MSRP range: $26,995-$38,895

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

Buick’s Allure (only in Canada, you say? Pity!) was launched in 2005 and received a freshening in the 2008 model year. Last year also saw the reintroduction of the marque’s performance-enhanced “Super” tag, with the 300 hp V8-equipped Allure Super. The standard Allure is equipped with a 200-hp, 3.8-litre V6. The Allure comes with the expected array of comfort and convenience features and offers good accommodation for five adults. Seats are comfortable, firm and supportive and the solid-but-quiet ride hints at the car’s European underpinnings. The Allure’s styling touch-up, while sleek, still fails to make it stand out in the crowd.

Final thoughts: A solid entry, but lacks inspiration.

MSRP range: $23,750-$31,250

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

The all-new Malibu made a splash when it was introduced in the 2008 model year and it’s impact has hardly diminished one year later. The base engine is a 169 hp Ecotec inline four, which does a good job of motivating the Malibu. Those who want wheel-spinning power can opt for the 252 hp V6. For those who are concerned about their environmental footprint, a hybrid model is also available. Built on GM European Epsilon platform, the Malibu exhibits the solid handling and ride we’ve come to equate with vehicles from that side of the Atlantic. Chevy has created an interior to match, offering comfort and support, quality materials and refined styling.

Final thoughts: At the top of the field.

MSRP range: $22,795-$40,695

Body style: Sedan, convertible

Drivetrain: FWD

The Sebring combines identifiable Chrysler exterior styling cues with an interior that conveys an upscale impression. Powered by a base, 173 hp 2.4-litre inline four, Sebring buyers can opt for the available flex-fuel 183 hp 2.7-litre V6 or the top of the line 235 hp 3.5-litre V6. All three engine s are available in the sedan and the convertible, and all are tied to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Sebring’s ride and handling are capable and on par with what consumers would expect from a midsize family sedan. Overall it offers a tame, unsurprising driving experience.

Final thoughts: Pleasant, if unexciting, overall experience.

MSRP range: $21,795-$29,695

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

The Avenger’s muscular, aggressive styling harkens back to the company’s muscle-car heyday but it’s actually a pretty good family sedan. The Avenger’s three engine choices – a 172 hp inline four, a flex-fuel, 186 hp 2.7-litre V6 and a 235 hp 3.5-litre V6 – don’t deliver the tire-shredding power the car’s aggressive name and Charger-inspired exterior design suggest, but they do a capable job of transporting the family. And inside, the design lives up to the marque’s record of supplying better-than-average styling. Dodge designers have tried to deliver a car that lives up to its name in order to make a dent in this highly competitive segment.

Final thoughts: More needs to be done to live up to its potential.

MSRP range: $21,499-$29,499

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD; AWD

Ford’s Fusion combines understated, conservative styling with surprising performance attributes in what is a very capable family hauler. For the economically inclined, the Fusion can be equipped with a 160 hp, 2.3-litre inline four, while those looking for more excitement can opt for the 3.0-litre, 205 hp V6. The relatively sophisticated suspension aspires to touring-sedan handling, and goes a long way toward achieving it. Available all-wheel drive is a rare feature in this segment, earning Ford family safety kudos. Family is what the segment is all about and Fusion doesn’t disappoint, with a roomy, well appointed interior and good sized trunk.

Final thoughts: More fun than first glanced suggest.

MSRP range: $25,090-$37,490

Body style: Sedan; coupe

Drivetrain: FWD

Honda’s big – relatively speaking – car offering continues to build on its decades-long reputation for drivability and reliability. It seems nobody ever finds the Accord boring and the current example – completely redesigned for the 2008 model year – will likely not change that impression. If the sedan’s trademark tight handling and engine selection of a peppy, 177 hp 2.4-litre inline four (that is tuned to crank out 190 hp for the EX and EX-L trim levels) or a 268 hp 3.5-litre V6 don’t satisfy, consumers can opt for the oh-so-sporty Accord Coupe. Add to that a well-appointed, spacious interior and the usual Honda reliability, and it’s a hard one to beat.

