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Summer's here and the time is right for getting your bad self into a new set of wheels. And if you're a family man or woman -- or if you're of a certain age -- chances are you'll prefer the adaptability and easier access of a sedan, compared to a coupe.
Below are some of the top sedans on the market today that are available for $25,000 or less. For a couple of these models -- like the Chrysler 300 and Volvo S40 -- you'll notice that the MSRP range starts at below $25,000 but tops out at much higher as you move up trim-level ladder. But if you're a smart shopper -- or are willing to get into a lower trim line -- you can get into one of these higher-priced entries for $25,000 or less.
2007 Honda Accord || Get a Quote
(MSRP: $18,225 - $27,400)
Not for nothing has the Honda Accord sedan been a leader in the mid-size sedan segment for years. This sedan is practically bullet-proof, has perennially received high quality marks from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports and other groups, and it does it all for a price that, these days, is fairly reasonable. The body lines are also handsome in an understated way.
The 2007 Honda Accord (which also comes in a coupe model) offers a choice of the 3.0-liter V6 or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Buyers can also opt for either a five-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission. Honda Accord trim levels include VP, LX and EX. Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution come standard, and all V6 models are equipped with such additional safety features as Vehicle Stability Assist and Brake Assist. The EX V6 Honda Accord also comes with traction control.
2007 Toyota Camry || Get a Quote || Video
(MSRP: $18,470 - $28,020)
The Toyota Camry has been another king of the mid-size sedan mountain for years, and for the same reasons as the Honda Accord: consistently high quality ratings, good fit and finish and it seemingly runs forever. But time and tide wait for no man, as the saying goes, so the Toyota Camry sedan was wholly redesigned for the '07 model year. The interior is more spacious, the engines on all trim levels got a boost and the transmissions are more adaptable.
The 2007 Toyota Camry offers a plethora of trim levels -- the CE, LE, SE and XLE, and all come with a standard 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. However; for the racier among us, a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 is available as an option on the LE, SE and XLE. Toyota was one of the first automakers to join the green sweepstakes; so, it's not surprising that the Toyota Camry also comes as a Hybrid model, with an engine that runs on a combination of gas and electricity. Transmission alternatives include a five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, or six-speed automatic.
2008 Chevrolet Impala || Get a Quote
(MSRP: $21,015 - $28,040)
Chevy made a smart move when it revived the Impala nameplate a few years ago, because the Chevy Impala had a strong legacy as a roomy and affordable full-size family sedan. It's been updated right along, of course, with clean, flowing lines and modern amenities to remind you that it is definitely not your dad's Impala.
Bigger than the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, the Chevy Impala sedan can comfortably accommodate six adults, and doesn't skimp in choices -- buyers can choose between four trim levels -- the LS, LT, LTZ and SS. The LT and LS are powered by a 211 hp 3.5-liter V6; the LTZ ups the ante with a 240-hp 3.9-liter six-banger, while the muscular and sporty SS entry has a 303-hp 3-liter V8 power chugging under the hood. Whatever the trim level, the Chevy Impala comes with a four-speed automatic transmission.
2007 Chrysler 300 || Get a Quote || Video
(MSRP: $24,445 - $31,200)
The Chrysler 300 made a huge splash when it was rolled out in 2004 and its luster still hasn't faded. It's been selling like hotcakes ever since, even making inroads to the urban market, as Snoop Dogg was reportedly was one of the early coveters. Its combination of expansive roominess, impressive engine power and predatory stance made the Chrysler 300 sedan a real bargain at 2004 prices. The price tag has gone up since then, but you can still get into a modestly-appointed 2007 Chrysler 300 for $25,000 or less.
The Chrysler 300 delivers a silky, comfy ride, whether you choose the rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and also comes in a long-wheelbase model that is six inches longer than the standard Chrysler 300 sedan. Engine choices are a 190-hp 2.7-liter V-6 and a 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6. Although, only the V-6 is available on the long-wheelbase and the four-wheel drive editions.
