Small Cars:

Small sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and wagons typically priced below $20,000. The better models offer enough rear-seat room for adult comfort, comfortable rides, good gas mileage, nimble handling, and solid crash-test scores.

Recommended Small Cars:

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Ford Focus

Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid

Honda Fit

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Rondo

Mazda3

Mazda5

Subaru Impreza

Suzuki Aerio

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Prius

Toyota Yaris

Volkswagen Jetta/Rabbit

Best-In-Class Small Car: Nissan Versa

The Versa sedan and hatchback offer excellent interior space, comfort and quality, safety, fuel economy, and refinement for their class, at a low price.

Caveats: While the Versa is neither slow nor clumsy, it is neither as fun to drive nor as powerful as some competitors.

See also:

Economy Sedan Comparison Test

Subcompact Wagon Comparison Test

Compact Wagon Comparison Test

Midsize Cars:

Midsize and large sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with well-equipped versions priced below $25,000. (Fully-loaded models, however, may extend past $30,000.) The better models offer excellent crash-test ratings, very comfortable and quiet rides, good acceleration and adequate fuel economy, lots of safety, luxury, and convenience features, and roomy, high-quality interiors. Some also offer sporty handling.

Recommended Midsize Cars:

Chevrolet Malibu (MAXX only)

Ford Five Hundred / Mercury Montego

Ford Fusion / Mercury Milan

Honda Accord

Mazda6

Mitsubishi Galant

Nissan Altima

Saturn Aura

Subaru Legacy

Toyota Camry

Toyota Solara

Volkswagen Passat

Best-In-Class Midsize Car:

Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima

The Sonata and Optima are roomy, comfortable, and quiet, have excellent crash test scores, ride and handle well, gets good gas mileage, and offer a range of V6 and 4-cylinder models that cover this market segment very well. Furthermore, both are quite inexpensive and come with a long warranty. In general, they match or beat the other class leaders in ability while undercutting them in price. The Optima has a nicer interior and is a bit more agile, the Sonata is roomier and has more V6 power.

Caveats: The fully loaded Sonata and Optima do not offer the same level of luxury as some fully loaded competitors (though they costs much less), and the V6 Optima is relatively weak. They aren't as fun to drive as a Honda Accord, Mazda6, or some other competitors either.

 See also:

Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test

Premium Family Sedan Comparison Test

Large Cars:

Similar to midsize cars in most respects, but many are more upscale and most are appreciably larger and more expensive than an Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Roomy interiors, fair prices, comfortable rides, and excellent crash test results are among the traditional criteria for this class, but power, refinement, and luxury are also materializing as important.

Recommended Large Mainstream Sedans:

Buick Lucerne

Chevrolet Impala (SS only)

Chrysler 300(C only)

Ford Five Hundred / Mercury Montego

Kia Amanti

Nissan Maxima

Toyota Avalon

Best-In-Class Large Car: Hyundai Azera

Like the Hyundai Sonata, the Azera does not win its distinction by soundly beating the established competition, but by matching it for less money. And in this class, that is no easy task, with high standards for ride comfort, seat comfort, interior quality, refinement, and even acceleration and handling. The Azera stands up to excellent junior-luxury competitors like the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon, beats them each in some areas, and costs several thousand less.

Caveats: The Azera is inexpensive compared to its main competitors, but other large sedans that focus principally on interior space for the money are better buys for some people. Also, the Azera lacks the option for a navigation system found on several others in this class.

 See also: Large Sedan Comparison Test

Entry-Lux Cars:

Compact, midsize, and some large coupes, sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons priced from the high $20,000s to past $40,000. Many are versions of less-expensive cars, the better of those distinguish themselves well from their downmarket counterparts, some are mainstream large sedans with added equipment and sufficient luxury to compete with like-priced upscale-branded vehicles. Some focus on isolation, others on sport. The better ones have comfortable and quiet rides, high-quality interiors, many standard and optional safety, convenience, and luxury features, top-notch safety ratings, and comfortable front seating (some even have habitable rear quarters). The better cars that focus specifically on either sport or luxury excel in that area.

