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The calendar still says 2006, but as far as the auto industry is concerned, 2007 is already here.

Back in the day, you wouldn’t see a new year’s models until late fall at the earliest.

But from Toyota’s retro FJ Cruiser to Saturn’s sexy little Sky convertible roadster, you’re probably already spotting ’07 cars and trucks on your block. And you’ll see a few more hit the road before you’ve raked your last pile of leaves this fall.

So if you were thinking of buying new in ’07, it’s time to start scoping out the showrooms. We did — and we liked a lot of what we saw.

Here’s a look at 10 of 2007’s “best of breed” rides.

Eric Peters is an automotive columnist who has covered the auto industry since 1992. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, among other publications. E-mail him at Epeters952@aol.com.

• Convertibles

Volkswagen Eos

Folding hardtops aren’t new, but only recently have they become relatively inexpensive. And Volkswagen’s new Eos is the least expensive of the current crop of under-$30,000 retractable hardtops on the market, edging out the new Pontiac G6 by about $500.

Like the G6, the Eos has an electrically folding top that tucks into the area behind the rear seats, giving you a convertible without the downsides of a soft top — such as vulnerability to thieves, vandals and Mother Nature. But unlike the G6, the retractable hardtop on the Eos has a panoramic sunroof, which gives the car an open-air feel even when the top is up.

Another area where the Eos has an advantage is under the hood, where its available six-speed manual transmission and optional 250-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine make it more of an enthusiast’s car than the automatic-only, significantly less-powerful G6. The Pontiac’s optional 3.9-liter V-6 tops out at 227 horsepower.

The standard Eos engine — a 200-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder — rates about dead even with the G6’s standard 201-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. But the Pontiac is almost 500 pounds heavier, and its engine comes tied to a four-speed automatic transmission.

A final Eos selling point: A diesel engine will likely be available sometime in 2007, which would give Eos buyers fun in the sun, security in the rain and snow — and 40-plus miles per gallon, too.

Base model

Engine: 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

MPG: 23 city, 32 highway (manual transmission)

Horsepower: 200

Base price: $27,990

Available: Now

Saturn Sky

Although it’s not an expensive car, the Sky roadster could easily pass for a higher-priced exotic, or at the very least be parked with confidence next to a Mercedes-Benz SLK or BMW Z4. It’s also the first viable American alternative to roadsters such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Sky offers a similar driving experience for about the same money but with a much higher “wow” quotient. Miatas are nice — but they are also as common as Keds. No one notices them anymore. In the Sky, you’ll get thumbs-up, questions and praise galore.

The Sky shares components with another member of the General Motors family, the Pontiac Solstice. That includes the standard 2.4-liter, 177-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and rear-drive chassis and suspension components.

But the Sky gets its own exterior and interior cosmetics, most notably a striking wide-mouthed front-end treatment, side scallops that extend from the bottom of the front quarter panels back into the doors — where the sheet metal flows into provocatively arched rear quarters — and a tail capped by high-definition cat’s-eye taillights. Twin speed cones behind the driver and passenger seatbacks further define the Sky’s roadster look. Detailing such as the twin chrome-finished air vents at either side of the low and wide clamshell hood, the rear exhaust cutout and one of GM’s best interior layouts in years round out the package.

The Sky comes well-equipped, with standard air conditioning, 18x8-inch wheels, power windows and door locks, anti-lock brakes, keyless entry and a better stereo with a CD player and six speakers — all options that will cost you extra if you go the Pontiac route. Pretty much the only big-ticket options on the Sky are the five-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip rear differential, audio system upgrades and a stunning two-tone leather package.

For the high-performance set, there’s a sporty variant of the Sky known as the Red Line. It boasts a turbocharged 2-liter engine with 260 horses and 260 foot-pounds of torque — GM bills it as the most powerful production engine in the company’s Ecotec family.

