It is no coincidence that Chrysler Exec Bob Nardelli pulled into Washington for economic bailout testimony today in a hybrid version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.  Of any American brand, Jeep is probably the most valuable.  This was further confirmed last week when it was announced that the Wrangler X is the 2009 recipient of the “Best Resale Value” award in the SUV segment by Kelley Blue Book.  This is based on the proportion of the retail value that is retained in a vehicle after 5 years, and highlights the Jeeps ability to endure even in the toughest of economic times.

For luxury automakers, the “entry-level” vehicle can be a slippery slope.  If it is cheap but offers a high degree of similar luxury to other models, the car maker risks losing sales of their more expensive cars as people flock to the better value.  If it is too expensive, it may be priced out of the reach of buyers who may go to a different brand altogether.  If it is cheap, both in price and quality, the automaker’s image may be diluted.  BMW is waging that they have all of these factors evenly balanced with the 2008 BMW 128i.

Chrysler 300c

For whatever reason, the Chrysler 300 is a car that upon its unveiling has been subject to a great deal of customization.  This is most likely due to the fact that it was designed to look (or try to look) like a much more expensive car than it really is.  Being relatively inexpensive frees up more cash to add other toys like huge rims, stereos and suicide doors.  For those not interested in such things, Chrysler would love to remind everyone that even without alterations the 300 is a pretty good car.

Equal to the Nissan Versa’s diminutive footprint is its price tag, which starting at $9,900 is as entry-level as any car on the road.  Beyond that, depending on your point of view, the Versa will either exceed or fail to live up to all of your other expectations for a car.

Like many vehicles, and most of the entire Honda lineup actually, the 2009 CR-V resides in that warm space of automotive design somewhere between cute and unoffensive.  While it many not be much of an attention grabber, there are plenty of reasons why the CR-V is one of the top-selling small SUVs.

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

As any of the now-struggling auto makers can attest, changing perceptions about a brand is an extremely hard proposition.  Likewise, despite lingering image issues to the contrary, Suzuki’s original compact SUV “Sidekick” is long gone and in its place is the Grand Vitara.  And while it is not completely capable of tossing off previous criticisms, it may be the best small SUV on the market.

2009 Mercedes C300

Luxury is and will always be a part of the auto industry.  The exact parameters of what “luxury” is, however, may change dramatically.  It used to be power steering and AC, and is now automatic parking and entertainment systems.  As everyone collectively tightens their financial belts, Mercedes offers the C300 as a reasonably sized and priced luxury sedan.

2008 Infiniti EX35

The criteria that gains a car entry into the “Crossover” segment is so ambiguous that with a marginally increased ride height, four doors and a hatchbackn nearly any existing car can be made “crossover-ready.”  Take the Infiniti EX35 as an example.  Infiniti has self-titled the EX35 as a “coupe-inspired luxury crossover.”  That is about as meaningful as a 15 year old girl stating that she is a Shaq-inspired combination of Oprah and Beethoven.  It may not be as trendy or marketable, but the EX35 is actually just a small wagon which is just the beginning of the good news.

2009 Scion xD

If you’ve taken note of any Scion xD print or television ads, you no doubt notice that the ads highlight mostly anime-esque, bass thumping, club hopping hipsters with spiky hair zipping about a variety of mostly non-specific urban settings.  Absent are these Gen-Y’ers (or is Z now?) loading in a pile of groceries or a coupld of kids, saving money at the pump or generally enjoying a higher level of comfort and amenities than would be expected by the cheap price tag.  However, putting aside the youthful style, the Scion xD is a much more mature vehicle than it looks.

Mitsubishi Outlander Front

An often overlooked member of the “seven-passenger” club, the Mitsubishi Outlander lineup receives just a few changes for 2009.  Unfortunately, those changes do not include addressing the Outlander’s lack of power or criticisms related to the general cheapness of the interior.  Nevertheless, the Outlander does enough things right to warrant a look by those considering a purchase of a compact SUV.