Jim Kenzie's five must-see cars

JIL MCINTOSH FOR THE TORONTO STAR

The Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Jim Kenzie

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Looking for something that will satisfy your prosaic automotive needs and offer something extra in the way of style and driving entertainment?

Don't miss these five at the auto show:

Chevrolet Malibu

Proof that domestics can build good cars, even if they have to borrow liberally from their foreign resources (in this case, Germany's Opel).

The mid-size, five-passenger, front-wheel drive sedan is offered with a 2.4-litre four, a 3.6-litre V6 or as a hybrid.

In today's economic climate, you'll probably find the four-cylinder the best choice, especially if you move up one trim level from the basement to get the optional six-speed automatic transmission. You'll never regret the additional $555, which will pay for itself in fuel savings and reduced noise on the highway.

If the hybrid appeals, you can take comfort in it being the lowest-priced hybrid on the market, so the payback for the extra cash you laid out up front will be as fast as it gets.

No matter which powertrain you choose, you get standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, StabiliTrak, GM's version of Electronic Stability Control, top-ranked crash ratings, and the J. D. Power award for best mid-size sedan in initial quality.

Handsome, spacious, fuel efficient and capable, the Malibu deserved its North American Car of the Year status last year.

Ford Fusion

This car has been a bit of a sleeper. Based on the previous-generation Mazda6 platform, it took a while to get traction in the marketplace. It's getting it now.

As with Malibu, four-cylinder, V6 and hybrid powertrains are available. Ford claims its hybrid actually gets better mileage than the Toyota Camry hybrid.

AdvanceTrac, Ford's terminology for Electronic Stability Control, is again standard.

One feature Fusion offers that Malibu (nor most competitors in this segment) does not, is four-wheel drive. If you ski or have a winter home in the boonies, that might make it worth a look.

Good looking, well-built, entertaining to drive, and model for model a couple grand cheaper than Malibu, Fusion is another example of a very good product from the (semi-) domestic industry.

Mazda6

The new Mazda6 instantly leaps to the head of the class in the import mid-size sedan market. Much roomier and more stylish than before, it retains Mazda's well-known driving dynamics. Great value, too.

As with most such entries, both four- and six-cylinder engines are offered. And as with most such entries, Mazda6 is a blend of Japanese nameplate and North American content – it's built on the same assembly line in Flat Rock, Mich., as the Ford Mustang.

I haven't had the opportunity to go at the entire field with a noise meter, but I would be very surprised if the Mazda6 wasn't also the quietest car in this class.

If Toyota Camry and Honda Accord – both fine cars, don't get me wrong – are on your radar, then Mazda6 belongs there too.

Ford Fiesta

I've always loved small cars. Okay, so I'm cheap. But the new Fiesta will make you think you're in a much more expensive car, with up-to-the-second European styling, high-quality interior finish, and sophisticated equipment.

Technical details on the Fiesta are still scarce. Production does not begin until early 2010 in a plant in Mexico which used to – how's this for a trend? – build F-Series pickup trucks.

A four-door sedan will be built for people – largely Americans – who just don't understand small cars. For the rest of us, a four-door hatchback will also be offered. The cute two-door European hatchback won't be part of our model mix.

The engine is likely to be a 1.6-litre, twin-cam four with variable valve timing. In European trim, this produces 118 horsepower.

A dual-clutch, automatically-shifted manual gearbox is said to be part of the program, too.

Ford's European products have long been very highly regarded for their driving dynamics. Let's hope none of this is lost in the trans-Atlantic transition.

Hyundai Genesis

It's squeaking in a bit high in the price range for mass-market cars, but the Genesis breaks new ground for the Korean giant.

This year's North American Car of the Year (and in my view the slam-dunk top contender for Canadian title, which is not yet announced as I write this) offers outstanding levels of fit, finish, comfort, handling, performance and equipment.

Both V6 and V8 engines are offered – as with most of the cars on this list you'll probably be just as happy with the smaller engine. You'll save chunks of cash at purchase time and at the gas station, and you'll only miss the added performance of the V8 if you carry a stopwatch.

I'm not saying the Genesis puts the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on the trailer but this is one Hyundai you don't have to apologize for. Consider its relatively bargain price a bonus.

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