunk-located seatback releases (in case your kids ever lock themselves in the trunk), the liberating feel of a power moonroof, and you’ve got a great value with a healthy dose of sex appeal.
While the next-generation Galant has yet to hit our shores (or whatever its successor will be), the current car offers a sporty package in the GT-A. You get a 2-liter inline-4, a 4-speed INVECS-II Sportronic transmission, fully automatic climate control, dual SRS airbags, all-disk brakes with ABS, power front seats, and leather upholstery. The familiar, BMW-inspired shape is looking old, but it’s hard not to take a long, hard look at the asking price: a fairly low P1.003M.
Does seniority command respect? In the Cefiro’s case, its aging platform still manages to convey status without calling undue attention to itself. At P1.269M for the Elite (with sunroof) and P1.439M for the VIP Brougham, the Cefiro offers a hefty package of Old World luxury touches like fragrant leather, climate control, faux wood trim, and a V6 matched to a 4-speed automatic. For better and worse, this is a chauffeur’s car. The steering is ultra-light in effort and gives very little feedback, the suspension is luxo-boat soft (and wallowy), the transmission is typically Nissan-smooth, and the small-block V6 revs smoothly up the redline...except that it’s overwhelmed by the Cefiro’s mass. Chauffeurs will be frustrated with the need to constantly explore the upper regions of the tachometer instead of having low-end grunt for simple around-town commuting and urban jousting.
That’s his problem, of course. You’ll be in the backseat of the Brougham enjoying such things like a mobile entertainment system with VCD player and overhead LCD screen, power reclining seatback, and a folding front passenger seatback so you can stretch out your legs.
The Camry is the sensible buyer’s Lexus. Bred for American roads and tastes, the smooth, conservative lines of the large Camry say "class" without screaming "money". There isn’t a single offensive styling touch on this Toyota, and neither could we find anything to fall head over heels in love with. Instead, the Camry presents an Everyman demeanor and lets you slowly notice the fine details: tight panel gaps, rich interior materials, and a timeless aura that won’t wear thin as the years go by. At P1.460M for the top-of-the-line 2.4V, you get all the bells and whistles like leather, faux wood, Optitron gauges, and automatic climate control. You also get a 2.4-liter, inline-4 good for 157Hp at 5,600 rpm matched to a de rigeur 4-speed automatic. Despite its size, the four-banger engine works smoothly with minimal sound and fury, signifying refined VVT-i engine technology.
With struts in front and a dual-link strut setup at the back, the 1,410 kilo Camry will hustle when pushed with controlled pitch and yaw, but its size works as effectively as its all-disk brakes in keeping you from going too fast. Understeer is the name of the game in twisting roads, but really, it’s too large a car to throw about like your kid’s Vios. Instead, it’s happiest on long rides where the long wheelbase, solid body, torquey engine, and plush suspension deliver a relaxing ride to wherever the destination is.