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.

Accord reclaimed title as America's best-selling car line in 2001, bucking the general market trend to record a 2.5-percent year-to-year sales gain for the calendar 12 months. Archrival Toyota Camry was down 7.7 percent for the period, but that reflected only initial sales of the redesigned 2002 sedans that are generating strong demand. Indeed, Camry sales were up 22.5 percent year-to-year in the first quarter of 2002, while Accord was off 20 percent.

But the tables may not stay turned for long, as Accord fights back with a full redesign of its own for 2003. Details remain elusive, but Honda will reportedly find a little more interior room without greatly increasing exterior size, and journalists have had glimses of design sketches that suggest styling will be much more dynamic than is customary for the family-oriented Honda. Definitely on the docket for V6 Accords is a power upgrade. Accord's 4-cyl grows to 2.4 liters, adopts Honda's new "iVTEC" valve-control system, and should provide 160 hp, up 10 from this year. Keep checking back with us for more details as they become available.