2007 Dodge Charger || Get a Quote
(MSRP: $22,570 - $35,320)
Another sleek offering from Chrysler, the 2007 Dodge Charger cashes in on its retro-futuristic appeal. On one level, it's a throwback to the venerable, two-door Dodge Charger muscle car of the late 1960s. But the '07 edition, while it takes many of its sporty styling cues from that vaunted street racer, is now a roomy four-door sedan with plenty of modern-day comforts.
But Chrysler knew that a car with the Dodge Charger nameplate had to offer some brawn. And indeed it does: a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 is standard on the lower-to-midline SE and SXT entries, while the upline R/T model has a 340-hp 5.7-liter V8 purring under the hood. Also, the R/T edition can be upgraded by ordering the Road/Track or Daytona packages, which boosts the ponies to 350. All Dodge Charger sedans come with a five-speed AutoStick automatic transmission.
2007 Ford Fusion || Get a Quote || Video
(MSRP: $17,145 - $21,710)
This functional, high-quality sedan was one of the first products to come down the Ford pipeline after the Blue Oval re-committed to quality in its engineering, design and manufacturing operations, and it shows. The Ford Fusion won across-the-board kudos for its quality when it was launched in 2006, and it quickly became Ford's flagship high-volume family sedan -- although that may change with the introduction of the new 2008 Ford Taurus.
Based on the lauded Mazda6 platform, the 2007 Ford Fusion sedan is a solid entry all around -- and a bargain by today's standards, priced from $17,000 to $22,000. A 2.3-liter 160-hp four-cylinder Duratec engine is standard on the base model, but the SE and SEL models come with a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 221 hp. Buyers can also choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive. The Ford Fusion's sister model, the Mercury Milan, is a similarly high-quality sedan.
2007 Mazda Mazda6 || Get a Quote || Video
(MSRP: $19,110 - $27,910)
Speaking of the Mazda6, this entry is also a stellar choice. Like the Dodge Charger, it's a four-door sedan whose mix of engine muscle and twinkle-toed road manners beckons to the speed demons -- and makes it an appealing option for the family man (or woman) who's also a driving enthusiast.
Mazda also made the wise move of offering the Mazda6 in the 5-Door hatchback and Sport Wagon configurations, in addition to the conventional sedan model -- thereby broadening its appeal to suit families or individuals who sometimes need to haul bigger loads. The engine choices in the various trim levels also run the gamut -- from the 160-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder in the 6i model to the turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder in the Mazdaspeed6.
2008 Volvo S40 || Get a Quote
(MSRP: $24,365 - $30,365)
Everyone knows about Volvo's long-time reputation as a safety leader, but in recent years the Swedish automaker has shown its sportier side with models like the Volvo S40, a sport sedan that starts out modestly with a 170-hp inline-five engine in the entry-level edition and beefs up to a turbocharged 230-hp plant in the sportier T5 version. Besides the standard five-speed manual gearbox and optional five-speed automatic tranny, the 2007 Volvo S40 sedan can also be ordered with a transmission dubbed the "Geartronic with Auto-Stick," which permits no-clutch manual shifting.
The Volvo S40 sedan also offers such high-line standard features as leather steering wheel with audio controls, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels and Dynamic Stability Traction Control.
2007 Nissan Altima || Get a Quote || Video
(MSRP: $17,950 - $28,400)
The Altima has been one of the strongest performers in Nissan's stable for over a decade, and it offers a few new variations this year. First, the Nissan Altima sedan was completely redesigned for 2007; second, it's also being offered as a hybrid model; and for the 2008 model year, the Altima is also available as a coupe.
And even the "straight-up sedan" is not lacking for choices: the 2007 Nissan Altima comes in five models: the 2.5, 2.5S, 2.5SL, 3.5SE and 3.5SL. Depending on what model you choose, you get either a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 175 hp, or a new generation of Nissan's venerable 3.5-liter V6, which now kicks out 270 horses. The Nissan Altima's body lines are sleeker and sportier than you'll find on many sedans, and it comes with electric power steering, vehicle information display, 16-inch steel wheels and intelligent key with push-button starting -- all as standard equipment.
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