9 family sedans graded from a 3.5 Chevrolet Malibu to a 4.8 tie between the Accord and Camry

Family sedans have lost ground to crossovers, yet the remaining models still compete hard on comfort, value and features. Kelley Blue Book’s editors score each one on a five-point scale, and the results span from a discontinued Chevrolet to a pair of class leaders. Here are nine sedans, ranked by those expert ratings from lowest to highest.

1. Chevrolet Malibu: Last Call

Kelley Blue Book’s editors scored the 2025 model at 3.5 out of 5, the lowest figure among the sedans here, and it was the final model year before Chevrolet ended the nameplate. The rating appears in a KBB mid-size price roundup that treats the Malibu as an inexpensive option rather than a class leader.

Shoppers weighing a used Malibu can still find one at a modest price, but a score that trails every rival means compromises in refinement and features. Long-term owners should also weigh that a discontinued nameplate may carry less certain resale value.

2. Subaru Legacy: Quiet Overachiever

The 2025 Subaru Legacy earned a 4.0 out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book’s experts, placing it above the Malibu while staying behind the rest of the field. The score is listed in the same low-cost mid-size ranking, where the Legacy sits comfortably in the upper-middle of the price-conscious field.

For many shoppers, a 4.0 is a respectable showing for a sedan priced among the bargains. The trade-off is that the sedan scores lower than the Accord and Camry on the broader mix of features, ride and value that the experts weigh.

3. Nissan Altima: Solid Middle

Kelley Blue Book gave the 2026 Nissan Altima an expert rating of 4.1 out of 5, which lands it in the lower middle of this group but clearly ahead of the Malibu and Legacy. The figure comes from the publication’s best mid-size cars guide, where the Altima competes directly with the segment’s established leaders and holds its own on value and everyday comfort.

A 4.1 suggests a competent daily driver rather than a standout, so shoppers comparing it with the Accord, Camry or K5 should expect to give up some polish. Test driving it back to back with those rivals is the simplest way to see whether the gap matters.

4. Hyundai Sonata: Near the Top Tier

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata received a 4.4 out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book’s experts, a score that places it in the upper half of the sedans here. The rating is published in the editors’ best sedans list, which ranks cars across several size classes and singles out the Sonata for strong value, generous equipment and a distinctive design that stands out in a crowded segment.

That 4.4 is only four-tenths of a point behind the class-leading pair, so a Sonata can make sense for buyers who care more about features per dollar than about the final fraction of refinement. Comparing trims and warranty terms remains worthwhile before choosing it over the tied leaders.

5. Toyota Crown: Premium Pretender

Kelley Blue Book’s experts also rated the 2026 Toyota Crown at 4.4 out of 5, matching the Sonata and sitting just below the Kia K5. The score appears in the publication’s mid-size car rankings, where the Crown competes against far more conventional family sedans.

Buyers should note that this is a premium-leaning model, so the price of admission is higher than most rivals on the list. Anyone who simply wants a conventional sedan at a lower cost will find the Camry, which Toyota sells alongside it, a more traditional answer.

6. Kia K5: Rising Contender

The 2026 Kia K5 posted a 4.5 out of 5 expert rating from Kelley Blue Book, the highest figure on the list for any sedan other than the electric Ioniq 6 and the Accord and Camry pair. The editors recorded the number in their top-rated sedan roundup, placing it ahead of the Sonata and Crown.

The K5 is only three-tenths of a point shy of the segment’s best, which makes it a sensible alternative when the Accord or Camry carry a dealer markup or a long wait. A test drive can show whether the small gap matters in daily use.

7. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Electric Standout

Kelley Blue Book scored the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 at 4.6 out of 5, and the electric sedan also holds the No. 1 position in the editors’ best electric cars ranking for 2026. That makes it the highest-rated model here apart from the tied Accord and Camry, a distinction that sets it apart from every gasoline sedan here.

For family buyers ready to go electric, the rating suggests few rivals offer a more complete sedan package. As with any electric car, daily charging access at home or work will matter more to ownership satisfaction than a rating point or two.

8. Honda Accord: Tied for First

The 2026 Honda Accord earned a 4.8 out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book’s experts, the best score in the group and a tie with the Camry. The result is listed in the KBB mid-size pricing guide, which counts the Accord among the class’s most capable offerings.

A shared top score means the choice often comes down to personal taste, since the two cars are separated by feel rather than by rating. Shoppers should drive both, since the cars differ in feel rather than score, and compare local pricing before settling on a favorite.

9. Toyota Camry: Co-Champion

The 2026 Toyota Camry matched the Accord with a 4.8 out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book’s experts and shares the No. 1 spot among mid-size cars. The tie is spelled out in the publication’s best mid-size cars page, making it one of the two highest-scoring sedans on the list.

Because it ties the Accord on score, the Camry’s appeal rests on practical details such as dealer availability, resale expectations and the brand’s long reputation for durability. Buyers who want the top-rated family sedan can reasonably start their search with either car.