All hail the return of the sedan!

In the aftermath of one of the worst automobile sales markets ever and the bankruptcy of two of the industry's most venerable companies, automakers finally are getting real about paying attention to sedans. Not crossovers. Not sport utility vehicles. But sedans -- the cars that most of us buy.

Fortunately, there are a slew of them this year that merit attention, and there are even more on the way from Infiniti, Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and others.

If your favorite make is not listed in this guide, it is because the 2010 models is almost about identical to the 2009 models. In those cases, refer you to any of the 2009 model year buyers guides to be found at post-gazette.com.

For starters, Ford's new 2010 Taurus is nothing short of a watershed for the folks from Dearborn, Mich. The car looks muscular, sturdy, sleek and contemporary, a big step forward for a company that's had design issues for years.

If you're interested in high performance, take a gander at the Taurus SHO, a handsome sport sedan featuring a two-tone interior and a 365-horsepower EcoBoost V-6 engine.

Standard equipment on all Tauruses includes full power-assist equipment, automatic transmission, dual exhausts, climate control, lots of reading and accessory lights, and other items.

The other big news from Ford is the 2010 Fusion hybrid sedan, which ranks at the top of the class in terms of family sedan hybrids. Mileage is rated at 40 miles per gallon or better -- a nicely done instrument panel shows how well you're driving using a tree with leaves added for good fuel-saving behavior.

Honda's got a new all-wheel- drive sedan: the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. It will feature a versatile, upscale five-passenger interior with an innovative rear-storage area, a standard 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine and available four-wheel drive when it goes on sale in November.

"Honda has a longstanding reputation for maximizing interior space and utility in its vehicles," said Erik Berkman, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co. "Like the award-winning Honda Fit, the Accord Crosstour uses a versatile design to create an interior that functions with the practicality of a larger vehicle."

The rear storage area features an innovative 8-inch deep under-floor Hidden Removable Utility Box with a reversible lid, featuring both plush-carpeted and durable-plastic sides. Levers near the interior fender wells, conveniently accessible from the tailgate opening, allow for one-touch conversion of the seats into the floor for additional cargo space.

The interior design is intended to enhance the feeling of width and space in the passenger cabin while creating a premium and accommodating atmosphere. The inset sculpting of the instrument panel along with a wide center console increases the sense of roominess. Intuitively grouped controls for the audio, climate and available navigation system are designed to operate with solidity and precision.

The Accord Crosstour will be positioned at the top of the Accord family. More information about the car is available at automobiles.honda.com.

Buick's 2010 LaCrosse is a glamorous sedan that looks far more expensive than it is, and it's better equipped than just about any Buick in recent memory. Targeted squarely at Lexus' ES models, the LaCrosse starts at about $27,835 with prices of the flaghship CXS hitting just under $40,000.

The craftsmanship and quality in the LaCrosse are self-evident, with things such as double stitching, a power retractable rear sunshade, and an interior highlighted by imaginative ice blue lighting throughout.

The LaCrosse performs well in terms of handling, cornering and braking.

Power comes from either a 2.4-liter four with 182 horsepower, a 3.0-liter 255-horsepower V-6, or a 3.6 liter 280-horsepower V-6.

Fuel economy ratings range from 17/27 for the two V-6 models to 20/30 for the four-cylinder engine.

Few car companies can match Mazda when it comes to knowing what their brand is all about. For this performance brand, any car will be about driving pleasure.

For 2010, check out the Mazda3. The last generation of the Mazda3 was stellar, but this one is indescribable.

It is, hands down, the sexiest, strongest-performing compact sedan in the field, and at the price, this car simply has no peers that can beat it on a sheer pleasure meter.

The Mazda3's Grand Touring 5 door hatchback has balanced, smooth steering, lightning-quick reflexes and acceleration, and a leather interior that rivals anything you'll see from the entry-level luxury brands out there.

Options include a technology package, a navigation system, moonroof, satellite radio and other items as well. The price for all this was $25,560.

