Available As: Large mainstream sedan, entry-lux sedan, premium sporty car

Base Price Range (MSRP): $24,695-$41,905

Pros: Acceleration (V8s), interior comfort, AWD.

Cons: Price, fuel economy, visibility.

Overall: The 300 is mediocre in its mainstream V6 versions, but Hemi V8s add something to the 300C models.

Rating: 6/10

Recommended: NO

The 300 is a large rear-wheel-drive (with optional all-wheel-drive on some versions) sedan with expressive styling and powerful V8 engine options, but for the most part it is rather mediocre. It is not especially roomy, refined, agile, or smooth-riding compared to its better competitors, though adequate in those ways. Visibility is compromised in all directions by the car's styling. The standard 2.7-liter V6 is very weak, and the 3.5-liter V6 on midlevel versions is still not a class standout in either performance or refinement. And it's rather pricey for what it is. V8 300C models offer outstanding acceleration, but aren't much fun to drive beyond their straight line acceleration compared to smaller, lighter competitors. The V8 models are the only ones worth any consideration from the 300 line, but even they offer only one standout quality.

Available As: Large SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $32,425-$35,300

Pros: Acceleration (5.7-liter), ride, handling, interior comfort.

Cons: Fuel economy, price.

Overall: A slightly nicer version of the Dodge Durango that costs many thousands more.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

By only its own merits, the Aspen would seem very competitive. It drives well for a large truck-based SUV, and has a spacious interior with a usable third-row seat. But there is no reason to buy the Aspen over the near-identical Dodge Durango, which, with its lower sticker price and additional rebates, costs many thousands less. The Aspen is a bit quieter than the Durango, and has a few nicer interior materials (though neither excels in that area), but it's not worth the price difference.

See all Large SUVs

Available As: Sporty coupe, convertible

Base Price Range (MSRP): $34,735-$39,130

Pros: Acceleration, interior quality.

Cons: Agility, steering feel, visibility, interior space.

Overall: Neither a tight, fun sporty car nor a relaxed and comfortable cruiser, and not inexpensive.

Rating: 3/10

Recommended: NO

The Crossfire asks drivers to make sacrifices. You sacrifice the practicality of a rear seat and a roomy trunk, squeeze yourself into a low seat with little head space, tolerate a stiff, jarring ride, and pay a fairly highe price. But although the Crossfire has the appearance of a sporty coupe, its substantive qualities are lacking. Based on the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SLK platform (it has since been redesigned and vastly improved), it isn't as agile as its size would suggest, or as its competitors are. Its steering isn't nearly as precise or responsive as competitors'. The 3.2-liter V6 provides strong acceleration, but that isn't enough to give it a credible sporty feel. And after you've already sacrificed comfort, practicality, and value, giving up driving enjoyment is too much to ask.

As a fun-to-drive compact sporty car that's even moderately comfortable, the Mazda MX-5 (formerly Miata) convertible is a top choice, and can be had for under $20,000. Among coupes, look at the Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z are excellent blends of value, power, and agility. (The 2-seat 350Z is more powerful, and the RX-8 is more agile and has a comfortable seating for four.) The 350Z is also available as a convertible. For more luxury, consider the Infiniti G37 and sedan, though they are a bit more expensive than the Crossfire, particularly at its often-discounted prices. And for a blend of practicality and driving enjoyment, consider the Volkswagen GTI three- and five-door hatchback. 

See all Sporty Cars between $25,000 and $35,000

Available As: Midsize SUV

Base Price Range (MSRP): $24,635-$36,195

Pros: Price, ride comfort, interior comfort, acceleration (except base model).

Cons: Agility, visibility.

Overall: A safe, comfortable, and well-priced family vehicle.

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

The Pacifica falls into the market category of "crossover", meaning that it's a car-based SUV that attempts to offer the benefits of a minivan without a minivan appearance. And while it doesn't quite do that, as it has significantly less third-row seat and cargo space and seating for only six passengers, it is a much better family vehicle than most other midsize SUVs, and costs less than most competing crossovers.

The Ford Taurus X is roomier than the Pacifica, handles more nimbly, offers seating for six or seven passengers rather than the Pacifica's choice of five or six, and gets better gas mileage. But the Pacifica is more powerful and refined, has better-shaped seats, and has a more luxurious interior. The GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook twins offer most of the Taurus X's benefits (its gas mileage isn't as good though) with even more interior space and a luxury feel, though it's expensive and the Pacifica again has more power and better-shaped seats. And a minivan will be much roomier and comparably-priced.

See all Midsize SUVs

Available As: Compact Wagon, Convertible

Base Price Range (MSRP): $15,285-$22,930

Pros: Price, interior space, acceleration (turbo).

Cons: Fuel economy, refinement.

Overall: With its styling no longer fresh, the PT Cruiser isn't a class standout, but some versions remain competitive.

Rating: 6/10

Recommended: YES

The PT Cruiser is an old design, but despite its shortcomings, it remains an acceptable compact station wagon. (And better than Chrysler's much newer Dodge Caliber hatchback.) In its base form, it is noisy and slow without returning impressive gas mileage, but two turbo versions improve acceleration without a significant decline in fuel efficiency. Despite a mid-life upgrade, the interior quality does not match many newer competitors', with excessive use of hard, cheap plastic. But the interior is roomy and comfortable, better than the newer similar Chevrolet HHR. And it is priced reasonably and frequently discounted. Turbocharged versions of the convertible offer quick acceleration, acceptable handling, and much more rear-seat and cargo space than most other droptops. Base versions of the wagon are mediocre, but if gas mileage isn't a priority, it can be a good deal with the turbo, particularly as a convertible compared to like-priced competitors. 

