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 import-flavored Chevy Malibu, plain-Jane Ford Taurus, 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. The restyled and larger Nissan Altima is new to the Recommended list this year. We are impressed with interior room and road manners, but disappointed by the budget-level interior materials and assembly.

Though quite similar to the upscale Regal, Century is more popular. In fact, it's been Buick's number-two seller the past two years. But Buick as a whole keeps slipping, and Century is no exception, with year-to-year sales off 9 percent in 2000 and essentially flat in 2001.

Despite its current sales importance, Century will apparently be dropped after model year 2003, though it will live on in spirit as a lower-priced version of the redesigned Regal now planned for '05 or '06. The move reflects General Motors' current efforts to reduce overhead and boost profitability by reducing nameplates and models.