Full-size sedans have a storied history, with many followers preferring to sacrifice a bit of mobility for enhanced spaciousness and the versatility to fit a number of passengers comfortably. And while larger cars may have earned the "boat" nickname for many years, recent advances in technology means that these vehicles can still handle pretty well despite their wider size.

Motor Trend recently looked at three of the more popular large sedans and pitted them against each other to determine which were worth a buy and which were worth passing over. The models chosen included the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Genesis and Ford Taurus. The test also functioned as a comparison of drivetrain styles, with the Taurus an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the Genesis with rear-wheel-drive and the Avalon with front-real-drive.

There are quite a few similarities between the vehicles – they come with similar interior features like Bluetooth connectivity, six-speed automatic transmissions and aluminum V6 engines. But that's where the parallels end, as each of these vehicles offers its own distinct ride. Drivers interested in any of these big sedans should take them all for a test drive at their local used car dealership to see which they prefer, but the news source lent its expert opinion to the equation regardless.

The Ford Taurus, while coming in third of the group, had some points that made it worthy of consideration. The group agreed that the car was the best-looking of the bunch, and its handling was more than adequate thanks to its crisp all-wheel-drive. Unfortunately, it pays the price in the muscle department, with the least amount of horsepower out of all three vehicles pulling around the heaviest frame. That meant disappointing 0-60 times and fuel economy ratings.

The Avalon was praised as being near-limo like in its comfort, with the largest back seat and best interior. In addition, it delivers a quiet ride and can hit high speeds pretty easily. But it got points knocked off for some questionable styling choices and poor handling as compared to the other vehicles. Still, the Avalon came in a close second and would probably be the best choice for long hauls.

Overall, the winner was the Genesis, offering a nice balance of comfort and performance. The news source reveals that the car's cabin was the best of the three vehicles, but recommended the Premium Package as really helping to up the ante as compared to the other cars' less desirable interior upgrades. It was also the fastest of the bunch without compromising agility.

The choice comes down to personal preference, so drivers should be sure to try all three used cars before they decide on purchasing any one in particular.