What's in store: New models and major changes for 2010

Auto company executives know that car buyers this recessionary year are serious about value, safety and improved fuel mileage.

So it's no wonder that some retail prices on new, 2010 models -- such as the Ford Taurus and Toyota Prius -- have held steady from 2009 even though both cars have substantial changes.

It's also not surprising that safety features continue to be added as standard -- not optional -- equipment on many new vehicles.

For instance, both Chevrolet and GMC add curtain air bags, which provide head protection in side crashes, as standard equipment on all their respective Colorado and Canyon pickup trucks for 2010.

Car shoppers will find that engines in many new vehicles are more fuel efficient than ever this model year.

As an example, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse will offer a fuel-thrifty four-cylinder engine. The mid-size LaCrosse sedan never offered a four banger before.

Even Mercedes-Benz is taking a new approach to fuel efficiency in 2010 with the introduction of two hybrid models.

Alas, there's also a somber side to the 2010 model year. The number of vehicle nameplates being discontinued from production totals more than 15 and is the highest one-year dropoff in decades. Among the names disappearing with the new model year are the Dodge Durango, Pontiac Solstice, Suzuki XL7, Honda S2000 and Mercury Sable.

Here are details of the 2010 model year:

ACURA

Look closely at Acura's new-for-2010 ZDX. If you only take in the overall shape, you might miss that this coupe-shaped vehicle with hidden rear door handles has four doors. Due out at the end of the 2009 calendar year, the five-passenger ZDX crossover sport utility vehicle is powered by a 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. Pricing hasn't been announced.

Meantime, Acura adds a V-6 to its TSX sedan for the first time. The 201-horsepower, four-cylinder engine remains, but the 3.5-liter, V-6 offers 280 horses. The four-cylinder, 2010 TSX starts around $30,000 retail, with destination charge included, while the TSX with V-6 starts at more than $34,800.

Acura's two SUVs -- the RDX and MDX -- are updated for 2010 with bolder grilles, subtle rear styling changes and interior refinements. In addition, the RDX is available for the first time with two-wheel drive. This means starting retail price for an RDX falls to below $34,000.

ASTON MARTIN

Sold off by Ford Motor Co. in 2007, the Aston Martin brand made famous by movie spy James Bond is busy following through on the company's first four-door car. The four-seat Rapide, displayed as a concept car at auto shows in recent years, earned high praise for its seductive looks. Finally, it will be out early in calendar 2010 as a production model. The Rapide will come with a 470-horsepower, 5.9-liter V-12 and a price tag expected to be around $250,000.

That's nothing, however, compared with Aston Martin's oh-so-exclusive One-77 supercar. The One-77 coupe, already sold out, will go to just 77 buyers around the world, who will get an exotic car with a carbon fiber chassis, a 700-horsepower, 7.3-liter V-12 and aluminum body. Price: $1.7 million.

Meantime, the Aston Martin DBS adds a convertible for 2010. The DBS Volante has striking looks, a 510-horsepower, 5.9-liter V-12 and standard six-speed manual transmission. Just watch the Volante's two back seats. They are snug, even for teen-agers. Starting retail price is more than $285,000.

AUDI

Perhaps the most riveting news is the addition of a V-10 to the sleek, exotic-looking Audi R8 supercar. The all-wheel drive R8 has been sold so far with a 420-horse, 4.2-liter V-8 that surely doesn't lack power. But the new, 5.2-liter V-10 produces 525 horsepower and can propel the two-seat R8 from standstill to 60 miles an hour in less than 3.9 seconds.

It'll cost you, though. Starting retail price, including destination charge, with the V-10 is $147,200.

In 2010, Audi becomes the first automaker in the United States to have an entire model lineup with a direct injection engine system. It boosts performance and fuel economy by carefully metering fuel going into the engine.

In other news, there's a lower-priced, base Audi A5 now, because a 2-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine is among the offerings. The powerplant produces 211 horsepower in the base A5 coupe, which starts at $36,825.

The Audi A3 adds a fuel-thrifty, 2-liter, diesel, four-cylinder engine for the first time in the States, which boosts government fuel economy ratings to 30/42 mpg.

The Audi A6 sedan gets a more powerful V-6. The 3.2-liter V-6 for this five-seater adds Audi Valvelift System (AVS) to help it generate 265 horses in 2010.

Meantime, the A8 in 2010 will no longer be available with W-12 engine, and the S8 is discontinued.

BENTLEY

The maker of distinctive -- and large, expensive -- autos put its Bentley Continental GT on a diet and reworked the car's interior, its 12-cylinder engine and suspension. The result is the fastest production Bentley ever. In fact, the company says its Continental Supersports two-seater rivals a Ferrari.

Powered by a 621-horsepower, 6-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12 engine, the Supersports has been timed going 0 to 60 mph in some 3.7 seconds. Top speed is 204 mph.

Intriguingly, Bentley engineers also massaged the engine software so the engine can operate on E85 fuel, a mixture of ethanol and gasoline. Premium gasoline continues to work fine, too.

Fuel economy for the Continental Supersports still is poor, though, at an estimated 12 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

Starting retail price is north of $265,000.

