Mazda 3 GX/GS/GT/Sport GS/Sport GT

$16,195– $21,345 Cdn.

The Protégé was no slouch, but that didn’t prevent Mazda from overachieving with its replacement. Benefiting from Ford’s global resources, the all-new 3 combines sporty zoom, zoom styling, safety components from Volvo, and drivetrain and suspension bits from its much-lauded big brother Mazda 6. The result is class defining ride, handling and interior accoutrements. Spanks everything from Civics to Jettas.

New for 2004: Toute la monde!
S-S.com choice: At this price point, blow the bank on the Sport GT hatch
Cudda hadda: 2000 Audi A4 1.8T
Why Buy?: The new gold standard in fun-to-drive compact sedans

Toyota Echo Hatch 3-door/5-door

$12,995 – 17,300 Cdn.

This particular Echo was designed and engineered for Euroweenies on a budget, but they don’t get our smooth, free revving 1.5-liter, 105-hp 16-valve DOHC with variable vale timing…sacre bleu! Shift feel, handling poise, and build quality embarrasses cars twice the Echo’s miniscule price. Seriously questions just how much car you really need

New for 2004: Who stole my trunk?
S-S.com choice: Five-door RS in silver
Cudda hadda: A car with instruments IN FRONT of the driver
Why Buy?: Pretend you’re a Parisian courier

Mitsubishi Lancer ES/LS/OZ Rally/Ralliart/Sportback LS/Sportback Ralliart

$15,998 – 24,198 Cdn

You can tell the Lancer is the basis for the hyperactive WRC Evolution models (which we are still lighting candles for here in The Great White North) as all the driver interface bits are all spot on. Solid, well built, and the Ralliarts finally add some guts to the existing unflappable chassis.

New for 2004: Tuck and trim front and rear. Sportback wagon. Ralliart models
S-S.com choice: The 162-hp Ralliart sedan with a stick
Cudda hadda: Where’s the Ralliart wagon with a stick? Huh?
Why Buy?: The mature buyer’s choice

Subaru Impreza 2.5 TS Sport/Outback Sport/2.5 RS

$22,995 – 26,995 Cdn.

Subaru brought in noted British supercar designer Peter Stevens to perform a nosectomy in mid-2003. These non-WRX Imprezas make due with the tried-and-true Sooby 2.5-liter flat-fourbanger, but can weigh up to 3200 lbs., so count on snow to be the equalizer when trolling for Sentras. Reliable as rubber boots

New for 2004: Starting July 1, 2004, you can buy this car at SAAB dealerships
S-S.com choice: The TS wagon has everything you need
Cudda hadda: 1999 Audi A6 Avant
Why Buy?: Torque-rich engine, AWD, Subaru engineering

Hyundai Elantra GL/VE/GT

$15,625 – 19,025 Cdn.

Cheap to get into, expensive to get out of, consider the five-door GT as a budget Mazda 3 with a better warranty and you can't go wrong. Uh, that is until you try and unload this puppy and get dinged with the traditionally low H-badge residuals. The GTs gets fancy shmancy, alloys shod with Michelins and discs all around

New for 2004: Interior styling, and the engine get variable valve timing
S-S.com choice: Get the GT five-door and ditch that ol’ Saturn you’ve been dying to unload
Cudda hadda: 2000 Saab 9-3 five door
Why Buy?: For the badge unconscious

Ford Focus ZX3/ZX5/ZTW

$16,475 – 22,405 Cdn.

We’ve always liked the Euro-inspired styling, ride and handling, and now that the recalls have subsided, the Focus makes it back into The Goods. Relatively big for a compact and lots of configs available, from university-grad three-door hatch to Rottweiler-wielding wagon

New for 2004: We don’t get the new Ford global C platform that underpins the outstanding new Mazda 3 and Volvo S40, but expect a midlife update sometime in 2004
S-S.com choice: Beyond the sport compact SVT, the ZTW gets you the most Focus for the money
Cudda hadda: 2000 Golf 1.8T
Why Buy?: Cheap Euro thrills