The Ford Focus just may be the perennial sleeper car of all time, and proof that first impressions do indeed count. After all, it offers virtually everything you need when it comes to commuting or basic transportation: Great gas mileage, low emissions, relative comfort, and zippy performance. Granted, NVH is an issue, but at this price – with money stacked on the hood – you should be ashamed to turn away from the Focus just because the interior is a little loud.

Shoot. Turn the radio up, for goodness sakes. For 2005, Ford even restyled the Focus, giving it a more mature look, the same look that's on the 2006 model. This, plus rebates and special financing, makes the Focus a virtual no-brainer for the segment, especially with gas prices rising and the sky clouding over with soot. The Focus is, ultimately, one of the feel-good cars of the year: a good deal at the dealership, a zippy ride, with great fuel economy and virtually nothing emitting from its tailpipe in “green” states, such as California. Who needs a hybrid, anyway?