2001 Mitsubishi Diamante A diamond in the rough. By Ted West, New Car Test Drive .com

Diamante means diamond in some language; whose language we're not sure. But it doesn't matter, because this graciously relaxing luxury car would be a gem in anybody's dictionary. With its sleek styling, roomy, first-class cabin and powerful V6 engine, the Diamante rivals luxury sedans costing thousands of dollars more.

Two models are available. The base-level ES ($25,387) comes with a high level of standard equipment, while the LS ($27,407) adds leather seating surfaces and upscale trim, a premium Mitsubishi/Infinity stereo, fog lights, and 16-inch tires wrapped around alloy wheels.

Both come with Mitsubishi's 3.5-liter V6, which puts out 210 horsepower, mated to a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. The only available option is an all-weather package for the LS; at $720 it includes traction control plus heated seats and mirrors.