The list of available sedans is rapidly shrinking, especially the American-made ones. Japanese automakers like Nissan aren’t scared off by the decline in sales, however, and many are seeing a boost in consumer love. Critics are taking notice, and Consumer Reports list of top 10 sedans was overwhelmingly made up of Japanese automakers.

There was only one American automaker to make the list, and that includes only one vehicle. So what’s the deal with American made vehicles falling behind, and which Japanese vehicles made the list?

Consumer Reports top 10 sedans for 2021

If you’re looking for a great sedan, then you should check out Japanese automakers. Toyota and Honda often dominate any list they’re on, and this year was no exception. 

The Toyota Camry came in first place, followed by the Toyota Avalon, the Subaru Legacy, the Honda Accord, the Mazda 6, the Nissan Maxima, the Honda Clarity, and the Nissan Altima.

Each has something that helps it stand out on the list. The Honda Clarity justifies it’s price by offering both a hybrid model, and one that drives off hydrogen. 

The Mazda6 is a fun ride. It also offers wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. For anyone who is sick of dealing with cords all over their home, and despises having them in their vehicle even more, wireless compatibility is a lifesaver.

Finally, the Legacy comes standard with all-wheel drive, just as all Subaru vehicles do. The list of reasons to buy Japanese is too long to do justice to, but suffice it to say that it’s worth the investment. 

Still, how do American vehicles compare? And which automakers that aren’t Japanese made the list?

American automakers didn’t make the cut

There was only one American automaker that was included on the list, and that was Dodge. The 2021 Dodge Charger was impressive enough for Consumer Reports to take notice, but it wasn’t near the top. In fact, it came in at ninth place.

With a score of 79, the Dodge Charger failed to beat out the competition. Not to speak ill of the Charger, because it’s definitely a great vehicle, but there are a few problems that were hard to overlook.

The biggest problem of all is the rear window. It makes it very difficult to look out of, which is an essential part of driving. Still, it might just have the nicest body on the list.

The Kia K5 was the only Korean vehicle to make the list. It was also the only other non-Japanese automaker to impress Consumer Reports. 

Quality for a decent price? 

One of the things many people are looking for in a new vehicle now is whether it’s reliable and whether they can afford it. While American-made vehicles are often very affordable, it’s hard to beat Japanese automakers.

The prices are overwhelmingly cheap by any terms, and the standard features are too much for most consumers to turn down. Even better is the fact that you’re investing in a vehicle that will last.

The Toyota Camry is one such example. Over 1.5% will last at least 200,000-miles or more. Other Japanese automakers also have longevity on their side, which is perhaps the greatest test of all. 

It’s unclear what will happen in the future for the sedan market, but if it follows past trends, it will eventually make a comeback, especially if truck and SUV prices continue to rise. Until then, there are still some awesome options out there that are sure to meet all your driving needs.