Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2007

Sedan Under $15,000

Winner: 2007 Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio

With high fuel prices likely here to stay, the bottom end of the car market has gotten more attention from consumers and manufacturers and thus more competitive, leading Hyundai/Kia engineers to take a second look at the Accent/Rio sedans. And after a complete redesign in 2006, the platform mates are no longer considered downmarket penalty boxes. Now pleasant to drive, loaded with features and comfortable to boot, the econocars have earned their spot on our Most Wanted list. Quickness is not within a lower-end economy car's grasp, but energized by a new 110-hp, 1.6-liter inline-4 with variable intake valve timing, the Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio get around as easily as any of their peers.

Honorable Mention: 2007 Nissan Versa

Created as an answer to rising fuel prices and urban congestion, Nissan's entry-level Versa boasts fuel economy above 30 mpg, ample interior space, plenty of features and a price tag lower than Nissan's more traditional entry-level car, the Sentra. Its 122-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) make the Versa one of the most powerful subcompacts in its segment, and the CVT promises to combine the ease of a traditional automatic with manual-like fuel economy. Availability of upscale items such as Bluetooth connectivity, side and head curtain airbags, and Nissan's Intelligent Key keyless entry system make the Versa a standout in its low-priced segment.