Base model

Engine: 2.4 liter four-cylinder

MPG: 20 city, 28 highway (manual transmission)

Horsepower: 177

Base price: $23,595

Available: Now

• Trucks & SUVs

Chevrolet Avalanche

Although the changes are subtle, the ’07 Chevy Avalanche is essentially an all-new truck.

It still has its rough-and-tumble, Tonka-toy personality, and it retains the clever midgate system that expands the usable bed space into the interior to accommodate long objects without forcing you to drop the tailgate.

But what’s really nice is what’s not there. The questionable Stegosaurus-style plastic body cladding has been retired (hopefully to the “Aztek Room” we’re convinced exists deep within a remote GM salt mine in the deserts of New Mexico).

There are equally impressive improvements to the chassis and driveline, as well. The front suspension now uses coil-over shocks that ride in lightweight, high-strength aluminum lower control arms. This change means a noticeably smoother ride and less jarring bumps when you hit a pothole.

There’s also a new rack-and-pinion power steering system designed to deliver a more carlike road feel, even at high speeds. A revised rear suspension complements the improvements up front and the truck’s track — the distance between pairs of wheels — has been widened to enhance its stability during cornering and abrupt, emergency maneuvering.

Other big news is the bump in output of the standard 5.3-liter V-8 to 320-horsepower — a 25-hp improvement over last year’s engine. Fuel efficiency doesn’t suffer, thanks to “displacement on demand” technology, which shuts down four cylinders under light-load or part-throttle conditions, such as when cruising at steady speed on the highway. The EPA hadn’t published official numbers as of Aug. 31, but Chevy claims 16 miles per gallon in city driving and 22 on the highway — a decent improvement over the 14 city/19 highway performance of the ’06 Avalanche, especially given the ’07 engine’s power boost.

And for those who need even more horses, there’s an optional 6-liter V-8 with 366-horsepower and 380 foot-pounds of torque.

If the Avalanche isn’t quite right for you, GM’s ’07 model 1500-series pickups — the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra — get the same updated frame, chassis, engines and drivetrains as the new Avalanche.

Base model

Engine: 5.3-liter V-8

MPG: 16 city, 22 highway (est.)

Horsepower: 320

Base price: $31,790

Available: Now

Toyota FJ Cruiser

From its two-tone treatments inside and out, cage-style roof rack and backward-opening “suicide” rear doors to its classic-era FJ shape and simplicity, this is retro done right.

The all-new FJ embodies much of the gung-ho (and go-anywhere) spirit of the original FJ LandCruiser introduced in 1967 to go up against domestic rough boys such as the old (and pre-O.J.) Ford Bronco, Jeep CJ and International Harvester Scout. Like its ancestor, the FJ is built for serious duty — and for people who know how to use a two-speed transfer case.

It rides on a shorter and narrower version of the frame used in the Toyota 4Runner midsize SUV. The FJ’s more compact overall dimensions — about 5 inches shorter and a half-inch narrower than the 4Runner — give it extra wiggle room in tight-squeeze situations such as threading your way through a forest path. The stubbier shape also results in angles of approach (32 degrees versus the 4Runner’s 30 degrees) and departure (34 degrees versus 30 for the 4-Runner) more suitable for off-pavement work. You’ll be less likely to tear off the rear bumper coming down a steep grade — or plow your nose into the dirt trying to make it up one.

There are also front and rear tow hooks you can use to winch yourself out of a mud pit, 9.6 inches of ground clearance and full underbody skid plates, heavy-duty six-lug hubs and a real-deal four-wheel-drive system with high and low ranges tied into a heavy-duty 8-inch solid rear axle and locking center differential. (Base two-wheel-drive models have a limited slip rear axle.)

Under the hood, the FJ packs a standard 239-horsepower, 4-liter V-6 and can accelerate to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. That’s respectable performance for a sporty sedan — and absolutely excellent performance for a 4x4 SUV.

