Honda Civic continues to be the car to beat with a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and a high degree of civility. Also a Best Buy, Ford Focus doesn't offer the refinement of the Civic, but doesn't cost as much either.

Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.

Aerio drew some 18,500 sales through the end of 2002, an underwhelming early-months showing for mass-market wheels, though better than what the old Esteem typically did. The addition of optional AWD looks a smart, sales-boosting move, but further plans are unknown. We'd guess a full redesign won't happen until 2006 at the earliest.

Meantime, Suzuki will soon introduce two new models, both orthodox front-drive 4-dr sedans. One is a Honda Civic/Toyota Corolla-size subcompact called Forenza. The other is a Honda Accord/Toyota Camry-fighter dubbed Verona. Both arrive early next year as 2004 models and are built in South Korea by GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies. GMDAT was formed in 2002 from the remains of bankrupt Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd., which had been doing business in the U.S. under its own name. Suzuki owns a 15-percent stake in GMDAT.

Forenza is based on Daewoo's new Lacetti, the Korean-market replacement for the Nubira subcompact once sold here. Expected to be priced in the $12,000-$15,000 range, Forenza carries a 119-hp 2.0-liter twincam 4-cyl (as did Nubira) teamed with 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmissions. Four-wheel disc brakes and CD/cassette stereo are standard. Options will include sunroof, ABS bundled with traction control, and 15-inch alloy wheels to replace steel rims.

Verona, starting in the $16,000-$19,000 range, is based on Daewoo's new Magnus, successor to the compact Leganza. It comes with a twincam, 2.5-liter inline 6-cyl with 155 hp, plus 4-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Also standard are 4-wheel disc brakes, remote keyless entry/antitheft system, CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and power windows/locks/mirrors. Options will include leather upholstery, power driver's seat, and heated front seats. Suzuki's initial press release doesn't mention ABS, but that may be available too.

In Canada, the Forenza and Verona will be sold through GM dealers as the Optra and Epica, respectively. Another neo-Daewoo will be sold on both sides of the border as the Chevrolet Aveo.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. wants to triple its yearly sales by 2007, and sees the Daewoo-sourced sedans as key to achieving that. But Suzuki may face tough sledding, given the low-priced Korean cars already on the market. Forenza squares off against the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra, while Verona must battle the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. Welcome to the automotive version of "Survivor."