1999 Mazda 626 Going for the mainstream. By Paul A. Eisenstein, New Car Test Drive .com

For import buyers looking for a solid, reliable midsize family sedan, there are plenty of options to choose from. Yet only two cars seem to show up regularly on most shopping lists: the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

If you had to pick just two, that's not a bad starting point. But why limit yourself? Accord and Camry are excellent choices, but they're not the most exciting cars in the world. There are plenty of other great options on the market these days, some of which are just as roomy, just as reliable, but far more fun to look at and drive. Mazda's 626 is a perennial also-ran that just never seems to get the amount of attention it deserves. The 1999 model should certainly find its way onto more shopping lists.

The fifth-generation Mazda 626 presents a crisp and formal appearance that's far more refined than the previous generation. It was stretched more than 2 inches when it was redesigned for 1998 and the interior is much roomier than before.

Mazda's 626 offers a stiff chassis and well-tuned suspension that gives it a sure-footed feel that'll encourage you to press down the accelerator pedal just a wee bit harder as you enter a tight corner. When you do, you'll appreciate the power Mazda engineers have coaxed out of the engine.

In short, the 626 is a more fun to drive than most mid-size sedans.