7 Best Midsize Sedans According to KBB
Midsize sedans are known for their spacious interiors, excellent fuel economy, comfortable ride, and affordability. Thanks to Kelley Blue Book, finding the best family sedan has become much easier with its ranking of the best midsize cars of 2022.
2022 Lexus ES midsize sedan: Luxury and affordability personified
Kelley Blue Book names the Lexus ES the best midsize car for 2022. Lexus nailed it with the ES, boasting high-quality construction, luxury styling, and a reputation as the most affordable vehicle in its class.Â
You can choose from various ES trim levels to ensure you find one that fits your needs. At $41,875, the ES 350 costs the same as the 250, making the former the preferred choice for its greater power. The ES 350 packs a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The only downside is it’s available only in front-wheel drive.
But the 2022 Lexus ES provides numerous standard features. ES 350 buyers will enjoy dual-zone automatic climate control with interior air filters, smog sensors, and automatic recirculation mode.
Owners can also expect Lexus Enform Remote, a tech feature that uses your smartphone, smartwatch, or Amazon Alexa device to communicate with the ES. It can start the engine, control the climate, lock and unlock doors, and check the fuel level and vehicle status. The feature is accessible via the Lexus app, Alexa compatibility, and Lexus Enform Wi-Fi 4GB with a three-month trial included.
The 2022 Honda Accord offers excellent reliability
It may have fewer bells and whistles than other cars in its class. Still, the Honda Accord has always been reliable and well-engineered. Driving the 2022 Accord is a pleasant experience, and it does a remarkable job serving as a midsize sedan. As SUVs have become the family haulers of choice, the Accord stands its ground by being an all-around great car.
Listed at $25,470, the base-model LX comes with 17-inch wheels, push-button start/stop, Apple and Android integration, and an eight-Inch display audio touchscreen, KBB reports.
Progressing through the trim levels, prices rise in increments of around $2,000 each. At $37,400, the more powerful Accord Touring is almost $5,000 more than the Sport.Â
This range-topping trim features heated and ventilated front seats, a 450-watt 10-speaker audio system, and the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. And the many advanced safety features include parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring.
The Accord’s LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition, and EX-L trims come with a 1.5-liter turbo-four VTEC engine generating 192 hp. The Touring boosts the power to 252 hp thanks to a 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC.
2022 Honda Accord Hybrid: Greater fuel efficiency, same reliability
The Honda Accord Hybrid offers excellent value thanks to its superior build quality, fuel economy ratings, and solid overall value. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would regret buying a 2022 Accord Hybrid when it’s only $1,200 more than its gas-powered sibling.
The base-model Accord Hybrid costs around $26,670. The Sport and EX-L costs $30,000 and $33,000. And the Touring trim is the most expensive at $36,540. If you factor in available options similar to the gas-consumption model, the price can top $41,000, KBB reports.
That said, all trims have a 212-hp 2.0-liter I-VTEC and come with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
The 2021 Honda Clarity is a polarizing plug-in with a luxurious feel
The Honda Clarity is a stylish midsize sedan available in two versions: a plug-in hybrid and a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered variant. According to KBB, the Clarity’s fuel cells are available only for lease in some areas of California where hydrogen fueling infrastructure is present. However, the PHEVs are available nationwide and can be purchased or leased.
The 212-hp standard PHEV is priced at $34,995. Meanwhile, the $37,595 Touring trim packs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine for 340 miles of range. And the $59,485 hydrogen fuel-cell version produces 174 hp and gets 360 miles on a single charge.
Among the Clarity’s features are intelligent vent airbags, lane watch, and road departure mitigation. Android Auto and Apple CarPLay are also available through an 8.0-inch audio touchscreen infotainment system.
Luxury is ever-present in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class midsize sedan
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class oozes elegance and style. For obvious reasons, it’s one of the most expensive models on this list, with a starting price of $54,950. According to KBB, Mercedes offers a coupe, cabriolet (convertible), AMG, and E 450 All-Terrain — a crossover-style wagon.
Among the trims, the E 350 and E 350 4Matic differ by $2,500, but both have a 2.0-liter turbo-four. Running $62,750, the E 450 4Matic has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo with an EQ boost.Â
In addition, features and options abound. They include heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, a cabin air ionization/fragrance system, self-parking functionality, and carbon-fiber interior trim. Also, expect adaptive air suspension, partial autonomy, a head-up display, a powered rear window shade, and gesture control, KBB reports.
Standing the test of time, the 2022 Toyota Camry offers something for everyone
Offering 18 variants, the 2022 Toyota Camry gives consumers all they could ask for in a midsize sedan. Whether you’re looking for a city and highway cruiser or a track-ready racer, the Camry has you covered, with prices ranging from $25,395 to $37,000.Â
Toyota has tuned the Camry’s base four-cylinder engine for excellent fuel economy with just the right acceleration. In terms of performance, the V6 version makes the new Camry feel more like a Lexus. For those in search of even more power and performance, look to the TRD model, packing a 300-hp 3.5-liter engine.Â
Standard features include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a moonroof, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, integrated navigation, and upgraded audio.
But does the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid offer the best overall value among midsize sedans?
Boasting 52 mpg combined and a starting price of $27,380, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid is an enticing midsize sedan. Starting at $32,820, the 208-hp XSE is top-of-the-line.Â
The 2022 Camry Hybrid comes standard with heated/ventilated front seats, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 360-degree/bird’s-eye-view camera system, integrated navigation, a head-up display, and rear parking sensors with rear emergency braking.Â
The addition of a tilt and slide moonroof, LED rear-seat reading lights, paintwork protection, and a heated steering wheel bumps the price to around $40,000.
KBB makes choosing the best midsize sedan of 2022 easy
You can’t go wrong with any of the above midsize sedans when eschewing SUVs. So if you’re looking for affordability, luxury, fuel economy, performance, or all of the above, all you have to do is take your pick.
