Comfortable, smartly designed and available in a wide array of configurations, the 2009 Honda Civic sets the bar for the small-car segment.

The 2009 Honda Accord offers an appealing combination of spaciousness, a relatively upscale feel and a reputation for reliability. However, its ride quality and overall performance are merely adequate for this segment.

The 2009 Honda CR-V boasts great crash test scores, intuitive controls and above-average driving dynamics. However, the mandatory 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is ponderous and there's no six-cylinder option.

Subtle styling updates and an available broad-shouldered diesel power plant put a layer of icing on our favorite entry-level luxury car, the 2009 BMW 3 Series.

Straddling the midsize wagon and crossover SUV segments, the 2009 Subaru Outback offers more off-road chops than other wagons and better handling than crossover SUVs. Keep in mind, though, that a third-row seat is unavailable.

The 2009 Nissan Altima bundles contemporary styling, athletic driving manners and a cozy cabin in either coupe or sedan varieties. The smart execution of the Altima places it among our top picks for sporty family cars.

Thanks to its spacious cabin, powerful and efficient performance, variety of trim levels and just-right-for-most-folks size, the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox is high on our list of recommended crossover SUVs.

As expected, the 2009 Toyota Camry is pleasant to drive and spacious enough to keep a family of four content on a long road trip. But newer competition has managed to better this segment titan in overall performance and cabin refinement.

Spacious, comfortable and easy to drive, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is a top pick for a crossover SUV, especially if you want a V6 or a usable kid-size third-row seat.

For traditional Buick customers, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse should prove comfortably familiar, with its calm but isolated motoring experience. Sadly, it lags behind most other family sedans when it comes to handling, cabin space, feature content and overall refinement.

To the glee of burnout aficionados everywhere, the Camaro is back. Chevrolet has reintroduced its iconic pony car after an eight-year hiatus, and this time the car's driving excitement goes beyond just apocalyptic clouds of rear tire smoke.

The 2009 Acura MDX might not drive just like a sport sedan, but this seven-passenger luxury SUV comes very close.

Having effectively addressed the F-150's few shortcomings for 2009, Ford should have little problem holding onto its top-seller tradition.

Entertaining yet sophisticated in demeanor, the 2009 Mazda 3 doesn't look, feel or drive like an economy car. If you're shopping for a small, inexpensive sedan or hatchback, this car should be at the top of your list.

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta remains the only discount-price European sedan. This year's return of the wagon and TDI models makes the Jetta an even more attractive choice.

Though scheduled for a complete redesign next year, the 2009 Honda Odyssey remains our favorite choice in the minivan segment.

Sport-focused, intelligently designed and attractively priced, the 2009 Infiniti G37 is an excellent choice for an entry-level luxury sport sedan or coupe.

No car boasts a better blend of fuel and space-efficiency than the 2009 Toyota Prius.

Now more SUV-like than ever before, the 2009 Subaru Forester grows in useful ways while retaining much of the previous model's charm.

The redesigned 2009 Toyota Corolla will satisfy those seeking a refined and fuel-efficient small sedan backed by an impressive reliability record. Younger buyers, however, might be put off by the tepid driving experience.

With plenty of room, power and features, the 2009 Toyota Highlander is optimized for family use. If you're shopping for a midsize crossover SUV, make sure you try this Toyota.

The redesigned 2009 Audi A4 sedan and Avant wagon boast more space, better driving dynamics and more gadgets. They're worth a look for shoppers desiring good looks and sharp handling.

The 2010 GMC Terrain is an eye-catching and capable crossover SUV that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as segment stars like the RAV4 and CR-V.

With its sporty handling, smooth ride and roomy, luxurious cabin, the 2009 Cadillac SRX is one of our top choices for a midsize luxury crossover SUV.

Although it costs more than its peers, a combination of agreeable driving dynamics, numerous safety and luxury features, and high style make the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class one of our favorites.

In the luxury crossover SUV segment, the 2009 BMW X5 sets the standard for handling and performance. In terms of value and utility, however, many competitors are better.

Acura addressed customer requests in its full redesign of the 2009 TL; it's now bigger, quicker and easier to maneuver at slow speeds. However, its controversial styling could be a hit or miss with consumers.

The 2009 Honda Pilot looks tougher than its predecessor and offers more room for third-row passengers, but the stereo and climate controls are less than intuitive, and some interior plastics feel cheap.

While the amply proportioned 2009 Mazda 6 may no longer be the sportiest family sedan on the market, it has unquestionably become one of the best.

More than just a show pony, the 2009 Ford Mustang offers enthusiasts on a budget a tempting combination of potent performance and timeless styling. Given today's gas prices, though, the Mustang's prodigious thirst detracts from its appeal.

With rising gas prices gluing full-size trucks to dealer lots, folks who still need a pickup's utility should find that the midsize and more fuel-efficient 2009 Toyota Tacoma is an ideal alternative.

The 2009 Ford Fusion has a lot of things going for it, including sporty handling and the nifty Sync MP3 and cell phone interface. Underwhelming powertrains and some unpleasant interior controls, however, relegate the Fusion to being a mid-pack choice for a midsize sedan.

The 2009 Ford Taurus may not be the sexiest choice, but its combination of spaciousness and safety make it a worthy entrant in the full-size sedan segment.

The 2009 Audi Q5 is a well-rounded, stylish luxury crossover for those who don't need a big SUV. There are plenty of worthy competitors, though, so make sure to check them all out.

Although the Impreza lost some of its quirky Subaru personality during last year's "we're going mainstream" redesign, the 2009 WRX model has happily been restored to its former high-performance glory.

The 2009 Toyota Venza is a new breed of vehicle, mixing crossover SUV attributes with a wagon. We think many families will find it to be pleasantly useful transportation.

With the lowest base price of its three platform siblings, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse will probably become the most successful, too.

The 2009 Nissan Rogue is a comfortable, convenient and fun-to-drive compact crossover, but it lacks cargo space and rear-seat versatility.

The 2009 Subaru Legacy isn't great on gas, but it compensates by offering standard all-wheel drive, excellent crash test scores and above-average performance.

For a go-anywhere traditional SUV, the 2009 Toyota 4Runner remains one of our top choices. However, those looking for an urban people carrier with little or no off-road capability may want to consider a car-based crossover SUV instead.

Thanks to the 2009 Honda Fit, "affordable subcompact" no longer equals "chintzy penalty box."

With upgrades to its engine and suspension, the 2009 Ford Escape would get our full endorsement were it not for mediocre braking performance.

With newly available Bluetooth connectivity, standard stability control and the widespread adoption of the six-speed automatic for four-cylinder models, the already respected 2009 Chevy Malibu makes a stronger case for itself in the midsize sedan arena.

Roomy, comfortable and well-built, the 2009 Toyota Sienna minivan is an excellent choice for larger families.

Powerful, comfortable and offered in a wide array of body styles and configurations, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a prime choice for a full-size pickup.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima is a high-quality, well-stocked entry-level luxury sedan with an everyday badge. Snobs need not apply, but those with a keen eye for value should take note.

With a brand-new interior and improved engines, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata re-establishes itself as a serious contender in the cutthroat midsize family sedan segment. It should definitely be on your shopping list.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has many key attributes that make it a competitive, entry-level luxury performance sedan -- the C63 AMG in particular offers power and torque unmatched by its competitors. However, in certain aspects, the C-Class misses the mark.

An excellent value plus plenty of safety features and amenities make the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe a very good choice when it comes to midsize crossover SUVs.

It costs a lot and it makes simple tasks needlessly complicated, but the 2009 BMW 5 Series is quite simply one of the best cars on the road.