Base model

Engine: 4 liter V-6

MPG: 18 city, 22 highway (two-wheel drive with automatic transmission)

Horsepower: 239

Base price: $21,910

Available: Now

• Crossovers & small wagons

Dodge Caliber

This model replaces the Neon as Dodge’s entry-level vehicle but offers some non-entry-level equipment — including an available all-wheel-drive system, 18-inch rims, MP3 music player hook-up, stereo speakers mounted on the rear lift gate (great for tailgating parties) and a beverage cooler in the glove compartment. It comes in four-door hatchback and five-door wagon body styles; with the rear seats folded flat, it offers almost 50 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Caliber’s layout is ideal for transporting small families, commuting and hauling stuff around. In this way, it’s similar to the popular Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Chevy HHR, but unlike these two, the Caliber offers sportier personality and the winter weather grip of all-wheel drive. It carries a much lower starting price, coming in at the mid-$13,000 range, versus the PT’s $14,485 base price.

Another nice offering unavailable in most similarly priced competitors is the “Continuously Variable Transmission.” A CVT offers better mileage potential than a standard automatic and eliminates the coffee-spilling shift shock between gears. This transmission is standard when you order either the optional 2-liter (158-horsepower) or 2.4-liter (172-hp) engines. The Caliber’s standard 1.8-liter, 148-hp engine is paired with a conventional five-speed manual transmission.

If you’re interested in something more along the lines of a conventional SUV, the Caliber is related to the ’07 Jeep Compass and Patriot, which share the same basic chassis underpinnings and drivetrain.

Base model

Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder

MPG: 28 city, 32 highway (manual transmission)

Horsepower: 148

Base price: $13,425

Available: Now

Ford Edge

In a world of $3-a-gallon fuel, traditional SUVs (and $75-a-tank fill-ups) are becoming harder for average buyers to stomach.

But many families still need a vehicle with SUV-style attributes, such as roominess, versatility, decent towing ability, and the option of driving on beach sand or a grassy parking lot without getting stuck. And they may want something with a bit more personality and fun potential than a diaper-duty minivan.

This is the role envisioned for crossover vehicles such as the forthcoming Edge.

Like others of its type, the Edge is based on a passenger car chassis and suspension, so it rides and handles more like a car than a top-heavy truck. And instead of a 15 mpg V-8 and truck-based four-wheel drive system, the Edge offers either front- or all-wheel-drive. It’s powered by a smaller, more efficient 3.5-liter V-6, paired with a six-speed automatic with two overdrive ratios designed to maximize fuel economy. Ford claims this new transmission will provide a 7 percent improvement in overall mileage compared to a typical four-speed automatic. So far, the Edge is also one of the few vehicles in its price range to offer a six-speed automatic transmission — and the only one to offer it as standard equipment.

Another point worth noting about the Edge’s powertrain is that its 265-horsepower V-6 is designed to run on 87 octane unleaded fuel, a substantial potential savings compared with other engines in its range, which typically require premium unleaded.

Another attractive feature is the massive panoramic glass sunroof. And with the second-row seats folded down, you’ve got nearly 70 cubic feet of cargo space.

Base model

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6

MPG: 19 city, 22 highway (automatic transmission, est.)

Horsepower: 265

Base price: $21,710 (est.)

Available: This fall

• Family sedans

Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

In the ’60s, big Pontiacs with hefty V-8s, such as the Catalina and Bonneville, ruled the far left lane.

Powered by triple deuce (three Rochester two-barrel carburetors) 389s and Super Duty 421s, the big engines gave the Pontiacs a satisfying muscle-car exhaust note at the curb. You’ll find the same endearing qualities in the Grand Prix GXP, Pontiac’s first V-8 powered sedan in more than 20 years.

