Best in class: Sedans $20,000 to $35,000

These are the four-door cars most everyone wants.

The bread-and-butter of the market are the Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords. And those cars are hard to assail on any level. But with increasing numbers of option-laden Hondas and Toyotas selling in the $22,000 to $25,000 range, it's worth noting that there are some sedans that offer more styling, power, features and just plain panache that should be considered by anyone looking at mid-sized sedans.

Here are three that warrant your attention:

Chrysler 300 Click image for larger view

Chrysler 300: As you've undoubtedly heard by now, Motor Trend magazine picked the 300 sedan as its "Car of The Year." Although on the market for nearly a year, this ultra-stylish big American sedan still causes heads to turn. Of course, all the hoopla is over the C model with the 345-horsepower Hemi V8. Smart buyers who don't need to engage in stoplight challenges can get a 300 with a 190-horsepower V6 for under $24,000, with a long list of standard equipment, including a power driver's seat. The Touring model, at about $28,000, adds a 250-horsepower V6, aluminum wheels and leather seats. Also optional: all-wheel-drive. There's quite a bit of engineering from parent company Mercedes-Benz's E Class sedan in the 300, so it drives unlike any previous Chrysler sedan. And because of the got-to-have-it trendiness of the design, the 300 hasn't suffered the drastic depreciation of past Chryslers.

Acura TL Click image for larger view

Acura TL: Redesigned for 2004, the front-wheel-drive TL still stands out as a bargain in the entry-level luxury category. Priced at about $33,000 for the model without the $2,000 navigation system, the TL is a sporty four-door sedan that has what most people want: A smooth, powerful 270-horsepower V6 that still delivers 29 miles per gallon on the highway; every power-assist feature on the leather-trimmed interior; side curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes and traction control, and Honda-Acura reliability and resale value.

Cadillac CTS Click image for larger view

Cadillac CTS: There are a lot of contenders for this third spot -- BMW, Audi, Infiniti, to name three. But buyers looking for a well-equipped luxury sedan at an attractive price should consider the CTS, the entry-level Cadillac that was the first model to display Caddy's new styling and engineering direction. This rear-wheel-drive sedan begins at about $32,000, and with options will easily bump our $35,000 ceiling in this category. But dealers are highly motivated and it should be easy to get several grand off the sticker.

-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005