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.

After a 10.5-percent year-to-year gain in calendar 2000, Legacy/Outback sales eased 1.1 percent in 2001, a difference of only 1100 units. Subaru doesn't keep separate tallies, but the SUV-flavored Outbacks still account for the bulk of total sales. Informants say these cars won't be redesigned until model-year 2005. To tide them over, the current design is to be freshened for 2003, nature and extent of the changes as yet unknown.

Also coming this September is Baja, the Outback-based car/pickup suggested by the ST-X concept of two years ago. Like the big Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT, Baja is basically a wagon with the rear roof lopped off to make a 4-dr pickup; the rear cab wall and seats fold forward for extending the bed. The only engine is Subaru's familiar 165-hp 2.5-liter "flat four," though a high-power turbocharged or supercharged version is an outside possibility for later on. Per Subaru tradition, Baja comes with all-wheel drive, though models with 5-speed manual transmission use a slightly different system than those with optional 4-speed automatic. Besides its pickup-style body, Baja stands apart from Legacy and Outback with a unique lower front fascia and side cladding, plus various special touches inside and out. It, too, will be built at the Indiana Subaru-Isuzu plant, though only at the rate of about 24,000 a year. Starting price is whispered at around $25,000, but won't be announced until just before the on-sale date.