10 FAVORITE VEHICLES OF 2007

By Rob Douthit, Clint WilliamsThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/28/07 You might call 2007 the year of the crossover SUV in the auto industry. Car-based SUVs continued to sell at a rapid clip, as consumers were drawn to their versatility, sportiness and good gas mileage, compared with traditional SUVs. So on our list of the year's best vehicles, you'll find that half are crossovers. Despite a down year in sales for the auto industry, there were some really good products on the market this year. Here are our favorites.

10. JAGUAR XK

This coupe is flat-out, drop-dead gorgeous. So what if the sticker price could finance four years of college? This is the sort of car that sells lottery tickets. The redesigned XK is lighter and faster than its predecessor. The 0-to-60 mph time is 5.9 seconds. The electronically limited top speed is more than any sane person will drive.

9. NISSAN ROGUE

This new crossover SUV offers pretty impressive pickup on the highway, thanks to its peppy four-cylinder engine. Even at higher speeds, engine noise is minimal. The Rogue makes a compelling value case, considering that it can be had for less than $23,000, with lots of goodies on its highest trim line.

8. MAZDA CX-9

Behind the wheel of this crossover, you may think you're driving a sports sedan —- until you glance back at the five people sitting behind you. This is a practical family car that is actually sort of fun to drive. The deep center console and dash create a driver-centric cocoon. The car's agility, a product of precise speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering, is quite appealing.

7. CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY/DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Leave it to Chrysler, the company that virtually invented the minivan and has sold more than anyone, to reinvent it. Its new versions are innovative —- exactly what the sluggish minivan category needed. The Swivel 'n Go second-row seats, which can turn and face the third row, and the table that can go between those rows, were strokes of genius. Sirius satellite TV is also a brilliant addition.

6. HYUNDAI VERACRUZ

This new SUV offers just about all the luxury that you would get from similar vehicles made by higher-profile companies, but at a fraction of the cost. The Veracruz is the latest superb product made by one of the hottest car makers on the market. The classy interior meets or exceeds standards set by other luxury SUVs. Driving performance is solid.

5. CHEVROLET MALIBU

The Malibu has undergone a serious makeover, with favorable results. This is a fine family car with good looks and an interior fit and finish that is top-notch. The ride is smooth as butter and gas mileage isn't too bad, either —- around 22 city, 30 highway.

4. AUDI R8

It was very tempting to put this in our top spot. But because of its ultra-high price and ultra-low availability, it's a niche vehicle that we couldn't quite bring ourselves to call No. 1. But it's a beauty you can't help but fall in love with. The 4.2-liter V-8 engine sounds incredible and erupts with 420 horsepower. The top-of-the-line model runs almost $134,000, but it's truly worth it.

3. CADILLAC CTS

This luxury performance sedan shows you that, from an engineering standpoint, Cadillac can step up its game to compete with the best brands in the world. The CTS, which was redesigned for 2008, now has more visual presence than before. The interior design is neat, and the ambient lights inside have a subtlety that oozes class. When it comes to performance, the CTS offers three suspension systems that are designed to thrill. Of course, other delights such as the telescoping screen on the navigation system add to your enjoyment. All this, and you still get a reasonable price tag —- in the mid-$30,000 range.

2. HONDA ACCORD

You know you're driving a good car when you're zipping along a country road, comfortably and confidently in control, and you glance at the speedometer and say, "My goodness, I had no idea I was driving that fast." The all-new 2008 Honda Accord, which has been redesigned, is that kind of good. It's also good-looking, with good gas mileage. All those goods add up to one excellent car.

1. BUICK ENCLAVE

This new luxury crossover utility vehicle is superbly suited to transport a half dozen people hundreds of miles a day. And there may not be a more handsome soccer-mom-type vehicle idling in the pickup line in the school parking lot. Those sitting in the back are masters of their destiny with separate controls for air conditioning and the sound system. This is a blinged-out, practical, versatile, easy-to-drive, roomy piece of machinery that boldly proclaims that Buick is back. Thank you, General Motors, for unleashing your creative talent to bring us something so innovative and wonderful.

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