It's hard not to see advertisements for the Malibu. With its keen redesign for 2008, Chevrolet has put everything it has into the marketing of the car named after the southern California beach city.

The promotion began in earnest during last October's World Series and it hasn't waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that's a hefty task.

First driving impressions mean a lot — at least to me. Whether it’s a rental vehicle, a friend’s car or a new weekly test drive, I can usually tell if I’ll like the vehicle within a few minutes.

Honda and Cadillac offer diverse cars, but I always immediately feel comfortable in all the manufacturers’ vehicles. Kia now joins my “comfort car club.”

Like many people, I’ve always been a fan of the Honda Accord. Second on the list of top-selling cars in the United States, the Accord always looks and feels like a more expensive vehicle.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed a week behind the wheel of the Accord’s more sophisticated cousin – the 2008 Acura RL.

After selling nearly 100,000 units in 2005, sales of the Status dropped nearly in half in 2006. That was enough to convince parent company Chrysler it was time to pull the plug on the modest, mid-size sedan. It was a necessary if Dodge wanted to stay competitive in the mid-size sedan classification. Dodge filled the opening with the Avenger.

It's a catchier name and Chrysler hopes the vehicle will also attract more buyers. The larger dimensions – 2.5 more inches of headroom, 1.2 inches greater shoulder room, and 2.5 inches higher — are definite factors that make an easier entry and exit in comparison to the forgettable Stratus.

This time of year I’m typically plotting a getaway day or two into the snow country. But the thinking of this longtime skier far outweighs what actually happens, which is why there is nothing to report about how the 2008 Subaru Legacy responded in the snow-shrouded Lake Tahoe region.

When discussing the Subaru lineup the first thing often mentioned is the all-wheel drive capability, because a foul-weather vehicle is always desirable in many regions of the country. Every Subaru is equipped with a traction-grabbing advantage that makes many drivers like me eager to take a journey into the high country.

Even before last year’s redesign, the Nissan Altima was among major players in the mid-size world. The Altima is a smart-looking sedan with a solid 4-cylinder option and a more appealing, performance-laden V6.

With the combination of family appeal and sporty look, the Altima became the sixth most popular selling car in the United States for 2006. Last year’s successful redesign also included a  hybrid option, allowing the Altima to further compete the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Despite the improvements, the 2008b Altima has a difficult time competing with the Camry and Accord in total sales.

Not only did Ford’s sales dive sharply in 2007 , it was overtaken by Toyota as No. 2 in the American market. And Toyota probably won’t stop there. GM’s days as king of the hill also look numbered.

 

Looking for answers, Ford did a couple of things right last year, introducing a two solid crossover sport utility vehicles that were well received. Neither the Ford Edge or its Lincoln cousin, the MKX, could halt the overall slide, but they made a difference at a time when a success story or two were desperately needed.

The first-generation of Optima was introduced as Kia's first midsize sedan in 2002, but it couldn't promise the refinement, documented reliability and assured resale value of its key Japanese competitors.

It was originally produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company, as a joint venture with Kia. It was initially available in four-and six-cylinder models which were crucial during a time when gas prices were beginning to ease upward.

As one of the country's most successful vehicles, Honda needs little help with the Accord.

But for 2008, the Accord was redesigned and it's a prime of example of taking a vehicle that's already an industry leader and making it better.

Anyone who's driven a Subaru knows the manufacturer's all-wheel drive system is an industry leader. In automotive parlance, it's the only system that combines a horizontally opposed engine with a symmetrically arranged AWD system.

What that means is that handling and steering throughout the Subaru line is superior. Subarus confidentially entertain any driving situation, and that's why the brand is particularly popular in mountain areas where obstacles can be presented without warming.