This comparison looks at a section of the market that has been largely ignored until fairly recently. Between the 2001 and 2005 model years, only one vehicle that the EPA classified as a large sedan (the 2004 Kia Amanti) was either introduced or even significantly redesigned. But for 2005 and 2006, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and Mercury, Hyundai, and Toyota all brought out new or improved versions of their large mainstream sedans.

There were few requirements to be included in this comparison. Each of the cars at right is over 190 inches long and is classified by the EPA as a large car, and came equipped with the minimum of leather seating and a sunroof with a CarsDirect Target Price of under $35,035 (thank the Chrysler 300C for the uneven number).

Those requirements brought in a surprisingly sizeable and diverse group of vehicles for such a long-ignored market. Some were merely large family sedans with leather seating, some were junior luxury cars, and others were aspiring sport sedans. Read on to find which cars fall short within their niche, which were best at which traits, and which was determined to be the best overall.