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Mazda MAZDA6

Did you know the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday, is perhaps the best day of the year to buy a car? It’s true. The trick to getting the best deal is to focus on a 2009 model car, negotiate deep discounts with your dealer and take advantage of manufacturer’s incentives all at the same time. Unfortunately, luxury cars aren’t usually discounted as much as economy cars.

As a road test reviewer, here are my top picks on this Black Friday’s car deals for economical 2009 models with excellent performance, design, technology and safety.

2009 Suzuki SX4

Why is the he 2009 Suzuki SX4 my No. 1 pick for your Black Friday car purchase? Because Suzuki’s SX4 has it all: low price, standard navigation (by Garmin), zippy performance, ergonomic interior, excellent safety and lots of cargo room. If you are seeking an all-wheel drive vehicle for inclement weather, go for the Suzuki SX4 Crossover, which comes as a five-door hatchback model. Base MSRP: $13,299.

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2009 Chevrolet Traverse

After road testing the 2009 Chevy Traverse, I dubbed it “perhaps the most perfect CUV on the market today.” Why? The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse can transport up to eight passengers, has excellent design both inside and out, has kick ass performance, rather good fuel economy (24 mpg overall) and top safety marks. If you are seeking to buy a new CUV this Black Friday, don’t miss checking out the Chevy Traverse!

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2009 Ford Focus

The 2009 Ford Focus is a sporty American sedan with all the bases covered: great performance, good design, fuel efficiency, excellent safety and Ford’s ingenious SYNC connectivity system. Base MSRP: $15,520.

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2009 Honda Element

The Honda Element has been credited with helping start the “boxy” movement. Like the Scion xB, the Honda Element is has excellent overall marks, especially in versatility. Base MSRP: $20,275.

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2009 Nissan Cube

Does the Nissan Cube look funny? Yes, but it’s also a super fun-to-drive vehicle. Some may make fun of its funky exterior and interior, but I believe the 2009 Nissan Cube has super cool design inside and out, excellent overall performance, a super fun drive, top safety marks, incredible versatility and lots of standard features. Base MSRP: $13,990.

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2009 Hyundai Elantra

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra is an excellent overall buy as Hyundai is big on quality, performance, design, cargo room and safety. Plus, Hyundai still has some great incentives like its Hyundai Assurance Program, which guarantees Hyundai will buy back your car if you lose your job. Base MSRP: $14,120.

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2009 Toyota Corolla

Why did I pick the 2009 Toyota Corolla over its Camry and Prius brethren? The Corolla surprised me on a recent road test with its super fast acceleration, tons of standard features, luxury amenities, fuel efficiency and Toyota’s legendary performance. Base MSRP: $15,350.

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2009 Mazda MAZDA6

Mazda just makes awesome cars, so I was thrilled when its 2009 MAZDA6 model lived up to my expectations. This mid-sized sedan has both sporty and smooth performance as well as a rather luxurious interior, top safety marks, good fuel economy and a handsome exterior. Base MSRP: $18,550.

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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is an often overlooked mid-sized sedan. But don’t sell this sexy sedan short as Mitsubishi has built in sports car DNA into this racy ride. Plus, the Lancer’s exterior stands out in a sea of boring Euro sedans. The minimalist interior thrills even more as does the five-star safety and good fuel economy. Base MSRP: $26,490.

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2009 Scion xB

The 2009 Scion xB is one of my most favorite cars to drive because of its versatility, overall excellent design and smooth performance. The 2009 model marks a more rounded shape to this boxy ride, but the curves just add to the Scion xB’s stylish good looks. Base MSRP: $15,750.

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2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is another tiny car that’s big on speed. Yep, the Rabbit is still a thrill to drive with excellent overall driving dynamics. And even though the Rabbit looks small on the outside, it is rather spacious inside with a rather large hatchback trunk. Base MSRP: $16,300.

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2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Another VW? Yes! The 2009 VW Jetta TDI was one of VW’s best-selling models of the summer. And I know why. This clean-burning diesel vehicle is super fun to drive, has great exterior and interior design as well as excellent fuel economy. Plus, you may be eligible for a $1,300 tax credit. Base MSRP: $18,999.

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Ready for a big Black Friday discount? Go test drive one of these top 2009 models and buy a new car, America!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

The sedan is perhaps the most popular car for families because these fun-to-drive cars are affordable, fuel efficient and versatile. As a mother of two lively girls and a road test reviewer, here’s my list of top sedans for active families who love great value, comfort, design, performance and technology.

No. 1: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

Base MSRP: $27,085
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg hwy, 18 mpg city
Safety Ratings: Five star NHTSA ratings in all crash tests. Four star NHTSA rollover ratings.

