The economy sedan segment has seen a resurgence in recent years, with major manufacturers investing heavily to improve their offerings. Gone are the days of low-tech, two-valve engines and outdated designs. Instead, carmakers have opted for more modern approaches, incorporating advanced features and improved performance at affordable prices. This shift has resulted in a more competitive market, with numerous options available to consumers.
The test criteria for this comparison were strict: cars had to be priced below $16,000, feature manual transmissions, AM/FM-cassette stereos, air conditioning, and anti-lock brakes. Eight cars met these requirements, representing a diverse range of manufacturers and models.
In addition to the base Dodge Stratus and Ford Contour GL, the lineup included two American nameplates: Pontiac's Grand Am SE and Saturn's SL2 sedan. Foreign manufacturers also made an appearance, with Honda's sixth-generation Civic LX, Mazda's Protege ES, Nissan's Sentra GXE, and Geo Prizm rounding out the field.
The testing venue was a challenging 400 miles of Michigan backroads, Interstate 94, and various south-eastern towns and villages. This provided an opportunity to evaluate each car in real-world driving conditions, rather than just on a test track.
The editors' deliberations were extensive, with haggling and negotiation before finally settling on the ranking. The results are as follows, starting from the back of the pack.
The Grand Am's design, introduced in 1992, has been updated for 1996 with a new interior, front and rear facias, and improved engines. However, these changes have only partially addressed the car's shortcomings.
The Grand Am's interior remains high and narrow, with low seats and bulging shapes towards passengers. The rear seats are cramped and lacking in kneeroom and headroom, making them unsuitable for three adults.
Despite its size and weight, the Grand Am's interior feels tight and intrusive, as noted by Csere. This is a testament to the car's outdated design, which has been largely unchanged since its introduction.
The results of this comparison test demonstrate that the economy sedan segment has made significant strides in recent years. With more features, performance, and options available at affordable prices, consumers have never had a better selection to choose from.
The automotive industry has made significant strides in the economy sedan segment, offering more features and performance at affordable prices.
