What's better than the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord? The answer is the Ford Fusion. Before my seemingly outlandish choice of a family sedan prompts outright mockery, allow me to explain.

My preference is not merely guided by my devotion to American brands. Nor does the Fusion boast any significant superiority to the two class leaders. My fondness for this midsize sedan is predicated upon a simple but powerful notion: value. The Fusion, packed with a litany of standard equipment, starts at only $17, 770 list, so it beats both Japanese contenders by at least a grand.

What else is there to like about the 2008 Fusion? For starters, its very close relationship to the Mazda 6 guarantees that the Fusion transcends the poor quality and reliability of previous Ford vehicles. In fact, the two cars are so alike that it seems that the only thing they don't share is exterior styling. Both Ford and Mazda offer a choice of the same two engines: the 2.3-liter, 160-horsepower Duratec is standard, and the 3.0-liter, 221-horsepower V6 is available for an additional $2,545 on the SE and SEL models.

For those interested in getting the most out of their Fusions, I would recommend going with the former, since the V6 offers only a marginal difference in performance. At 20/29 mpg city/highway, the 2.3L I4 concedes to the frontrunners by no more than 1 mpg on either freeways or around town.

I also think that the Fusion offers a more unique outer shell, breaking away from the weary, recurring, and overly tender Japanese elegance. It's no wonder then that the European Fusion, while offering a more extensive line of trims, wears the same trendy front grill, head lamps and other exterior elements.

Of course, both the Accord and Camry continue their traditions of more sophisticated cabins. Their road manners are also more urbane. Of course, that can sometimes translate to "boring." By contrast, the Fusion is never loud or abrasive. Yet the way it takes to the road is reminiscent of its chassis's European roots. That means the car does not reverberate on uneven surfaces, offering a tight and solid composure.

Finally, the SEL models will come equipped with Sync, a fully integrated in-vehicle communication and entertainment system. Worth $395, Sync incorporates your mobile phone and MP3 player to create a Bluetooth-enabled interactive environment for all the gadgetry you bring on board.

This is the bottom line: Although the Toyota and Honda cars will continue to outsell Ford's and retain greater residual value, I strongly recommend giving the Fusion a fair chance. Its better-than-ever reliability, unconventional styling, upright performance, Sync, and an unmatched list of standard equipment should hold a lot of sway for value-oriented family sedan buyers.