Oldsmobile Alero (N-body). 1999–2004 (prod. 691,356 sold). 4-door sedan, 2-door coupé. F/F, 2198, 2392 cm³ (I4 DOHC), 3350 cm³ (V6 OHV). Inoffensive “compact”, with reasonable handling and comfortable interior. Automatic only at launch; five-speed manual later. The 2·2 replaced the 2·4 in 2002, and was more refined, though power and torque were down. Never as refined as the Japanese competition, nor did it capture buyers’ imaginations at the time. Exported as Chevrolet Alero to Europe, though it donned its existing Oldsmobile badge. GM killed the Oldsmobile brand in 2004, and the Alero disappeared with it.

Manufacturing location: Lansing, Michigan, USA

Marque: Oldsmobile | Predecessors: Oldsmobile Achieva, Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997–9) | Successor: Daewoo Magnus

q.v. Pontiac Grand Am (1999–2005), Chevrolet Malibu (1997–2003)