Best in class: Top 3 cars by style and price

Choosing which car to buy is tough, particularly with the hundreds of makes and models available today. There are so many facets to consider: looks, price, color, size, space, safety, economy and functionality among them -- to say nothing of how "hot" or "cool" it is, or the message it sends to friends and neighbors.

But that choice is thrust upon us anytime we decide to buy. While some would yearn for a return to the days when the only choice you had to make on a new Model T was whether you wanted it in black or in black, most revel in today's almost limitless ability to individualize and personalize the cars we drive.

Keeping in mind that beauty is certainly in the mind of the beholder and recognizing that if we all agreed on such things, there would be nothing but vanilla ice cream, here are our "Best in Class" selections for the model year 2005:

Sedans

• Under $20,000
• $20,000 to $35,000
• $36,000 to $60,000

Coupes/hatchbacks

• Under $20,000
• $21,000 to $35,000
• $36,000 to $75,000

Sport utility vehicles

• Under $25,000
• $26,000 to $40,000
• $41,000 to $75,000

Minivans

• Under $25,000
• Over $25,000

Pickup trucks

• Under $25,000
• Over $25,000

Station wagons

• Under $25,000
• Over $25,000

-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005