Recommended Entry-Lux Cars:

Acura TL

Acura TSX

Audi A4

BMW 3-Series

Chrysler 300(C only)

Lexus ES350

Toyota Avalon

Best-In-Class Entry-Lux Car: Infiniti G35

Luxury Cars:

Midsize and large sedans, coupes, and wagons that are priced from the low $40,000s past $60,000. The best ones offer a blend of comfort, luxury, refinement, and driving enjoyment, along with numerous safety, luxury, and convenience features. The front and rear seats should both be roomy and comfortable.

Recommended Luxury Cars:

Acura RL

Audi A6

BMW 5-Series

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Best-In-Class Luxury Car: Infiniti M

The M, offered in V6 M35 and V8 M45 versions, offers excellent acceleration, refinement, ride comfort, agility, and interior comfort, without the outlandish price tag of some rivals. Even without its price advantage, it is still the most well-rounded car in its class, excelling in virtually every area.

Caveats: The M is not a smooth and silent all-luxury car. While penalties in ride comfort and refinement are not dramatic, consumers not at all interested in driving enjoyment may be better served by singularly-focused competitors.

Ultra-Lux Cars:

Large cars priced from the low $60,000s up past $100,000. An ultra-luxury sedan should offer excellent passenger space and comfort for the front and rear, an unflappable and nearly silent ride, and virtually any possible luxury, safety, and convenience feature. Strong acceleration and agile handling are also pluses.

Recommended Ultra-Lux Cars:

Audi A8/A8L

BMW 750i/750Li

Jaguar XJ8/XJ8-L

Lexus LS460

Best-In-Class Ultra-Lux Car:

Mercedes-Benz S550

The LS430 is in its last year on the market; 2007 brings a larger and more powerful LS460 to replace it. But it still offers this class's requisite comfort, refinement, quality, luxury, and feature content, along with a powerful V8. Moreover, it is around $30,000 less than its best competitor, the Mercedes-Benz S550.

Caveats: The LS430 is focused only on luxury. Sport-seekers need not apply, unless they consider the 4.3-liter V8 capable of providing sufficient driving enjoyment.

Sporty Cars under $25,000:

Any car under $25,000 that is either especially fun-to-drive or marketed with sporty pretensions. The best cars blend functionality with competitive acceleration and enjoyable handling.

Recommended Sub-$25,000 Sporty Cars:

Chevrolet Cobalt SS S/C

Chrysler PT Cruiser converitble

Ford Focus ZX4 ST

Honda Civic Si

Mazda3

Mini Cooper/CooperS

Scion tC

Subaru WRX

Volkswagen GTI/GLI

Best-In-Class Sub-$25,000 Sporty Car:

Mazda MX-5

The Mazda3, sold as a sedan and as a hatchback-style station wagon, combines value, quality, everyday usability, and driving enjoyment in this excellent package.

Caveats: Some options will push this car past $20,000, where it is no longer as competitive. And those looking for a coupe model will be out of luck.

Sporty Cars, $25,000-$35,000:

Any car priced between $25,000 and $35,000 that is either especially fun-to-drive or marketed with sporty pretensions. The best cars blend functionality with competitive acceleration and enjoyable handling.

Recommended $25k-$35k Sporty Cars:

BMW 3-Series

Ford Mustang GT

Honda S2000

Infiniti G35

Mazda MX-5

MazdaSpeed 6

Mazda MX-5

Mini Cooper/CooperS

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Nissan 350Z

Subaru WRX/STI

Volkswagen Golf GTI/Jetta GLI

Best-In-Class $25k-$35k Sporty Car: Mazda RX-8

The RX-8 has quick acceleration, a slick manual transmission, and very agile handling, as well as surprising rear seat room and a smooth ride.

Caveats: The RX-8 is priced at the higher end of this price range, even discounted. And while the car is quick, it is hardly a class standout in that area, and gas mileage is rather poor.