Final thoughts: Definitely worth a look.

MSRP range: $21,995-$31,495

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

While the Sonata isn’t all-new for 2009, it has received some significant refreshing, with exterior tweaks, a revamped interior and two new engines. The engine changes represent an upgrade in power. The 2.4-litre inline four offers 175 hp, an increase of 13 hp, and the new 3.3-litre V6 ups horsepower to 249 – an additional 16 ponies over last year. The exterior tweaks result in a cleaner look to the front end. But it’s on the inside that the changes are really apparent with a redesigned console, controls and audio system. The interior is roomy, and features comfortable seats. All this, and a touring sedan-quality ride, to boot.

Final thoughts: Value that is hard to beat.

MSRP Range: $21,995-$28,195

Bodystyle(s): Sedan

Drivetrain(s): FWD

Magentis has made its mark in Canada based on its strong value-for-dollar quotient and is undergoing a refreshing for the yet-to-be-released 2009 model year. The restyled Kia sedan is getting a redesigned exterior, with a new front end – bumper, headlights, foglights and grille – new rear bumper and increased overall length. It also features increased power in its two engine options: a 175 hp 2.4-litre inline four and a 190 hp 2.7-litre V6. The result is a bit more sedan – the interior gets some styling tweaks, too – for a starting price lower than the ’08s.

Final thoughts: Expect it to build on its reputation for value.

MSRP range: $$22,495-$33,095

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

The all-new for 2009 Mazda6 delivers everything drivers have come to expect from the brand, and more so. In fact, it’s bigger in every dimension. Wider and longer, the 2009 offers more passenger leg- and headroom than its predecessor. The new Mazda6 comes with two engine options: the base 170 hp 2.5-litre inline four and the 272 hp 3.7-litre V6. Overall it’s a brisk package, offering nimble handling and a refined ride. The interior offers good quality materials, accessible controls and gauges and comfortable seating. On the outside, the styling is sleek and distinctive, attractive from every angle.

Final thoughts: A roomy sedan with a premium on performance.

MSRP range: $23,998-$32,998

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

Mitsubishi’s midsize sedan gets an exterior refreshing and rejigged lineup going into the 2009 model year. The sporty looking sedan motors into the year with a new grille, front end and front bumpers that give it a more low-slung, aggressive look. Engine options range from a 160 hp 2.4-litre inline four in the base ES to a 230 hp 3.8-litre V6 in the new GT trim level and a tweaked version of the 3.8-litre that delivers 258 hp. The Galant is up against stiff competition, especially in a segment that has seen so many new and completely redesigned entries over the past few years.

Final thoughts: Ralliart is fun on a budget.

MSRP range: $22,698-$32,298

Body style: Sedan; coupe

Drivetrain: FWD

The Altima has been around the top of the segment for most of the past decade and is showing few signs of resting on its laurels. Altima continues to lead the way among the midsize crowd with muscular, curvy good looks and nimble handling. The introduction of the coupe in the last model year only enhances that sporty mystique. Engine choices in the Altima are limited to a 174 hp 2.5-litre inline four and a 270 hp 3.5-litre V6. Altima is also a member of the hybrid sedan community. The Altima interior has garnered the company positive response for its combination of quality materials, strong layout and seating comfort.

Final thoughts: Should be on the list of prospective midsize buyers.

MSRP range: $23,995-$35,995

Body style: Coupe; Sedan; Convertible

Drivetrain: FWD

Another of General Motors’ newer midsize sedans based on its German-engineered Epsilon chassis, the G6 fails to create the sort of impact its stablemates have enjoyed. The G6 offers four (!) engine options across the line, from an effective, 164 hp 2.4-litre inline four cylinder to a beefy and expensive 222 hp 3.9-litre V6. In addition to its sporty styling, the G6 displays good agility and better-than-average handling. The interior follows the workable GM template, with an emphasis on plastic surfaces. The hard-top convertible maintains the coupe’s lines but trunk space is almost eliminated when the top is down.

Final thoughts: Lots of configurations available.

