Best Selling Sedans: October 2009

October 2009 Sales: 8,673
Change vs. October 2008: Up 224.4%
MSRP: $14,145 - $17,845

Fuel Economy: 35 mpg Hwy/26 mpg City

The Hyundai Elantra is an economic compact car with handsome styling and nice lines. It has excellent interior space and standard safety equipment.

The current generation Elantra can seat up to five and has very accommodating trunk space. Three trim levels are offered: Blue, GLS, and SE. All use a 138-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard issue on the Blue trim, while a four-speed automatic is standard on the GLS and SE trim. Safety features on all Elantra models include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints.

October 2009 Sales: 9,705
Change vs. October 2008: Up 149.7%
MSRP: $19,995 - $29,995

Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

The Subaru Legacy is a full-time all-wheel drive sedan that has been completely redesigned for 2010.

The Legacy is available with a 170-hp naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with a 6-speed manual (or optional 6-speed CVT), or a 265-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with a 6-speed manual, or a, new for this year, 3.6-liter 6-cylinder with a 5-speed automatic. The CVT and automatic transmissions feature a manual mode with paddle levers on the steering wheel. Limited models feature leather seating, a 6-disc 440-watt 9-speaker harman/kardon audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.

October 2009 Sales: 10,119
Change vs. October 2008: Down 4.3%
MSRP: $15,995 - $18,485

Fuel Economy: 35 mpg Hwy, 24 mpg City

Small, economical, and fun, the Ford Focus is a smart choice for those looking for a compact car.

Available as a coupe or sedan the Focus includes only minor changes for 2010. The engine is a 140-hp 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder available with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The interior features an available SYNC system that allows the driver to synchronize mobile electronic devices such as mp3 players and cell phones. Four airbags are standard, and rear seats include headrests. Ford offers two series on the coupe, the SE and SES; and four on the sedan, the S, SE, sporty SES, and luxury SEL. New for 2010, Ford's MyKey, Message Center, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, remote keyless entry and power door locks are standard on all series.

October 2009 Sales: 12,086
Change vs. October 2008: Up 11.1%
MSRP: $21,825 - $26,605

Fuel Economy: 30 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The award winning Chevrolet Malibu emphasizes civilized road manners, quality construction and practicality, with clean, contemporary styling.

The 2010 Malibu has three trim levels: LS, LT, and LTZ. All models come with a 169-hp, 2.4-liter E85-compatible four-cylinder engine as standard equipment. The LS includes a four-speed automatic transmission. The LT and LTZ include a six-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the LT and LTZ is a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V6, matched with a six-speed automatic. The Malibu comes with standard safety features such as seat-mounted thorax airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Bluetooth is standard on the LTZ, optional on the LT. New for 2010, driver power lumbar is standard on all trims.

October 2009 Sales: 12,721
Change vs. October 2008: Down 42.4%
MSRP: $23,890 - $29,630

Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

The Chevrolet Impala is a comfortable and convenient car, practical and enjoyable to drive. It has neat and clean lines with a fresh style that is pleasing to the eye.

The Impala is a full-size front-wheel drive sedan capable of carrying up to six people. It comes in three trim levels: LS, LT, and LTZ. The LS and LT include a 211-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine which is also available in an E85-capable version. The LTZ includes a 233-hp 3.9-liter E85-capable V6. All trims come with a four-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes front bucket seats, Stabilitrak, and front, side and side curtain airbags.

October 2009 Sales: 13,445
Change vs. October 2008: Up 24%
MSRP: $19,620 - $28,030

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

Attractive and purposeful, the redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion is an excellent choice among midsize sedans.

With a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines, in addition to front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the Fusion has something for everyone. The powerteams are a 175-hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, or a 240-hp 3.0L V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. The addition of a 263-hp 3.5L V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission is new for this year. The Fusion is available in four trim levels, the S, SE, SEL, and Sport. Safety features include electronic stability and traction control, security system, six-airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

October 2009 Sales: 13,496
Change vs. October 2008: Up 14.3%
MSRP: $21,000 - $27,670

