OVERVIEW
Not too many years ago the pundits reckoned four cylinder mid-sized cars were about to go the same way as the dodo and brontosaurus. Small cars were getting larger, and full-sized family Falcons and Commodores as cheap and popular as ever. With Ford, Mitsubishi and Nissan abandoning the medium market, it seemed buyers would do the same.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. The mid-size car is back. Maybe it's because of rising fuel prices, or not everyone needs a big car, but they're more popular than ever.

There are also some good choices out there. We've gathered six of the best in the Holden Vectra, Honda Accord Euro, Accord VTi, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty and Toyota Camry. Our choices were the mid-range models, all with similarly sized engines and in four-door sedan form. There's a mix of manual and automatics, but otherwise they're as they appear on the showroom floor.

After many hundreds of kilometres on all sorts of roads, we've picked a winner, and also ranked each car in six different categories including overall ability. This is how it goes.

ON THE ROAD

Ranking:
1. Mazda6 Classic
2. Honda Accord Euro
3. Subaru Liberty 2.5i
4. Honda Accord VTi
5. Holden Vectra CD
6. Toyota Camry Ateva

Depending on whether it is pure comfort or a more entertaining drive, there's plenty on offer among our dirty half-dozen. With the exception of the all-wheel-drive Liberty all share similar mechanical layouts of transverse engines with front wheel drive, but different suspension settings and systems, plus many other factors give a wide scope of abilities.

If it is pure driving fun you're after the Mazda6 stands out. Combine its lusty engine and manual gearshift with direct and well weighted steering plus loads of front-wheel grip and it is something of a handling star. It rewards the driver not only with road holding but adjustability on the throttle and is as fun as any good sports car on a winding road. The only drawbacks are that the Mazda produces higher levels of noise from tyres and engine, but not to an unacceptable level. The ride is also firm, but well controlled and certainly far from uncomfortable.

The Accord Euro pips the Mazda6 on refinement -- it is quieter, and the ride has a little more absorption of sharp bumps -- but also gives away a little in terms of outright agility. That's not to say this is a sloppy cruiser; the opposite is true because there's lots of good old fashioned grunt, precise steering and a nimble chassis. Maybe it is the choice of tyres, but it gives up grip a little earlier and doesn't have quite the Mazda's razor sharp responses.

It larger sibling is happier away from the twisting stuff with its softer suspension and higher profile tyres delivering a better ride but also more understeer -- or lack of front-end grip -- and more body movement. That said, the Accord VTi might be less nimble but is also quiet, and adequately competent in corners. The lack of a manual gearshift pattern for the auto perhaps indicates it was never meant to be thrown around, however.

The Liberty makes the most of its larger 17-inch tyres and all-wheel-drive traction by being almost unbeatable when it comes to gripping the bitumen or, for that matter, loose gravel. It is quite a fast car point-to-point apart from the lack of oomph from the engine and automatic powertrain combo. Where it falls down is in steering that seems too light, a ride that is firmer than it should be and in the case of our test car, an alarming number of rattles and creaks from the body.

The Vectra is the sophisticate of the bunch with near-silent levels of road and engine noise, and an especially good ride that makes it perfect for loping across long distances. Show it a few corners and it is less comfortable. The front tyres have enough bite, but the steering is wooden, the brakes a little mushy, the seats unsupportive and it is difficult to get a flow-on. If anything, the Vectra distances the driver from the driving experience, where the Mazda or Accord Euro draws them in.

It's a similar story with the Camry, which never feels any smaller than it really is, nor as nimble as any car here. Like the Vectra it is commendably quiet, and the ride quality is good if not extraordinary. The suspension is comparatively soft which leads to a degree of pitch and body roll while cornering or braking, the front tyres loose grip a little early, and the relative lack of performance means speed builds gradually so either overtaking or punching from one corner to the next takes time.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Ranking:
1. Honda Accord Euro
2. Honda Accord VTi
3. Mazda6 Classic
4. Subaru Liberty 2.5i
5. Holden Vectra CD
6. Toyota Camry Ateva

Passengers might be important, but their comfort means nothing if the nut behind the wheel isn't happy. In terms of style and ergonomics there's a wide disparity here apart, perhaps, from the two Accords that share very similar dashboards.

