By FRANK A. AUKOFER, Scripps Howard News Service

Specifications for the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track.

Engine: 2-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged, 210 horsepower.

Transmission: Six-speed manual.

Overall length: 15 feet 2 inches.

EPA passenger/trunk volume: 89/10 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,294 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 21/30 miles per gallon.

Like people, automobiles can have multiple personalities. But few have ranged as far and wide as the Ford Taurus.

When it was introduced in 1985, it was an immediate sensation -- a mid-size American car with rounded styling that resembled the luxury Audi from Germany. Before long, it became the best-selling car in the country.

Specifications for the 2010 Ford Taurus LTD AWD four-door sedan.

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 263 horsepower.

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

Overall length: 16 feet 11 inches.

EPA passenger/trunk volume: 102/20 cubic feet.

Weight: 4,224 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 17/24 miles per gallon.

Even though the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was developed by the old General Motors, it likely will come to be hailed as a hallmark of the new GM.

The all-new Equinox is a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that is equal to or better than any of its competitors. It's a shame that it took such a long time coming.

Specifications for the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT four-door crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 182 horsepower.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Overall length: 15 feet 8 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 100/31 cubic feet.

Weight: 3,770 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 22/32 miles per gallon.

Hard on the wheels of its funky, youth-oriented Soul hatchback, Kia returns to attack the mainstream compact car market with its 2010 Forte.

The feisty South Korean manufacturer sees an opportunity to capitalize on the woes not only of US automakers but also other Asians bemused as recession-shocked American buyers shun new cars and trucks.

Specifications for the 2010 Kia Forte SX four-door sedan.

Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 173 horsepower.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Overall length: 14 feet 10 inches.

EPA passenger/trunk volume: 97/15 cubic feet.

Weight: 2,868 pounds.

EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 23/31 miles per gallon.

In a recession economy, the operative principle is to move down, as in cutting down purchases of luxury items like expensive clothing, jewelry and restaurant meals.

Even among the moneyed classes, the principle applies as upscale shops and designer stores adjust inventories to carry less expensive items.

Specifications for the 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro four-door crossover utility vehicle.

Engine: 3.2-liter V6, 270 horsepower.

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

Overall length: 15 feet 2 inches.

EPA passenger/cargo volume: 98/29 cubic feet.

Weight: 4,345 pounds.

Right out of the garage, the BMW X5 was an anomaly.

When it was introduced in 2000, it was a response by the Bavarian car company to a perceived threat from its arch-rival, Mercedes-Benz, which had brought out the first luxury sport-utility vehicle, the ML320, in 1998.