Popular mid-sized sedans Consumer Reports thinks you should avoid — and what to buy instead

You might want to avoid these popular but often unreliable mid-sized sedans.

Car shopping means sorting through endless choices, reviews, and specs. But not all best-sellers earn their popularity — something Consumer Reports discovered in their latest testing.

A few popular mid-sized sedans aren't worth purchasing, even if you like the way they look, its testers said.

Before you head to the dealership, here’s which mid-sized sedans Consumer Reports says to skip — and what to consider instead.

Skip: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2026

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a popular choice for shoppers, but it ranks nine out of 10 in CR's rankings of mid-sized cars.

The publication had a few things to praise about the Sonata Hybrid, which starts at $29,200, including its 44 overall mpg, its zippy feel, and its "responsive and secure handing."

But its testers found that car's "ride comfort score lags behind the rest of the class."

"The six-speed automatic has some rough shifts, and the sedan has the longest dry braking distance in the class," CR added. "Finally,........

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