Battered by a recession, with the memory of $4 gas just a year old, the American car shopper is thinking about a smaller car.  As long as it isn't, you know, a small car. 

Kicking Tires explains, "A recent study from AutoPacific surveyed more than 32,000 new car and light truck buyers in the U.S and asked what American car buyers want and how willing they are to downsize into smaller cars. The study found that while people are willing to buy a more fuel-efficient car, they don't want to significantly downsize."

In a press release, AutoPacific President George Peterson writes, "This survey shows that present owners of the smallest cars like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Chevrolet Aveo want more power and acceleration, more technology and more cargo room next time they buy.  When they bought these cars they accepted lower power and cargo room for better fuel economy and a high value price, but in the future they want something more - bigger, faster and with more bells and whistles."

The trend, USA Today notes, "Could bode well for automakers like Ford, which is wants to load up small cars with features and a premium feel that could help them command higher prices. That's the norm in Europe, where streets are narrower and fuel more pricey. But it hasn't worked in America, where until recently, small cars were the cheapo driving choice of students and seniors."  

If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.