### Nissan Versa Americans who want to buy a sedan have a direct route to Japanese manufacturers. And above all to Nissan with its wide range. The bottom line in it is occupied by a subcompact on a simple front-wheel drive platform with a rear torsion beam and simple power units (1.6-liter naturally aspirated 124 hp, five-speed manual transmission or CVT). By the way, not the worst product. “The updated Versa remains cheap, well-equipped with a surprising number of driver-assist features,” Car and Driver reports.
NissanThe Versa’s best years are clearly behind it. The top result (144,528 cars) dates back to 2015. In 2022, only 13,399 units were sold, although the day before – 60,913. Is this a lot or a little on the scale of the American market? Judge for yourself: the statistics for the best-selling F-150 pickup truck include the figure “653,957.” They tried to correct the decline in interest in Versa with restyling last fall, but restoration to previous levels is doubtful.
Nissan
### Nissan Sentra The eighth generation was introduced four years ago, and this summer a comprehensive and rather modest modernization took place. The filling is less reminiscent of “fast food”: a multi-link is used at the rear, a two-liter 151-horsepower naturally aspirated engine (surprise, Europe!) with direct injection and in combination with CVT. The appearance is almost sports car-like.
Nissan
In 2022, 77,124 copies were sold. Before the pandemic – over 200 thousand annually. “Standard safety features and a low starting price aren’t enough to propel the Sentra to the top of the compact segment,” Car and Driver’s verdict is. Meanwhile, the Chinese hybrid version of the Sylphy with a rear semi-independent suspension is incredibly popular in the Middle Kingdom. In 2020 and 2021, sales exceeded the half-million mark each time.
Nissan
### Nissan Altima The beauty of the sixth generation reached a length of up to 4900 mm. There is more variability than younger and more affordable cars. All modifications are equipped with the permanent Xtronic CVT from Jatco, but the 2.5-liter engine with direct fuel injection is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (191 hp and 185 hp, respectively). A 251-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four is addressed to those who like to “ignite.”
Nissan
In 2012, the Altima achieved one of its career highs of 335,887. For the past – 139,956. Industry media praise the spacious interior and efficiency, criticize the lack of dynamics and the monotonous hum of the engine during acceleration.
Nissan
### Nissan Maxima The song of the Maxima, now comparable in size to the Altima, is finished. This is a real island of old school, which is about to be covered by the waves of history: 3.5-liter V6 (304 hp), continuously variable transmission, front-wheel drive. Sales – sadness, melancholy and tears. In 2021, there were bidders for 16,386 cars, and last year – 7,110.
Nissan
### Dodge Charger The rule “the larger the sedan, the more attractive it is for the consumer” no longer works in the States. But there is a striking exception to this: the ancient and charismatic Dodge Charger. It is a hundred years old at lunchtime, but the demand is very stable (80,074 for 2022). Nevertheless, this bastion is about to collapse under the pressure of the battery strategy. Car and Driver: “The Charger brings nostalgia to the full-size sedan segment, but after a decade of updates, its problems can no longer be solved by more power.”
Dodge
### Honda Accord The large coupe-shaped Accord professes a philosophy different from the conservative Nissans. The new eleventh generation in the starting version is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-four (195 hp), and in the advanced version – a hybrid system with an economical Atkinson cycle 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery (total output – 207 hp).
Honda
There are no statistics yet on the latest Accord, but the old one allows you to form an opinion about trends. He kept himself in good spirits, although there has been a decline recently (202,676 cars in 2021 and 154,612 in the past). If we talk about a ten-year period, then once we even managed to get closer to the 400 thousand mark. Let’s see if the success can be repeated, given the reputation and favor of the press. “The reigning champion of family sedans continues to impress with pleasant manners, low fuel consumption and reasonable equipment,” wrote Car and Driver.
Honda
### Honda Civic The eleventh Civic family also includes a five-door hatchback, but the four-door was shown first. It is by no means small (length – 4674 mm) and looks solid. The European version has a petrol-electric unit, while in the States there is a choice between a two-liter engine (160 hp) and a 1.5-liter turbo-four (182 hp). Both have a CVT. The prerogative of the “hot” Civic Si is a 203-horsepower version of the supercharged internal combustion engine, a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
Honda
In the case of the Civic, there are general statistics for all body types. At the end of 2022, there are 133,932 cars. And this is one of the worst results. For comparison, a year earlier there were 263,787 copies. A more positive picture is expected in 2023. “With its pleasant driving manners, good fuel economy and attractive design, the Civic is a well-rounded compact that we can’t help but admire,” Car and Driver urges.
Honda
### Toyota Camry After the full-size Avalon (now produced in China) left America, the role of the flagship passenger car passed to the Camry. Overseas there are not only modifications known on the domestic market with 2.5- and 3.5-liter engines (for the initial one, optional all-wheel drive), but also a hybrid with a peak power of 211 hp. Camry “three and five” comes in a TRD sports package with modified suspension calibrations and more aggressive surroundings.
Toyota
Compared to the previously listed models, “Camry” is a bestseller: in 2022 it sold 295,201 copies. Worthy, but not a record. There were times when sales significantly exceeded 400 thousand units. Car and Driver: “In an SUV-crowded world, the Camry is an old-school alternative in the form of a comfortable, reliable, fuel-efficient midsize family car.”
