Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced. Camry was new last year and Accord holds that honor this year.

Recommended models include the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, sporty Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus twins, 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. Despite relatively high prices, the refined Volkswagen Passat is also Recommended. Sedan and wagon models are offered with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and four-, six-, or class-exclusive eight-cylinder power. Budget-level interior materials and assembly disappointments aside, the Nissan Altima is Recommended for its impressive interior room, road manners, and reasonable price.

Pontiac has already released details on the 2004 Grand Prix, which should go on sale by mid-2003, perhaps earlier. The base SE model is gone, but GT and supercharged GTP sedans return, the latter adding 10 hp. Both will have standard 16-inch wheels instead of 15s and offer 17-inchers as a new option. The larger rims are also part of a new GTP competition package in addition to a firmer handling-oriented suspension and a new version of GM's antiskid/traction-control system called Stabilitrak Plus. Automatic transmission remains mandatory, but gains a "Touch Activated Power" or "TAPshift" manual mode that allows sequential manual shifting from a paddle switch on the steering wheel. Styling highlights include clean flanks with no cladding for a change, plus a new nose and rear-end treatment. There's also a revised dashboard with larger analog gauges and flush-mount climate and audio controls.

Underneath, the '05 retains the W-body platform shared with Buick's Century and Regal, so dimensions are little changed inside and out. But there are numerous unseen updates, including electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle for both V6s, larger front brakes, and standard electronic brake-force distribution. Wider-opening rear doors and trunklid feature too. In all, the '05 seems to represent a thorough reengineering that's evidently meant to substitute for a complete redesign, which sources suggest is now three years away at least.

Like other Pontiacs, Grand Prix keeps losing sales ground. Year-to-year deliveries fell 13.2 percent in calendar 2001 and another 3.4 percent in the first nine months of 2002.