V6 Family Sedan Comparison Test

If you've just landed on this page, it probably means you're in the market for a new V6 family sedan. Or, it means you're curious about the all-new 2007 Toyota Camry and how it compares to its natural competitors: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion.

Either way, we know this is not the stuff of your childhood dreams, nor will any of these front-wheel-drive cars ever be portrayed in a sexy poster or action-film chase scene. We do, however, admire your dedication to the research. Furthermore, we congratulate you on your sensible shoes, your understanding of the difference between amortization and depreciation, and your 80-gig TiVo crammed with films from both the Independent Film Channel and American Movie Classics.

With your next new-car purchase, you're looking for that sweet spot among familial responsibility and convenience, a modicum of luxury (if it doesn't mean giving up your morning designer-coffee indulgence), and the desire to get the most for your money. Luckily, we share your values and have done all the hard work for you.

The reigning champ
Unlike last year when we played this comparison out in a purely price-driven scenario and a Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 swept the field and earned our accolades — trouncing both the four-cylinder Accord LX and Camry LE (all priced under $22,000) — we thought we'd give Hyundai a real workout this time, matching power plants and equipment instead of prices.

We volunteered our long-term test car, a top-of-the-line Sonata LX V6 with the only option available to that trim level, a sunroof/audio package, which takes the price up to a still bewilderingly low $24,895. Standard hardware and software includes a 235-horsepower V6 engine, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tires, five-speed automatic transmission, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC) and traction-control system (TCS).

Inside the Hyundai, automatic climate control with environment-sniffing automatic air-recirculation mode, leather seating (heated in front, power-adjustable for the driver), tilt-telescoping steering wheel and electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and compass are among the standard equipment. Would the Sonata still knock out the contenders with its value and killer warranty, or have the stakes changed in this no-holds-barred test?

Same as it ever was
Honda's entry, an EX V6 automatic with leather and navigation for $29,850, technically has no available options. In reality, there are 19 Accord sedan models, 10 of which are denoted as "EX," with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines, manual or automatic transmissions, cloth or leather seating, and optional navigation systems.

Arguably, we chose the most expensive (excluding for the moment the $33,540 gas-electric Hybrid with navi) version, but the truth is, there is an Accord LX V6 automatic without leather or navigation for $25,650, or a similarly "base" EX V6 automatic for $27,850.

The point is that while the Accord did not fare as well as the Sonata on our pricing score, there are 244-hp V6 Accords available for less money (and with fewer features than the Sonata LX). The question becomes: Does the Accord's conservative style, impeccable quality and competitive V6 performance now outweigh the Sonata's value?

Low and to the outside
The $22,360 Ford Fusion SEL V6 arrived with $3,290 in options to bring it up to the same equipment level as the rest of the field. Some of those options are ABS, traction control, side-impact airbags and head-protection curtains, and an uplevel audio system.

Standard on our SEL are the 221-hp V6, six-speed automatic, 17-inch alloy wheels and Michelin tires, power-adjustable driver seat, and leather-wrapped tilt-telescoping wheel with redundant audio/climate buttons. Some options that aren't even available are stability control, navigation and satellite radio.

The total as-tested price was still admirable at $25,650, the second lowest price in the group. What the Fusion lacks in standard (or even optional) equipment, it tries to make up for with a low-ball base MSRP, sporty driving dynamics and unique style. Did Ford succeed by not playing by the Asians' rules, or did it go the wrong way all together?

Newness has its advantages
Finally, an all-new 2007 Toyota Camry XLE arrived with a $28,100 base MSRP and $2,740 in options: keyless entry and push-button start; a JBL three-in-one system that includes 440-watt audio, sophisticated navigation and Bluetooth hands-free telephone compatibility; heated front seats; and electronic stability control.

Every standard or optional feature on each of the other three cars is standard on the new Camry XLE (with the exception of heated seats, navigation and stability control). But the Camry goes further with seven airbags (including kneebags), tilt-sliding moonroof, reclining rear seats and a climate-control system that zaps airborne contaminants with what Toyota calls "Plasmacluster ionizer technology."

The big news, however, is the 268-hp V6, six-speed automatic, plush interior and, well, hard-to-ignore exterior styling. Read on to see how and why the all-new Camry, despite its test-topping $30,840 price, walked away from the rest with our respect and title of comparison winner.