10 compact, mid-size cars brought significant changes

According to a poll conducted by the Detroit Free Press, gas mileage was the most important factor shoppers consider when buying a car, topping safety, interior room, and low maintenance costs by a wide margin. While a hybrid is one way to save fuel, a conventional compact or midsize car with an efficient engine is another. There are a host of new and redesigned models in these categories this year; here are 10 significant ones.

Chrysler Sebring ($18,320 - $23,320), mid-size: The redesigned Sebring is one of the more uniquely styled mid-size sedans available. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder gets 24/32 miles per gallon (city/highway), while the range-topping 3.5-liter V-6 returns 19/28 miles per gallon. Optional features include a heated and cooled front cupholder and a 20GB hard drive that can store and play music files. The Sebring offers a smooth highway ride, but the four-cylinder can only muster weak responses at those speeds. Side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags are standard.

Dodge Caliber ($13,725 - $19,920), mid-size: The Caliber is a new small hatchback from Dodge that's big on the inside -- big enough to bump it into the mid-size category based on its interior volume. A choice of three four-cylinder engines that make from 148 to 172 horsepower is offered, and buyers can choose either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered, and the most frugal base model gets 28/32 miles per gallon. Available features include a Boston Acoustics sound system with speakers that can flip down when the liftgate is open, and a drink cooler in the dashboard.

Honda Fit ($13,850 - $15,170), compact: The Fit is a new four-door hatchback from Honda that's shorter, narrower and taller than the company's Civic sedan, so the Fit has an upright stance. The Fit is powered by a 109-horsepower four-cylinder engine that drives a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the latter of which includes steering wheel shift paddles on the Sport model. Manual transmission models get an EPA estimated 33/38 miles per gallon (the numbers are slightly lower for automatic models). In addition to folding flat, the bottom cushions of the 60/40-split second row can flip up to accommodate tall objects, and both front seats can recline flat to turn the outside second row seats into La-Z-Boy-like easy chairs.

Hyundai Elantra ($13,395 - $16,845), mid-size: The 2007 Elantra features a stylish new exterior and a redesigned interior. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that teams with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission; regardless of which transmission you opt for, the Elantra gets an EPA-estimated 28/36 miles per gallon. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags. All Elantras come with five years of roadside assistance and feature a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Nissan Sentra ($14,750 - $18,400), compact: Bigger than its predecessor, Nissan's redesigned Sentra gets all-new, more angular styling and can have a continuously variable automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is standard) that gets an EPA-estimated 29/36 miles per gallon with the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. High-performance SE-R and SE-R Spec V models that have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder will be offered this spring. Air conditioning, a CD stereo, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags are standard.

Nissan Versa ($12,550 - $14,550), compact: The Versa is a new small car from Nissan that slots below the Sentra in the automaker's lineup. Available in either four-door hatchback or sedan form, the Versa has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood. Choosing the optional continuously variable automatic transmission brings the model's highest EPA-estimated gas mileage of 30/36 miles per gallon (a six-speed manual is standard). Despite its low base price, the Versa has standard side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags.

Saturn Aura ($20,345 - $24,345), mid-size: The Aura is an important new entry for Saturn as the brand tries to capture more family-sedan buyers. Two V-6 engines are offered, and both team with an automatic transmission. The 224-horsepower V-6 gets an estimated 20/30 miles per gallon , while the 252-horsepower engine is rated at 20/28 miles per gallon. The Aura's suspension strikes a nice compromise, delivering good bump absorption while keeping body roll to a minimum for a mid-size sedan. The Aura's interior quality, though, comes up short when compared with much of the competition. An Aura Green Line hybrid hits dealerships this spring.

Suzuki SX4 ($14,999 - $16,399), compact: The SX4 is a new four-door hatchback that's notable for its standard all-wheel-drive system, a relatively uncommon feature in its corner of the market. All models have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that teams with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. The SX4's gas mileage estimates are unremarkable for its class: Manual transmission versions are rated at 23/28 miles per gallon , while the automatic gets 24/30 miles per gallon. Standard features include air conditioning, a CD stereo, and remote keyless entry.

Toyota Camry ($18,470 - $28,020), mid-size: Toyota's popular Camry was redesigned for 2007 and now has more distinctive styling and more-powerful engines. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard and a 3.5-liter V-6 is optional. The base drivetrain with the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers the thriftiest performance of the conventional models; it gets an EPA-estimated 24/34 miles per gallon. (The new Camry Hybrid is rated at 40/38 miles per gallon.) Base models come well-equipped with standard cruise control, air conditioning and a CD stereo with supplemental controls on the steering wheel.

Toyota Yaris ($11,150 - $13,525), compact: Offered in two-door hatchback or sedan form, the Yaris is Toyota's new entry-level car. Its four-cylinder engine only makes 106 horsepower, but the payoff comes at the gas pump; the manual transmission model gets 34/40 miles per gallon, according to the EPA, while the automatic-equipped version is rated at 34/39 miles per gallon. The low base price includes air conditioning, but a stereo is optional. Side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags -- important safety features -- are optional.