Sporty Cars, $35,000-$50,000:

Any car priced between $30,000 and $40,000 that is either especially fun-to-drive or marketed with sporty pretensions. (All coupes/3-door hatchbacks and convertibles automatically qualify.) The best cars blend functionality with competitive acceleration and enjoyable handling. Some level of luxury is also important at this price level

Recommended $35k-$50k Sporty Cars:

BMW 3-Series

Chevrolet Corvette

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Porsche Boxster

Best-In-Class $35k-$50k Sporty Car: Audi S4

The S4, offered in sedan, wagon, and convertible versions, combines usable interior space, lots of luxury features, and an adequately comfortable ride with strong acceleration and sharp handling.

Caveats: The S4 is not as all-out fast as a Chevrolet Corvette, nor does it have that car's traditional sporty appearance even in its convertible variant. Manual and automatic models are also subject to a gas guzzler tax of $1,700 and $1,300, respectively.

Sporty Cars, $50,000-$100,000:

Any car priced between $40,000 and $50,000 that is either especially fun-to-drive or marketed with sporty pretensions. (All coupes/3-door hatchbacks and convertibles automatically qualify.) The best cars blend functionality with competitive acceleration and enjoyable handling. Some level of luxury is also important at this price level.

Recommended $50k-$100k Sporty Cars:

BMW M5

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz SL550

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Porsche 911

Porsche Boxster/Cayman

Best-In-Class $50k-$100k Sporty Car:

Chevrolet Corvette / Corvette Z06

he Corvette offers stellar acceleration, capable handling, very fair pricing, and, despite the two-seat limit, good everyday usability. The Z06 offers even more performance for an extra $20,000 or so.

Caveats: The Corvette is not luxurious, and offers no rear seating.

Small SUVs:

Any SUV under 185 inches long with a well-equipped version priced under $25,000. The better models offer comfortable and flexible interiors, safe handling, a comfortable and quiet ride, good safety ratings, and reasonable gas mileage.

Recommended Small SUVs:

Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner / Mazda Tribute

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Tucson / Kia Sportage

Nissan Xterra

Subaru Forester

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Best-In-Class Small SUV: Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 offers roomy seating for five passengers, and also has an available tiny third-row seat. It rides and handles capably, did very well in crash-testing and has a reasonably priced, powerful, and relatively fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 optional even on the base version.

Caveats: While reasonably priced, the RAV4 is not the cheapest vehicle in its class. It doesn't offer the same towing capacity as truck-based competitors either, its standard 4-cylinder engine is not especially powerful or refined, nor is its interior particularly sumptuous.

Midsize SUVs:

Any SUV over 185 inches long with a well-equipped version priced under $30,000. The better models offer comfortable and flexible interiors with three rows of seats, safe handling, a comfortable and quiet ride, excellent safety ratings, and reasonable gas mileage.

Recommended Midsize SUVs:

Chrysler Pacifica

Ford Explorer / Mercury Mountaineer

GMC Acadia / Saturn Outlook

Honda Pilot

Hyundai Veracruz

Jeep Commander

Mitsubishi Endeavor

Nissan Murano

Nissan Pathfinder

Toyota Highlander

Best-In-Class Midsize SUV: Ford Freestyle

The Freestyle offers affordable pricing and a very roomy interior for an SUV, along with top-notch safety ratings, a comfortable ride, and fairly agile handling.

Caveats: The Freestyle is not especially powerful or refined, and has a low towing capacity. It is designed for use as a family car, nothing less and nothing more.

See also: Midsize SUV Comparison Test

Large SUVs:

Any SUV over 75 inches wide with a well-equipped V8 version priced under $40,000. The better models offer comfortable and flexible interiors with three rows of seats, safe handling, a comfortable and quiet ride, reasonable acceleration and towing capacity, and a great deal of cargo space.

Recommended Large SUVs:

Dodge Durango

Nissan Armada

Toyota Sequoia

Best-In-Class Large SUV: Ford Expedition

The Expedition offers the best three-row passenger comfort in its class, good ride and handling, and a reasonable price. 