Also in 2010, the already striking Bentley Continental GTC open top car gets the Speed treatment. This means the GTC Speed convertible has 48 more horses -- for a total of 600 -- from its 6-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12 engine compared with a "regular" GTC.

The GTC Speed can be had with optional ceramic brakes and has some subtle exterior updates to distinguish it. Starting retail price is more than $237,000.

In 2010, there's only one Bentley Azure, the T, and its 6.8-liter, turbocharged V-8 produces 50 more horsepower than before, for a total of 500. Torque is even more astounding at 738 foot-pounds. Price, if you have to ask, is more than $350,000.

Lastly, Bentley drops the Arnage for the 2010 model year as the company prepares for its new flagship sedan, the Mulsanne, in calendar 2010.

BMW

Think of BMW's 5-Series Gran Turismo as a blimped-up, mid-size sedan with a rear hatch. Based on the 5-Series sedan, the 2010 5-Series Gran Turismo is longer, wider and taller. Even the wheelbase is stretched. And the Gran Turismo has a hatchback rear end. Three engines are available, including a 3-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel six cylinder and a 400-horsepower, 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8.

And for the 2010 model year at least, BMW will retain its 5-Series station wagon, alongside the new Gran Turismo.

In other news, BMW adds M versions to its X5 and X6 lines in the 2010 model year. Both X5 M and X6 M get a 555-horsepower, 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8.

Unfortunately, the federal government's fuel mileage rating for each of these new M models is a dismal 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Lastly, all 7-Series sedans get an eight-gear automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive becomes available. The 12-cylinder engine in the top-of-the-line 7-Series is a new, 544-horsepower, 6-liter, twin-turbocharged powerplant.

BUICK

The Buick LaCrosse sedan is restyled and during the model year will add a new, more fuel-efficient base engine that's a 2.4-liter, direct-injection, Ecotec powerplant generating 182 horsepower. Officials say the four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission will boost the LaCrosse's fuel mileage rating to 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, one of the best for the segment. The move marks the first time the LaCrosse has a four banger under the hood. Other LaCrosse engines are V-6s.

Buick also updates all Lucerne sedan models with fog lamps and new rocker panels.

CADILLAC

The nation's largest automaker, General Motors, decided to shed some of its car brands as it emerged from bankruptcy in July. But GM held tight to its luxury brand Cadillac.

For 2010, Cadillac adds a first-ever station wagon to its entry model, the CTS. Called the CTS Sport Wagon, it has already been selling in Europe. In the States, it's offered with a choice of 3-liter, direct injection V-6 capable of delivering 270 horsepower or 3.6-liter, direct injection V-6 generating 304 horsepower.

A power liftgate is standard, the interior is like that of the CTS sedans, and buyers of the Sport Wagon choose from among three suspension settings. The Sport Wagon also is available with all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.

Starting retail price is $40,655.

Cadillac's SRX crossover SUV is the other big news at the start of the 2010 model year.

The mid-size SRX is redone and rides on a new, improved chassis. Styling is updated, and buyers choose from among two, relatively small displacement engines -- for Cadillac. The 2.8-liter, turbocharged V-6 capable of producing 300 horses will arrive around the middle of the model year. In the meantime, the SRX is being sold with the standard, 265-horsepower, 3-liter, direct injection V-6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The five-passenger SRX has a starting retail price of $34,155.

Elsewhere at Cadillac, the Escalade large SUV offers improved fuel mileage from its 6.2-liter V-8, thanks to the addition of Active Fuel Management technology. The software automatically turns off some engine cylinders when they're not needed, thus saving on gasoline.

The Escalade gas-electric hybrid models this year get a new, 3.08 axle ratio that improves fuel economy.

CHEVROLET

Chevy's big looker for 2010 is already out. The revived, rear-wheel-drive Camaro coupe debuted in summer and boasts V-6 as well as V-8 engines, a distinctive, low-slung styling and surprisingly decent gasoline mileage.

Indeed, the Camaro's federal government highway mileage rating is 29 mpg when the car is fitted with the base, 3.6-liter V-6 that generates a healthy 304 horsepower.
The uplevel engine is a 426-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8, and both manual and automatic transmissions are available.

The 2010 four-seat Camaro, the first new Camaro in seven years, has a starting retail price of just over $23,000.

Chevy revised its Equinox crossover SUV for 2010, giving it distinctive styling that borrows from the Chevrolet Malibu and Traverse. Inside, there are new standard and optional features, including a 40-gigabyte hard drive to store music.

And there are two new Equinox engines: The 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter, direct fuel-injection, Ecotec four cylinder that's also being put in the Buick LaCrosse and a new 3-liter, direct injection V-6. The only transmissions are six-speed automatics.

Best of all, the Equinox with four-cylinder engine becomes the base model with a lower starting retail price -- $23,185 -- than the lowest-priced Equinox of the 2009 model year, which started at more than $25,000. Last year's Equinoxes had V-6s only.

The four cylinder also improves the Equinox gas mileage ratings -- to a high of 22 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway for two-wheel drive models.