Our test model was a standard Mazda3 sedan with a 2.5-liter, 167-horsepower four-cylinder engine. But the way this car performed, I'd have a tough time justifying spending extra money for the Mazdaspeed3.

And don't just take my word for it. As Edmunds.com says, "The 2010 Mazda3 has refined road manners that will likely come as a pleasant surprise to most economy car shoppers. Thanks to its performance oriented chassis tuning, the 3 is blessed with minimal body roll and a healthy amount of grip on twisty blacktop, and the steering is quick and communicative."

Here's a look at what else is coming for 2010:

Not to be outdone by stablemate Buick, Cadillac has two hot cars for this model season. One of them is the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, aimed at the affluent driver with a need for more space. It has all the hallmark CTS features: aggressive grille, chiseled profile with jewel-like side air extractors, and that overall look that the car is in motion even when standing still

Power comes from a 3.6-liter, 304-horsepower V-6.

You'll have 53.4 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seat down, a power liftgate, and other cool features.

Prices start around $36,000, with fuel mileage ranging from 11 to 18 city and 17 to 28 highway.

Then there's the edgy SRX crossover, with available all-wheel drive, an unusual interior and dash layout, and room for five-passenger seating. Graced with a fluid design that is one of the most eye-catching among crossovers on the market, the SFX has chiseled lines, and dramatic taillamp towers reminiscent of old Cadillacs.

Power comes from a base 3.0-liter V-6 or a 300-horsepower twin-turbo V-6. Mileage for the base engine with front wheel drive is rated at 18/25 or 17/23 with all-wheel drive. Prices start at $34,155.

The all-new 2010 Acura ZDX is likely to be one of those cars that will generate interest wherever it goes. The styling is eye-catching, though controversial, and it's more like a coupe than just about any other crossover I can think of.

Designed, developed and manufactured entirely in North America, the ZDX is the first vehicle to be styled from start to finish in the new, dedicated Acura Design Studio in Torrance, Calif.

Staying true to the original sketch from Acura's first female designer, Michelle Christensen, the ZDX features sensuous curves, deeply sculpted shoulders and strong character lines.

The design highlights of the 2010 Acura ZDX includes an all-glass panoramic roof that stretches from the windshield to the tailgate -- the longest continuous glass surface in the automotive industry

The ultra-luxurious interior features a standard hand-stitched leather dash, door panels and sculpted center console

The ZDX is powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 that generates 300 horsepower. It also has Acura's super-handling all-wheel drive system that the company says provides outstanding handling as well as excellent all-season capability.

Audi is the brand of choice if you want luxury, cool interiors, and head-of-class styling and strong road performance.

So it should be no wonder that its A5/S5 coupe and convertible lineup is so desirable.

This year, you get the topless experience with two-all new convertibles, both drop-dead gorgeous, just like the coupe. Power in these cars comes from a 2.0-liter, 211-horsepower turbocharged four, a 3.2-liter, 265-horsepower V-6, a 3.0-liter, 333-horsepower supercharged V-8, or for the S5 Coupe, a 4.2-liter, 354-horsepower, V-8.

Mileage is rated anywhere from 14 to 22 city to 21 to 29 highway, depending on which model you choose. Of course, you'll get all the safety goodies too: stability control, traction control, airbags, etc.

But you'll be too busy gawking at your car to think about that -- to say nothing of onlookers doing the same thing. The price is $41,930 to $58,000.

Also new from Audi this model year, is the S4 sedan with a 3.0-liter, 333-horsepower supercharged V-6 that will reach 60 mph in about 4.9 seconds. No price or fuel data is available.

If you've got the bucks, Bentley's got the car this year. It's time to say goodbye to the fabled Bentley Arnage sedan. It's being replaced by the Mulsanne, expected to cost about $350,000. The Mulsanne manages to keep all of the classic Bentley styling cues: long, elegant profile, stately roof, classic radiator, while also showing lot of contemporary themes: stylish aluminum wheels, body-colored bumpers, a more streamlined roof and a lower overall look.

If you're already a Bentley Arnage owner, I think it's likely you will be able to make the transition to the Mulsanne; there's just enough of what you've come to love in the Arnage to make you feel right at home.

