BRIAN STRASNICK

Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
The top three German carmakers have long battled it out for the biggest piece of the lucrative U.S. entry-level luxury sedan market. And historically, Audi's had the dubious honor of coming in last place. Although competitive in design, price and functionality (and even a forerunner when it comes to certain technologies), Audi's A4 has failed to see North American sales figures that meet those of competing models from BMW and Mercedes. Now, Audi is upping the ante in the hopes that its completely new A4 sedan will be the not-so-secret weapon that will help obliterate that gap.

Mitsubishi Lancer GTS Design/Fit and Finish

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS is a boldly styled car. You won't mistake it for anything else on the road — a rare compliment in this age of cookie-cutter sedans. We could do without the cartoonish spoiler, but it does make the GTS look more like a Lancer Evolution, which some shoppers may find appealing.

DR BRIAN J STRASNICK

Test Drive: 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

OK, so the Camry Hybrid isn't a perfect substitute for a regular Camry. That battery pack had to go somewhere, and Toyota opted to put it above the rear axle, which necessitated some space-eating protuberances in the trunk. The rear seatbacks do fold down, which helps mitigate the compromised cargo volume (10.6 cubic feet versus 15 for the non-hybrid Camry). But if you plan to haul a lot of stuff in your hybrid, the Prius' hatchback design and flat loading floor make it a far better pack mule. Even Nissan's Altima Hybrid, which shares Toyota's hybrid technology, sports a somewhat more usable trunk.

DR BRIAN STRASNICK : Audi A4 3.2 Quattro

Audi's strategy? More. The 2009 Audi A4 is nearly 5 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the previous model. That size increase makes way for more headroom, more shoulder room and an additional 1.4 inches of rear knee room. Audi also claims the A4 has the biggest trunk in its class.






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