This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.

Saab's junior line suffered a U.S. sales setback in calendar 2000, sliding 13.3 percent to just under 19,500 units. Likely factors are an aging design--rooted in the 1994-vintage 900 series--and stiffer competition, especially from other European makes.

A redesigned 9-3 is due to appear in early 2002 as an '03 model. As General Motors now owns all of Saab's car business, the replacement will follow big-brother 9-5 in adopting GM corporate engineering--specifically the new front-drive Epsilon platform destined also for the redesigned 2004 Chevy Malibu, Pontiac Grand Am--and next-generation 9-5. The next 9-3 is said to be a little smaller than those cars, but slightly longer and wider than the current model. Spy photos of late prototypes suggest styling will mix Saturn and 9-5 elements. Though "less Saab" in basic design, the '03 will retain Swedish power, a brand-new turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cyl with Saab's recently developed variable-compression system. Rumored horsepower is 225, high for the displacement, but the new engine is said to be thriftier and cleaner-running than today's turbo 2.0-liter. Models should comprise the usual hatchbacks plus a sedan. New-generation convertible and high-performance Viggen versions will be added sometime later.

Come 2004, Saab will enter the fast-growing "crossover" market with a retooled version of the Buick Rendezvous/Pontiac Aztek wagons. As-yet unnamed, this vehicle will built alongside its cousins in Mexico, not in Sweden--a first for a Saab--though it will have Saab looks and maybe even some trademark brand features like a floor-mounted ignition switch. All-wheel drive is reportedly standard, making this the first Saab not available with front-wheel drive. Sources also say the Rendezvous/Aztek 3.4-liter pushrod V6 will be swapped for a version of the 9-5's turbocharged 3.0-liter overhead-cam V6.