Chevy's mid-size pickup truck, the Colorado, will be available with a V-8 for the first time. The Colorado's 5.3-liter V-8 produces 300 horsepower, which far surpasses the 185 horses of its four-cylinder engine and the 242 horses of its five-cylinder engine.

This V-8 is available only on the Colorado's crew cab models. But all Colorados add head curtain air bags as standard equipment this year.

The 5.3-liter V-8 already is offered in the Silverado full-size pickup truck, and for 2010, a fuel saver mode and 3.08 axle ratio are standard, too, as Chevy makes engine adjustments to boost fuel economy.

Also this year at Chevrolet, side air bags become standard on all Corvettes, and all 'Vettes with manual transmission get standard launch control.

The 1.6-liter, Ecotec, four-cylinder engine remains in the Aveo lineup, but horsepower is bumped to 108 from 106. At least the starting retail price hasn't changed from the 2009 model. It's still $12,685, including destination charge.

The 6-liter, Vortec V-8 in the Chevy Suburbans adds variable valve timing, which improves responsiveness and efficiency.

The mid-size Chevy Trailblazer SUV is discontinued.

A final note: The Volt plug-in gas-electric hybrid car, frequently in the news, is more than a year away from showrooms.

CHRYSLER

Now owned by Italian car company Fiat, the Chrysler brand is keeping its retro-styled, five-passenger PT Cruiser for a while longer.

The news this past summer reversed a January decision to stop production of the smallest car wearing a Chrysler badge. But note that the reversal does not affect the PT Cruiser Convertible, which was dropped in the 2008 model year.

Elsewhere for 2010, the exterior is freshened slightly on both the Sebring coupe and convertible, while the Chrysler 300C adds standard key-free ignition and rear park assist system.

And all models of the Town & Country minivan add anti-whiplash front head restraints.
The Aspen full-size SUV is no longer offered.

DODGE

America's Dodge brand also got a new, Italian owner -- Fiat -- this year. And while things get sorted out by the new owner regarding future product plans, Dodge has scheduled the introduction of new crew cab models of the Ram heavy-duty pickup truck.

Engine choices for the 2500/3500 Rams include a 350-horsepower 6.7-liter, Cummins Turbo Diesel six cylinder that meets air emission standards in all 50 states and delivers 650 foot-pound of torque.

The trucks' suspension also is retuned for a better ride and better load handling.

In other news, the gross combined weight rating for the light-duty Dodge Ram 1500 is boosted to 15,500 pounds this year when the truck is fitted with 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and 3.92 rear axle ratio on the 140.5-inch wheelbase model.

The Dodge Caliber gets a new interior for 2010, and suspension is improved for better ride and handling in the Dakota pickup.

In addition, the Grand Caravan minivan, Nitro SUV and Journey crossover SUV add front-seat anti-whiplash head restraints for 2010.

The Durango SUV is discontinued.

FERRARI

As if the 599GTB Fiorano isn't hot enough, Ferrari offers a $30,095 option package that makes it even hotter.

The Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione package adds carbon fiber to the interior, fancy wheels, retuned exhaust, stiffer springs and different shock absorbers.

Of course, you have to buy the car first, and its starting retail price is more than $300,000.

FORD

The Ford Taurus family sedan is bigger and restyled this model year, and the high-performance Taurus SHO -- now with a 365-horsepower, 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged, EcoBoost gasoline V-6 rather than a V-8 -- returns to the lineup.

Ford kept the starting retail price for the Taurus steady at $25,995, even while adding space and comfort to the four-door car for this model year.

The standard engine is a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter, Duratec V-6, and there's a long list of available high-tech features including cruise control that uses radar to automatically slow the Taurus on the highway if it's closing on a vehicle ahead too quickly.

There's also a MyKey feature that lets parents restrict or set warnings on some activities when teens are behind the wheel. For example, MyKey can limit radio volume and activate speed warning alerts.

Also this year, the Ford Fusion is restyled and updated. The result is a mid-size sedan with attractive looks, an improved interior and a more powerful four-cylinder engine than before.

The base, 2.5-liter four banger cranks out 175 horses, and if that's not enough, a 263-horsepower, 3-liter V-6 is available for the Fusion.

Fusion also adds a gas-electric hybrid model for 2010, and its gas mileage rating of 41/36 mpg from the federal government is noteworthy because it puts the Fusion Hybrid and its sibling Mercury Milan Hybrid sedans at the top of mid-size sedans in fuel mileage in the country.

Starting retail prices are $20,345 for the gasoline-only Fusion and $28,350 for the hybrid.
Another new model in 2010 is the F-150 SVT Raptor full-size pickup truck. It's a high-performance, off-road truck with a 310-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 and later, an even more powerful 6.2-liter V-8. The inspiration for the sporty Raptor comes from desert race trucks.

Small business owners or anyone with an offbeat taste in vehicles will want to check out the 2010 Ford Transit Connect. It looks like a delivery van, but it's a much smaller, handier size.

The Transit Connect is powered by a fuel-thrifty, 136-horsepower, 2-liter four cylinder and starts at $21,475, including destination charge.

