Strengths, weaknesses of top-selling mid-size sedans

Introduced at last year’s New York International Auto Show, the mid-cycle reworking of the Toyota Camry included a longer and wider body and, more noticeably, an aggressive front fascia. At the time, so-called experts were fooled into thinking the Camry might be a different beast together, but under the skin, it’s still a Camry: familiar, capable and thoroughly unexciting.

Given that the Camry has long been one of the best-selling cars in the United States, there was no chance of a massive overhaul from Toyota. The “non-gambit” worked: The latest Camry is not only the best-selling mid-size sedan in the United States so far this year, it’s the best-selling car, period.

In Canada, where buyers have always preferred compact sedans to mid-size sedans, the Camry is nevertheless the ninth-best selling car and the top-selling mid-size sedan. The Camry line comprises four-cylinder, V-6 and hybrid versions.

In Canada, the Nissan Altima has always been a niche player; south of the border, it has resonated with mid-size sedan buyers for more than a decade. While sales in the United States for the Altima are down slightly so far this year, it remains the runner-up to the Camry in the mid-size sedan sales race and is the third most popular car overall.

This fifth-generation version, which was introduced in 2012, was larger than its immediate predecessor but lighter as well. The base model features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, while the Altima 3.5 SL uses the same V-6 found in the new Maxima. The styling of the Altima is a step up from other mainstream competitors, but the driving dynamics don’t quite match the looks.

The Honda Accord takes the opposite approach to the Nissan Altima and achieves similar results. While the Honda has strong engine performance and spirited driving dynamics, some of the design decisions are baffling, especially in the mixed-materials passenger cabin. Like the Altima, the Accord is available with a four-cylinder (in this case, a 2.4-litre inline-four) or a 3.5-litre V-6; unlike the Altima, there’s still a hybrid version.

In the United States, the Accord is the fifth-best selling car and the third mid-size sedan behind the Camry and the Altima. In Canada, the Accord easily outsells the Altima, lags behind the Camry and checks in at No. 14 overall. As the eighth-generation Accord was introduced three years ago, popularity is waning on both sides of the border – to date, sales are down by 16 per cent in the United States and by 19 per cent in Canada.

The Ford Fusion has been an unquestioned sales smash ever since its debut in 2005. Now in its second generation, which appeared in 2013, Ford’s mid-size sedan is even more popular. Last year in the United States, more Fusions moved off lots than ever before; this year, it’s the fourth best-selling mid-sizer so far and the No. 7 car overall.

In Canada, the Fusion is out-selling the Accord by a decent margin, making the Ford the second most popular mid-size sedan. The Fusion line-up is the most extensive of any mid-size sedans: it’s composed of a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid called the Fusion Energi.