The Five Best 2011 Family Sedans

Not everyone can afford a premium sport sedan from a luxury brand like BMW, Mercedes or Audi but that doesn't mean your next new four-door has to be boring to look at or drive. Mainstream automakers have really upped their game in regards to feature content, luxury and performance in recent years when it comes to their bread and butter family sedans. These cars aren't like your daddy's Oldsmobile, ladies and gentlemen.

Even with their most basic engines these mainstream family sedans offer up plenty of driver thrills to keep you smiling, even when taking your kids to soccer practice. I have road tested all five and have found them to be the best of the best in their respective categories. The beauty of all five of the following family sedans is that they all excel in areas the others do not.

You may notice some hot sellers who are not on this list and there are good reasons for that. The Nissan Altima is hampered by a cheap feeling interior and a CVT automatic that moans when you push it. The Sonata is also absent due to its lack of ride composure and floaty ride. Also, don't get me started on the Toyota Camry.

So don't cry into your cornflakes because you can't afford that 3-Series or an A4. Life marches on and you just might find yourself just as happy with one of these five stellar family sedans.

2011 Kia Optima

It may lack the cat-like agility of the Accord but it has the Honda licked for style, price and hi-tech feature count. The Optima drives much like a buttoned down Audi A4 especially compared with the more agile Honda which is sort of the family sedan version of the 3-series. Add in Kia's excellent warranty and an interior level of fit and finish for a package that does not belie the Optima's low price.

2011 Honda Accord

The Accord is a perennial favorite and years of careful and steady improvement show in the current model's excellent engine, six-speed automatic and ride/handling compromise. Steering feel is also the best in the family sedan game and interior room borders on epic. The 2011 Accord is an excellent car that has earned its place as America's second best-selling family car.

2011 Mazda6

The Mazda6 may not be the obvious choice but even in basic 4-cylinder form (especially with the manual transmission) it offers up plenty of driver enjoyment and "Zoom-Zoom" fun. What's surprising given the swoopy sheet metal is the fact that the 6 is also very roomy inside.

2011 Ford Fusion

The harbinger of Ford's complete turnaround is little changed for the new model year but that is not a problem as the 2010 redesign catapulted it into the big leagues. Whether you choose 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder or hybrid power the Fusion is inexpensive to buy, economical and is easily more fun to drive than a comparable Chevy Malibu.

2011 Subaru Legacy

If you live in snow country the Legacy just might be your best bet thanks to its standard fit full-time all-wheel drive system. But there's more to the Legacy than just all-weather traction as it also boasts a roomy and solidly built cabin as well as a very potent flat-six engine option. Subaru is the only automaker besides Porsche who still makes a flat-six engine and the noise it makes it simply divine.

Sources: Hondausa.com

Mazdausa.com

Fordusa.com

Subaru.com

Kiausa.com