If mid-size sedans sold on looks alone, conservatively styled favorites like
Honda's
Accord, Toyota's Camry and Ford's last-generation Taurus probably wouldn't have made
it into so many driveways. All three compete with the Chevrolet Lumina in the largest,
highest-volume hunk of the U.S. car market. It's a place where success is measured
less on animal attraction than it is on the inner virtues of space and comfort at an
attractive price. And in that sense, Chevy's Lumina rates as one of the most
successful midsize sedans of all.
Consider these specs: At just $16,895 (including a standard $540 destination charge)
to start, the front-drive Lumina comes with over 100 cu. ft. of passenger space, a
beefy V6 and a 4-speed automatic. That's about $100 less than a smaller 4-cylinder
Accord with an automatic, and some $300 south of a basic Camry with a 5-speed you
shift yourself. It's also more than $1000 less than Ford's new entry-level Taurus G.
Yet the Lumina offers similar overall space and standard equipment, along with an
extra 15 hp over the standard Taurus V6. next page