Midsize sedans have long been bought for practical reasons, such as the commute to work or to transport a family, but with the introduction of Mazda's redesigned Mazda6 for 2009, the Japanese automaker has given shoppers a new reason to look its way: style. The new Mazda6's daring lines come together to form a sedan that exposes just how plain-looking much of the competition is.

A midsize family sedan can't rely on looks alone, however, as substance is still at the heart of this market. Evaluated by this measuring stick, the Mazda6 still fares well, delivering a driving experience that's on the sporty side and a mostly high-grade interior. The Mazda6's only real miss — fuel economy — is more significant than ever, but if any midsize sedan has the ability to get buyers to overlook gas mileage figures that are a little behind the class leaders, it's this one.

• A Winning Design
• Ride & Handling
• Going & Stopping
• Larger Dimensions, Larger Cabin
• Cargo
• Safety
• Features
• Mazda6 in the Market