Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Kia Rondo. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 5, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Honda Accord, and Mazda 5.

Galant won't change much for a while. A redesign isn't expected until model-year 2010-11, and only if Mitsubishi's U.S. arm can end its long losing streak in sales and earnings. But assuming business turns up, the next Galant would likely use a scaled-up version of the so-called C-platform developed with Chrysler Group. This serves the 2007 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass/Patriot crossovers, and next appears beneath Mitsubishi's redesigned 2008 Lancer compact cars. The coming years will also be crucial for the Illinois plant that builds Galants, sporty Eclipses and Endeavor SUVs. The factory is now operating far below capacity, and there's talk it may be closed at decade's end as a money-saving measure.