CHICAGO, July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com, the premier online resource for buying and selling new and used cars, has named the 2013 Kia Optima to be the most affordable midsize sedan. Contenders had to be equipped with equipment like automatic transmission, cruise control, a USB connection, Bluetooth, power windows, a power driver's seat and a rearview camera. Taking into account these features and the five-year estimated fuel cost, Cars.com compiled a list of 10 midsize sedans, ranked from most to least affordable, with the Kia Optima taking the top spot.

"The Optima topped the list because of its combination of great features, low price and impressive estimated five-year fuel cost," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com's Editor-in-Chief. "With an estimated $9,750 in fuel cost over five years, the Optima topped out at just $32,975, which is more than $3,000 lower than the average midsize sedan for the same period of time."



             Model &
               Trim
               Level              Options            Tested Price      Fuel Cost       Total
             -------              -------            ------------      ---------       -----

    2013 Kia
     Optima LX       Convenience Plus Package                  $23,225          $9,750       $32,975
    ----------       ------------------------                  -------          ------       -------

    2013
     Nissan
     Altima SV       No additional package                     $24,870          $8,750       $33,620
    ----------       ---------------------                     -------          ------       -------

    2013 Honda
     Accord
     Sport           No additional package                     $24,980          $9,000       $33,980
    ----------       ---------------------                     -------          ------       -------

    2014
     Mazda6
     Touring         No additional package                     $25,490          $9,000       $34,490
    --------         ---------------------                     -------          ------       -------

    2013 Kia
     Optima
     Hybrid LX       Convenience Package                       $27,400          $7,250       $34,650
    ----------       -------------------                       -------          ------       -------

    2014 Ford
     Fusion
     Hybrid SE       Technology Package                        $28,990          $5,750       $34,740
    ----------       ------------------                        -------          ------       -------

    2014
     Subaru
     Legacy          Premium w/ moonroof                       $25,535         $10,000       $35,535
    -------          -------------------                       -------         -------       -------

    2013
     Chevrolet
     Malibu 1
     LT              Power Convenience Package                 $25,260         $10,500       $35,760
    ----------       -------------------------                 -------         -------       -------

    2013
     Toyota
     Camry
     Hybrid
     XLE             Convenience Package                       $29,160          $6,750       $35,910
    -------          -------------------                       -------          ------       -------

    2014 Ford
     Fusion SE
     2.5             MyFord Touch Technology Package           $25,790         $10,500       $36,290
    ----------       -------------------------------           -------         -------       -------

"The midsize sedan remains one of the most popular segments in the U.S.," said Olsen. "They serve as great cars for families, commuters, road trippers and more. Because of this, carmakers offer a dizzying amount of styles and options, but with differing content that can make it hard for shoppers to compare apples to apples. That's why we've put this list together, so that shoppers can understand where the most value is before they head to their dealer."

To read expert and consumer reviews of all midsize sedans as well as hundreds of other cars, visit www.Cars.com/research. To learn more about the most affordable midsize sedans, visit blogs.cars.com.

ABOUT CARS.COM

Cars.com is an award-winning online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. Cars.com offers thousands of new and used vehicle listings, consumer reviews, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and many other tools. Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including A.H. Belo (NYSE: AHC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

SOURCE Cars.com