MSRP range: $25,075-$32,330

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

Stylish on the outside and refined inside, the Aura made an impact when it appeared on the scene in the 2007 model year and continues to be a strong contender. GM has responded to gas price pressure by making the company’s solid Ecotec 169 hp, 2.4-litre inline four cylinder engine available on the up-level XR trim. The XR also has a 252 hp V6 powerplant available, and the Aura has a hybrid option, for the environmentally conscious consumer. Based on the Epsilon architecture developed by Opel and Saab, the Aura displays solid ride and handling characteristics. The interior is arrayed in quality materials and is well appointed.

Final thoughts: Well-crafted and a proven winner.

MSRP range: $26,995-$41,995

Body style: Sedan; wagon

Drivetrain: AWD

Subaru has made its mark in North America through its obsession with symmetrical all-wheel drive and the boxer engine. The 2009 Legacy continues that tradition with a an array of three available powerplants sending power to all four wheels: a 170 hp 2.5-litre SOHC four cylinder, a 243 hp 2.5-litre DOHC four cylinder and a 245 hp 3.0 litre six cylinder. Handling is light and nimble. Elsewhere, the Legacy is a tight, stiff package with good construction quality and high levels of interior comfort and design. The company has set its sights set on luxury-performance and does a creditable job of achieving it.

Final thoughts: Performance at a price.

MSRP Range: $30,995-$43,595

Bodystyle(s): Wagon

Drivetrain(s): AWD

Subaru’s Outback takes the brand’s symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer-engine standbys and puts them in a package designed for fun. Its higher than average ground clearance adds to the Outback’s profile as a sporty yet usefully versatile vehicle long before the term sport utility vehicle began seeing widespread use. Engine options are a 170 hp 2.5-litre four and a 245 hp 3.0-litre six. Subaru’s solid construction and the boxer engine’s inherently low centre of gravity contribute to the Outback’s solid handling. Inside, the Outback offers plenty of space for passengers and versatile cargo handling capabilities.

Final thoughts: Built for the active lifestyle.

MSRP range: $23,400-$35,020

Body style: Sedan

Drivetrain: FWD

Always at or near the top of the midsize segment, Camry combines perennially family-friendly design with a reputation for build quality and reliability that is second to none. A recent exterior redesign has gone some way to counter the Camry’s reputation for blandness. Two engine options – a 158 hp 2.4-litre inline four and a 268 hp 3.5-litre V6 – smoothly deliver power. A Camry hybrid is also available. The Camry’s strength is in the quality of its materials and that’s reflected on the interior, which combines spaciousness with solid passenger comfort. Minimal cabin noise adds to the Camry’s upscale experience.

Final thoughts: Near the top of most lists.

MSRP Range: $27,400

Bodystyle(s): Liftback

Drivetrain(s): FWD

The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid sedan in the North American market and continues to be the standard-bearer for the environmentally conscious automotive consumer. The Prius makes use of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, using a combination of battery and gasoline-powered engine to economically propel this sedan down the road. The styling is unique – some would say quirky – but there’s no arguing that it displays the kind of quality workmanship one expects from Toyota products. The electric motor and 1.5-litre inline four combine to deliver a net 110 hp. The overall effect is a competent, if not exciting driving experience – a solid in-town runabout.

Final thoughts: Tree-hugger peace of mind – at a price.

MSRP range: $27,475-$47,675

Body style: Sedan; wagon; CC

Drivetrain: FWD, 4Motion

Not satisfied with sedan and wagon options in its Passat lineup, Volkswagen is adding the Passat CC (comfort coupe), a unique four-door with coupe-like lines, for the 2009 model year. The entire Passat lineup makes use of two engine choices: a 200 hp 2.0-litre inline four and a 280 hp 3.6-litre V6. Handling across the line matches the stereotypical Volkswagen experience – firm but comfortable ride combined with solid, unflappable responsiveness to steering inputs. The model range covers everything from (relatively) economic commuter to near-luxury performance sedan. The Passat interiors display a uniform smartness in layout and quality of materials, and build quality is superior.

Final thoughts: The Germanic driving experience comes at a price.