2006 Mercury Milan

You've got to wonder what this car would be if Edsel were still in business as a class-step between Ford and Mercury. Ford Motor Company brought three entries on its CD3 midsize platform to our party (contrast that with Hyundai, which brought three all-new cars): the Fusion, the much fancier Lincoln Zephyr, and, in the middle but close to the Ford, the Milan. The Mercury looks more elegant, grown-up, and urbane than the Fusion, with a neater, better-integrated grille and with clean Euro-style LED taillamps in place of the Fusion's Focus-like rear lamps. The Milan and Fusion share the same standard four and optional V-6, similar handling dynamics--kind of fun at the limit, but still midsize-family-car-soft--and similarly poor brakes. Standard 16-inch wheels (optional on Fusion) and optional 17-inch wheels (not available on Fusion) provide the only difference in chassis setup.

With a base price $1000 higher than the Fusion's, you also get a standard power driver's seat, with higher-quality cloth than the Ford's, and better trim (the satin-aluminum look is optional at no cost), including cloth door inserts in place of plastic, and a standard analog clock. The Milan Premier, available with the I-4 or V-6, includes leather seats of a quality Mercury says isn't available in the Ford.

The differentiation works, at least to the extent that the Fusion has the blue-collar look appropriate for Ford, while the Milan comes off as more white-collar. You can zoot-up the interior with two-tone seats, if you're secure enough in your office job to wear a loud tie with the white shirt. If you're a banker, go with the single-tone interior and quietly announce your prosperity. The Fusion got the nod into the group of 10 finalists, and the Milan didn't because the Ford is a much higher-volume car. Otherwise, the Mercury is a more dapper Fusion, with a more inviting interior.