If sporty European wagons are beyond your budget, the stylish Mazda6 is a fine alternative. Starting well below $30,000, it combines the sharp handling of any Mazda6 with a well-conceived wagon body and an available 5-speed manual transmission (the optional automatic is a 6-speed). The only engine remains a 3.0-litre V6, which for 2007 is re-certified at 212 hp under new SAE test protocols (actual performance is unchanged). For 2007, side-impact and side-curtain airbags are now standard, as is the former Sport package (17-inch wheels, an 8-way power driver's seat, wheel-mounted audio controls et al). On the GT the previously optional Performance package (18-inch alloys, 215/45R18 tires, Xenon headlights) is now standard.

Stylish and sporty at little cost in utility

Only engine is a rather thirsty V6