2000 Honda Accord, 2000 Nissan Maxima, 2000 Toyota Camry

Welcome to the popular world of the midsize, family four-door. It's a realm where genuine substance holds importance over mere style, a place where people buy more with their heads than with their hearts. Obviously, the formula works, as the Accord and Camry are perennially two of the most popular cars sold in the USA. For this particular confrontation, we've tossed the all-new Nissan Maxima into the competition. Each was readied for battle the way an average customer with roughly $25,000 to invest would likely outfit it. In today's world, that means V-6 power, an automatic transmission, and as many luxury items as can be added, while still adhering to the designated price bogey.

Although only two members of this low-key trio are actually built in the U.S. at the moment, all three manufacturers directly envisioned America as their primary sales objective. As such, they gave their respective U.S. design operations major responsibility for developing the overall packaging of each. Hardly surprising, given the kinds of volumes we're talking about: This esteemed group is destined to account for around a million total units in '99. For the record, that means almost one in every eight passenger cars sold here during the next 12 months will wear either an Accord, Camry, or Maxima badge.

But just how do things really stack up for the coming year? Read on and find out.

Nissan Maxima GxeAll-New For 2000, But Is It Better?Do you care which family sedan sells best? It's no secret Nissan's Maxima remains a fairly distant third in this triumvirate when it comes to sales numbers. But a "show" spot in the popularity derby hardly does justice to the basic quality inherent in this reformulated package. In fact, its predecessor earned our '95 Import Car of the Year title. The 2000 version is completely restyled, comprehensively reengineered, and more attractively priced. And is it so bad to drive a car that doesn't look just like your neighbor's best-seller?

Slightly larger and about 200 pounds heavier than the vehicle it replaces, the new Maxima remains front drive, but gains a stiffer unibody and enhanced noise attenuation. Its roomier and better-appointed interior boasts improved control layouts and more comfortable, supportive bucket seats that add to its desirability. Nissan also richened the roster of standards. Even in price-leading GXE guise, it now includes air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, tilt column, remote keyless entry with anti-theft, AM/FM/cassette sound system, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. That really doesn't leave much to want for.

However, our tester also was outfitted with the up-level GXE Comfort and Convenience Package, a $1069 option combo that added an eight-way power driver seat, premium audio system with CD, HomeLink transceiver, cargo net, variable-speed wipers, and 16-inch aluminum wheels with 215/55HR16 tires (base GXE spec is 205/65HR15 rubber on steel rims). Toss in floor mats and destination fee, and its sticker came to a very reasonable $24,417.

Chassis underpinnings on this new Maxima carry over from the previous model, matching MacStruts up front to Nissan's torsion-beam axle with transverse locator link in the rear. However, subtle retuning of the springs, shocks, anti-roll bars, and bushings plus a slightly wider track and 2.0 inches more wheelbase yield greater ride comfort. While the wheel/tire upgrade sharpens overall responsiveness a bit, the GXE is still far happier contending with daily commuting duties than indulging in any autocross events.