Climbing gasoline prices may have stalled sales figures for trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) but on the plus side, cars are more diverse, fuel-efficient, and safer than ever. For women, this is a good thing. The latest J.D. Power and Good Housekeeping Institute survey of 100,000 female auto buyers reveals that safety continues to be the most important determining factor among women when purchasing most vehicles, the exceptions being the compact van, where quietness was most important and the entry SUV, where exterior quality ranked number one.

We’ve compiled a list of vehicles, cars, and SUV’s, that are well equipped with safety features as well as improved fuel economy.

Car-like SUVs:
Jeep Compass

The Compass may not be cut from the traditional Jeep cloth but this SUV is no less functional and a lot more fuel-efficient. Excelling in off-road capability, it joins a burgeoning compact SUV market.

Available as a two-wheel or four-wheel drive (2WD or 4WD), the Compass is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves a city/highway estimated fuel economy of 25/30 mpg with the manual transmission 2WD model. The estimated city/highway fuel economy for the 4WD is 25/29 mpg.

All models come with two-toned interiors and flexible seating. The front passenger and rear seats fold flat creating 60.7 cubic feet of cargo space and the durable vinyl load floor is removable and washable.

ABS, Brake Traction Control, Brake Assist, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation, and side curtain airbags are standard.

Creature comforts include an AM/FM stereo with a CD player, a tilt steering wheel, and a center console with a sliding armrest. Air conditioning is optional on the base Sport model.
Base prices on the 2007 Compass 2WD and 4WD are $15,985 and $17,585 respectively.
 

Compact Sedans:
Toyota Yaris

Subcompacts are back and Toyota re-enters the market in 2007 with the all-new Yaris.

The three-door liftback or four-door sedan models are powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves an impressive EPA estimated fuel efficiency rating of 34 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 40 mpg on the highway with the five-speed manual. The automatic transmission gets one less mpg on the highway.

The versatile liftback includes four-way adjustable fabric front seats and rear seats that fold down to create 13 cubic feet of cargo room.

Dual-stage front airbags with a front seat passenger sensor and a high or low regulated inflation level depending on the collision, are standard. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) and side curtain airbags are available.

Air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, intermittent windshield wipers with mist control, and dual sun visors with vanity mirrors are standard on the liftback and sedan.

Base prices for the 2007 Yaris liftback and sedan are $11,050 and $11,925 respectively.
 

Compact Sedans:
Hyundai Elantra

The all-new Elantra completes Hyundai’s plan to produce seven vehicles in 24 months.

Equipped with six standard airbags, including side curtains, the Elantra sets itself apart from the competition. Expanding its safety package further is ABS with electronic brake-force distribution.

Wider and taller than its predecessor, the new Elantra offers an expansive 112.1 total cubic feet (including 14.2 cubic feet in the truck) of interior space. For added convenience, the rear seat is split 60/40 and folds forward to accommodate longer cargo in the trunk.

Creature comforts include dual vanity mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, and power windows. Air conditioning and a stereo are optional on the base GLS model.

Mated to a five-speed manual transmission, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Elantra and earns an EPA estimated fuel rating of 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
Covered by Hyundai’s comprehensive ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain, five-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-years or 60,000 miles of 24-hour roadside assistance, the base price on the Elantra is $13,995.

Midsize Sedans:
Kia Optima

Kia’s midsize sedan competes against segment leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Priced below its competitors, the redesigned Optima carries a healthy inventory of standard safety and luxury features.

At the top of the list are six airbags including full-length side curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts the driver if a tire has lost air pressure.

Standard luxury features include air conditioning, power windows and locks, heated outside mirrors, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD player.

A longer wheelbase enhances the Optima’s ride and stretches its interior volume to 104.2 cubic feet. The trunk capacity is also 10 percent greater.

A fuel-efficient 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Optima. Mated to a five-speed manual transmission, it earns an estimated gas economy of 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

All Optimas are covered by Kia’s ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain, five-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and five-years or 60,000 miles of 24-hour roadside assistance.
New for this year is a one-year road hazard protection warranty for the tires.

The base price on the 2007 Kia Optima is $19,955.

Midsize Sedans:
Lincoln MKZ

The term “entry-level” is relative when it refers to Lincoln. The MKZ, formerly the Zephyr, is considered Lincoln’s entry-level midsize luxury sedan, but in this case, luxury is the operative word.

The waterfall grille and chrome trim on the outside and leather and real Maple wood accents on the inside, illustrate the MKZ’s sumptuousness. A more powerful 3.5-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic transmission accentuates its performance.
The EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy for the MKZ is 19/27 mpg. With available all-wheel drive (AWD), fuel economy drops by one mpg.

It has the largest trunk in its class with 15.8 cubic feet of storage and 60/40 split folding rear seats for added convenience.

The MKZ comes equipped with seat deployed side impact and side curtain airbags, ABS with EDB, and traction control.

