This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it's Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

The 9-3 lost more sales ground in 2001, just not as quickly--down 7.2 percent year-to-year through the third quarter after a 13.3-percent drop in calendar 2000. An elderly basic design (vintage 1994) has been an increasing handicap against newer class rivals, but that all changes with the redesigned 2003-model 9-3, which starts U.S. sale in summer 2002.

Though still Swedish-built and recognizeably Saab, the new 9-3 is heavily influenced by parent General Motors, introducing the new Epsilon front-drive platform that will also support the redesigned 2005 Chevy Malibu and Pontiac Grand Am. The 9-3 grows slightly longer and wider and looks like a scaled-down version of the bigger 9-5, judging by spy photos of late prototypes. Engines will be all-Saab, including, perhaps, a new turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cyl with Saab's own newly developed variable-compression system. This engine is reportedly good for at least 225 horsepower, high for the displacement, yet is said to be thriftier and cleaner-running than Saab's current turbo 2.0-liter.

Sources say body styles will expand to include a first-ever 9-3 wagon, which will also be offered with high-riding all-wheel drive and a more rugged look as Saab's answer to the Volvo V70 Cross Country and other car-based "crossovers." A convertible may or may not be added later, but high-performance models will continue, reportedly under the Aero name.

The Saab line may expand further with a rumored two-seat sports car that could be on sale as soon as late 2003. The recent 9X concept, a long-nose wagon-like 2-dr based on the new 9-3, is a possible template for styling and layout, though most sources expect a convertible, assuming GM gives the green light.

More definite is the midsize Saab crossover wagon now pencilled in for sometime in 2004. This would be either a retooled Buick Rendezvous/Pontiac Aztek or a cousin of Cadillac's forthcoming LAV "luxury activity vehicle". GM hasn't yet decided which platform to use, but standard features are almost sure to include all-wheel drive and a Saab-sourced turbocharged V6.