Kbb.com Editors Compare Six New Vehicles in Best-Selling Mid-Size Sedan Segment

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The expert editors of Kelley Blue Book's http://www.kbb.com recently conducted a highly comprehensive mid-size sedan value comparison test between six of the top new vehicles in the class and declared the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu winner. In an all-new video recently posted to the Latest News section of kbb.com and http://www.youtube.com/kbb, the editors round up the newest versions of the top-selling mid-size sedans -- Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion -- and detail their observations and opinions on each vehicle, ultimately declaring the Malibu the overall winner in the segment. In the spirit of the times, each of the vehicles tested in the kbb.com 2008 mid-size sedan value comparison test were outfitted with standard four-cylinder engines and automatic transmissions (the way consumers purchase them most often), and five of the six models return highway fuel economy of at least 30 miles per gallon.

Every year since before the turn of the millennium, the mid-size sedan took top honors as the best-selling car in the country. The mid-size sedan's status as the definitive family car, however, has taken a hit due to the popularity of the SUV for many years. Now that gas prices and the economy have new-car buyers seeking better fuel economy and thinking small, the mid-size sedan is ready for a return to prominence. Combining varying levels of comfort, performance, value, amenities, roominess, safety and fuel economy, the mid-size sedan is just the answer many new-car buyers are looking for.

'The mid-size sedan segment is full of so many great options, and we set out to find the best of the best in overall value, and thus the best overall choice for consumers to consider, in this stellar group of popular cars,' said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. 'We were very impressed with all of the cars we tested, but our team found that the Chevy Malibu simply was the best all-around in its class.