I looked between a 2.5L Mazda 3 hatch, Mazda 6, nissan altima SR, Impreza (not WRX/STI), jetta, Golf, and a Ford Fusion (all 2017). Fusion, was way out of my price range, Impreza WRX/STI was too so getting a basic Impreza was undesirable, jetta and Golf were nice but seemed to lack something. Almost went with Nissan because they wanted to buy out my totaled sentra and put me back in a Nissan but I just felt like most Nissan interiors were lackluster. I really wanted the 6 but I would rather have the 2.5 in the hatch. Honestly, if I were more patient, I probably would have been in a 2.5 mazda 3 hatch rolling around with higher payments and completely stock. Im happy with the ES and how I've made it my own.