Five Top Mid-Sized Sedans

Five-seat passenger sedans are perhaps the most versatile of vehicles. I’ve road tested lots of 2009 model year cars recently and here’s my list of top overall best buys for mid-sized sedan. Plus, each and every one of my top picks has five-star driver’s crash ratings. Wow!

Now go stimulate America’s economy and buy one of these super fun-to-drive rides!

2009 Mazda MAZDA6
MSRP: $18,550-$28,260
Fuel Economy: 29 mpg hwy, 20 mpg city
NHTSA Crash Rating: Five stars

The 2009 Mazda6 gets my overall top pick for its low price, great drive (3.7 liter V6), cozy comfort, good fuel economy, top safety ratings and high tech. For 2009, the exterior has been tweaked in a good way, making the 2009 Mazda6 one of the sexiest mid-sized sedans on the streets. The interior of the 2009 Mazda6 is even better with its plush seating, modern minimalist design, sporty gauges and super cool infotainment and navigation systems. And did you know the 2009 Mazda6 is designed and built in America? Rock on, Mazda!

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
MSRP: $26,490
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg hwy, 22 mpg city
NHTSA Crash Rating: Five stars

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is another best buy for mid-sized passenger car. This sexy sedan definitely has sports car DNA and it shows in the 2.0-liter 237 hp turbocharged engine’s quick acceleration, responsive braking, sporty handling and rigid suspension. The engine has so much swag that it feels like you are driving a stick. Instead, this six-speed automatic has “twin clutch sportronic shift transmission.” Plus, the Ralliart’s exterior is super sporty and stands out in a sea of boring Euro sedans. The minimalist interior thrills even more. Can you find five-star safety, fuel economy, truly sporty performance and great interior design all in one inexpensive sports car? You can have it all with the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart!

2009 Acura TL
MSRP: $34,955-$43,255
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg hwy, 18 mpg city
NHTSA Crash Rating: Five stars

I drove my family through a winter snow storm in the thrilling-to-drive, all-weather 2009 Acura TL AWD-SH. This gorgeous-both-inside-and-out sport not only made me feel super confident on the road, but also gave me real-time weather and traffic reports on its highly advanced AcuraLink infotainment and navigation systems. Its super smooth 3.7-liter, 305 hp V6 all-wheel-drive engine is highly advanced and made our worrisome family road trip into a fun adventure. Thanks for keeping us safe and connected, Acura!

2009 Audi A4
MSRP: $32,700-$40,000
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg hwy, 23 mpg city
NHTSA Crash Rating: Five stars

It was love at first sight with a cherry red 2009 Audi A4. On my road test, I found the sporty exterior and engine performance are all outshined by the super sexy and highly techy interior. My 3.2 liter V6 model drove like a road trip dream come true with its thrilling acceleration, smooth handling, responsive braking and tons of torque. Inside, although the glaring red lights at night look like something out of a red light district, the 2009 Audi A4 is luxuriously comfortable. Plus, the 2009 Audi A4 has highly advanced on-screen graphics and totally ergonomic right-hand controls. Bravo Audi!!

2009 Ford Fusion
MSRP: $19,035 - $25,605
Fuel Economy: 34 mpg hwy, 23 mpg city
NHTSA Crash Rating: Five stars

The 2010 Ford Fusion is a good overall buy with its affordable price, excellent fuel economy and awesome safety ratings. I, however, wasn’t super impressed with the overly masculine interior with its knob-happy central console and rather hideous instrument gauges. As in most American sedans, the interior room is quite large and the seats are superbly comfortable. And as for performance, the 2009 Ford Fusion V6 delivers above average driving dynamics in handling, acceleration, steering, suspension and braking.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.