Cars We Drive!

[jbarwick]

What's your price range? Most reviews seem to point at your standard options Honda/Toyota/Kia with a nod to BMW 5-series or MB E-class for a little more.

 

[patrick_b]

Mrs. Piob's lease was up in May and we went to check out all the deals available this morning as Volvo is having a big sale. Early lease turn in, they're doing the "sign and drive" thing with $0 out of pocket and $0 first month payment. We got her into a 2025 XC 60 (her third...she loves these cars) Ultra (top trim level) plug-in. The damn thing does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds!

Screaming deal. We pick it up tomorrow morning.

Congrats! I took a look at them recently.

My wife’s XC90 finally hit 10K so I took it in for its first oil change. Found the plug in hybrid in the showroom an interesting option. It wasn't on my radar a year ago when we bought the vehicle but the more I consider it, she drives ~10 miles roundtrip to work so she could manage her daily driving on EV most days.

EV range is somewhere ~35 mi and it gets something like 58 MPG in normal driving. In our case, she tends to keep cars for 6-7 years. I wonder if the added complexity adds a layer of risk once out of warranty. In your case as a lease, the incentives make it as easy decision especially since she likes the vehicle.

 

[Texasmade]

So what are some of the best mid-size (+/-) sedans in the market right now 0-3 years old?

Everyone is liking the new 2025 Toyota Camry.

I've seen reviews on the Honda Accord saying it's a waste of money since the Civic is nearly as big. Only thing you can't get on the Civic is ventilated front seats.

 

[Jr Mouse]

Everyone is liking the new 2025 Toyota Camry.

I've seen reviews on the Honda Accord saying it's a waste of money since the Civic is nearly as big. Only thing you can't get on the Civic is ventilated front seats.

Doesn’t the Accord typically have a nicer ride? Neither is going to feel like luxury but for a family sedan someone might value the difference with an Accord.

 

[cross22]

What's your price range? Most reviews seem to point at your standard options Honda/Toyota/Kia with a nod to BMW 5-series or MB E-class for a little more.

Everyone is liking the new 2025 Toyota Camry.

I've seen reviews on the Honda Accord saying it's a waste of money since the Civic is nearly as big. Only thing you can't get on the Civic is ventilated front seats.

Maybe a bit more luxury than Camry? say 55-60k? Not a huge fan of 5 series or E which are way too big for a midsize.

 

[jbarwick]

Congrats! I took a look at them recently.

My wife’s XC90 finally hit 10K so I took it in for its first oil change. Found the plug in hybrid in the showroom an interesting option. It wasn't on my radar a year ago when we bought the vehicle but the more I consider it, she drives ~10 miles roundtrip to work so she could manage her daily driving on EV most days.

EV range is somewhere ~35 mi and it gets something like 58 MPG in normal driving. In our case, she tends to keep cars for 6-7 years. I wonder if the added complexity adds a layer of risk once out of warranty. In your case as a lease, the incentives make it as easy decision especially since she likes the vehicle.

My SIL has one of the early XC90 Hybrids and hardly drives on EV mode otherwise she ends up having issues. I assume they have gotten better but the early ones had tons of issues.

 

[Jr Mouse]

Maybe a bit more luxury than Camry? say 55-60k? Not a huge fan of 5 series or E which are way too big for a midsize.

No one needs four doors. Go all in on a peak Porsche.

 

[HRoi]

I’d recommend the Bentley Flying Spur.

Unless you’re not SF middle class - then I would suggest peeping the Genesis offerings

 

[Texasmade]

Maybe a bit more luxury than Camry? say 55-60k? Not a huge fan of 5 series or E which are way too big for a midsize.

Lexus ES or Genesis whatever they're called. The midsize sedan is a dying class since everyone just gets a compact SUV or CUV instead of a midsize sedan.

 

[Jr Mouse]

Lexus ES or Genesis whatever they're called. The midsize sedan is a dying class since everyone just gets a compact SUV or CUV instead of a midsize sedan.

Every Genesis owner I know couldn’t be happier. My grandparents fell in love with the quality/fit finish of their SUV’s but passed because it was too hard for my grandfather to get in and out of.

 

[patrick_b]

Maybe a bit more luxury than Camry? say 55-60k? Not a huge fan of 5 series or E which are way too big for a midsize.

The current Audi A4/5 and BMW 3 Series are the sweet spot for size IMO. BMW 5 series is massive. If you are looking for a step up in performance, the S4/S5 and BMW M340i both have a 3L, 6 cylinder turbo vs the 4 cylinder turbo on the standard A and 3 Series. The current gen M340i just got a facelift for 2025. The Audi & BMW offer a ton of performance for a sedan in their sport models.

 

[Piobaire]

Mrs. Piob had me drive it home. Initial impressions are this is a huge improvement from her B5 powerplant. The B5 is their standard 4 cylinder with turbo only. The T8 goes back to what used be called a T6, the 2.0 with both supercharging and turbocharging plus the electric motors. The T8, mated with the 8 speed transmission, make this version best in (Volvo) breed. Pulls strongly from the stop due to both electric and supercharging, the transmission is much smoother and delivers the power better.

If Lexus doesn't have the plug in yet for the GX in 2027, I could see grabbing an XC 90 T8 if the lease numbers are good.

 

[otc]

I do like the sound of the plug in Volvos, but I’m a bit scared to go EV (partial or full) without local dealer support.

I know there are plenty of mechanics who can deal with an ICE from any brand so getting a gas BMW or whatever is no big deal other than being more of a hassle getting warranty stuff covered. But it is a bit sketcher when you add in all the EV bits (and far more computer control).

 

[brokencycle]

Mrs. Piob had me drive it home. Initial impressions are this is a huge improvement from her B5 powerplant. The B5 is their standard 4 cylinder with turbo only. The T8 goes back to what used be called a T6, the 2.0 with both supercharging and turbocharging plus the electric motors. The T8, mated with the 8 speed transmission, make this version best in (Volvo) breed. Pulls strongly from the stop due to both electric and supercharging, the transmission is much smoother and delivers the power better.

If Lexus doesn't have the plug in yet for the GX in 2027, I could see grabbing an XC 90 T8 if the lease numbers are good.

I thought you were done leading and going to buy and ride off into the sunset.

 

[Piobaire]

I thought you were done leading and going to buy and ride off into the sunset.

That was the plan but the numbers didn't stick to the plan. Have to be ready to change plans when it makes sense.