Some critics were known to attack the size, power and quality of the midsized cars released by Mazda through much of the past decade – and the 2009 Mazda6 was the automaker’s answer.

Designed with all the comforts to please American sedan owners, the 2009 Mazda 6 unveiled in the U.S. contains only about 10 percent of the key-dimension components of the world-car platform version and has no common sheet metal or glass, according to MotorTrend.com.

Aside from being a pleasure to drive, the car boasts new eye-catching bodywork that consists of a blending of contours and edges. A stylized grille and jewel-like projector-beam headlamps lead into fenders with bold RX-8 and CX-9-type features. In addition, tighter gaps in the Mazda’s body panels and the addition of aero cleanups help to reduce the model’s drag coefficient by about 10 percent, compared to earlier versions.

When drivers climb into the 2009, the cockpit motif will make them feel like a pilot behind the wheel. The interior features an attractive blend of textured plastic surfaces with matte metal trimmings.

According to Edmunds.com the car also comes with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.