If you want one of the last Arnage models, hurry. The last one available will be the Final Series, which has special appointments and design schemes. The extras include shot glasses and a stainless-steel flask.

According to Edmunds.com, this beauty combines the performance of the T variant of the Arnage, with the performance of the Arnage R.

It's powered by a 500-horsepower engine, so I don't need to tell you what that means. But in case you don't know, two words: stunning performance.

Also returning is the line's superlative-inducing 500 horsepower, palatial interior design and truly unique customization options.

Look for the Final Series to be a hot collectors item.

The brand that's all about driving excitement has a lot to crow about this year. Key is the 550i Gran Turismo, a four-door, all-wheel-drive sedan that has an unusual, roomy trunk.

The design includes a roofline that has a fastback flair, with power from a 400-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8, backed by a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission. There also is an all-new iDrive system to operate the audio, navigational and climate functions as well. Prices and mileage figures aren't available.

Sadly, this trio at Chrysler Group LLC has very little new to offer for the first part of this year, and that, frankly, was one of the company's problems that led it to bankruptcy -- very little in the product pipeline.

Chief among Chrysler's problem cars are the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger, two decent products that fell short in terms of design, quality control and other issues.

To make amends, Chrysler has started to make some important improvements for the pair.

For the Sebring, Chrysler cleaned up the hood and tightened the quality control on the interior materials, but the same awkward interior themes are still there.

There also is a new instrument cluster, but again, I don't think it's new enough.

Ditto for Dodge's Avenger. The Avenger came in for some improvements, but it will take an all-new model to pull even with the competition.

Dodge's Caliber compact fared better for 2010. The interior is all new, with an organically inspired instrument panel, new door-trim panels and a center console that has chrome accents.

There's also a new automatic climate-control system and a padded door armrest and center console with a split lid for added storage space.

All is not lost for Chrysler, though.

On the bright side, things will change late in the model year and during the next when they introduce an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee with a much-improved interior, and a new Dodge Charger as well.

But the star of the show will undeniably be the all-new Chrysler 300, a breathtaking car with an interior that will be among the best in the industry.

For now, since Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products are almost identical to those introduced in 2009, we refer you to reviews that appeared earlier this year to get the lowdown on what you'll see on the showroom floor. They can be found at post-gazette.com.

GMC's new small luxury crossover is the Terrain, which shares platforms with the all-new Chevy Equinox.

But don't be fooled. Unlike other GMC and Chevy truck products, these two are completely different from each other. I haven't seen them in person, but first-blush impressions suggest that Chevy's Equinox is taking the "expensive-looking, but inexpensive in price" route, while the GMC looks blockier and edgier.

Prices for the GMC Terrain start at $24,250, with the highest base price being $31,000.

The Terrain comes in four trim levels. Standard equipment befits the luxury image that the Terrain tries to portray: alloy wheels, trip computer, cruise control, air conditioning, full power-assisted accessories, sliding and reclining back seat, a back-up camera and a host of other items.

In terms of interior quality and other factors, take a look at the Chevy Equinox information below. The two are quite similar mechanically.

The Chevy Equinox is one sharp ride. It has more curves, more character lines, and a stronger overall image.

And the interior has two-toned themes and much higher-quality materials than ever seen on an Equinox. The instrument panel is expensive-looking, too. And thanks to lots of new insulation, the interior is quiet.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning, power accessories, a second seat that slides and reclines, tilt and telescoping steering column and OnStar. If you move up to an 1LT, look for tinted rear windows, roof rails, upgraded cloth interior, a compass and some other goodies.

The 2LT, which I expect will be the biggest seller, adds a remote ignition, automatic climate control, fog lights, eight-way power driver seat and Pioneer stereo system, among other things. Look for automatic headlights, power tailgate, rear parking sensors, leather interior, and driver memory functions along with heated seats on the LTZ.

Power comes from a new four-cylinder engine rated at 22/32, or a new 264-horsepower direct-injected V-6. Mileage ratings for that engine are not yet known. Base prices start at $22,440 and top out at $29,795.