Bottom of the heap has to be the Camry with its wide, slabby dash, mouse-fur seats, misplaced woodgrain trim and generally uninspiring interior style. The seats are also flat, and of the six it has the highest driving position that might be welcome for more vertically challenged drivers, but gives the feeling of sitting on the car rather than in it. Countering all that are very clear instruments and easy-to-use ventilation and stereo controls.

The Vectra isn't much further ahead with its weird, squared-off exterior styling carried over to interior themes. There is loads of unadorned plastic, very firm and unsupportive seats and the cruise control is hidden well enough on one stalk that a few of our drivers missed it entirely. Then there are the indicators that have an infuriating tendency to not follow the driver's instructions.

The Liberty is a much better effort. Its interior is rather plain -- although relieved by the optional leather in our particular test car -- but smart in an understated way. The seats offer a good mix of comfort and support, the steering wheel and gearshift are nicely placed and all the switchgear operates in a logical fashion. It's unexciting, but practical.

The Mazda6 has much more overt interior styling with lashings of faux metallic (i.e., silver-painted plastic) trim across the centre console, big dials and a wide LED read-out. It could look either sporty or aftermarket, depending on your view. But it has a natural driving position and good seats, even if putting all the trip computer, ventilation and stereo information on the one read-out takes some getting used to.

The two Accords are similar, but different. The dash is boldly styled, but the Euro's seats are very well bolstered and comfy as well -- they're the best of our six cars. The lighter colours of the VTi make it look open and more roomy; the Euro's predominantly black themes are more cocooning and sporty. Both look classy, are simple to operate and comfortable to drive and just scrape to the top of the pile.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

Ranking:
1. Toyota Camry Ateva
2. Mazda6 Classic
3. Holden Vectra CD
4. Honda Accord VTi
5. Honda Accord Euro
6. Subaru Liberty 2.5i

Thirty grand buys a lot of small car these days, but it's only the starting point for those looking at a medium-sized car. Half of our mid-sized fours were grouped around the $32,000 mark, the others were well over that, and all had varying levels of equipment. This is how it worked.

The Ateva version of the Camry was the biggest of our contenders, but also the cheapest -- just. At $31,490 it just scraped under the Vectra CD and Mazda6 Classic, and itself costs $5000 more than the basic, fleet-oriented Camry Altise. But as well as size, the Ateva offers a fair amount for the money: automatic transmission is standard, as is air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, power windows, fluffy seat trim and some fake woodgrain. If size and value matters, this is the one.

It's about another $1000 hike to the Mazda6 Classic's level. It starts at $32,355 as a Classic sedan (there are also liftback and wagon variants) and a four-speed auto adds $2080 to that. Apart from the lack of traction and stability control, it comes with quite an amount of gear, including cruise control (with buttons on the steering wheel), an in-dash six-stacker CD, climate control air conditioning and ABS. Side and head-level airbags were made standard late 2003.

The Vectra CD has had $2500 knocked off its price, helping make it more attractive to buyers. At $31,990 as a sedan it looks a much better buy. It gets cruise control, side airbags and stability control, but the lack of a trip computer and multi-disc CD player place it behind the slightly more expensive but better equipped Mazda6.

The four-cylinder or VTi version of the American-made Accord also looks good on value. It's a big car, comes with goodies such as air conditioning, a standard five-speed auto, power windows, steering wheel mounted cruise control and more. All this for $34,250 and it's pretty keen buying.

Then there's the Accord Euro at $34,250. It comes with a standard six-speed manual, or a five-speed auto adds another $2000. There's also auto air, steering wheel mounted cruise, an in-dash CD changer and side airbags.

The Liberty 2.5i's price of $34,990 is getting away from the lower regions of our price point, especially as the four-speed auto is a $2500 option. Of course, the Subaru has the unique feature (in this company) of four wheel drive, but apart from that its single-disc CD player and lack of side airbags don't make it lavishly equipped.

COMFORT AND PRACTICALITY

Ranking:
1. Honda Accord VTi
2. Toyota Camry Ateva
3. Holden Vectra CD
4. Subaru Liberty 2.5i
5. Mazda6 Classic
6. Honda Accord Euro

We've chosen sedan versions of all six cars and it's worth noting that both Hondas and the Camry only come in this body style, but for extra cash there are different versions of the Mazda6 (wagon or hatch), Vectra (hatch) or Liberty (wagon).

