Have you seen the new Malibu? C&D placed it JUST behind the Accord and new Altima, (ahead of Camry, etc...) and Motortrend had it second in the COTY awards. I've driven one, and while it's not my cup of tea (I'm a pony car guy,) the interior's nice, little noise in the I4, decent power, and is attractive, for a family car. My only real complaint is the four speed auto, but that's gone come the end of this year.
Compacts, yeah, I don't know what Chevy's thinking, and Ford's Focus is nice looking, but HORRIBLY underpowered.