Ford's well-known Mustang is freshened for 2010 with mild upgrades, inside and out. Suspension is revised a bit as well.

The Mustang GT's 4.6-liter V-8 adds 15 more horses, for a total of 315 horsepower.
The styling updates to the regular, 2010 Mustangs carry through to the high-performance Shelby GT500, where horsepower from the 5.4-liter V-8 now peaks at 540 and torque climbs to 510 foot-pounds. Suspension and clutch also are revised.

The 2010 Edge gets engine refinements that improve fuel mileage, while the 2010 Escape can be had with an electronic system that parallel parks the car by itself with a touch of a button.

Trailer Sway Control is added as standard equipment on Ford's Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac and Expedition SUVs this year to help keep trailers being towed behind the vehicles stable.

The Flex crossover SUV, meantime, adds the availability of a 355-horsepower, 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged, EcoBoost V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford's smallest car, the Focus, gets standard electronic stability control, traction control and antilock brakes on all models.

GMC

GMC dropped its mid-size, V-6-powered Envoy SUV, which had a starting retail price of more than $31,000, and adds the Terrain SUV, a sibling of Chevrolet's newly revamped Equinox.

The good news: The five-passenger, 2010 Terrain can be had with a four-cylinder engine that helps set base pricing, including destination charge, at a more affordable $24,995.

The Terrain's 2.4-liter, direct injection Ecotec four cylinder develops 182 horsepower and enables this SUV to earn noteworthy 22/32-mpg fuel economy ratings from the federal government. These numbers put the Terrain in the same mileage ratings range as the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

For buyers who want more power, the Terrain also has a 3-liter, double overhead cam V-6 producing 264 horsepower.

In other news, GMC's Sierra full-size pickup trucks get updates to improve fuel economy. For example, a 3.08 axle ratio and fuel saver mode are standard on 2010 Sierra 1500s that have the 5.3-liter V-8.

In the Canyon mid-size pickup truck, curtain air bags for head protection become standard equipment on all models, and the Acadia SUV has new, 20-inch chrome wheels available.

HONDA

Honda's best-selling Accord spawns a new vehicle for 2010. The Honda Accord Crosstour is expected to be like Toyota's Venza -- a tallish, five-passenger almost-wagon, almost-crossover SUV that's based on a mid-size sedan.

In this case, Honda's Accord provides the platform as well as a car-like ride and higher-than-a-car seat positions.

Details still are sketchy, but four- and six-cylinder engine offerings are expected.

Honda's gas-electric hybrid car, the Insight, debuted earlier in calendar 2009 as a 2010 model with federal government fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. With a starting retail price, including destination charge, of $20,510, the Insight continues to have the lowest base price of any hybrid vehicle in the United States, undercutting the Toyota Prius by some $2,200.

In August, the Insight received the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its protection of driver and passengers in frontal, side and rear crash tests.

Honda's popular CR-V SUV is mildly refreshed for 2010 with updates to front and rear styling and interior electronic features.

Honda ended production of its S2000 two-seater and does not offer it for 2010.

HUMMER

In June, the bankrupt General Motors Corp. announced it expected to consummate the sale of its Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd of China by late this year.

GM added that the Hummer H3 and H3T, at the least, were expected to continue production in the 2010 model year, with the only substantive change being that the 5.3-liter, gasoline V-8 becomes FlexFuel capable.

HYUNDAI

Hyundai had the lowest-priced car in the country with its 2009 Accent compact at $10,690 for base retail price plus destination charge.

For 2010, company officials promise that a new, base version of Accent -- called Accent Blue -- will have the lowest starting price for 2010 of "around $10,000."

The Accent Blue also offers the best fuel economy of any Hyundai -- 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway with manual transmission. The mileage improvements come from new, low-friction engine components in the Accent's four-cylinder powerplant, low rolling resistance tires, a smart alternator management system and few amenities. Even air conditioning is optional on the Blue model. But don't worry: All Accents have a full complement of air bags, including curtain air bags.

Hyundai adds a Blue model for its Elantra sedan, too, that boosts the city mileage rating to 26 mpg, while highway mileage is up to 35 mpg. The fuel economy gains come from engine and transmission updates.

Meantime, the Elantra's wagon model, the Touring, adds a new GLS model whose price is some $1,300 less than that of other Elantra Touring models.

And a four-cylinder engine returns as an offering in the slightly refreshed Santa Fe for 2010.

Hyundai's rear-wheel drive coupe, the Genesis, now includes a navigation system as an option.

Hyundai is dropping its Entourage minivan at the end of this calendar year because of slow sales.

INFINITI

The 2010 model year marks the first full year for the topless version of the stylish Infiniti G37 coupe. The four-seat G37 Convertible has the same knockout looks as the G37 hardtop coupe, but the convertible's roof is made of three pieces of metal that move, stack and slide into the trunk all by themselves. All a driver has to do is touch a button.

The 2010 G37 Convertible is well-equipped, with luxury features such as leather-trimmed seats and a Bose Open Air sound system, standard.

Power comes from a 325-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that can be mated to a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. Prices start at $44,715, including delivery charge.