This is a watershed year for Jaguar because the automaker is introducing the Jaguar XJ, replacing an old model by the same name. And it looks like this car has absolutely nothing in common with the car it replaces other than the Jaguar charisma.

Styling is nothing short of breathtaking. This is not your typical Jaguar with design themes from years ago.

Every inch of the new model introduces some new idea, cue or theme, from the bustle trunk in the back to the vertical taillights that wrap into the fenders, an unusual roofline, and cat-like headlights at the front.

Power will come from a 5.0-liter, 385-horsepower V-8, or a 5.0-liter 473-horsepower V-6, or the torrid 5.0-liter, 510-horsepower supercharged V-8.

Prices will start at around $67,000 and end at about $95,000. Mileage is rated anywhere from 15/22 to 16/24.

Subaru has been at the top of the heap all year long, making sales gains while other car companies have been struggling.

This model year looks it could bring about a repeat sales performance, based on the new Subaru Outback and Legend sedan models.

They both have nifty new features and styling, but I suspect the Outback is by far the more important model for Subaru in terms of sales.

The new Outback is a real looker with a more aggressive grille, sleek profile and glossy new colors. It looks longer and sleeker, and more expensive, even though it's actually a few inches shorter than the predecessor.

The base price is a reasonable $22,995, which will buy you a nicely equipped, six-speed manual Outback.

There is a $23,995 starting price for the least-expensive model with a six-speed automatic.

The interior also looks expensive, with better materials, a good arrangement of matte and glossy trims, and a cleaned-up dashboard that is more intuitive and less cluttered than the previous model.

But the more important improvements go beyond looks. One of the few knocks against the old Outback was that the interior was too small, with less space in the back seat than competitors.

In the new model, there's almost 4 inches more rear legroom, almost 2 inches more rear toe room, 31/2 inches more front hip room, and 1.8 inches more front shoulder room.

Power comes from one of two engines available across the model range. There's a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine rated at 19/27 for Outbacks with a six-speed manual and 22/29 for those with the automatic transmission.

Also available is a 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine producing 256-horsepower and rated at 18/25.

Look for a new Hyundai Accent Blue economy sedan, which focuses on value and fuel economy. This is the only Accent that will not have standard air conditioning.

Most other changes include modifications to the bodyside modelings and side mirrors, the availability of steering wheel audio controls, and various mechanical revisions.

Prices for this model start at about $10,700. Power comes from a 1.6 liter, 110 horsepower four cyilinder engine that is rated at 33 to 35 mpg on the highway and 26 to 27 mpg in the city.

Elantra also gets a Blue economy model this year. New features for 2010 include different seat fabric and chrome details.

The Elantra starts at $14,900, with power coming from a 2.0 liter 132 horsepower four cylinder engine rated from 23 to 34 mpg.

Kia's big news last year was the Soul. Now comes the Kia Koup, a two-door coupe version of the popular Forte.

The Koup enjoys all of the perks of the sedan, from quiet ride and impeccable quality control to decent handling and acceleration.

The Koup's calling car is of course, its good looks. Think a Toyota Celica for 2009, and you'll have an idea of what the Koup will be like.

Prices for the Koup aren't yet available. You can either get a 2.0-liter, 145- to 156-horsepower 4, or as an option. 2.4-liter, 173 horsepower four. Fuel mileage is rated between 22 to 27 mpg in the city to 31 to 36 on the highway.

Undeniably, the star of the Nissan firmament is the Cube, a quirky, boxy car that has taken off in sales like a skyrocket.

Like all cars of this particular type of tall structure, it's roomy for five people, with all kinds of interesting design details, including an optional carpet-like piece on top of the dashboard. Your eyes will never be bored in this car; there's something to be taken in at every angle.

It is well equipped and comes in base, S, SL and Krom versions. The Cube is powered by a 1.8-liter, 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and is available with a host of dealer-installed items to make your Cube expressly yours alone.

Mileage is rated between 24 to 28 mpg in the city and 29 to 30 mpg on the highway, depending on which car and equipment you select.

