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These are the bread-and-butter cars, the ones you buy to haul your family around, or yourself to the office, or most likely both.

So we're looking for all-rounders here, vehicles that combine practicality, space, economy and safety. If they can offer some style and entertainment too, well, who'd complain about that?

Given this fairly constrained set of parameters, it's interesting how different our four candidates are.

Also interesting how similar my rankings were with those of my colleagues – usually we're not even close.

VW Golf Wagon TDI

(685.2 points)

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, because this is a great car.

First, the wagon body configuration makes so much sense as it occupies the same footprint as a sedan but delivers way more interior room.

The diesel engine is remarkably quiet – much more so than my three-generation-old Jetta oil-burner – and of course returns amazing fuel economy.

The massive torque combined with the six-speed Dual Shift Gearbox makes this a diesel that really needs traction control. Be careful or you'll light up the front tires at every stoplight.

The interior quality has come down a notch or two from my car, but then so has the price.

The real revelation in this car was how brilliant it is on the test track. You may never get it this sideways, but in an emergency manoeuvre, you'll discover there really is something to this "German engineering" thing.

Price as tested: $29,275

Subaru Legacy

(671 points)

If the VW offered four-wheel drive and Subaru brought in a Legacy diesel station wagon, there'd be little to choose between the two.

The new Legacy is significantly larger, more comfortable and better finished than the old, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) works particularly well in this application.

Full-time four-wheel drive no longer costs you in fuel consumption, as the Legacy actually outpoints many of the four-cylinder mid-size sedan competitors on this count.

It also earns a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle rating.

The car rides and handles well, although the brakes could and should be stronger.

All the electronic safety hardware is on hand, along with newly designed anti-whiplash front-seat head restraints, a crucial item.

Camry and Accord shoppers probably won't give this car a proper shake, but they really should.

Price as tested: $26,395

Ford Fusion

(653 points)

It's a testament to the progress the car industry makes that the Fusion feels a little old in this company.

That's because it is old – but not very. It is based on the former Mazda6 platform, a car Mazda replaced just last year.

Fusion has been refreshed inside and out.

Nice legible instruments stand out when you're behind the wheel, and the car performs more than adequately, on road and on track, with ABS and Electronic Stability Control on board to help you stay out of trouble.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder gets noisy when pushed, but the six-speed automatic aids acceleration and quiets things when cruising.

Price as tested: $28,954

Toyota Prius

(646 points)

Want to drive a compact Toyota sedan and do something for the environment?

Buy a Corolla and put six grand worth of insulation in your attic.

The Earth will thank you, and you will thank yourself every time you don't have to drive a Prius.

Good fuel economy, a roomy backseat and decent braking performance – that's about it.

Lousy seats. Lousy driving position. Lousy visibility. Lousy interior design. Lousy interior quality. Lousy acceleration. Lousy steering. Lousy ride. Lousy noise control.

Take the subway. Telecommute. Life's just too short to drive one of these.

Price as tested: $27,500

Toronto Star