The 2010 Mercury Milan, scheduled to arrive in dealerships by spring of 2009, will be more fuel efficient, stylish and feature-packed than its predecessor. It receives assertive new exterior styling, more powerful and frugal engines. A killer 390-watt, sound system is available, too.

Styling changes to the Milan required little movement of sheetmetal and addition of plastic, but the result is significant. The front of the car was pulled down and forward to help give it a wider, sportier look. These changes, plus the addition of under-body panels, provide function as well as form, as they serve to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Also, the Milan gets bi-functional halogen headlights and a new grille and fascias.

Inside, the Milan receives metallic finishes on the instrument panel and door. The steering wheel is leather wrapped and padded armrests will ease long drives. The seats receive more side support and contrasting stitching.

When equipped with AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, the 2009 Mercury Milan earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's coveted Top Safety Pick Award. Also, the 2010 Milan got the government's five-star rating—the highest available—in front driver and passenger impact tests and rollover testing for the all-wheel-drive model. It received four out of five stars for side passenger impact. The front-wheel-drive model also received four out of five stars in rollover testing. Electronic stability control and four-wheel, anti-lock brakes are now standard. Side curtain airbags, designed to help prevent head injuries for both front and rear outboard passengers, are standard.

The Milan is available in three trim levels: Milan, Milan Premier and the Milan Hybrid, which we'll discuss in another article. One of the features of the Premier is 17-inch-diameter painted aluminum wheels.

The Milan has two revised and more fuel-efficient engines. The previous 2.3-liter four-cylinder grows to 2.5 liters. The 3.0-liter V6 is retained but significantly enhanced. When equipped with the six-speed manual, the 2010 2.5 liter gets 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway, according to early data. Mercury says the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder with automatic transmission should get about 34 mpg on the highway test. When equipped with the FFV 3.0-liter V6 and an automatic transmission the 2010 Milan gets 18 mpg in the city test and 27 mph on the highway. All-wheel-drive versions recorded 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for 2010 models.

Compared to the previous 2.3 liter, the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 15 more horsepower and 16 addition pound feet of torque for totals of 175 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder previously came with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Now it has six-speed versions of each. The additional gears help produce good acceleration to merge into traffic and excellent highway fuel mileage. The updated 3.0-liter V6 engine gets 19 more horsepower, to 240, and 17 more pound-feet of torque, to 222. The 3.0 is now flex fuel or E85 capable: Running 85 percent ethanol boosts horsepower to 250 but significantly cuts fuel mileage. Not long ago, those were great numbers for a sporty V8. For those who regularly encounter deep snow, the Milan is available with all-wheel drive when equipped with the 3.0-liter FFV V6 engine.

To improve handling, ride comfort and steering feel, Mercury revised and retuned Milan's suspension, front and rear. To reduce wind and road noise, the 2010 Milan gets new carpet, an acoustic windshield, thicker front door glass, thicker hood insulation, and sound-deadening materials in the doors, trunk and headliner. New door seal gaskets help keep outside noise outside.

An available feature that may help prevent a parking lot fender bender is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert. This radar-based system can help warn drivers when its sensors detect a vehicle in a blind spot when changing lanes, or a vehicle approaching from either side when backing out of a parking space.

The popular SYNC® voice-activated entertainment system, compatible with most Bluetooth®- enabled cell phones and MP3 capable devices is an available feature. Standard sound system features a single CD changer, six speakers and an audio input jack. Available in the Milan is a Sony® surround sound system that boasts a whopping 390 watts and 12 speakers.

The 2010 Milan is sporty, economical, reliable, safe, feature-packed and affordable. What more could you want from a mid-size sedan?