Caveats: The Expedition isn't one of the quickest full-size SUVs, and doesn't see a corresponding gas mileage benefit.

Entry-Lux SUVs:

Midsize SUVs priced from the mid-$30,000s up past $50,000. The better models offer comfortable and flexible interiors with three rows of seats, safe handling, a comfortable and quiet ride, excellent acceleration, reasonable fuel economy, high-quality interiors, excellent crash-test results, and lots of safety, convenience, and luxury features.

Recommended Entry-Lux SUVs:

BMW X3

BMW X5

Cadillac SRX

Infiniti FX

Lexus RX350

Mercedes-Benz ML350

Mercedes-Benz R350

Volvo XC90

Best-In-Class Entry-Lux SUV: Acura MDX

Luxury SUVs:

Midsize and large SUVs priced from the mid-$40,000s up towards $100,000. The better models offer drive like comparably-priced luxury sedans with more people and cargo space, some larger and some sportier than others. In general, they are held to the same standard as luxury and ultra-luxury sedans.

Recommended Luxury SUVs:

Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac SRX

Lincoln Navigator

Mercedes-Benz GL

Porsche Cayenne S/Turbo

Best-In-Class Luxury SUV:

Mercedes-Benz R350

The R350 offers an excellent blend of passenger space and driving dynamics that combines the best aspects of the midsize and large vehicles in this price range. No need to pay the $7,000 premium for the V8, as the standard V6 is nearly as powerful and refined. While not inexpensive, it is a bargain compared to other cars in this class.

Caveats: The R350 doesn't have the same third-seat space as a Lincoln Navigator, nor is it as outright fun as a Porsche Cayenne.

Minivans:

The best combination of passenger and cargo space, comfort, refinement, luxury, fuel economy, and value on the market. The better models have reasonable pricing, excellent safety, roomy front, rear, and third-row seating, comfortable and quiet rides, safe handling, good interior quality, and a fair amount of safety, luxury, and convenience features.

Recommended Minivans:

Chrysler Town & Country / Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan

Honda Odyssey

Kia Sedona / Hyundai Entourage

Mazda5

Nissan Quest

Best-In-Class Minivan: Toyota Sienna

The Sienna has been described as the Lexus of minivans. It is very roomy, comfortable, quiet, and high-quality inside, and handles like a smaller vehicle. Fuel economy and acceleration are both impressive, crash test results are impressive, and it has a rare-for-a-van (but somewhat expensive) all-wheel-drive option.

Caveats: The Sienna is one of the pricier minivans on the market, and base versions are difficult to find. Unlike Chrysler/Dodge and Nissan competitors, the middle seats don't fold. And unlike the Honda Odyssey, it isn't fun to drive.

See also: Minivan Comparison Test

Small Pickups:

These vehicles should be inexpensive, capable, and relatively fuel-efficient, while delivering adequate road manners and interior comfort.

Recommended Models:

Ford Ranger

Ford Sport Trac

Honda Ridgeline

Nissan Frontier

Toyota Tacoma

Best-In-Class: Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma is a very good blend of carlike and trucklike traits. It rides and handles well without the TRD suspension, has a fairly roomy and high-quality interior, and has an available long bend and a high towing capacity. The 4.0-liter V6 provides very good acceleration and decent fuel economy.

Caveats: The Tacoma is not inexpensive, and it isn't as roomy, comfortable, or refined as the Honda Ridgeline.

See also: Midsize Pickup Comparison Test

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Large Extended Cab and Crew Cab Pickups:

These vehicles should combine the traits of family vehicles and work trucks, offering comfortable and quiet interiors, luxury, safety, and convenience options, and smooth rides along with high payload and towing capacities.

Recommended Models:

Chevrolet Avalanche

Chevrolet Silverado Classic / GMC Sierra Classic

Nissan Titan

Toyota Tundra

Best-In-Class: Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra

The GM pickups offer comfort, refinement, capability and value in a better blend than the competition.

Caveats: Several competitors offer more dramatic acceleration without a significant gas mileage penalty.