Toyota
### Chevrolet Malibu The mass brand of General Motors is now completely focused on crossovers and SUVs. Of the passenger cars with internal combustion engines, in its palette there was only room for the Corvette supercar, the soon-to-be retired Camaro and the coupe-like Malibu on the E2XX platform, which is rooted in the architecture once developed by Opel. Now there is only one power plant, and, moreover, a very strange one for an almost five-meter sedan – a 162-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo-four plus a CVT.
Chevrolet
The mainstream, low-cost Malibu is doing relatively well, with 115,468 units sold last year. However, age takes its toll – the ninth generation has been in service since 2015. Some seven years ago it was almost twice as popular, and then there was a gradual decline. Car and Driver: “The Malibu remains a competent midsize car, but its talents aren’t nearly as well-rounded as those of its newer opponents.”
Chevrolet
### Cadillac CT4 American premium sedans are an almost extinct species. The large Cadillac CT6 (2016–2020 onwards) did not achieve outstanding success, but the brand did not abandon four-door models. They are good in their own way, and their appearance does not at all correspond to the ideas of the stereotypical canonical “Caddies”. The CT4 on a rear-wheel drive chassis is a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. They are challenged on all fronts. In addition to modifications with 2.0- and 2.7-liter supercharged “fours” (240 hp and 314 hp), a “warmed-up” 330-horsepower CT4-V is offered. At the top is the extreme CT4-V Blackwing with a 3.6-liter V6 (479 hp) and a six-speed manual transmission, although a ten-speed automatic transmission is also available.
Cadillac
Interest in the family is gradually growing – up to 9271 in 2022. But German technology is much more in demand in the States. For example, during the same period, 26,161 copies of the C-Class were sold. Last but not least, consumers turn away from Cadillac because of not the best interior materials and a cramped rear sofa. Car and Driver: “Despite some entry-level compromises, the CT4 is a great entry into the Caddy sports sedan universe.”
Cadillac
### Cadillac CT5 The ammunition of the BMW “five” rival is more serious than that of the CT4. For “civilian” needs, a “juice bag” with a dual-flow turbocharger and a 3.0-liter V6 Twin-Turbo (340 hp and 365 hp for the CT5-V) are provided. The ferocious CT5-V Blackwing is powered by a 677-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and can hit 97 km/h (60 mph) in 3.4 seconds in ideal conditions.
Cadillac
In 2022, sales of the “five” increased to 15,896 units, approximately five thousand less than the BMW 5 Series. Car and Driver: “The CT5 starts out as a boring base version but evolves into a V-Series impressive enough to trouble opponents like the BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Giulia.” Isn’t it a strange choice of competitors?
Cadillac
### Subaru Legacy The American market is of great strategic importance for the Pleiades Constellation. The large Ascent crossover was created specifically for local tastes and is localized. However, he is not alone – other models are also produced in the USA, including Legacy. Boxer engines – naturally aspirated 2.5 liters (185 hp) and 2.4 liter turbocharger (264 hp). Both come with a Lineartronic CVT and all-wheel drive.
Subaru
Subaru has a spirited WRX with a boxer turbo, but it’s a niche thing. But “Legacy” is designed for a wider audience. True, now it is not on a roll: in 2021 and 2022 it managed to sell a little more than 22 thousand cars. Car and Driver: “The family-friendly Subaru is good value, but its road manners aren’t fun.”
Subaru
### Hyundai Elantra The American specification of the Elantra is varied. For the unpretentious – a naturally aspirated “four” with a volume of 2.0 liters (149 hp) with distributed fuel injection. Old school! The rear suspension is semi-independent to reduce cost. For the economical, there is a 141-horsepower hybrid Hyundai (1.6-liter internal combustion engine with direct injection, electric motor, six-speed preselective “robot” with two clutches) with rear independent suspension. For the impulsive, there is the nimble Elantra N. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 280 hp, an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission for purists.
Hyundai
Before the pandemic, the Elantra sold significantly better, usually over 200 thousand. For 2022 – 117,177 sedans. Kia Forte (Americanized Cerato) from the same size class is literally one step away. Car and Driver: “The Elantra’s design is eye-catching, but its mundane driving character won’t surprise anyone.” Of course, N evokes the opposite emotions.
Hyundai
### Hyundai Sonata A favorite of domestic taxi drivers overseas, it comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine (194 hp) or a turbocharger “one and six” (182 hp). The transmission is eight-speed automatic. The alternative is a tandem of a two-liter engine, an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission with a peak output of 195 hp. All Sonatas have rear independent suspension and front-wheel drive.
Hyundai
Not so long ago, Sonata sold six-figure copies. Alas, last year there were only 52,140 cars, almost 30 thousand less than in 2021. By the way, the sister Kia K5 is doing little better (66,310 vehicles). Car and Driver: “Sonata is more than just a flashy design. She offers a lot of equipment for the money.” We will soon find out how the modernized Hyundai, which for the first time has acquired all-wheel drive, will perform.
Hyundai
The sedan in its classic form, without cross-impurities and other mutations, is an endangered species in Europe. Premium brands continue to saturate the market with them, but this is a drop in the ocean of hatchbacks, station wagons and crossovers. It got to the point that the latest generation Volkswagen Passat, as expected, came only with a cargo-passenger body. The European course is obvious. We don’t worry about China: there is peace and grace there. How are things going in the USA? We took a look at some traditional (non-electric) sedans’ offerings and dug into the stats. Indeed, the once popular format is losing ground, but this does not apply to all models without exception.
