MotorMouths

The improvements to the 2011 Lincoln MKX go well beyond cosmetics. The solidity of the original has been made more so, with exterior and interior styling that is distinctively upscale. Plus, the new V6 and better brakes add some adrenaline to the driving.

While the 2013 Lexus LS is a worthy flagship in every respect, and a true demonstration of how fine Japanese craftsmanship can be, on-the-whole it remains quite reserved. It provides a more modern design and improved driving dynamics to the LS faithful.

Lexus is not synonymous with driving thrills. Well, one big exception is the Lexus LFA, their 200 mile-per-hour supercar.Needless to say, the price will keep all but the super rich away from this super car.

While the 2013 Lexus GS 350 is undeniably more capable and fun to drive, it still falls short of providing the absolute feedback of European and even American rivals. Engineering “feel” is a lot harder than engineering “performance.” So, Lexus, the new GS is a big step in the right direction. Now, let’s take a few more.

The 2013 Lexus ES lands well ahead of its rivals. It is a much better ES, one that should keep current owners happy, as well as attract new ones. The ES350 has gotten a tiny bit more dynamic, but not at the risk of sacrificing any of the silkiness or extreme comfort that the brand is known for.

The Lexus CT200h is economical and fairly sporty to drive. Where it comes up short is on luxury. It’s not the true Euro-bred, sport-luxury hybrid that we were hoping for, but it is a step in the right direction.

The 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is as much form as function, and it’s a great form at that. Moreover, the elusive goal of mixing Range Rover luxury with Land Rover capability in a small utility seems to have been achieved.

The Gallardo Superleggera is a pure performance car, but also one of the most forgiving, easy-to-drive exotics we’ve ever seen.

For less than twenty grand, the 2011 Kia Sportage is just a great looking compact crossover deal. Even ten years ago, we couldn’t have seen this Kia coming, but we’re glad it’s here.

More power is always a welcomed addition to the 2012 Kia Soul, especially since it’s joined by better fuel economy. We think Kia has done a fine job of making a good vehicle better without messing anything up in the process.

The 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door is not your typical Korean sub-compact. There’s both more performance and more aggressive styling than we’re accustomed to. Moreover, it has a more sophisticated feel to it, making it one sub-compact that every driver in the family will enjoy.

The 2011 Kia Optima is can stand against Asia and America’s best in the areas of styling, performance, and features. It’s certainly the best Kia sedan so far.