Also in 2010, Infiniti's G37 sedan gets freshened front and rear styling.

JAGUAR

The flagship sedan of the brand, the XJ, is revised as a 2010 model. The new, rear-wheel drive XJ has striking looks, is a bit longer than its predecessor and will be available in regular and long wheelbase models.

Starting retail price, including delivery charge, is increased substantially, too -- from $66,475 to $72,500.

Three engines are planned: A 385-horsepower 5-liter V-8 as well as 470-horsepower and 510-horsepower supercharged versions of the same V-8. The only transmission will be a six-speed automatic.

Inside the XJ, Jaguar's generous use of leather continues. But old-style gauges are replaced by a modern screen that a driver can configure in the instrument panel.

Also in the 2010 model year, the XF sedan adds a performance version called XFR with 510-horsepower, 5-liter, supercharged V-8, electronically controlled differential, adaptive suspension and 20-inch wheels.

The Jaguar XK coupe and convertible get the 385-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 and the 510-horsepower supercharged version of this V-8.

JEEP

Recently acquired by Italian car company Fiat, the rugged Jeep brand plans only modest updates for 2010, including the addition of standard anti-whiplash head restraints on the front seats of the Patriot, Compass and Liberty.

The Jeep Wrangler gets an improved Sunrider soft-top system that's easier to remove from the vehicle than its predecessor, and a fuel-saver indicator is standard on all models.

The Grand Cherokee Overland model is discontinued.

KIA

Two of Kia's models were out as early 2010 models.

The Soul boxy, five-door vehicle, with styling reminiscent of Scion's boxy xB, debuted with a $13,995 starting retail price, including delivery charge and a base, 122-horsepower, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine.

This starting price is $2,425 less than a 2010 xB.

The five-passenger, front-wheel drive Soul also can be had with a 142-horsepower, 2-liter, four-cylinder engine for drivers wanting more power.

Kia's other new model, the Forte, launched in June as a sedan replacement for the Spectra small car. The five-passenger, front-wheel drive Forte compact is more attractively styled than the Spectra and power comes from four-cylinder engines delivering either 156 or 173 horsepower. Retail prices start at $14,390 for the sedan.

By this fall, the two-door Forte Koup -- and that's the correct spelling -- arrives in showrooms.

This is the first Kia coupe and it uses the same engines as the Forte sedan. Prices haven't been released yet.

The Kia Amanti sedan does not return for the 2010 model year.

LAMBORGHINI

The 2010 Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce arrives with a sleek body lightened by 220 pounds and a V-12 that generates more than 660 horsepower.

Don't be surprised if the SuperVeloce price tag surpasses $425,000, however.

Also in 2010, the V-12-powered Murcielago LP670-4 Spyder adds horsepower for a total of 641.

LAND ROVER

Now owned by India's Tata Motors, Land Rover swaps out its poor-selling LR3 SUV for the 2010 LR4. Casual observers won't notice much change to the boxy exterior, though grille, bumpers and body side vents are new to better provide air to the more powerful, 375-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 under the hood. Inside, Land Rover loads up the vehicle with electronic aides such as integrated iPod, Bluetooth and five-camera views of the LR4 periphery. Starting retail price is expected to be around $49,000.

Also for 2010, Land Rover's Range Rover flagship SUV is offered with its most powerful engine ever -- a 510-horsepower, 5-liter, supercharged V-8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

A naturally aspirated, 375-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 also is available.

LEXUS

The new-for-2010 HS 250h looks like a regular luxury sedan from Lexus on the outside. But it is the world's first luxury car available only with a hybrid powerplant.

That's right. There's no non-hybrid, gasoline- or diesel-only version of the HS the way there is a non-hybrid version of the other Lexus hybrid vehicles.

The five-passenger HS 250h sedan borrows much of its chassis from Toyota's Prius hybrid, which is sold only as a hybrid car. Toyota owns the Lexus luxury brand.

But at 15.4 feet long, the HS 250h is longer than the Prius. Equipped with standard leather-trimmed seats and other luxury touches, the HS 250h weighs a lot more, too. A total of 187 horsepower comes from a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine supplemented by a hybrid drive electric motor inside the HS 250h.

Fuel mileage is rated at 35 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway by the federal government. Yes, city mileage is a tad better than highway mileage because the car's electric motor has more opportunities to unburden the gas engine in slower-speed travel.

Still, the fuel economy ratings for this luxury "green" car are lower than the 51/49 mpg ratings for the 2010 Prius. And with a starting retail price, including delivery charge, of $35,075, the 250h is priced some $12,000 more than a base Prius.

Also new for 2010 are the IS 250C and IS 350C convertibles with power-operated hardtop roofs. They mark the first new convertibles for Lexus since its SC open-top roadster came out in 2001.

The four-seat IS convertibles build on the IS 250 and IS 350 rear-wheel drive sedans and use the same IS engines as the sedans: a 204-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 and a 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. Both engines are available with six-speed automatic. The smaller V-6 also can be had with a manual transmission.

Starting retail price for the IS convertibles is $39,365.