Altima comes in for a variety of upgrades and design changes as a refresher until the next generation comes along.

Price is $20,850 to $30,500. The car has a 2.5-liter, 175-horsepower four, a 3.5-liter, 270-horsepower V-6, or a four-cylinder-based, 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that puts out 198 horsepower.

Toyota's big news is the completely redone Prius, the popular hybrid hatchback. Fuel mileage has increased to 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 on the highway. The hybrid powertrain system puts out 134 horsepower.

Inside, you won't recognize the Prius. It has vastly improved fit and finish, with substantive fabrics and materials arranged imaginatively.

The dashboard is even more futuristic looking than before. If you decide to splurge on the top-of-the-line model, you'll get navigation and a solar roof.

There also are five trim levels along with a number of options to make the Prius more attainable and accessible to a bigger variety of customers. Price range is $22,750 to $28,020.

New colors, fabric choices and a cosmetic tweak here and there grace the rest of the Toyota lineup for 2010.

Two all new models are introduced to the Lexus lineup for 2010.

There's the Lexus HS 250h, the world's first luxury car that comes only in a hybrid model. Styling is tastefully elegant and the performance is decent as well.

This five-passenger, front-wheel-drive sedan is powered by a 3.4-liter, 187-horsepower hybrid powertrain system that gets around 35 mpg in the city and only slightly less on the highway.

Things are quieter this year for InfinitiQX. With the 2011 M34 and M45 expected soon, very little has changed on the M model. The 2010 model does get revised option package selection.

The EX receives a revised option package selection and content: standard heated front seats (EX35 AWD), enhanced audio and navigation system features, and revised exterior/interior color combinations.

The FX revised option package selection and content includes standard Bluetooth hands-free phone system (all models), enhanced audio and navigation features, simplified exterior/interior color combinations.

The G Coupe gets a next generation optional navigation system, one new color, a new gauge color scheme and center console design, rain-sensing wipers and Advanced Climate Control System air purifier added to the Technology Package.

The G sedan gets much of the same treatment, including a new grille, front fascias (Base and Sport) and headlight treatments, new 17-inch wheels, revised interior colors and trim,

Like the G Coupe, one of the new options is a next generation navigation system, new gauge color scheme and center console design, rain-sensing wipers and Advanced Climate Control System air purifier added to Technology Package, standard eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat and one-touch auto up/down rear windows on Base model, revised Journey model content and two new exterior colors.

VW has always been a class act in the compact field, with fun, well-equipped cars that have solid performance reputations and interiors that are far nicer than just about anything else in the market segment.

But they've always been hampered by higher than average prices, low availability of some models (particularly diesel-equipped ones), and at one time, dicey quality control and poor dealer service.

But VW has been working hard on quality control, and company officials acknowledged ages ago that there was a problem with their service departments -- and they've taken corrective steps.

The last stumbling block for would-be VW owners has been price, with VW models usually starting at prices that are higher than other brands.

But with other compact car prices going up in price, the stickers on VWs seem more reasonable now.

Still, getting a foothold in a field of highly competitive peers, such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Kia Forte, has not been easy for the German automaker.

But for 2010, VW has an all-new Golf in two-door and four-door versions.

These cars look to be worth every penny. And, the car is much roomier than previous models and steers and handles like a champ.

The diesel model is particularly nice, and likely will be a big seller as long as Volkswagen can meet demand.

Gasoline models start at $18,190 with shipping included, while the TDI (diesel) model starts at around $22,690.

The diesel model is rated at 30/40 mpg with the DSG automatic that can be shifted via paddles. The gasoline model is rated at 23/30 mpg. A 2.5-liter five-cylinder, 170-horsepower engine is standard, and a the two-liter, four-cylinder turbo diesel model has 140 horsepower.

You'll be able to get both two-door and four-door versions of the Golf. Did I mention that standard equipment is lavish?

Outside, the Golf is unmistakably a VW, with smoother, more contemporary styling than before. It has an all-new front end with futuristic looking Xenon headlights, and body-colored bumpers.