It’s no wonder the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was named 2010 Autotropolis Car of the Year. Amazingly, GM’s rather affordable Buick LaCrosse competes well with sedans from such luxury brands as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. How did GM do it?

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse stands out even from its luxury brand competition because of its interior styling. Yes, the exterior is sexy too with its Euro DNA full of curves, chrome and overall elegance. The inside, however, is just exquisite.

First off, which other sedan in its category can boast TV screens built into the back of each head rest? Can you believe it? Plus, the materials used in the cabin all ooze luxury, including lots of chrome and faux wood accents. High-tech features abound from a touch-screen display with crisp graphics to a panoramic sun roof.

What about performance? The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 (CX and CXL models) and a 3.6-liter V-6 in its CXS model. Even with these powerful powertrains, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse gets 27 mpg highway and 17 mpg city. (The 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be equipped with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which will get an estimated 30 mpg highway.)

No. 2: 2009 Acura TL

Base MSRP: $35,105
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg hwy, 18 mpg city
Safety Ratings: Five star NHTSA ratings in all crash and rollover test ratings.

On a family road trip last winter, I drove a 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD. After that snowy and rainy road trip, I proclaimed the 2009 Acura TL as my “best car ever.” Why?

The 2009 Acura TL is both sexy and powerful. The new aggressive exterior styling is bold, the interior is luxurious and sporty with highly advanced technology and Acura’s new all-wheel-drive V-6 engine is definitely a fun-to-drive ride.

The 2009 Acura TL also comes with a bevy of safety features like vehicle stability assist, antilock brakes, active front head restraints and lots of airbags. But mostly, the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD made me feel like I could get my family to our destination safely in any weather.

I was also impressed the AcuraLink communication system as well as the kick ass 3.7-liter, 305 hp V-6 all-wheel-drive engine with its exceptional acceleration and handling. Plus, the 2009 Acura TL is a gas miser at 25 mpg highway and 27 mpg city.

No. 3: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Base MSRP: $19,620
Fuel Economy: 36 mpg hwy, 41 mpg city
Safety Ratings: Five star NHTSA driver, passenger and side driver crash ratings. Four star NHTSA side passenger and rollover ratings.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is an all-around great family car for its loads of standard features, excellent fuel economy (41 mpg city, 36 mpg hwy), sophisticated design, roomy and comfortable interior, top safety ratings and fun-to-drive performance.

Plus, everyone in the family, especially teenagers, will love Ford’s SYNC system. This integrated connectivity system features advanced tech like voice recognition for texting, Sirius Travel Link with real-time traffic alerts, 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. Bravo Ford!

Parents will love the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid’s four-cylinder, 2.5-liter gas-electric engine. Amazingly for a hybrid, the 2010 Ford Fusion goes from 0-60 mph in just 8.7 seconds. Compared to the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the fastest hybrid. And, the overall drive is smooth with excellent handling, suspension and braking.

No. 4: 2009 Nissan Maxima

Base MSRP: $32,860
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg hwy, 19 mpg city
Safety Ratings: Five star NHTSA ratings in all crash and rollover test ratings.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima with its racy engine, excellent driving dynamics and loads of standard features is also fairly affordable for families.

The exterior design on the 2009 Maxima also has true luxury appeal. The big, bold and kind of bulbous hood is striking even down to the exotic design of the headlamps. Chrome accents are everywhere, giving the 2009 Nissan Maxima even more of a luxe feel.

The interior is spacious, plush, comfortable and ergonomic. I also fell head over heels in love with everything about the 3.5-liter V-6 performance, especially the kick ass acceleration, superb handling, responsive steering, super tight suspension and spot-on braking. Surprisingly, the 2009 Nissan Maxima is rather fuel efficient at 26 mpg highway and 19 mpg city.

2009 Mazda MAZDA6

Base MSRP: $18,450
Fuel Economy: 30 mpg hwy, 21 mpg city
Safety Ratings: Five star NHTSA ratings in all crash and rollover test ratings.

The 2009 Mazda6 is just an overall excellent family sedan because of its great performance, comfort, fuel efficiency and top safety ratings. I drove a sparkling blue 2009 Mazda6 Grand Touring on an unforgettable trip to Paso Robles wine country.

The 2009 MAZDA6’s powerful 3.7-liter V-6 engine has responsive acceleration with super smooth handling. I was also impressed with the stick-to-the-road torque. Curve after curve and hill after valley, the 2009 MAZDA6 hugged the wine country’s back roads with grace and style, making me smile mile after mile.

Ready to buy a new family sedan? Check out these five top models before you buy.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande