Not really a sport-utility or minivan, the PT Cruiser has been well received by our staff. It offers versatility and eye-catching styling not found among compact cars. Its only drawback is tepid acceleration. The loaded Volkswagen Passat also makes it to the Best Buy list this year, despite relatively high prices.

Recommended choices include the vanilla Mazda 626 and the all-wheel drive Subaru Outback/Legacy. Both offer roomy alternatives at fair prices.

Mitsubishi's U.S. breadwinner posted 1.2-percent higher year-to-year sales in the first nine months of 2001, following a 28.9-percent hike for calendar 2000. That's good going in light of the economy's recent woes and uncertain general atmosphere.

Galant's next redesign had been on track for model-year 2003, but sources now say it's 2005 or '06. The delay apparently reflects Mitsubishi's many recent troubles at home and new orders from DaimlerChrysler, which now holds a controlling share in the Japanese maker. Galant production remains in the U.S., but the redesign is also being carried out here to insure the result matches the needs and tastes of U.S. customers. In line with that, the new Galants will reportedly be 2-3 inches longer overall and some 2 inches wider than current offerings. Underneath is a new, so-called "flexible" platform being jointly developed by Mitsubishi and Chrysler Group. This will also be the basis for new-generation Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus midsize sedans and Mitsubishi's next Eclipse sporty compacts. All these new vehicles will reportedly be introduced in the 2005-06 timeframe.