The flanks of the new Golf seem more understated and elegant than previous models, with pronounced wheel blisters over each tire for an even stronger performance image.

As the economy begins to improve, all automakers are offering consumers lots of reasons to hit dealer showrooms again.

Raise the white flag; the 2010 Toyota Prius wins.

The car that set the standard for small hybrids is all new for 2010, and it remains the benchmark against which compact and smaller midsize hybrids such as the Honda Insight and Civic must be judged. They lose, because of the Prius' technical excellence, low price and unique looks.

Prices for the 2010 Toyota Prius start at $22,000 and range to $27,270. All Priuses -- the cars' aficionados seem to prefer the Latin-sounding plural Prii, which might be pronounced "Pree-eye" if it were actually a word -- have a 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, 80-horsepower electric motor and continuously variable transmission.

Toyota designates the various Prius models with Roman numerals. For a dead language, Latin is doing very well on Planet Prius, thank you. The four-model range starts, oddly, with the Prius II and tops out with the fourth model, the Prius V.

I tested a nicely equipped Prius III with a sticker price of $25,000. All prices exclude destination charges.

The 2010 Prius' -- the plural is debatable, the possessive is not -- chief claims to dominance are its EPA fuel economy rating -- 51 mpg in the city, 48 mpg on the highway for an unmatched 50 mpg combined rating -- and a button to activate "EV mode," which allows the Prius to run on battery power alone at low speed for up to a mile.

The EV mode isn't much different from the ability any full hybrid has to run solely on electric power. It requires a very light touch on the accelerator, and the battery must be around two-thirds' charged.

The Prius automatically shifts into gas-saving electric-only mode when the car is stationary and at speeds up to about 25 mph.

The transition when the engine automatically switches itself on and off for battery operation is less smooth than on the Ford Fusion hybrid, but the new Prius' air-conditioning and other accessory systems function very well when the engine is off.

I was particularly impressed by how long the AC could run without starting the engine on a very hot day when a friend's car broke down and we sat comfortably in the Prius until a tow truck arrived.

The system is a significant improvement over the previous Prius' climate control, which required more frequent engine use.

The Prius' most underappreciated virtue remains its performance. The electric motor's 153 pound-feet of torque is immediately available, supplementing the engine's 105 pound-feet for excellent acceleration.

Watch for the Prius owner with a gleam in his or her eye -- the one waiting to dust off BMWs and Mustangs at the stoplight. The car's responsive steering and handling make it far more enjoyable than its detractors would like to believe.

Most Prius owners, of course, buy the car for its fuel economy, and the 2010 delivers that as well. I averaged around 49 mpg without modifying my driving style at all in a test that included city and highway driving.

An "eco" driving mode shifts the drivetrain to higher fuel economy, but there's a noticeable penalty in performance.

The 2010 Prius offers yet another mode to maximize regenerative braking and charge the batteries in stop-and-go driving.

The new car's overall size is nearly unchanged from the '09's. The Prius' interior is accommodating, thanks to its practical hatchback body, which handles larger loads than a similar-sized sedan would.

Headroom is generous, and a big new console provides plenty of storage space, although a slightly longer armrest would make it easier to use the joystick controller that manages some of the Prius' systems.

The interior design is modern and attractive, but the materials are basic. Toyota chose hard plastic trim in places where cushioned coverings are becoming common.

Surprisingly, the Prius still has a pressed-fiber headliner made of the material that critics derisively call "mouse fur." The headliners in most new cars use more attractive materials.

The car I tested had a slight whistle at highway speeds, but was otherwise quiet. The ride is smooth and comfortable.

The Prius remains one of the most recognizable cars on the road. Its smooth, aerodynamic profile and double-bubble roof are an attractive evolution of the previous car's looks. The Prius' front styling has been modified for a look that's more consistent with other Toyota models such as the Yaris, Corolla and Camry.

The Prius remains the benchmark among small hybrid cars.

At least until new technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car hit the road next year, buyers and other automakers should accept that fact.

Resistance is futile.