Sales have exceeded company expectations for what is described as a midsize sedan; however, some have noted the substantial passenger roominess and rated it full-size. With this blurred distinction, Intrepid finds itself competing with a range of domestic and imported sedans, including Ford Taurus and Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice, and Honda Accord.

Our test vehicle was the standard base model equipped with the 3.3-liter overhead-valve V6 engine that produces 161 hp at 5,300 rpm, up from last year's 153 hp. Intrepid is also available in an upscale ES model that includes some base-model options as standard equipment. This is a common industry p1oy that enables a manufacturer to offer a price leader and a well-equipped version in the same model lineup.

Available for both models is a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 214 hp at 5,800 rpm. Also available is a flexible-fuel 3.3-liter engine that will make farmers and the Environmental Protection Agency happy because it is designed to run on cleaner-burning fuel containing as much as 85 percent methanol, which is made from grain.

The MSRP of our vehicle was $19,429, including the cost of an option package with electronic speed control, an AM/FM stereo with cassette player, power windows and door locks, and four-wheel disc brakes. Standard features include dual air bags and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. Steel-belted radial tires are also standard. They're mounted on 15-inch wheels with covers that we considered strange-looking and at odds with the rest of the car.