Fuel Economy: 48 mpg Hwy/51 mpg City

The Prius is available in four trim levels - Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV and Prius V - with a base Prius I trim scheduled to arrive later in the model year. All trim levels employ Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, a hybrid powertrain technology that unites a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine with a powerful electric drive motor to generate 134 combined horsepower, mated to a continuously variable transmission. Every Prius is equipped with a high level of standard equipment: Prius II trims feature 15-inch alloy wheels, power heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with driver door Smart Key passive entry, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, MP3 capability and driver's seat height adjustment; Prius III trims add Bluetooth wireless connectivity, satellite radio and upgraded audio with a 6-disc CD changer; Prius IV trims are further outfitted with heated front seats and leather upholstery, while the Prius V boasts 17-inch alloy wheels and auto-leveling LED low-beam headlights. Standard safety technologies include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control and a tire pressure monitor, as well as dual front, front side-impact and front and rear overhead curtain airbags. An optional Advanced Technology Package offers progressive features such as a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, lane keep assist and intelligent parking assist. Hybrid-related components are backed by an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty.

October 2009 Sales: 14,773
Change vs. October 2008: Down 16.7%
MSRP: $19,900 - $29,380

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

The front-wheel drive, five-passenger Nissan Altima combines performance and an attractive exterior as either a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan.

The Nissan Altima is powered by either a 175-hp 2.5-liter V6 or a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 and the transmission choices include a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The trims on the Altima include: the 2.5 Base (on the sedan only), the 2.5 S, and the 3.5 SR. Safety features include: four-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, six airbags, active front head restraints, vehicle stability and traction control, front seat-belt pre-tensioners and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). For a sportier appearance the coupe's roofline is 2.6 inches lower than the sedan's and flows back into a long and nicely sculpted tail section that narrows between wide shoulders above prominent wheel arches. The suspension is tuned to provide the driver with a more nimble feel and heightened responsiveness.

October 2009 Sales: 15,868
Change vs. October 2008: Down 14.6%
MSRP: $15,455 - $22,055

Fuel Economy: 34 mpg Hwy/26 mpg City

The Honda Civic is one of the most reliable and popular economy compact cars in its class. For years it has set the quality and performance standard for the affordable, compact car market.

Available in sedan or coupe bodies, all but the GX and Si trims are powered by a 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder with a standard five-speed manual transmission and optional five-speed automatic. The performance-oriented Si, comes with a 197 horsepower, 2.0-liter inline-4 bolted to a six-speed manual, while the GX is powered by a dedicated natural gas version of the 1.8-liter gas engine, and a five-speed automatic. Standard safety features on all Civics include anti-lock brakes, six airbags, active front head restraints and tire pressure monitoring.

October 2009 Sales: 23,210
Change vs. October 2008: Up 19.2%
MSRP: $21,055 - $29,305

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The Accord is Honda's largest car, offering generous interior space for up to 5 people wrapped in stylish exterior sheet metal.

The Accord comes either as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.5-liter V6 engine. The four-cylinder engines are available in five-speed manual or automatic transmission for both styles of the Accord, while the V6 sedan is only available in five-speed automatic. The V6 coupe is available with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Cloth upholstery is standard on all but the EX-L models which feature leather seats and a leather-covered steering wheel. Safety is enhanced on all Accords with six standard airbags, including side-impact air bags for front seats and side curtain air bags. Four-wheel disc, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, Brake Assist and active front head restraints also come standard.

October 2009 Sales: 25,717
Change vs. October 2008: Down 6%
MSRP: $15,350 - $18,860

Fuel Economy: 35 mpg Hwy/26 mpg City

The Toyota Corolla is among the best of the compact sedans: reliable and economical yet refined and comfortable.

The 2010 Corolla comes in five trims: Standard, LE, XLE, S, and XRS. The principal powertrain is a 132 horsepower, 1.8-liter dual VVT-I engine, matched with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. An added powertrain, available only in XRS models, is a 158 horsepower, 2.4-liter VVT-I engine with a five-speed manual or new five-speed automatic transmission. All models come standard with front, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, ABS with brake assist, and whiplash protecting front seat active head restraints. New for 2010, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control is standard on all models.

October 2009 Sales: 30,136
Change vs. October 2008: Down 1.3%
MSRP: $19,395 - $29,045

Fuel Economy: 33 mpg Hwy/22 mpg City

The benchmark Toyota Camry sedan continues its reputation of safety, reliability, and quality while offering fuel efficiency, space, and power.

The Camry is a front-wheel drive, five-passenger, four-door sedan featuring four trims: Base, LE, SE, and XLE. A new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission are standard; a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting is optional. LE, SE, and XLE models are available with a 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting. Stability and traction control, six-airbags, and tire pressure monitor are standard.