Five Compact and Five Midsize Sedans That Can’t Be Beat

With the way that SUVs have taken over the auto industry in the past few decades, you won’t find nearly as many cars—by which we mean sedans—on the market these days as you once would’ve. There are still plenty of people who want a great car, however, and while some brands have largely abandoned the car segment, you can still find a lot of excellent options out there. Your selection becomes even better when you start looking at used cars for sale since that gives you access to a wide range of makes and models from many different years, including some fantastic picks that have been recently discontinued. Let’s take a look at five of our favorites for both compact and midsize models to see what’s out there.

Compact Car #1 – The Toyota Corolla

Kicking things off for compact cars, we have the Toyota Corolla, which is an absolute legend in the auto industry. The Corolla has been around since the 1960s and became the best-selling car worldwide by the mid-1970s. Before the turn of the century, the Corolla surpassed the Volkswagen Beetle to become the best-selling vehicle in the world—more than 50 million Corolla models have been sold at this point. So you have a lot of options out there when looking for a used Corolla; these vehicles are particularly well known for fantastic long-term reliability, making them an amazing choice for a used car.

Compact Car #2 – The Honda Civic

Right on the heels (or should we say “wheels”?) of the Corolla is the Honda Civic, a compact sedan with nearly as much pedigree as the Toyota Legend. The Civic has been around since the early 1970s, and though it began its life as a two-door fastback, it has evolved into a capable, stylish, and incredibly reliable sedan. More than 27 million Civic models have sold throughout the decades, and it has remained one of the most popular new and used Honda models year after year, giving you plenty to choose from as you look for a great used car.

Compact Car #3 – The Nissan Sentra

Although it might not trace its roots quite as far back as the Corolla (‘60s) or the Civic (‘70s), the Nissan Sentra comes pretty close. First released here in the US in 1982, the Sentra helped bring the Nissan name to the States by replacing the Datsun 210. Since then, it’s been a popular option for many drivers, delivering a reliable and sporty ride that keeps folks coming back year after year. This is an interesting one in that the EPA technically rates it as a midsize car due to its incredibly spacious interior, but Nissan develops it as a compact so that’s what we’ll call it.

Compact Car #4 – The Mazda3

Don’t let its position in this list fool you: the Mazda3 is one of our favorite cars out there, and it’s in fourth place only because we can’t list all of these models in the same space; that’s just not how lists work. First released about 20 years ago, the Mazda3 might not have roots going back to the Reagan Era (or LBJ), but that doesn’t make this any less of a fantastic compact sedan. Beautifully designed year after year, both new and used Mazda3 models are stylish and sophisticated, making them a favorite for drivers looking for something sporty and fun.

Compact Car #5 – The Volkswagen Jetta

Although the incredibly popular Volkswagen Beetle might’ve once overshadowed it, the Jetta is a terrific compact car that works well for a wide range of drivers. Whether you’re looking for something to cruise around in by yourself on the weekend, need a daily driver to get you through your commute, or you want something small for a new family, a new or used Volkswagen Jetta will be a great pick. Well over 14 million of these Volkswagen cars have been sold since they first hit the road at the start of the 1980s, with fantastic options to meet just about any need.

Midsize Car #1 – The Honda Accord

Although the Honda Accord began its life as a compact car, it grew into a midsize model in the late 1980s and has remained a dependable and sporty option ever since. The Accord is a legend in the auto industry because it built on the legacy of the smaller Civic to establish Honda as more than a one-trick car company, and it’s become one of the most reliable cars on the road. Even more impressive, the Accord has two firsts to brag about: it was the first Japanese car to be built here in the US (starting in 1982), and it became the first import model to attain the rank of top-selling car in the US in 1989. And yet, it just keeps getting better year after year.

Midsize Car #2 – The Toyota Camry

Right up there with the Honda Accord in terms of our favorite midsize cars to look for, the Toyota Camry is just as impressive. In production for more than 40 years at this point, the Camry is everything you expect from a midsize sedan, and it brings excellent performance to the road that you know you can count on for a long time. People tend to drive these things until they just about crumble to dust, so you know you’re getting something special with a new or a used Toyota Camry.

Midsize Car #3 – The Nissan Altima

Technically, the Nissan Altima has only been around since the early 1990s, but it’s the successor to the earlier Bluebird models that started production all the way back in 1955. Sandwiched nicely between the smaller Sentra and the larger Maxima, the Altima is the perfect example of everything a midsize car should be. It provides you with an enjoyable experience along with plenty of room inside for you and your passengers to stretch out without getting so large that it threatens to overtake your life. Considering how long it’s been around, you can find plenty of these when looking at used vehicles, and they’re known to last a long time.

Midsize Car #4 – The Chevy Malibu

Although it hasn’t been available without interruption, the Chevy Malibu got its start back in the 1960s, putting it on the same level as many other legendary sedans. The Malibu ran from its introduction through 1983, then took a break until its return in the 1997 model year, and it’s been available ever since. Throughout the years, new and used Chevy Malibus have been some of the most popular cars on the road and a fantastic choice for a wide range of drivers. We like the Malibu as a first car for new drivers, particularly one from recent years with all of the fantastic safety features it has available these days.

Midsize Car #5 – The Ford Fusion

Finally, we come to the Ford Fusion, which perfectly illustrates why shopping for a used car can be so much fun. First introduced for the 2006 model year, the Fusion continues Ford’s incredible legacy of sedans that are reliable, well-built, and fun to drive. Over the years it’s even been offered with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, so keep that in mind as you look at different pre-owned models. Ford discontinued the Fusion after the 2020 model year, so you won’t find any new ones out there; this terrific sedan can still be had when looking at used vehicles, which gives you the freedom to find anything you want.

Find the Used Car You’ve Been Looking For

The remarkable thing about this list we’ve compiled is that it’s only a taste of what’s out there when you’re looking at compact and midsize sedans. We didn’t mention other great options like the Kia Forte or Optima, let alone the Mazda6 and other vehicles. The point is this: you have a huge range of different makes, models, and model years to consider when looking for a great used car. That’s why it’s so important that you choose a dealership that puts your needs first and focuses on listening to you, answering your questions, and helping you find the perfect vehicle.

That’s what you’ll find when you shop with us at DePaula Auto Group because we work hard to take the guesswork out of the car-buying experience. Now, all you have to do is consider the options available, look at what’s out there, and decide on a few models that will best meet your needs—contact us today and we’ll handle the rest.