The traditional sedan may be losing popularity to highly practical SUVs and crossovers, but the full-size sedan remains one of the top choices when it comes to ultra-luxurious land cruisers. This is why the segment is mostly dominated by brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Bentley. With this level of luxury, you can rest assured that these of some of the safest cars, but full-size sedans are seldom cheap. There are exceptions, of course, like the Kia Cadenza. Here is a more comprehensive list of the best full-size sedans models for 2022.
There are certain things you can expect when you go shopping for a large four-door. Some are grand tourers, while others are full-size sports cars. Regardless of their specific application, there are some similarities, for better or worse, between the majority of these great big vehicles.
Size: Naturally, a car has to have certain dimensions to qualify for this category. This has the benefit of a large, accommodating cabin, and usually a relatively practical trunk. However, there are some downsides, too. Bigger means heavier, and weight can have a serious impact on performance and fuel economy.
Performance: While these large 4-door cruisers are not usually overly fast, they are never lacking in power. Large V6 and V8 engines are quite common, helping these heavy sedans cruise effortlessly down the highway. However, throw in a few turbo- and/or superchargers, and you have the recipe for some engaging and quick sports cars. AWD is also far more readily available on these sedans than on smaller ones.
Price: You generally pay for the amount of car you get, so larger means more expensive. Power also doesn’t come cheap. On top of it all, the extra weight coupled with a hungry powertrain means you won’t be getting the best mpg figures. This can be somewhat offset by opting for a hybrid model, which isn’t too hard to find in this segment. However, some shoppers feel that this robs these large luxury liners of their status and credibility.
What to Consider When Buying a Full-size Sedan
As with any type of car, full-size sedans have their ups and downs. Before you go signing on the dotted line for one of these brutes, it makes sense to see exactly what they bring to the table, and what they take away:
Pros
Large size generally means high practicality
Power engines are common, and some even benefit from hybrid assistance
As flagship models for many brands, these cars are usually well equipped
They are often seen as desirable status symbols
Large, heavy vehicles are generally safer than small, light ones
Cons
Still not as commodious or practical as SUVs
Heavy weight and potent engines negatively impact fuel economy
Base asking price is always higher than a smaller vehicle
FAQs
Are full-size sedans safer than SUVs and crossovers?
While they benefit from being big and heavy, full-size sedans also ride much lower on the road. This means that they have any of the strengths of a large SUV but do away with the greatest weakness - the risk of roller. As such, they are among the safest vehicles on the road.
Are there any cheap full-size sedans?
While it may be true that many of the models in this classification hail from luxury automakers, not all are obscenely expensive. The Chrysler 300 comes in at just over $30k and still manages to include some desirable comforts. The Dodge Charger and Toyota Avalon are also relatively affordable options. If you still wan to spend less, consider a used model from 2021 or earlier.
What is the most reliable full-size sedan?
Unsurprisingly, it is the mainstream brands that really impress, with the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima proving to be among the most reliable large sedans on the market.