2006 Ford Fusion SEL (2.3 PZEV)

The all-new Fusion sedan is Ford's newest entry in the mid-size field. The Fusion competes against cars like the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. The Ford Fusion is notable for its modern styling, strong fun-to-drive factor and gool ol' American value. My tester had a powerful (though noisy) 4-cylinder engine that met Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) standards, a nice bonus.

The Ford Fusion shares mechanicals with the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, and is a distant cousin to the Mazda 6. Though not designed to be a BMW 3-series rival, the Fusion is notable for its sharp, sporty steering feel and well-composed ride. If you prefer to buy American, be aware that the Fusion is built in Mexico. (Many Japanese and Korean competitors are built in the US.)

My tester had a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic. The engine was noisy but powerful. I liked the fact that it met PZEV emissions, as do all 4-cyl automatic Fusions sold in CA, ME, MA, NY and VT.

The Fusion's feature list is a nice compromise between the traditional endless combinations of American cars and the take-what-we-give-you attitude of many Japanese cars. That allows for interesting combinations such as our tester: climate control, heated leather seats, airbags all around, but no sunroof. My wife Robin loves heated seats but her fair skin means that sunroof=sunburn, so we appreciate the flexibility; sunroof and heated seats come bundled together on cars like the Accord EX.

Tick off all the options boxes and the 4-cylinder Fusion still comes in under $25k, over $2k less than a comparably-equipped Camry XLE. That said, desireable features like a navigation system and electronic stability control are not available on Fusion.

Overall, the Fusion is a great combination of economy, practicality and enjoyability. If you're shopping for a mid-size, it definitely warrants a look.