The Nissan Versa is a good all-around hatchback, with a roomy and comfortable interior, very good gas mileage, good driving dynamics, and a reasonable price. The Mazda3 and Volkswagen Rabbit offer a premium feel, but are rather pricey and not very roomy. The Kia Rondo and Mazda5 are very roomy, include a third-row seat, and drive well, but are a bit more expensive and doesn't get particularly good gas mileage. And the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe twins are roomy and get very good gas mileage, but are noisy and slow.  There are fewer clear alternatives to the PT Cruiser convertible. The Ford Mustang offers retro styling for a similar price, but has much less rear seat space. The Toyota Solara is roomy and luxurious, but doesn't handle nimbly and is quite expensive. And if you don't need a rear seat, the Mazda MX-5 is very fun to drive and inexpensive.

See all Small Cars

See all Sporty Cars under $25,000

See the 2006 PT Cruiser Touring wagon in the IFCAR Compact Wagon Comparison Test

Available As: Midsize sedan, convertible

Base Price Range (MSRP): $19,110-$32,375

Pros: Price, fuel economy (4-cylinder), acceleration (3.5-liter).

Cons: Interior comfort, interior quality, trunk space, ride, handling, refinement (2.4-liter).

Overall: Unacceptable even at its low price.

Rating: 4/10

Recommended: NO

Although the Sebring was recently redesigned, it did not come to the market competitive even with long-existing models. As with its twin, the Dodge Avenger, it is not only mediocre but almost risibly inferior in a remarkable number of ways. The interior, as in many Chrysler products, is sloppily assembled from the cheapest plastics. The seats are hard, poorly shaped, and uncomfortable. The trunk is small. The ride lacks control and the car handles clumsily. The two base engines are weak, and even the line-topping 3.5-liter V6 isn't at the level of some competitors, and gets poor gas mileage for a family sedan. Chrysler clearly hopes to excuse the Sebring sedan's consistent inferiority with low prices, but until it significantly undercuts every competitor, there is no reason to even consider it. The convertible is a rare choice in a shrinking market, and is an acceptable choice by default. Although it shares most of the sedan's vices, it is more comfortable and practical than most like-priced drop-tops, and comes with a retractable hardtop on high-end models.

The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are far better choices as inexpensive and pleasant family sedans than the Sebring. They offer roomy, comfortable, and high-quality interiors, a long warranty, adequately powerful 4-cylinder or V6 engines, good ride and handling, and excellent safety ratings. Either can be had new reasonably equipped for under $17,000. For a bit more driving enjoyment than either of those, consider the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, which aren't as roomy or smooth riding as the Sonata and Optima and (except for the Ford) are more expensive than any of the three, but handle more nimbly, and in the Altima's case, have a lot more power. And the ever-popular Toyota Camry is a very pleasant car, roomy and quiet, but not agile or inexpensive. Among convertibles, the Toyota Solara is more luxurious and comfortable, but costs more and lacks a retractable hardtop, and the Pontiac G6 hardtop has a tiny rear seat and trunk, but both are better all-around cars than the Sebring.

See all Midsize Cars

See the 2007 Sebring Touring sedan in the IFCAR Inexpensive Family Sedan Comparison Test

See the 2008 Sebring Limited sedan in the IFCAR Premium Family Sedan Comparison Test

Available As: Minivan

Base Price Range (MSRP): $22,825-$35,985

Pros: Price, interior flexibility, interior space, ride comfort.

Cons: Refinement and acceleration (3.3-liter), interior quality, agility, third-row seat space.

Overall: Comfortable, practical, and well-priced, but not without some junky feel.

Rating: 7/10

Recommended: YES

The Town & Country was redesigned and improved for 2008. But while a new available engine offers improves acceleration and refinement, while interior quality and ride and handling have improved, and while a few more gadgets and seat tricks are available, the new model continues to have most of the strengths and weaknesses of its even less-expensive predecessor. Its base V6, sold on most Town & Countrys, has been with the line for years, and is decidedly weak and noisy compared to every other current minivan. The interior design and quality has been upgraded, but retains too many hard, cheap plastics and a relatively junky feel. The suspension remains tuned for a comfortable ride, and handling remains somewhat sloppy. But the seats continue to do unparalleled magic tricks; depending on the option selected, either the second row seats can fold flat into the floor ("Stow N Go"), or they can be turned to face the third row with a table installed between them ("Swivel N Go"). (You can't get both capabilities on the same model, however.) So the Town & Country continues to offer class-leading versatility and reasonable comfort at competitive prices, but it cannot match the refinement, interior quality, and overall luxury feel of several key competitors.

The Nissan Quest nearly matches the Chrysler vans' Stow N Go, but its second-row seats simply drop down, rather than folding into a storage bin to make a completely flat cargo floor. Furthermore, the Nissan's one-piece third row is bulkier to raise and lower than the Chryslers' split bench, and the van costs quite a bit more. The Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona twins are more comfortable, quieter, better-finished and more powerful than the Town & Country at a similar price point, though they don't match its interior versatility. For maximum comfort and luxury, and also commendable acceleration and fuel economy, consider the  Toyota Sienna, and for a good blend of comfort and sportiness consider the Honda Odyssey, but both are rather expensive. And if you decide on a Chrysler minivan, shop both the Town & Country and the near-identical Dodge Grand Caravan for the best deal (prices are very similar).

See all Minivans