Still, if it's a boot you're after look no further than the Camry because it's got a whopper. This car is a size bigger than the others, and it also shows in the rear seat which is the roomiest, with plenty of space for legs and even three adults at a squeeze. It has rear air conditioning vents, cup holders in the centre arm rest and good forward vision, but countering that are seats that lack some lateral support.

Next most impressive is the Accord VTi which again, is quite a large car. The boot is not quite up to Camry standards, but the rear seat probably beats it on leg room and is definitely better for support. There's also twin map pockets, no less than four cup holders, a ski-port to access the boot and even a hook for hanging the dry cleaning.

The other four cars are tighter on space, but still more than adequate to carry two adults with ample leg room. Still, the Mazda6 is perhaps the tightest in the rear mainly because tucking feet under the front seats is difficult, and the Liberty is in much the same boat. The Mazda6 also transmits the most road noise to the rear, but is matched in general rowdiness by poor wind sealing in the Liberty's frameless windows.

The Euro is overall quieter but rear seat occupants will be quite snug and it lacks rear air conditioning vents and access to the boot. The short boot lid hides a relatively small boot, and that's despite this being the only car here with a space-saver spare.

The Vectra falls somewhere in the middle of the pack with good leg room and visibility, plus rear air conditioning vents offset by flat and hard seats. The rear seat belts have height-adjustment, which is rare on cars costing even twice as much.

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY

Ranking:
1. Honda Accord Euro
2. Mazda6 Classic
3. Honda Accord VTi
4. Holden Vectra CD
5. Subaru Liberty 2.5i
6. Toyota Camry Ateva

All these cars obviously have four cylinder engines, although the Vectra, Camry and Accord VTi all come with optional V6s in other models, or the Liberty as either a turbocharged or naturally aspirated 2.0-litre.

Award for most engine power easily goes the Accord Euro's way with its 140kW, 2.4-litre engine, while the less well endowed Vectra trails the field with a 108kW 2.2-litre. The others fall somewhere in between.

While comparative performance levels are confused a little by the mix of manual (Mazda6, Vectra) and automatic (all the rest) transmissions it's not hard to pick which does best with what.

The Holden, for instance, is no goer despite its manual gearbox. It gets along adequately, but the engine feels flat and the interface between clutch and gearbox are dampened and doughy. If anything, the big Camry feels even slower with its four cylinder engine, heavyweight body and widely spaced ratios in the automatic transmission detracting from any real excitement.

Surprisingly, the Liberty was also less than impressive despite having a big capacity four and relatively little weight to carry. Perhaps it was a matter of overly tall gearing -- second gear, for instance, stretches well beyond 110km/h -- but we've driven current Libertys of similar specification that don't need to be pushed nearly as hard, nor was their performance as mediocre.

Despite having the same basic engine as the Euro, the Accord VTi's less technologically adept 2.4-litre four produces less power with a maximum 118kW on tap. Combined with quite tall gearing in its automatic it manages adequate performance, albeit with the ability to rev smoothly and the auto has such civilised changes it all but goes unnoticed. There's no real punch, however, which matches the cruisy nature of the rest of the car.

Things hot up when switching to the Euro. Even with an automatic gearbox this is a car that's full of verve. It jumps smartly off the line, has plenty of torque in reserve for overtaking, and the transmission works very well when left to its own devices, or even better using the Tiptronic gate the VTi lacks.

The best engine and transmission combination on the day had to be the five-speed manual Mazda6. The 2.3-litre four has a handy 121kW of power and plenty of spark with strong pulling power lower in the rev range and no hesitation whipping up to the red line if asked. Engine noise isn't as well suppressed as in the others, but along with the Accord Euro this is the car with real power to please the avid steerer.

Fuel consumption figures make intriguing reading. Averaged over the entire drive, the Euro came out on top, managing 9.8 L/100km despite having the most engine power coupled with a less efficient automatic transmission. Next best was the Vectra with 10.5, the Accord VTi managed 10.7 but the manual Mazda6 was only good for 11.0. Not far off it was the automatic Liberty on 11.1 L/100km and the large, overworked Camry trailed the field with 11.8 L/100km.

