Honda Civic continues to be the car to beat with a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and a high degree of civility. Also a Best Buy, Ford Focus doesn't offer the refinement of the Civic, but doesn't cost as much either.

Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.

Ford is focusing on making its subcompact as emissions-free as a gas-engine car can get. This spring, and with SVT models excepted, Focuses sold in California, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts get a new 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine that rates Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) status, the next best thing to no pollution at all. The engine becomes available in other states in early 2004. It's a twincam 16-valve design like the current "Zetec" 2.0-liter, but makes 148 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque. That suggests Focus will become quicker as well as greener.

Focus sales aren't as high as they once were, easing 8 percent in 2002 after a 7.6-percent dip in calendar '01. Still, only Honda Civic sells better in the small-car class, though Focus's hold on number-two was razor-thin last year, as a surprisingly resurgent Chevy Cavalier closed the gap to within 5000 units.

A redesigned Focus is on track for 2005 using Ford's new "P1" corporate platform also destined for the next-generation Mazda Protege and Volvo 40-Series. The aim is to cut costs across three models with combined worldwide sales of well over 1 million a year. Insiders predict a stronger structure, upgraded interiors and sleeker styling. Sedans, hatchbacks and wagons will continue. A high-body wagon with 3-row seating is said to be on for 2006 or '07. It's just been introduced to Europe as the Focus C-Max. P1 could also spawn a Focus coupe to replace the aging Escort-based ZX2. V6 power and optional all-wheel drive are said to be possible for some models. All Focuses reportedly adopt direct fuel injection, which squirts right into the cylinders, vs. delivering fuel from a central "rail," to improve power and efficiency. Electric instead of hydraulic power steering is also expected.

Bowing some months before the new Focuses is Fusion, a 4-dr "sport wagon" patterned on a well received concept model. Derived from Ford's European Fiesta minicar, Fusion is smaller than the brand's Escape SUV. It will cost less too, being sourced from a low-cost plant in Brazil. Fusion will offer front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive in a trim 5-seat package. Powertrains are likely to comprise manual and automatic transmissions and one or more 4-cyl engines in the 1.6- to 2-liter range. Fusion is due to go on sale in mid-2004 as an early '05 debut.