2006 Ford Fusion

Pros: Sufficiently powered engine. Impressive handling. Responsive suspension and steering. Best car bang for buck. Styling.
Cons: Car is sometimes confused on how many gears to downshift in highway.

After looking at the more expensive Camry and Accord this car really shined. After test driving the Accord and Camry I was impressed until I test drove the V6 SEL Fusion. This car to me seemed more fun to drive then the car it gets it platform from, the Mazda 6. The Fusion has both front and rear end styling that goes never goes unnoticed. Interior is simple and everything is where you need it to be, although the climate control would have been nice a little higher even though you can control it from the steering wheel. Six speed gear box is an in class exclusive and shifts very smooth compared to many Fords I have driven in the past. Does not have the most space in the back seat but it is a smooth ride.

Pros: Style, willingness, handling, dependability.
Cons: Turning circle. In tight spots it's like trying to turn an aircraft carrier.

I bought the first Fusion (an SEL) I saw just about 3 years because of its good looks, something I never did before. Since then it's logged 55,000 km in transcontinental trips and over gravel roads in backwoods Quebec. I love its combination of nimble handling on gravel surfaces, its traction in snow and on ice, and its comfort at sustained highway speeds (120-140 kph). It's not an economy car but on cruise control I regularly get 6.3 liters per 100 km (someone else can translate that into mpg).
My immediately previous driving experience was in Europe where I owned a succession of Renaults and Peugeots. The Fusion is far superior to them in many ways, as well as (for the money) to the Audi and BMW my brothers-in-law drive over there.

Pros: Great looking, great gas mileage.
Cons: Very angled back window, hard to see out of.

My reasoning for buying this car was i needed to get better gas mileage, and i needed a functional vehicle. This car was extremely comfortable. I got the SEL version. It is a sporty, good looking car, and I love it. Averaging 28 miles or more per gallon on the highway and 24 to 26 on the regular streets. Comfortable, and a cheap buy.