Lexus debuted in February its new-generation, 2010 RX 350 crossover SUV with higher-powered, 275-horse, 3.5-liter V-6 and new six-speed automatic transmission.

The top-of-the-line RX hybrid model, the 450h, also has been updated, and Lexus' original hardtop convertible, the SC, is freshened for 2010.

LINCOLN

There's no way to confuse Lincoln's newest model with anything else.

The 2010 MKT crossover SUV wears a sizable, split waterfall-styled grille and a boattail rear. At 17.3 feet long, it's full-size and has three rows of separate, roomy seats for a maximum passenger count of six. And it weighs nearly 5,000 pounds.

Inside, there are luxury touches and a list of technology options that will please techies.

Based on the Ford Flex crossover, the MKT isn't powered by a V-8, though. It's offered with two V-6s. The base, 3.7-liter powerplant provides 268 horses, while the 3.5-liter, turbocharged, EcoBoost V-6 delivers a healthy 355 horsepower.

Starting retail price, including destination charge, is $44,995 for a front-wheel drive MKT. All-wheel drive also is available.

In other news, Lincoln's flagship sedan, the MKS, gets an additional engine offering this model year: the 355-horsepower, 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged, EcoBoost V-6 that's available in the MKT. This engine has direct injection for efficient use of fuel and provides the five-passenger MKS with notable 17/25-mpg mileage ratings from the federal government.

Also for 2010, all MKZs get spruced-up front styling and interior.

MAHINDRA

India's Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. plans to begin selling a compact pickup truck in the United States during the 2010 model year.

The truck name hasn't been released, but the vehicle reportedly will have a 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter, turbocharged, diesel, four-cylinder engine producing 236 foot-pounds of torque.

It will be the first passenger vehicle built in India to be sold in the United States.

A U.S. company has been working on setting up a Mahindra distribution and sales network.

MAZDA

The 2010 Mazda3 is redone, with new styling and updated interior. But the front-wheel drive platform beneath the car remains. Two engines are offered: A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four cylinder and a 167-horsepower, 2.5-liter four cylinder.

The Mazdaspeed3, which is the performance version of the line, also is restyled this year. But it remains a five-door hatchback. Power comes from the 263-horsepower, 2.3-liter, direct injection four cylinder that was in the 2009 car.

In other news, Mazda's five-passenger CX-7 crossover SUV has a new starting retail price of $22,300 this year. It's $2,350 less than that of the base 2009 CX-7.

The reason for the new price? Mazda adds a new base engine -- a 161-horsepower, 2.5-liter four cylinder that's not turbocharged.

The CX-7's other four-cylinder engine -- a 244-horsepower, 2.3-liter, turbocharged powerplant -- remains.

Besides lowering the CX-7 starting price, the non-turbo four cylinder boosts fuel economy by 4 mpg in city driving and 5 mpg on the highway.

Lastly, as of the 2010 model year, Mazda no longer offers its B-Series pickup trucks.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Long known for wringing fuel mileage out of diesel powerplants, the German automaker moves into the gasoline-electric hybrid arena for the first time by offering two 2010 hybrid models.

The 2010 S400 Hybrid combines a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 with an electric motor for a total of 295 horsepower.

Thus, the hybrid version of this hefty, Mercedes sedan flagship earns a 19/26-mpg rating from the U.S. government. This compares with a 15/23-mpg rating for a non-hybrid S-Class.

The 2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid SUV uses the same 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 as the S-Class hybrid but has two electric motors to help produce a total of 335 horses and 381 foot-pounds of torque.

The U.S. government hasn't announced a fuel economy rating for this model yet, though the 2010 ML350 BlueTec model with diesel engine rates a commendable 18/25 mpg.

Mercedes' mid-size car, the E-Class, adds a coupe that in essence replaces the brand's CLK.

The E-Class Coupe uses a shortened wheelbase platform and the 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and 382-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8 that's also offered in the E-Class sedans.

MERCURY

Mercury's top-selling car, the Milan, has freshened styling inside and out.

The Milan's lineup also expands this year to include a gasoline-electric model that, along with its Ford Fusion sibling, ranks tops in fuel mileage among mid-size sedans.

Specifically, the 2010 Milan Hybrid uses a 156-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine working with a 106-horsepower electric motor. The federal government fuel economy rating for this model is 41/36 mpg.

Starting retail price is $31,655.

Meantime, the Mercury Mariner gets additional safety features, including outside Spotter Mirrors that use secondary convex spotter areas in the top outer corners of the outside mirrors to help a driver detect cars in the blind spots to the rear side of the car.

The Mariner Hybrid, along with its Ford Escape Hybrid twin, is expected to retain the title as America's top SUVs in fuel mileage with government ratings of 34/31 mpg in city/highway travel.

The 2010 Mariner Hybrid has a starting retail price of $30,720.

Mercury no longer offers the Sable sedan.

MINI

The second-generation Mini Convertible went on sale in March.

MITSUBISHI

A five-door Lancer Sportback debuts with two engine choices: a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder and a 237-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder. Both front- and all-wheel drive are offered. Starting retail price for a Sportback is $19,910.