Standard features include air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD changer, heated front seats, and 17-inch wheels, The base price on the 2007 MKZ is $29,660.

Hybrids
Saturn Vue Green Line

 The Vue Green Line Hybrid midsize SUV, the very first gasoline-electric hybrid from Saturn and only the third from General Motors, debuts in 2007. It should achieve an EPA estimated fuel efficiency of 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Matched to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission, the electric motor generator adds power when accelerating and shuts the engine off when idling while also recapturing electric energy from braking to reboot the nickel metal hybrid battery.

Other functions, like air conditioning, continue even when the engine shuts off at idle so that hybrid operation is transparent.

The Vue seats five and has 30.8 cubic feet of cargo room. The second row is split 70/30 and when folded flat, cargo room increases to 63.8 cubic feet. The front passenger seat also folds flat.
Standard features included cruise control, power windows, door locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry and the Saturn Security System, an AM/FM stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary input jack.

The estimated base price on the 2007 Vue Green Line is less than $23,000. The IRS hybrid tax credit is $650.

Midsize Sedans
Lexus LS 600h L

Lexus is wild about hybrids. With three in its lineup, the latest Is the 2008 LS 600h L, the first full-size luxury hybrid sedan.
Scheduled to arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2007, the LS 600h L features an all-new five-liter V8 engine matched with large, high output electric motors and a new large capacity battery pack. The LS 600h L performs with gusto achieving more than 430 horsepower.

The top-of-the-line luxury vehicle is equipped with the latest safety technology including the Advanced Pre-Collision System that utilizes three cameras to detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path.

The Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management system incorporates five safety technologies, from traction control to ABS.

EPA estimated fuel economy figures for the LS 600h L have not been released but expectations are that although it provides the power of a V12 engine, it will have the fuel efficiency of a traditional V8, around 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The base price on the 2008 LS 600h L has not been released, nor has any IRS tax credit information, but a ballpark estimate would be $60,000–$70,000.

Suzuki XL7

Suzuki’s flagship SUV, the XL7 discards its truck construction and converts into a crossover for 2007. The change saves gas and improves its ride and handling.

Entering a crowded crossover market, the redesigned XL7 makes a bold statement with its exterior styling that borrows from Japanese animation.

The estimated city/highway fuel economy for the XL7 is 18/24 mpg for the front-wheel-drive model and 17/23 mpg for the AWD.

With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, a 3.6-liter V6 engine powers the XL7. It’s mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Still offering a third row seating for seven, the SUV’s functionality increases with a 60/40 split folding second row that tumbles forward and folds flat as well as a 50/50 split third row that folds flat into the floor.

Standard safety features include, ABS, ESP with traction control, a rollover sensor, and side curtain airbags.

Remote keyless entry, power windows, door locks and mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD player are also standard.

The base price on the 2007 XL7 is $22,699.

Chrysler Sebring

All new for 2007, the Chrysler Sebring midsize sedan hopes to take on segment giants with a new exterior and unique gadgets.
On the outside, new headlamps, a sculptured hood with signature Chrysler grooves, and a low swooping front end give the Sebring added intensity.

The interior includes two new and unique options—heated and cooled cup holders that heat to 140 degrees and cool to 35 degrees and the YES Essentials stain resistant seat fabric.
Chrysler upgrades the safety package on the new Sebring by providing side curtain airbags, a tire pressure monitor, and ABS as standard equipment.
Improving its performance are three available engines, starting with the base, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that achieves an EPA estimated city/highway fuel rating of 24/32 mpg. The optional 2.7-liter V6 adds more power and the even larger 3.5-liter V6 comes with the new six-speed automatic transmission for added sportiness.

The optional MyGIG information and navigation system, features a 6.5-inch touch screen, a 20 gigabyte hard disc with the ability to upload and store personal photographs and music, and Sirius satellite radio.

The base price on the 2007 Sebring is $18,995.

Bentley Continental GTC

How can a Bentley be improved? Cut off its roof.

The latest in a very exclusive group of vehicles, the 2007 Bentley Continental GTC, is a dream come true for convertible lovers. The fully automatic soft-top convertible reclines in about 25 seconds.
As expected, this six-figure vehicle stands out, not just among all cars, but also among its competitors.

Built at the Crewe Plant in England, the interior bears the refinement of a made-to-order vehicle, with a hand stitched leather dash, natural wood veneers, and plush leather seating.

Bentley hides the GTC’s best feature, the W12 twin-turbocharged engine that produces 552 horsepower, under the hood. It accelerates from zero–60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
The powerful engine combined with the GTC’s luxurious interior and solid feel will convert its owner into an enthusiast. Of course, sophistication like this doesn’t come cheap but for the Latina who can spare no expense for a set of wheels, this vehicle will return the investment with a truly unique driving experience.

Forget about fun to drive. Motoring around town in the GTC verges on joyous. Final base price is $196,285.