It has been said that the midsize sedan is the bread-and-butter of the domestic auto industry. Indeed, sales of midsize conventional models totaled nearly 2.3 million units in calendar 2007—more than any other segment. And with the U.S. new-vehicle market shifting back to cars at the expense of full-size pickups and SUVs, competition in the midsize car market will continue to intensify. Offering new, “gotta-have” products with high levels of quality at launch will be critical for automakers. One such model is the Chevrolet Malibu, the award recipient in the midsize car segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS).^SM

While the large car segment doesn’t enjoy the same sales volume as its midsize counterpart, it still accounts for a sizable chunk of the U.S. new-vehicle market—over 1.1 million units in 2007. Consumers who buy large cars want all the features and amenities that midsize cars offer, but with a little more elbow room. According to consumers, the Pontiac Grand Prix offers the highest levels of initial quality among large cars. But if you’re in the market for a Grand Prix, get one while you can. The last Grand Prix rolled off the assembly line late last year, to be replaced in Pontiac’s lineup with the new G8 sport sedan.

Midsize Car Segment

Highest Ranked: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Disproving the theory that all-new or redesigned models can’t achieve high levels of initial quality, the Chevrolet Malibu is the highest-ranking midsize car in initial quality in the 2008 IQS. By offering a clean exterior design and a stylish, rich-looking interior, the all-new, 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has impressed consumers and the auto-enthusiast press alike.

Based on the same platform as the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6, the midsize 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is 6 inches longer than the 2007 model and, at 112 inches, is the longest Malibu ever and the same size as the 2008 Chevrolet Impala. The Malibu is available in four trim levels: LS, LT (1LT & 2LT), LTZ and Hybrid. Standard equipment highlights include remote keyless entry, power driver’s seat, Driver Information Center with oil-life monitor, OnStar and XM satellite radio. Options on the 2008 Malibu include electronic stability control; a variety of wheel packages; premium audio package; power seats; remote vehicle starter; and power-adjustable pedals.

Powering 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LS and LT models is a 169-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This powertain achieves 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The Malibu Hybrid is also powered by the same 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, coupled with a special hybrid electric propulsion system. It generates 164 hp. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the Malibu Hybrid are 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway. Malibu LTZ models come equipped with a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission with a TAPshift feature, which enables the driver to shift manually with steering wheel-mounted shift controls. The 3.6-liter engine/6-speed automatic transmission powertrain combination is also available on 2LT models. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the Malibu LTZ are 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu prices
2008 Chevrolet Malibu photos
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Ranked No. 2: 2008 Mitsubishi Galant
Improving one rank position from last year’s study, the Mitsubishi Galant moves up to the No. 2 ranking in the midsize car segment in the 2008 IQS. The Galant is mostly carryover for the 2008 model year, the most notable changes being a revised model lineup (DE, ES and Ralliart; the GTS has been dropped) and a tire-pressure-monitoring system is now standard. DE and ES models are powered by a 160-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission (with adaptive shift control and clutchless manual shift mode on the ES).

Ranked No. 3: 2008 Ford Fusion
Competing directly with the likes of perennial sales leaders Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, the Ford Fusion faces some pretty stiff competition. However, the Fusion has shown it is up to the challenge by ranking No. 3 in the midsize car segment in the 2008 IQS, ahead of its primary challengers. The front-wheel-drive Fusion shares its platform with the current-generation Mazda 6, as well as the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln MKZ. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (FWD and AWD) are offered on the Fusion. Front-drive models come with 4-cylinder or V-6 power, while AWD Fusions are only available with the V-6 engine. The 2008 Ford Fusion comes in three trim levels: S, SE and SEL. All offer FWD, and SE and SEL are available with AWD.

Large Car Segment

Highest Ranked: 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
Following the departure of the Bonneville after the 2005 model year and until the recent arrival of the potent G8, the Grand Prix was the de facto “flagship” sedan of the Pontiac brand, if for no other reason than it was simply the largest, most powerful car in the model lineup. Alas, the G8 has arrived and Grand Prix production has officially ceased (2008 is the final model year). But there’s still some good news for anyone considering a Grand Prix purchase. For the third consecutive year, the Pontiac Grand Prix is the award recipient for highest initial quality in the large car segment.

As can be expected with any model in its final year of production, changes to the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix are minimal. Most notably, the GT trim has been dropped, leaving only the base and high-performance GXP models. Also, a tire-pressure-monitoring system and OnStar are now standard, and three new colors are available. Standard equipment of note on base 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix models includes a power driver’s seat, remote keyless entry, and power windows and door locks. The GXP adds, among other items, fog lamps, a performance-tuned suspension, tire-inflation kit, heated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Monsoon 9-speaker audio system, remote vehicle start, head-up display, dual chrome-tip exhaust, and a rear sport spoiler. Stability and traction control and 4-wheel ABS are standard on GXP, with all but stability control available on the base Grand Prix.

The base 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix is powered by a 200-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 engine. GXP models get a 303-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 engine with cylinder-deactivation technology. A 4-speed automatic transmission is mated to both engines. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the V-6 engine are 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway, while the V-8 engine gets 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway.

2008 Pontiac Grand Prix prices
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix photos
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Ranked No. 2: 2008 Mercury Sable
The Mercury Sable, known until last year as the Montego, ranks No. 2 in the large car segment in the 2008 IQS. Along with the name change comes the addition of a bigger Duratec engine, upgraded interior and exterior styling cues, and features and options that are a step above its Ford brethren. The 2008 Mercury Sable comes in two trim levels—base and Premier—both offering front- or all-wheel drive. The 2008 Mercury Sable is powered by a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The engine is mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission that replaces the CVT from the Montego.

Ranked No. 3: 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
The Mercury Grand Marquis and its twin, the Ford Crown Victoria, are two of the oldest models still being produced for the U.S. market. However, the Grand Marquis remains popular among full-size sedan buyers. And, according to consumers, the Grand Marquis also offers a high level of initial quality, as evidenced by its No. 3 ranking in the large car segment in the 2008 IQS. The standard 224-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 engine—the only engine choice for both the GS and LS trims—is a flex-fuel engine that can run on gasoline, E85 ethanol, or any mixture thereof. It is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.—Jeff Youngs

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