The standard V-8 in this model is a 5.3 liter with 303 horsepower feeding into a sport-calibrated four-speed automatic transmission that offers both manual and automatic shifting modes. With the traction control turned off, Dale Earnhardt-style smoky burnout launches are just a foot stomp away — but the main attraction is the car’s torque-heavy forward rush from a low-speed roll. While that kid in the next lane is running his sport-tuned Honda to redline in second gear, you’re steamrolling ahead of him without breaking a sweat. If the kid’s got something quick, just ease a little deeper into the pedal and let the wonder of cubic inches do its thing. There truly is no replacement for displacement.

Another cool GXP feature is the heads-up display. Derived from military applications, the HUD projects data such as your current speed up to a point just above the hood and directly in your line of sight. The aim is to keep you informed without forcing you to take your eye off the road. Adding to the jet-fighter ambiance are red backlit gauges tucked into a hooded central nacelle, with the center stack canted toward the driver — just like the classic Grand Prix SJ.

Base model

Engine: 5.3 liter V-8

MPG: 18 city, 28 highway (automatic transmission)

Horsepower: 303

Base price: $28,560

Available: Now

Saturn Aura

Like the Sky roadster, the Aura sedan is an all-new model intended to move the Saturn brand into a better neighborhood — improving on style, fit and finish, power and more — while retaining the traditional Saturn selling points of good value and friendly customer service.

The first thing you’ll notice is that it’s a pretty big car, compared not only to previous Saturns but also to other cars in the midsize class, including its corporate cousins — the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu Maxx. Its interior is substantially more spacious (3 inches overall), and the extra leg room should make you think twice if you’ve been a loyal Honda Accord or Toyota Camry driver.

The Aura’s available retractable panoramic sunroof is a dramatic touch. Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels are standard, as is an impressive 224-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. OnStar navigation equipment, traction and stability control, and side-impact and head-curtain air bags are included at no extra charge on every Aura.

Options include 18-inch rims and an even more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 252-horsepower — it’s basically the same engine used in the Cadillac CTS sedan.

But the really big news is the Aura’s coming-soon hybrid gas-electric engine, tentatively slated for release next spring or summer. It will be GM’s first hybrid passenger car, offering buyers a sizeable sport sedan that gets 40 miles per gallon.

Base model

Engine: 3.5 liter V-6

MPG: 20 city, 29 highway

Horsepower: 224

Base price: $19,945

Available: This fall

• Coming soon

BMW Mini Cooper

BMW’s hugely successful reincarnation of the classic ’60s-era British sport compact gets a top-to-bottom refresh, including a longer body, revised suspension system and two updated engines.

Reports indicate that the standard engine will be 1.6-liter, 120-horsepower (up from the current 1.6-liter, 115-hp), while the optional engine in the performance-oriented Mini Cooper S will offer 175-hp— seven more than the current 168-hp option. Both will be available with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (an upgrade from the five-speed manual in the base model ’06 Mini).

As with previous Minis, the John Cooper Works performance package will be available as a factory-installed option. No word yet on the details, but given that the ’06 Mini Cooper Works produces 207 horses, the new model should up the ante significantly.

Base model

Engine: 1.6-liter four-cylinder

MPG: 28 city, 36 highway (est.)

Horsepower: 120 (est.)

Base price: $18,200 (est.)

Available: Late fall 2006/spring 2007

Chevrolet HHR SS

The big update for ’07 is a highly anticipated high-performance version of the HHR targeted at driving enthusiasts. Like Chrysler’s hot-shoe GT Cruiser version of the PT Cruiser, which uses a turbocharged engine similar to the one in the Dodge Neon SRT-4, Chevy’s high-performance HHR will probably use a version of the supercharged engine in the Cobalt SS or a turbocharged engine borrowed from the Saturn Ion Red Line. Either way, it should add a new level of excitement to Chevy’s take on the PT Cruiser concept.

Base model

Engine: 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

MPG: 22 city, 28 highway (est.)

Horsepower: 205 (est.)

Base price: $20,500 (est.)

Available: Spring/summer 2007