Pull up any car commercial these days, and you'll see that all the big brands have one thing in common: They're pushing you to buy the biggest, baddest vehicle you can get for the money. Big SUVs with big shiny tires and trucks that look like they were born to rule the block are great, but there is something to be said about the classic midsize car.
In fact, there's not just one thing to say about it. We came up with six benefits of owning a midsize car. We'll even cover a few other points of interest, such as the cost of insuring a Chevy Malibu. Move over, battle pickups: the midsize car is far from dead.
#1 - Lower Cost to Acquire
So, let's start with the benefit that we like best: a midsize car is easier to purchase within budget than other vehicles. Those huge pickups are stunning, but they also come with a pretty shocking price tag.
The 2022 Dodge Ram Crew Cab has an MSRP of $37,900. Compare that with a 2022 Chevy Malibu that starts at $23,400. If you're trying to stay under that golden $25,000 limit, you have plenty of ways to do so with a midsize car.
We're all trying to lower the cost of car ownership these days, so going with a car that costs less to buy just makes sense.
#2 - Easy to Maneuver Into Tight Spaces
Whether you're navigating the suburbs or finding yourself a true urban warrior, a midsize car achieves the same goal: It makes it easy to maneuver into tight spaces.
The technology has advanced dramatically over the years, making parallel parking less of a hassle and more of a great way to slip into that trendy downtown boutique without breaking a sweat. Take that, SUV tanks.
#3 - Luxury Is Easily Within Reach
While some people assume that luxury and midsize cars don't go hand in hand, that couldn't be further from the case. Take the 2022 Honda Accord, for example.
Great technology features you'll find in this Honda include driver-assistive tech, Apple CarPlay integration, a wireless charger (in the Sport Edition), Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Streaming Audio technology, easy SMS messaging (hands-free), push-button start, heated seats (Sport Edition), and more.
Comfort, convenience, and quality join forces to create a luxurious feel amplified by genuine leather seating, which is always a nice treat.
#4 - Better Gas Mileage Than Other Car Classes
Are you going to get the absolute best gas mileage out of a midsize car? Not at all. However, balanced against the comfort, luxury, and ease of control you get with the midsize format, the gas mileage has gotten quite good.
It's a substantial benefit of this vehicle class, and if you're in the market to get a new car, check out the 2022 Toyota Camry. It gets 39 miles to the gallon on highways and 28 in cities. Of course, gas mileage will vary based on traffic conditions and driving style, but those are still some pretty good top numbers to have in a car.
#5 - Lower Maintenance Costs
Going to the mechanic is right on par with going to the dentist. While it's necessary, we still like to avoid those large repair bills as much as possible.
Speaking of those car repair bills, midsize cars tend to have lower maintenance costs than other vehicles. Reliability and lower maintenance costs go hand in hand. If the vehicle is reliable, it means that you can get away with preventative maintenance versus large repair bills that can leave you without a car for an extended period of time.
In this category, we have to recommend the Mitsubishi Galant. Not only is this a sporty and fun car to drive, but it also has a very low average maintenance cost. If you can stay on the road longer without turning your car over to the shop, you're not only saving money. You're also saving time.
After all, if your vehicle ends up in your local mechanic's hands, you have to rely either on a second vehicle, public transit, or expensive rental cars. That's a lot of inconveniences that can be avoided by taking time to pick a very reliable vehicle from the beginning.
#6 - Cheaper to Insure
Car insurance premiums are not just determined by where you live, your past driving history, and how much you drive yearly. It's also determined by the type of car you drive.
More expensive vehicles also come with higher auto insurance premiums. Risk also comes into play with some vehicles. You will want to research insurance rates by car make and model.
Midsize vehicles are seen as a very safe and reliable choice, which means the chances of you getting into a serious accident are much lower. Compare this with getting a vehicle known for speed, like a Ford Mustang. While they're fun cars to drive, they come with a higher price tag to insure.
Compare the Mustang with a Chevy Malibu, which the average cost to insure is around $115 to $138 a month. You can even get a deal if you pay for six months up-front instead of monthly.
It's also a matter of looking at midsize cars with less expensive parts. Mazda's Mazda6 is an example of a reliable vehicle with a low cost for parts. This means that it's much cheaper to insure the Mazda6 than it would be a more expensive vehicle with costly parts. Teslas are gorgeous, but they aren't necessarily winning the "cheap" game.
Put a Midsize Car in Your Driveway
This is the year to think about where a new midsize car could take you. If you're thinking about hitting the open road, you really can't go wrong with having a midsize car to enjoy. Even if you're someone that just finds themselves in traffic running errands occasionally, having a car that's fun to drive is still important.
With so many choices, it's best to think about how you use your vehicles, how much maintenance you want to tackle every year, and how long you want to own your vehicles.
Midsize vehicles have a lower maintenance cost, which means that it's easier to hold onto them well past the 100,000-mile mark. If you're someone that likes to own vehicles until the wheels fall off, this is definitely the best way to go.
About The Author: Luke Williams writes and researches insurance for the insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com. His passions include best practices for insurance, car ownership, and other ways people can drive with peace of mind.
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