Midsize Sedans Comfortable Choices

12 July 2022

Autosphere » Fleet » Midsize Sedans Comfortable Choices

Chevrolet Malibu. Photo General Motors

You don’t always have to put your reps in trucks or SUVs.

Trucks and SUVs are the most popular vehicle segments in Canada, but some fleets prefer to use cars for their sales representatives’ vehicles. They’re comfortable; items can be stored securely in the trunk away from prying eyes; and some offer hybrid powertrains or all-wheel drive.

We’ve rounded up nine midsize 2022/2023 sedans to help you make the best choices for your fleet. All fuel figures are for city/highway/combined.

Chevrolet Malibu

Unchanged for 2022, the Malibu comes in four trim levels, with the LS, RS and LT sharing a smaller engine and CVT, and the top-level Premier carrying a more powerful engine and nine-speed automatic.

Ten airbags are standard, and available features include adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.

The Specs:

1.5-litre I4 turbo engine (163 hp/184 lb-ft torque)
2.0-litre I4 turbo engine (250 hp/260 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: FWD
Fuel Consumption 1.5-litre turbo: 8.2/6.6/7.5 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 2.0-litre turbo: 10.7/7.1/9.1 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 444 litres

Chrysler 300

Built exclusively in Ontario, the Chrysler 300 adds new standard features to some trims for 2022, including a clean-air cabin filtration system; panoramic sunroof and navigation to the 300S; an appearance package on the Touring-L; and available deluxe security alarm.

The Touring, Touring-L and 300S use a V6 and can be ordered with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The 300S can be optioned with a V8 in rear-wheel only. Driver-assist technologies including emergency front braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring are available.

The Specs

3.6-litre V6 engine RWD (292 hp/260 lb-ft torque)
3.6-litre V6 engine AWD (300 hp/264 lb-ft torque)
5.7-litre V8 engine (370 hp/395 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: RWD/AWD
Fuel Consumption 3.6-litre RWD: 12.4/7.8/10.3 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 3.6-litre AWD: 12.8/8.7/11.0 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 5.7-litre: 14.7/9.4/12.3 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 461 litres

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is unchanged for 2022. It shares its platform and engines with the Chrysler 300, but it’s also available in higher-performance Scat Pack and Hellcat models, not covered here.

The V6 comes in two lower trims in rear- or all-wheel drive, while the V8 comes only in the top trim and in rear-wheel only. Assist features available on the Chrysler 300 can also be added to the Charger.

The Specs

3.6-litre V6 engine RWD (292 hp/260 lb-ft torque)
3.6-litre V6 engine AWD (300 hp/264 lb-ft torque)
5.7-litre V8 engine (370 hp/395 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: RWD/AWD
Fuel Consumption 3.6-litre RWD: 12.4/7.8/10.3 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 3.6-litre AWD: 12.8/8.7/11.0 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 5.7-litre: 14.7/9.4/12.3 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 467 litres

Honda Accord

For 2022, the Accord adds a new Sport trim to replace the previous EX trim. It offers two turbocharged engines as well as a hybrid powertrain.

All models come standard with driver-assist technologies including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic assist, and emergency front braking.

The Specs

1.5-litre I4 turbo engine (192 hp/192 lb-ft torque)
2.0-litre I4 turbo engine (252 hp/273 lb-ft torque)
2.0-litre I4 engine w/hybrid (143 hp; 212 hp combined/129 lb-ft torque engine; 232 torque electric motor)
Driveline: FWD
Fuel Consumption 1.5-litre turbo: 7.8/6.5/7.2 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 2.0-litre turbo: 10.4/7.4/9.1 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption Hybrid: 5.0/5.0/5.0 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 473 litres

Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata has an entry-level model, mid-range with turbo engine, and performance N Line trim. A hybrid is also available.

All trim levels include adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The N Line and hybrid further add highway driving assist and remote parking assist.

The Specs

2.5-litre I4 engine (191 hp/181 lb-ft torque)
1.6-litre I4 turbo engine (180 hp/195 lb-ft torque)
2.5-litre I4 turbo engine (290 hp/311 lb-ft torque)
2.0-litre I4 engine w/hybrid (150 hp/139 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: FWD
Fuel Consumption 2.5-litre: 8.8/6.4/7.7 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 1.6-litre turbo: 8.8/6.4/7.7 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 2.5-litre turbo: 10.1/7.2/8.8 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption Hybrid: 5.3/4.6/5.0 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 453 litres

Kia K5

The Optima name was retired in favour of K5 when a redesigned version was released for 2021. For 2022, a higher-performance GT trim is added to the lineup of LX, EX, and GT-Line. The GT is front-wheel drive, while all others are all-wheel drive.

All trims include blind-spot collision avoidance assist, emergency front braking, and lane-keep assist. The GT-Line and GT further include a safe-exit system that warns if vehicles or cyclists are alongside when opening a door.

The Specs

1.6-litre I4 turbo engine (180 hp/195 lb-ft torque)
2.5-litre I4 turbo engine (290 hp/311 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: FWD/AWD
Fuel Consumption 1.6-litre turbo AWD: 9.2/7.0/8.2 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 2.5-litre turbo FWD: 9.9/7.3/8.7 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 453 litres

Nissan Altima

The Altima will receive a styling refresh for 2023, and new available technology including a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless device connectivity. All trim levels include all-wheel drive.

Standard or available features include emergency front and rear braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alert, and ProPilot highway driving assist.

The Specs

2.5-litre I4 engine (182 hp/178 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: AWD
Fuel Consumption: 9.1/6.5/7.9 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 437 litres

Subaru Legacy

The Legacy will receive updated styling for 2023 and some new features, including an updated infotainment system and improved driver-assist technologies.

All models include all-wheel drive, along with adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking and lane departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and driver attention warning are available.

The Specs

2.5-litre I4 engine (182 hp/176 lb-ft torque)
2.4-litre I4 turbo engine (260 hp/277 lb-ft torque)
Driveline: AWD
Fuel Consumption 2.5-litre: 8.8/6.7/7.8 L/100 km
Fuel Consumption 2.4-litre turbo: 9.9/7.3/8.7 L/100 km
Cargo Volume: 428 litres

Toyota Camry

The Camry will be unchanged for 2023 except for an updated appearance package. The Camry includes two engine choices and comes in front- or all-wheel drive. A hybrid is also available.

All trims include standard adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking, automatic high-beam headlamps and lane departure assist, while blind-spot monitoring is available.

The Specs