SAFETY

Ranking:
1. Holden Vectra CD
2. Mazda6 Classic
3. Subaru Liberty 2.5i
4. Honda Accord VTi
5. Honda Accord Euro
6. Toyota Camry Ateva

As ever, it is difficult to rate cars on crash safety without sticking each one into a tree at 60km/h. That certainly wasn't the object of this test, even as a grand finale. Thankfully, the ANCAP independent crash test program has done this for us, and the fact the Liberty (fitted with optional side airbags) is the only five-star performer in our field will be enough for most people.

However, it's worth looking at some of the passive and active safety features to be found. All six cars come with twin frontal airbags and anti-lock brakes, so there's a pat on the back for all manufacturers.

Some go a step further, with the Vectra CD having side airbags as standard equipment and it is the only car here with either traction or stability control. The Mazda6 also has head-level airbags, but the Accords get side airbags only, and the Camry offers them as an option. The Subaru has the added traction of 4WD, and although side airbags are fitted, curtain airbags are optional.

OWNERSHIP COSTS
CarPoint has ranked the six vehicles based on 12 months servicing costs and comprehensive insurance estimates. Please note these figures are correct as of March 2004, and should serve as a guide for comparison only. Any person seeking to purchase one of the six vehicles should conduct their own research closer to the time of purchase.

RRP - Recommended retail price as set by the importer or manufacturer. Note: dealers may choose to set their own pricing. As tested refers to the price for the vehicle tested, including options fitted.

On road costs differ due to state insurance and taxes, and dealer delivery fee. Dealer delivery fee will vary from dealer to dealer, the average that buyers can expect to pay is $1495.00

Insurance Estimate:
Twelve month comprehensive insurance estimate based on 35 year old male, garaged off street in Balwyn (Victoria). Assumes no finance on vehicle and driver has Rating One and clean licence.

Resale value:
Estimated resale value after three years and 60,000km expressed as a percentage of recommended retail price. All figures correct at March 2004.

Servicing costs:
Assuming 20,000km pa, however recommended service points vary from 10,000, 12,500 and 15,000km. All prices correct at the time of printing, and include parts and labour.

Fuel economy:
These figures were achieved during our two-day comparison test, where each car was driven over the same city and country roads. Figures are quoted in litres per 100km.

VERDICT

As clichés go this one's a hoary old chestnut, but there's not really a bad car here. Just because a car finished down the order doesn't mean it's a dog, or it might not be perfect for a particular buyer's specific needs or budget.

The Camry placed last, for instance, even if on a size-for-dollar quotient it carries more people and gear for a lower price than the others. Having said that, it does little to provide an entertaining drive, lacks some of the other cars' safety equipment, and is simply uninspiring to sit in and drive.

The Liberty was the biggest surprise because we assumed it would do better. Maybe our particular car had a hard life, but it was down on performance and loose in the body. More objectively, it is also a relatively expensive choice and doesn't come with class-leading equipment levels or amounts of interior room.

The Accord VTi certainly has the latter, and the interior is as pleasant as the exterior styling is ungainly. It isn't particularly quick or agile, but it is quiet and refined, well built and a perfectly sensible choice.

The Vectra's new and lower pricing makes it more palatable than before, especially as it is also quiet, rides well, is roomy enough, well equipped and strong on safety equipment. The main let downs are its very poor seats, lack of spark from the engine bay, and only average handling ability.

The Accord Euro is a highly competent car, combining refinement with driver appeal from the strong engine and nimble chassis. It has loads of visual appeal inside and out and is well equipped. Add the extra performance of the standard manual transmission, and it could well have picked up a win in this company.

But that honour goes to the Mazda6 Classic. Crucially, it costs more than $2000 less than the Accord, and yet it is even more rewarding to drive with sharp responses, plenty of poke and that all-round fun feeling you get in a well balanced car. Equipment levels are very good for the price (including safety gear) and even if it's a little more noisy and a bit less comfortable on the bumps, this stylish and able mid-sizer is difficult to go past as the best choice on the block.