By RICHARD WILLIAMSON, Scripps Howard News Service

2009 CHEVROLET COBALT SS TURBO
TYPE: Front-drive, five-passenger, subcompact sedan.
PRICE: $22,775 base; $22,806 invoice; $24,755 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Lordstown, Ohio.
KEY RIVALS: Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Dodge Caliber, Mazda 3.

Subaru's Legacy has embodied the beauty of all-wheel drive since 1989, the year Lexus and Infiniti appeared on the scene.
Now in its fourth generation, the compact sedan is awaiting a fifth-generation remodel based on the concept car shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Specifications for the 2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT
TYPE: All-wheel-drive, five-passenger, compact sedan.
WHERE BUILT: Lafayette, Ind.
PRICE: $30,395 base; $31,060 as tested.
KEY RIVALS: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Galant, Mazda 6.

If you're looking for an eight-person transporter that doesn't look like a minivan or a suburban assault vehicle, consider the Chevrolet Traverse.
Unveiled at last year's Chicago Auto Show and delivered to dealers in October, the Traverse fills a niche that General Motors surrendered when it abandoned the minivan market after a series of regrettable failures.

Specifics for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LS
TYPE: Front-drive, eight-passenger, full-size crossover vehicle.
PRICE: $28,255 base, $29,065 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Spring Hill, Tenn.
KEY RIVALS: Ford Flex, Volvo XC90, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Sorento.
POWER: 3.6-liter, 260-horsepower DOHC, 24-valve V6; six-speed auto transmission.

Specifics for the 2010 BUICK LACROSSE CXS
TYPE: Front-drive, five-passenger, mid-size sedan.
PRICE: TBA.
WHERE BUILT: Kansas City, Kan.
KEY RIVALS: Toyota Avalon, Acura TL, Chrysler 300, Lexus ES 350.
POWER: 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower V6; six-speed auto transmission.
FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city, 26 highway mpg; 18.4-gallon tank.

Now that Buick is officially part of the General Motors survival plan, the upscale brand must enhance its relevance to younger buyers.
A big part of that effort is the 2010 LaCrosse, an elegant but sporty sedan that bears little resemblance to the first generation model.

Introduced as a replacement for the QX4 six years ago, the Infiniti FX enters its second generation as a 2009 model.
The mid-size crossover is built for the luxury buyer who demands safety, security, comfort and the usual array of amenities, along with the latest thing in high-tech.

2009 INFINITI FX35
TYPE: All-wheel-drive, five-door, five-passenger, crossover utility vehicle.
PRICE: $43,600 base.
WHERE BUILT: Tochigi, Japan.
KEY RIVALS: Acura MDX; Lexus GX; Mercedes-Benz ML-Class; BMW X5; Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90,

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
TYPE: All-wheel-drive, four-passenger, compact, high-performance sedan.
PRICE: $39,490 base.
WHERE BUILT: Ota, Gunma, Japan.
KEY RIVAL: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
POWER: 2.5-liter, 305-horsepower, turbocharged, 4-cylinder Boxer engine; six-speed manual transmission.