Mitsubishi's Outlander has mildly updated styling and adds a sporty, all-wheel drive GT model powered by a 230-horsepower, 3-liter V-6.

The Galant sedan adds standard electronic stability control this year, and the Raider pickup truck is gone.

NISSAN

The company's affordable supercar -- if you consider $81,790 affordable -- is only in its second year in the United States. But there are many adjustments for the Nissan GT-R two-seater for 2010, including the addition of 5 more horsepower coming from the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6. Peak horsepower in the 2010 model is 485.

Other notable updates are new transmission control module programming for the six-speed, dual-clutch automatic tranny, more rigid brake lines for durability, retuned suspension, a different tire compound for the Dunlop summer tires, and side-mounted and roof-mounted air bags made standard.

The count of Nissan dealers certified to sell this special car also has risen to 700 nationwide.

But note the price hike for the GT-R. The $81,790 starting retail price is a $3,950 boost from the base 2009 GT-R.

Nissan's other two-seat sports car, the 370Z, adds a topless version in 2010. Everything from the 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 and automatic and manual transmission choices to most major components are shared with the 370Z coupe.

But the roof on the 370Z Roadster is an all-power cloth top that goes down in about 20 seconds.

Starting retail price for the 2010 370Z Roadster is $37,690.

Also in 2010, the Sentra small sedan as well as the Versa have freshened front and rear styling.

PONTIAC

Parent company General Motors Co. emerged from bankruptcy protection in July and announced it is phasing out the Pontiac brand. A 2010 Pontiac Vibe, however, was already under production and debuted with a starting retail price of $16,820.

It was to be a short production run, ending in August. Thus, the 2010 Vibe is part of the Pontiac vehicle selloff going on at dealerships.

Sister vehicle to the Toyota Matrix, the five-passenger Vibe is powered by a 158-horsepower, four-cylinder engine.

PORSCHE

The first four-door Porsche car arrives in 2010. The new Panamera has the sleek, iconic look of a Porsche, but it's a longer car -- to accommodate the back seats, obviously, plus a hatchback cargo area and those two extra side doors.

The Panamera is wider, too, than the Porsche Cayenne SUV.

Indeed, at 16.3 feet long from bumper to bumper, the Panamera has honest-to-goodness room for four adults inside.

Yet it is a performance machine, with both engines being V-8s and offering at least 400 horsepower.

Specifically, the base engine is a 400-horse, 4.8-liter V-8 putting out 369 foot-pounds of torque, while the uplevel 500-horse, 4.8-liter V-8 has twin-turbochargers and 568 foot-pounds of torque.

But don't expect the Panamera to handle like a 911 or another of Porsche's two-seaters. The four-passenger Panamera weighs a considerable 4,000 pounds.

Starting retail price is expected to top $90,000.

ROLLS-ROYCE

The wait is nearly over for a slightly downsized Rolls, and the name being rumored for the new model is Ghost.

Details are sketchy, but it's expected that the Ghost will be 2 feet shorter than the gargantuan Rolls-Royce Phantom. With a heavy steel chassis, rather than a lighter-weight aluminum one, the Ghost likely will have a V-12 under the hood with more than 500 horsepower. Starting retail price may be in the $200,000 range.

SAAB

The biggest news at Saab is the sale of the brand this year to a consortium headed by Koenigsegg Automotive AB. It's all part of the big selloff of automotive brands that General Motors undertook while in bankruptcy protection in 2009.

Understandably, future product plans for Saab are still under review. But the company confirms that a new Saab 9-5 sedan will debut in 2010.

Exterior styling of the 9-5 five-seater is clean and minimal in a Scandinavian way, and three engines -- all turbocharged -- will be available. These include a 220-horsepower, 2-liter gasoline engine and a 300-horsepower, 2.8-liter gasoline V-6.

The new 9-5 will be available with all-wheel drive.

The new 9-3X was introduced earlier this calendar year as a revised five-door wagon with available all-wheel drive.

The turbocharged V-6 of the previous 9-3 SportCombi is gone, so the only powerplant is the 210-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged four cylinder.

SATURN

While in bankruptcy protection this year, General Motors said it is selling its Saturn brand to Penske Automotive Group, owned by former race car driver Roger Penske. But the deal is not expected to be finalized until this fall.

While future Saturn products are still being worked out, there's word that Penske is already talking with French automaker Renault and its Japanese affiliate, Nissan, to provide cars for Saturn dealerships.

Details are forthcoming. Renault hasn't had a U.S. sales outlet for its cars since the 1980s.
The Penske Automotive Group is the No. 2 auto retailer in the United States.

SCION

Scion's xB and xD get new sound systems, and electronic stability control becomes standard on all xDs.

SMART

The brand continues with its two-seat fortwo model available in coupe and convertible versions.

SUBARU

It's not your imagination. The new-generation, 2010 Subaru Legacy is bigger than any Legacy before it. Flagship sedan of Subaru, the mid-size, five-passenger Legacy is restyled and has grown in length, height and even weight over its 2009 predecessor. The back seat area, in particular, is nicely improved.

Power comes from a base 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, boxer four cylinder now mated to either a new six-speed manual or a new CVT.

