This week, Jonathan Welsh offers advice on the price of Priuses, finding an energy-efficient all-wheel drive, and the latest Mercedes-Benz ML series.
Collecting antique and classic cars is popular, and car values are zooming. Now, agencies that specialize in insuring these vehicles are watching as other insurers try to grab the wheel. That means more options for collectors shopping for coverage.
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SUVs Show Improvement in Crash TestsFour small SUVs received top scores in crash tests conducted by the insurance industry, a sign of improvement compared with SUVs built earlier in the decade.
GM Steps Up Warranty on Used VehiclesGeneral Motors will offer a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on used vehicles as the auto maker looks to win over customers wary of Detroit-built cars and trucks.
Chrysler Head Designer to LeaveChrysler is bringing in a new design chief to succeed Trevor Creed, who is retiring after 23 years at the auto maker.
Chrysler Sues Battery SupplierChrysler filed a lawsuit against Johnson Controls alleging the supplier charged inflated prices for batteries.
Photos: The 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance![[pebble beach concours]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CB987_pebble_20080818114439.jpg)
The annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance showcases the world's rarest automobiles. This year, competitors from 27 states and 12 countries brought their prized cars to California's Monterey Peninsula for judging on Aug. 17.
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Ride Screen
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Rolls-Royce
Coupe
 This dramatically styled coupe's warranty includes roadside assistance, all standard maintenance and concierge service.
• Base price: $400,000*
• Warranty: 4 years / Unlimited miles
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Hyundai
Genesis
 The warranty on this sedan includes 10 year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage and five years of roadside assistance.
• Base price: $38,000 (V8 model)
• Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
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Dodge
Caliber SRT4
 Chrysler beefed up its warranty last July to "lifetime" coverage on key powertrain components – but only for the original owner.
• Base price: $23,285
• Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
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Mitsubishi
Outlander
 The coverage on this crossover includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty along with five years of roadside assistance.
• Base price: $19,990
• Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
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BMW
X6
 The German auto maker is offering 4 years/50,000 miles of free maintenance, along with four years of roadside assistance.
• Base price: $52,500
• Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
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Mazda
Mazda5 minivan
 Its has sliding doors and a third row of seats, but its smaller than most minvans.
• Fuel economy: 21/27
• Base price: $18,645
• EPA annual fuel cost estimate: $2,427
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Mercedes-Benz
E320 Bluetec
 A diesel engine helps this luxury sedan get great highway mileage. Review
• Fuel Economy: 23/32
• Base price: $53,075
• EPA annual fuel cost estimate: $2,397
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Honda
Civic Hybrid
 This sedan ranks second only to Toyota's Prius in overall fuel mileage.
• Fuel economy: 40/45
• Base price: $22,600
• EPA annual fuel cost estimate: $1,328
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Smart
Fortwo Convertible
 This tiny, two-seat droptop limited cargo space but did well in crash tests. Review
• Fuel economy: 33/41
• Base price: $16,590
• EPA annual fuel cost estimate: $1,643
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Audi
TT Coupe
 A dramatically styled sports car with available all-wheel drive. Related review
• Fuel economy: 23/31
• Base price: $34,800
• EPA annual fuel cost estimate: $2,275
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Volkswagen
R32
 This boxy two-door features a sweet-sounding V6 engine, all-wheel drive and VW's DSG transmission.
• Horsepower: 250
• Base price: $32,990
• Passenger volume: 93.1 cubic feet
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Subaru
Impreza WRX STI
 Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, this hatchback features all-wheel drive.
• Horsepower: 305
• Base price: $34,995
• Passenger volume: 94.4 cubic feet
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Saab
9-5 SportCombi Aero
 The turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets decent fuel-economy and the wagon has a large cargo area.
• Horsepower: 260
• Base price: $40,845
• Passenger volume: 98.8 cubic feet
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Mercedes-Benz
E63 AMG Wagon
 The AMG-tuned wagon has a huge V8 engine, and a folding rear-facing seat in the large cargo area.
• Horsepower: 507
• Base price: $86,925
• Passenger volume: 96.2 cubic feet
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Mazda
Mazdaspeed3
 Also powered by a turbo four-cylinder, this hatchback has front-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
• Horsepower: 263
• Base price: $23,090
• Passenger volume: 95.3 cubic feet
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Chevrolet
Tahoe Hybrid
 The fuel economy of this SUV is impressive given its weight, but cargo space is limited.
• Fuel economy: 21/22
• Base price: $49,590
• Cargo space behind third row: 16.9 cubic feet
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Toyota
Highlander Hybrid
 Deceptively large inside, this seven-seater's car-like ride hides its size on the road.
• Fuel economy: 27/25
• Base price: $33,700
• Cargo space behind third row: 10.3 cubic feet
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Ford
Taurus X AWD
 If driven carefully this spacious successor to the station wagon can outstrip its EPA ratings.
• Fuel economy: 15/22
• Base price: $28,880
• Cargo space behind third row: 15.8 cubic feet
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Mercedes-Benz
GL320 Bluetec
 This diesel goes 5-6 more miles per gallon compared with the gasoline version.
• Fuel economy: 18/24
• Base price: $53,400
• Cargo space behind third row: 14.3 cubic feet
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Audi
Q7 3.6
 A diesel version set to arrive early next year should get about 25 mpg on the highway.
• Fuel economy: 14/19
• Base price: $42,500
• Cargo space behind third row: 10.9 cubic feet
READ MORE
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Audi
A3
 Audi's little luxury hatch was the first to test U.S. waters.
• Price: $25,340
• Power: 200 hp, turbo 4-cylinder
• Availability: Now
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BMW
1 Series
 New for the U.S. next year, the 1 will be as sport as larger BMWs.
• Price: $30,000 [Est.]
• Power: 230 hp, 6-cylinder
• Availability: Spring 2008
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Mercedes-Benz
B-Class
 Mercedes has yet to say whether it will bring the B-Class to America.
• Price: $34,000 [Est.]
• Power: 95 hp, 4-cylinder
• Availability: Not Available
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Mini
Cooper
 Mini Cooper proved there's a U.S. market for small premiums
• Price: $18,000
• Power: 118 hp, 4-cylinder
• Availability: Now
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Volvo
C30
 Volvo's new two-door hatch could attract younger, male buyers.
• Price: $22,700
• Power: 227 hp, turbo 5-cylinder
• Availability: Coming weeks
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Car Cast David Patton and Mathew Passy discuss auto makers' gains in fuel efficiency and the troubles at the luxury end of the market. Plus, a look ahead to the Pebble Beach Concours and what will happen at the collector car auctions. LISTEN NOW | autoshow@wsj.com
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