2009 Car of the Year: Family Car $22,000-$35,000

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The 2009 Mazda6 is the winner of the 2009 Car of the Year Family Car $22,000-$30,000 category.

Peter Bleakney

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

In a world gone economically mad amid fuel price fears, the family car – vehicles priced from $22,000 to $30,000 – will be a closely scrutinized category.

Trim is in. Green is the new black. There's not a V6 in the bunch.

All five entries are front-wheel-drive and have four-cylinder engines. One is diesel-powered and one is a gas/electric hybrid. The average combined fuel economy is an impressive 7.46 L/100 km.

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Chevy's stylish mid-sized sedan gets General Motors' mild hybrid system that gives it a combined rating of 7.0 L/100 km. The car won't operate solely on electric power, but the 2.4 L Ecotec four is aided by a motor/generator that recaptures kinetic energy under braking, charges the battery pack, and augments power during launch and full-throttle applications. The system is smooth in operation and provides adequate power.

The Malibu may not be the sharpest on the track, but down the road it is the limo of this group. It boasts comfortable seats, compliant ride, little wind noise and a well-crafted interior that, unlike the blacks and greys of the other cars, delights the eye with lighter hues.

Price as tested: $27,660

Hyundai Sonata

Even with its refresh for 2009, the base Sonata equipped with a 2.4 L 170 hp four cylinder mated to five-speed auto feels a little dated – which just goes to show how fast the game moves on. The interior, while well assembled, is somewhat bland. The ride also showed some rough edges and it was the least happy on the track, However, it shares the lowest base price of $12,995 with the Kia Magentis (an auto transmission package adds $1,400), and offers six airbags, active head restraints, heated front seats and mirrors, telescoping steering wheel and six-speaker AM/FM/XM/MP3 audio with auxiliary and USB inputs.

Price as tested: $23,395

Kia Magentis

This sedan surprised me.

While the Magentis and Sonata are essentially the same car under the skin, on the road they are quite different. The Magentis has a smoother ride and handles better, showing superior balance and less understeer.

Scrutinizing the spec sheet reveals the Sonata has a double-wishbone front suspension setup, while the Magentis uses the more plebeian MacPherson struts. Hey, it works for BMW. It's all in the tuning.

The Magentis is sharper looking than the bland Sonata too, but its interior is more Wal-Mart than Waldorf. Five-speed auto adds $1,100.

Price as tested: $25,295

WINNER: Mazda 6

With a starting price of $22,495 (add $1,100 for five-speed automatic with Sport mode), the all-new 2009 Mazda 6 puts the Korean's price advantage on the trailer. It's a looker with a fetching interior featuring quality design and materials. Back seat legroom is generous. Power comes from a 170 hp 2.5L four.

On road and on track, the Mazda 6 impresses with the sharpest handling and excellent steering feel. You pay for this athleticism with a firm ride, however.

Factor in standard 17-inch alloys, traction control, six airbags, electronic brake force distribution, cruise with steering wheel mounted controls, and five-star front crash, side crash and rollover resistance rating, and the Mazda 6 is hard to ignore.

Price as tested: $25,290

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon

After a year of diesel hiatus, VW is back with a clean 2.0 L 140 hp, 235 lb.-ft. turbo-diesel four in the Jetta TDI. Even with diesel fuel at a premium, the VW's 5.9 L/100 km combined rating is enough to get anyone's attention. There is a faint growl off idle, but otherwise the engine is incredibly strong and flexible.

The Jetta impresses with its Germanic solidity, excellent seats and relaxed, confident on-road comportment. Despite its trademark VW steering feel, slick six-speed manual and willing chassis made for fun on the racetrack, economy and utility are the TDI's real calling cards.

With rear seats folded, this Jetta edges the Passat wagon for cargo space. At $28,275 (add $1,400 for twin-clutch DSG six-speed) it is the most expensive car in the group. If it were my nickel, I'd buy this diesel wagon and keep it till the oil runs out.

Price as tested: $28,275

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