If life requires an economical, friendly-priced, well-equipped four-door sedan, but you'd like to stand out from the mid-size segment crowd a bit, the 2009 Mercury Milan is a definite answer. With a starting price of about $20,000 and fuel economy of up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway, the Milan may be the right car at the right time.

For 2009, Milan buyers can opt for available electronic stability control. This soon-to-be-mandatory technology helps reduce the chance that slippery pavement or an emergency maneuver will cause the car to spin out.

Power and Performance
The Milan is available with two engines. Standard is a 2.3-liter double overhead cam, 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine. It makes 160 horsepower at 6250 rpm and a peak of 156 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. When mated to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the EPA says it gets 20 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway. Selecting the optional five-speed automatic costs but a single mpg on the EPA's highway rating but allows the four-cylinder to meet California's partial zero emissions vehicle (PZEV) standards.

Optional is a 3.0-liter V6 that, like the four, is a DOHC with four valves per cylinder. The six makes 221 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 205 pound-feet of torque at 4800 rpm and comes only with a six-speed automatic transmission. Especially when its impressive power is considered, fuel economy is a reasonable 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Those who live or play where it snows frequently will be attracted by the optional all-wheel-drive system, which is available only with the V6 engine.

Styling and Trims
The Milan comes in two trim levels: Milan and the Milan Premier. Both can be had with either the four- or six-cylinder engine. The I-4 Premier includes the inline fourcylinder engine, 17-inch-diameter wheels, a 5-speed automatic transmission, and the Premium Sound System with 6-disc CD and MP3. The Milan V6 Premium gets the 3.0-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic.

The Milan's exterior styling—including a satin aluminum grille and bright light-emitting diode (LED) taillamps—stands out in a parking lot crammed with Camrys. Inside, the Milan's (standard seats are cloth) on the standard front bucket seats and myriad of standard features suggests a more expensive car. The two-tone leather seating surfaces, standard on Premier models, and available mahogany interior accents certainly make the Milan's interior distinctive.

Significant Features
The Milan can quickly change roles from people mover to beast of burden for those inevitable weekend trips to the home improvement store. The rear seats fold forward in a 60/40 split, essentially expanding the already large 15.8-cubic-foot trunk capacity. For long items, the front passenger seat also folds forward. A large rear door eases access for passengers.

Notable standard features include four-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock braking system (ABS) and a six-way power adjustable driver's seat. The standard sound system has a single-CD player and six speakers. Also standard is an audio input jack. Optional is a system that features a six-disc in-dash CD player and eight speakers. SIRIUS Satellite Radio is standard on all series.

Other significant options include SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system for use with most cell phones and mp3 players and a power-operated moonroof. Even in the Premier trim level, with the V6 engine, all-wheel drive, premium sound system and other major options, the Milan still comes in at about $30,000.

Safety and Awards
Safety features include side airbags for the driver and front passenger and side-curtain airbags for both front and rear seat outboard occupants. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash testing the 2009 Milan with optional electronic stability control scored the top marks in frontal and side impacts and was named a Top Safety Pick. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing, the 2009 Milan scored the top five-star rating in frontal impact testing.

The Milan, which is built in Hermosillo, Mexico, shares its chassis with the Ford Fusion and the Mazda6. The four-cylinder engine is built in Chihuahua, Mexico, while the V6 is constructed in Cleveland, Ohio.

With a low starting price, good fuel mileage, plenty of power and stand-apart styling, the 2009 Mercury Milan deserves a place at the top of your list. What more could you want?