Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both come in coupe and sedan forms, offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced.

Recommended models include the smooth Chevrolet Impala, the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, the sporty Nissan Maxima, surprising Olds Intrigue, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles. We've also added the Ford Taurus and clone Mercury Sable to our Recommended list.

Though Century and Regal are basically the same car, the entry-level midsize again outsold its premium sister by more than 2 to 1 in calendar 2000. However, Century's 143,000 sales represented a 9-percent drop from the 1999 tally, allowing the full-size LeSabre to reclaim its traditional title as the best-selling Buick.

Century won't see any major mechanical or features changes before model-year 2004. At that point, it will be redesigned along with Regal on General Motors' forthcoming front-wheel-drive "Mid Lux" platform. No specifics are available, but Century will remain basically a lower-priced Regal with somewhat more conservative looks and character.