Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Midsize Cars sport interior dimensions similar to Midsize Cars. Premium Midsize Cars offer more luxury, performance, and prestige when compared to Midsize Cars. This segment is one of the industry's fastest-growing categories.

Our Best Buys include the Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Our Recommended picks include the Acura RL, Infiniti G35, and the Lexus ES 330.

Ford is reportedly close to finalizing replacements for the LS and Lincoln's larger Town Car. The apparent plan is to put both models on the new corporate "D3" platform originated by Ford-owned Volvo. The "new LS" would reportedly bow for 2008, the "new Town Car" as a stretched version in early 2008 for model-year 09. The D3 chassis is basically a front-drive design that can accommodate all-wheel drive. We'd guess AWD will be standard for the new-generation Town Car and optional for the next LS, which may restore the Continental name to Lincoln's lineup. But just to confuse matters, there's talk of the current rear-drive Town Car hanging on into 2009 and perhaps a little beyond.

There's no doubt about the new entry-level Lincoln sedan coming for 2006. Named Zephyr, it will be Lincoln's smallest car ever, essentially a luxury version of the Mazda 6 designed by Ford's Japanese affiliate. Ford and Mercury will sell their own versions with less standard equipment and lower prices. Zephyr reportedly bows with Ford's latest "Duratec 30" 3.0-liter V6, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Optional AWD and a 3.5-liter "Duratec 35" V6 are expected down the road.