Car consumers can expect to see more diesel engines, a greater variety of safety and convenience features, and more flexible, colorful interiors over the next five to 10 years, analysts say. Best of all, they add, cars should come with more equipment at a lower price.

The higher-content, lower-price equation is being driven by market pressures that are only going to get worse amid the increasing popularity of Korean models and the coming arrival of Chinese makes. "Korean cars have so much content that it will raise the mark for what people will expect in small cars," said Peter Morici, a University of Maryland Business School professor and an auto industry analyst.

Because price and quality "are now pretty much givens in the market, what will make the real difference between companies will be design, features, the specifications of engines, and innovations," added Louis D. "Chip" Thole, a design manager for General Motors. Nobody wants to be accused of looking like somebody else, he said.

Another trend to look for is more convertibles. Volvo is bringing out its C70 soon, Pontiac has its G6 convertible, Chrysler will soon have a new Sebring convertible, and several other brands either have new ones planned or others up their collective sleeves.

On the other hand, the manual, clutch-style transmission is deader than a doornail, analysts say. They note that paddle-type shifters work faster and provide better gear changes, with the key attraction being no need to fiddle with your feet.

Besides, said analyst Jack Nerad of researcher Kelley Blue Book, with five-, six- and seven-speed automatics providing strong performance, "there's just no good reason to have a manual transmission any more."

Cars powered by fuel alternatives also are on the horizon, analysts believe, with diesel engines becoming much more common as ways to clean diesel fuel are perfected.

Nerad noted that natural gas also "burns extremely clean, and it works well in what are now gasoline engines," citing some Honda and Ford vehicles as example. "Honda's looking seriously at a system in which people can fuel their cars using the natural gas out of their homes," he said.

GM officials have said they think a hydrogen fuel cell product could be on the market within the next 10 to 15 years.

Buyers can also look for even more performance models on the market, putting out as much as 500 horsepower or more.

"I think it's not necessarily a good trend, but there seems no end to it. It keeps on and on," Nerad said. "It's less about top speed, I think, than about acceleration. Face it. It feels good. It doesn't feel like the car is straining and it's pretty effortless. That's what people like."

Flexible interiors that can be used a variety of different ways are almost sure to be an across-the-board trend, said Joe Dehner, director of interior/exterior design within Chrysler unit's product design office in Auburn Hills, Mich. The goal is "to get as much as you can out of space because cars aren't getting any bigger."

Look for more crossovers than ever on the showroom floor, too. Crossovers are cars that combine the best attributes of minivans and sport-utility vehicles without the bulk, poor fuel economy and boredom that goes along with them.

GM is said to be preparing seven new models, Hyundai has one coming out soon and BMW is working on a coupe-like crossover that looks a little different from its high-performance models.

Another important trend is customization, Dehner said, which will allow consumers to help design and personalize the interiors of their cars and trucks. "There will also be more innovations with lighting as a design element. There will be more LED lighting, mood lighting, lighting that you can change colors with, and more things that set a tone and a mood."

Also look for more innovative materials to be used for interiors, analysts say. At least one carmaker is planning to use granite as trim in its upcoming new models, for instance. Tortoise is now being used in some Chrysler 300s.