MotorMouths

If Bo and Luke were looking to do another series, the 2011 Dodge Charger is definitely a car they’d do well to consider. Yee-haw.

The Ecoboost powered F-150 was quicker than the the Ford 5.0 liter and the Dodge 5.7 liter on the drag strip. While straight-line acceleration is where some find bragging rights, trucks are meant for more practical duties, such as towing. Here, the EcoBoost also shined.

The 1 Series M Coupe doesn’t seem to be about outright speed as much as it is about full-on driving satisfaction – something we plan to investigate further once the official model lands in our laps.

Our first five minutes behind the wheel of the 2012 Fiat 500 shouted that it was solid, substantial and sporty. The rest of the day simply demonstrated the amplitude of these characteristics. Can the exceptionally-popular-in-Europe 500 actually catch on with American drivers. We think it will.

The IPL G Coupe feels like what you’d expect: a slightly hotter and very well-rounded Infiniti G37. The ride is a little firmer, but not harsh. Turn-in is precise but not darty.

The 2012 SLK’s driving experience was a good one. It did, however, leave us wondering about the lighter SLK250, which is down by more than 100 pounds and weight distribution should be closer to 50/50.

The G25, with Its 2.5-liter VQ engine, is otherwise nearly identical to the larger-engined G37. It still bests the BMW 328i on the features front, offering things such as an extra gear in the transmission and Xenon lamps for more than $2,000 less.

The planted feel of the Mercedes C350’s chassis, the quietness of the interior and the abundance of save-your-distracted-butt technologies make good first impressions for buyers shopping for this class of vehicle.

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX could be an easy, practical performance car to live with. In most people’s real lives – as opposed to their fantasies – 265 horsepower is plenty, making the WRX STI’s extra 40 hp seem superfluous.

The 2011 Durango R/T is immediately comfortable and easy to drive. The interior is quiet, the seats supportive and all major controls work as designed. This new Durango is no old-school dinosaur.

Ford radically alters the fifth-generation Explorer, ditching body-on-frame construction and pickup truck mechanicals for fuel economy and enhanced safety features in a seven-passenger body that doesn’t look like a minivan.

Because they deliver on practicality, minivans survived the age of the SUV and seem to be holding their own against the onslaught of crossovers. Designed purposefully for families, the 2011 Quest is absolutely competitive with the segment’s other new entries.