Ford Taurus America's best-selling car is dramatically redesigned for 1996 with styling cues from Ford's oval-shaped logo. Check out the unique climate/audio control panel in the center of the dashboard.
There are currently 112 passenger car model lines for sale on the U.S. market--all pictured and described in CarPoint.	The passenger car market is, by far, the largest and most competitive in the car business. With prices starting at $8,380 and reaching as high as $30,000, passenger cars account for about half the vehicles sold in the U.S. Meanwhile, shoppers have a range of body styles to choose from including 2-door coupes, 4-door sedans, 2- and 4-door hatchbacks, station wagons and convertibles.
value and competition The Ford Taurus was the best-selling passenger car in America in 1995. Redesigned for 1996, the car's new appearance is radically different from the "jelly bean" design of its predecessors.	With so many cars to choose from, value plays a huge role in the decision to purchase one car over another. The combination of value-conscious shoppers and severe competition between automakers has resulted in a generation of passenger cars that delivers more quality and features than ever before.      At the same time, passenger car makers are working hard to hang onto potential buyers who are increasingly drawn to other attractive vehicle categories. More and more, sport utilities, minivans and compact pickups are emerging as strong competitive alternatives to the passenger car--combining car-like amenities with specialized utility. Return to top
automakers fight back The Civic is Honda's strong-selling compact car. This entry-level Honda was awarded a Best Overall Value Award by IntelliChoice, Inc. for vehicles in the "Subcompact/Minicompact Under $12,500" category.	Automakers have fought back with feature-rich new models showcasing the latest in styling, safety and technology. It appears as if manufacturers have been ushered into a "feature war," where new technologies are continually developed to make cars safer and more advanced in order to attract new buyers.      Passenger cars are now being equipped with standard features that--just a few years ago--were available only on luxury cars. Air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), CD players and dual airbags now appear on cars costing as little as $15,000. This trend will continue as competition from the minivan, compact pickup and sport-utility segments drives passenger car makers to offer more and more safety and convenience features not yet available in these other vehicle classes. Return to top
the near-luxury segment The Park Avenue is Buick's flagship, available as a base model for around $28,000, or "loaded" in the Ultra model for around $33,000. As the top line Buick, the Park Avenue is just one step down from GM's luxury line, Cadillac.	At the high end of the passenger car market, a fairly new segment--"near-luxury"--is gaining momentum. Manufacturers are targeting this segment with well-appointed sedans and coupes hovering around the $30,000 price point, meeting consumer demand for value-priced luxury and performance. While a traditional luxury car--like the Cadillac Seville--sells in the mid-$40,000s, vehicles like the Buick Park Avenue and the Mazda Millenia deliver a satisfying sense of luxury for much less money.      Other key players in the near luxury segment include the BMW 3-Series; Volvo 850; Lexus ES300; Infiniti I30; Oldsmobile Ninety Eight; Chrysler New Yorker; Acura TL; Acura CL; Audi A4; and Saab 900. Return to top
passenger car news... Higher-end features are increasingly found on more economical vehicles. A Dodge Neon Highline 4-door sedan with automatic transmission, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette, an anti-lock brake system (ABS), sunroof, and rear defroster still retails for less than $15,000.	. . . Ford has announced two new models filling out its popular Taurus line: the more economical G model and the long-awaited SHO sports sedan, powered by a 240-horsepower V8. . . . New from Chrysler--and just in time for summer--is the 1996 Sebring Convertible. Built on its own platform and designed specifically as a convertible, the Sebring Convertible replaces the venerable LeBaron Convertible. . . . Volkswagen has just introduced its new Turbocharged Direct-Injection (TDI) diesel engine to its Passat line. The new engine can take the Passat over 800 miles between fill-ups. Return to top