Agreed, Vic.
I would also ask the MT folks if the criteria they used for the midsize sedan comparison really resonates with the consumers that are buying these cars. Does the average segment customer even care about the things we’re talking about here, such as ride/handling, power/acceleration/engine refinement, or the quality of interior materials? What about backseat space/legroom?
Personally, I’ve yet to see a discerning midsize sedan buyer who can tell the difference between GM’s old-school V6 line (found in the 8th-gen Malibu) and a much better engine (like the 2.4 found in the Regal). I’m speaking from experience here thanks to a couple of friends — as long as the car starts, runs, looks ok, and does so in a trouble-free manner, it should sell well.
Heck, the Camry came to prominence by NOT being the segment leader in anything, except for (maybe) reliability. It wasn’t the biggest, the most powerful, the most fuel-efficient, the most fun-to-drive, the most safe, or the most-technologically-advanced. It didn’t have the best interior materials or the most attractive styling. But it sold — and brought Toyota to prominence.
That’s not to say that automakers should give up trying to build better cars, but I keep coming back to MT’s shootout and wonder if the buyer would actually LIKE the things MT editors disliked.
