Inside Report (4)

Gimme a "K." Or would an "X" be better? Or maybe a "J?" You say you need a new car but can't decide which one is right for you? Help is on the way. For the first time, the federal government has compiled all of its data on the safety and performance of major domestic and imported cars in one handy publication designed to help people choose. And it's all free.

The 68-page "Car Book" was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and has chapters on safety, fuel economy, maintenance costs, and more. For easier reading, the book is color-coded by subject matter and car size.