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Comparison Tests
2003-2004 Family Sedan Comparison Test
Top 12 Features List
By Erin Riches
Date Posted 12-23-2003
Top
12 Features
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Chevrolet
Malibu |
Chrysler
Sebring |
Honda
Accord |
Hyundai
Sonata |
Mazda
6 |
| 4-wheel disc brakes |
N/A |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Antilock brakes |
S |
O |
S |
O |
S |
| Folding rear seat |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Full-length head curtain
airbags |
S |
O |
S |
N/A |
O |
| Full-size spare tire |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Grocery net in trunk |
S |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
O |
| In-dash CD changer |
O |
O |
S |
N/A |
O |
| One-touch up/down front
windows |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A** |
N/A |
N/A |
| Power driver seat |
S* |
S |
S |
N/A |
S |
| Seat-mounted side airbags |
N/A |
N/A |
S |
S |
O |
| Tilt/telescoping steering
wheel |
S |
N/A |
S |
N/A |
S |
| Traction control |
S |
O |
S |
O |
S |
| |
Mitsubishi Galant |
Nissan Altima |
Suzuki Verona |
Toyota Camry |
VW Passat |
| 4-wheel disc brakes |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Antilock brakes |
S |
O |
S |
S |
S |
| Folding rear seat |
N/A |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Full-length head curtain airbags |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
O |
S |
| Full-size spare tire |
N/A |
N/A |
S |
S |
S |
| Grocery net in trunk |
N/A |
S |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| In-dash CD changer |
S |
O |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| One-touch up/down front windows |
N/A |
S |
N/A |
N/A |
S |
| Power driver seat |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| Seat-mounted side airbags |
S |
O |
N/A |
O |
S |
| Tilt/telescoping steering wheel |
N/A |
S |
N/A |
N/A |
S |
| Traction control |
S |
O |
O |
O |
S |
* Our early production test vehicle was equipped with rear drum brakes, rather
than discs, resulting in longer stopping distances. Also, note that the Malibu's
power driver seat has manual seat back recline.
** The Accord has standard one-touch control for the driver window (but not the
front-passenger window) and thus earned partial credit.
Key:
S: Standard
O: Optional
N/A: Not Available
4-wheel disc brakes: A full set of disc brakes is now the standard among V6-equipped family sedans, as they require additional braking force to skim off speed compared to their four-cylinder counterparts. Although modern-day drum brakes are far more effective than decades past, the design of disc brakes leads to shorter stopping distances and reduced fade. Only the Malibu wore a set of rear drums in this group.
Antilock brakes: Otherwise known as ABS, this feature prevents the brakes from locking up when the driver applies the pedal with full force. Benefits include shorter stopping distances and increased steering control.
Folding rear seat: Even sedan drivers need to haul the occasional bulky item. A folding rear seat could be the difference between fitting that item in the car and having to make a visit to the U-Haul lot.
Full-length head curtain airbags: This passive safety feature gives you the peace of mind of knowing that the heads of both front and rear outboard occupants will be protected in the event of a side-impact collision.
Full-size spare tire: When a tire goes flat, a full-size spare allows you to change the tire and be on your way, instead of having to put on a temporary spare and keep your speed limited to 55 mph while proceeding to the nearest tire store.
Grocery net in trunk: A grocery net keeps purchases secure and upright in the trunk so that you never have to mop up spilled milk or chase down liberated oranges.
In-dash CD changer: Over the course of a long commute or road trip, you're likely to go through more than one CD. An in-dash changer allows you to load several at a time without having to get out of the car.
One-touch up/down front windows: Life always seems a little easier when you only need to tap the front window buttons once to get them to go up or down. Only the Altima and Passat offered this feature.
Power driver seat: It's quicker and easier to find your preferred driving position when you can make all the adjustments by pressing a button or two. A power driver seat is particularly useful when more than one person will regularly be driving the car.
Seat-mounted side airbags: Mounted in the front seats only, these airbags provide additional torso protection for the front occupants in the event of a side-impact collision.
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel: Fore-aft steering wheel adjustment enables you to find a safer, more comfortable driving position — once you have the driver seat exactly where you want it, you can put the steering wheel exactly where you want it.
Traction control: This computer-controlled feature makes low-speed maneuvers easier and safer on slippery roads. When the tires begin to spin and lose traction, the system intervenes by applying the brakes and/or reducing engine power.
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