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 criticized by some as not a "real" Impala like the fabled 1960s models, Chevy's uplevel midsize sedan is doing good business among mainstream buyers more concerned with value than tradition. Calendar-2000 sales were healthy at over 174,000; another 81,000 or so were retailed during 1999 in the model's first months on the market.

Impala will get a mid-term restyle for 2003. Two years later it will migrate to General Motors' new "Mid Lux" front-drive platform along with current sister cars Buick Century/Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chevy Monte Carlo.