Buyers of the uplevel Legacy GT get a 265-horsepower, 2.5-liter, turbocharged, boxer four cylinder, while a Legacy R model has a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter boxer six cylinder.
Starting retail price, including destination charge, is $20,660.

Since the Legacy is revamped for 2010, so is the Outback, which is a wagon based on the Legacy. Like the Legacy, the 2010 Outback is bigger than its predecessor, and it offers the two four-cylinder engines that the new Legacy has.

Starting retail price is $23,690.

The 2010 Forester, which is subtly revamped, was out early in calendar 2009.
Don't forget that all-wheel drive is standard on every Subaru.

SUZUKI

Suzuki's new mid-size sedan looks every bit as attractive as America's best-selling Toyotas and Hondas. But the name may be a bit difficult for some Americans to pronounce: It's Kizashi (Kee-zah-shee), which was the name on this sedan's show car concept. The word loosely means "preview," as in preview of good things to come.

Certainly, the new-for-2010 Kizashi is a unique entry from Suzuki in the U.S family car market.

While the five-passenger Kizashi is a bit smaller than the segment-leading Toyota Camry sedan, it's bound to be fuel thrifty with its 2.5-liter four cylinder engine. No final horsepower and torque numbers have been released, though, and pricing has yet to be announced.

Meantime, Suzuki adds the SportBack five-door hatchback to its SX4 line. Powered by a 150-horsepower, 2-liter four cylinder delivering 140 foot-pounds of torque, the SportBack is designed as a zippy, fun, front-wheel drive performer.

A manual transmission and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that a driver operates like an automatic are offered.

Note that the 2-liter four cylinder in the SportBack also is in the other SX4 models, so horsepower in those cars is increased to 150 from last year's 143.

The SportBack's CVT replaces the four-speed automatic in the other SX4 models.

Lastly, for 2010, Suzuki drops its largest SUV, the seven-passenger XL7.

TOYOTA

The 2010 model year marks the start of a new, fifth generation 4Runner SUV.

The truck-based 4Runner has become pricey, with starting retail price nearing $30,000 for a 2009 model, and sales have declined 58 percent from calendar 2004 to 2008.

Details are sketchy on the 2010 4Runner, but look for a more comfortable interior plus a revised 4-liter V-6 base engine with variable valve timing. The 4Runner also will get a new V-8 with six-speed automatic.

Toyota's full-size pickup truck, the Tundra, arrives in 2010 with updated front and rear styling and a new, more fuel efficient, standard V-8.

On two-wheel drive Tundras, the new, 310-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 provides for a 15/20-mpg federal government fuel mileage rating. This is a 1-mpg improvement in highway mileage over last year's Tundra with base V-8.

The new 4.6-liter V-8 engine is added to the Toyota Sequoia SUV line, too. It's standard in the SR5 model and provides 310 horses.

The Corolla and Matrix small cars get electronic stability control and traction control as standard equipment starting in the 2010 model year.

Toyota's dedicated gas-electric hybrid, the Prius, debuted earlier this calendar year as a 2010 model. The company retained the starting retail price, including destination charge, of $22,750.

Toyota's best-selling model, the Camry, also bowed as an early 2010 model back in March.

VOLKSWAGEN

It's time for a sixth-generation VW Golf/Rabbit. But for the second time in history, the company is dropping the name "Rabbit."

Thus, VW's 2010 five-passenger, compact car will be called the Golf only.

Styling is new, and so is the interior. Even the chassis is reworked for better handling and ride. The Golf's 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, inline, gasoline five cylinder remains, but a zippy 140-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, diesel four cylinder also will be available. Best of all, this turbodiesel helps give the new Golf an enviable fuel economy rating of 30 mpg in city driving and 42 mpg on the highway.

VW's sporty GTI hatchback also is restyled inside and out for this model year.

But the GTI engine remains the same as in 2009: a 200-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder.

In both the VW CC and the Passat, the six-speed automatic transmission is replaced this model year by the Direct Sequential Gear, six-speed, dual-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Also in 2010, the Touareg SUV no longer is available with a 4.2-liter V-8.

VW started offering a 225-horsepower, 3-liter, diesel V-6 earlier this year.

VOLVO

Already known for safety, Volvo launches the 2010 XC60 as possibly the safest car ever.
It's a smaller-size crossover SUV that borrows pieces from several Volvo cars, including the V70 wagon and S80 sedan.

But there are safety features galore -- from outside mirrors that alert a driver about cars in the blind spots to an automatic braking system called City Safety that works in slow-speed conditions.

Power comes from a 281-horsepower, 3-liter, turbocharged, gasoline, inline six cylinder that generates a healthy 295 foot-pounds of torque.

There's also a 3.2-liter, non-turbocharged, inline six cylinder that delivers 235 horses.
The 2010 XC60 has a starting retail price of $33,245.

Also in 2010, the Volvo V70 and XC70 have a revised 3.2-liter, inline six cylinder with less horsepower -- 225. The change improves the vehicles' emissions rating.

And the S80 sedan is mildly freshened inside and out.

The S60 sedan is discontinued.