By FRANK A. AUKOFER, Scripps Howard News Service

With the introduction of its new 370Z Roadster and race-track tuned Nismo, Nissan has a triple play going in the sports car game.

Specifications for the 2010 Nissan 370Z Touring Roadster.

Engine: 3.7-liter V6, 332 horsepower.

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic with manual-shift mode.

Overall length: 13 feet 11 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 52/4 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,489 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 18/25 miles per gallon. Premium fuel required.

With its 2010 SRX, Cadillac is backing up for a fresh run at the burgeoning luxury crossover utility market.

It is giving up space and utility for a more competitive posture. The original SRX, sold from 2004 to 2009, was a crossover as well, although bigger and available with three rows of seats and V8 power.

Specifications for the 2010 Cadillac SRX4 Premium four-door crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 3-liter V6, 265 horsepower.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode and all-wheel drive.

Overall length: 15 feet 10 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 101/29 cubic feet.

Weight: 4,500 pounds.

Towing capability: 2,500-3,500 pounds.

The Outback is dead! Long live the Outback!

Obviously, a rallying cry like that requires explanation. Back about a decade, when Japan's Subaru had a tidy lineup of all-wheel drive sedans and station wagons.

American motorists had become infatuated with sport utility vehicles, most based on trucks. Gasoline was cheap and vehicles like the popular Ford Explorer were riding high.

Specifications for the 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium four-door crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 3.6 Liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, 256 horsepower.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Overall length: 15 feet 8 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 105/34 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,634 pounds.

Towing capability: 2,700 pounds.

Specifications for the 2010 Mazda CX-7i four-door crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 161 horsepower.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic with manual-shift mode.

Overall length: 15 feet 4 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 99/30 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,496 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 20/28 miles per gallon.

Mazda is making a grass is greener move with the 2010 CX-7 crossover utility vehicle.

When it was introduced in 2007, the CX-7 aspired to be a mid-level five-passenger CUV, competing then with the likes of the Acura RDX, Nissan Murano and Mercury Mariner. It pitted its 244-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine against some competitors' six-cylinder motors.

Lately it seems as if Acura has been magnetizing its automobiles, drawing them ever closer together.

Though it never fielded an extensive lineup, the luxury division of Honda at least had cars that were distinct from one another.

Specifications for the 2010 Acura TSX V6 four-door sedan.

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 280 horsepower.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic with manual-shift mode.

Overall length: 15 feet 6 inches.

EPA passenger/trunk volume: 95/13 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,680 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 18/27 miles per gallon.