MotorMouths

What separates the F12 from other techno-wonder supercars is that the hardware and software don’t take center stage. No, they function like the headlights, shining brightly on the road ahead.

The best thing about the Maserati Grantuismo? The noise it makes. As the Maser enters high in the rev counter, its sound is expanded as if plugged into an amplifier set to 11 — a deep and sinister concoction of exotica and Motown permeating all.

Expectations run high for the 3 Series because it repeatedly delivers such strong performances. This new 335i continues that trend. It’s capable enough to be compared to sports cars, but compliant and livable enough to be called “just” a luxury sedan.

The BMW 1M, at its core, is an enthusiast’s machine, showing its focus clearly in the plainness of its interior and in the width of its fenders.

A hugely fast and capable Audi, the RS 5 has all the go-fast Audi bits you’d expect. While it won’t set any benchmarks in handling clarity and driver involvement, the RS5 is nevertheless quite enjoyable on the road.

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI can now be had as a sedan. While it’s heavier and there’s a wing in the rearview, it’s also very good.

When looked at individually, the upgrades to the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500’s upgrades may not impress. But when you’re behind the wheel, the GT500’s modifications more than equal the sum of their parts.

The Civic Si sedan encapsulates the same things we enjoy from the coupe (and the things we aren’t particularly fond of) without diminishing any of the performance. It’s the same fun, now comfortably seating four. For only $200 more, we’re still hunting for a downside.

You’d assume that with the large number of new or significantly revised SUVs released since 2008, the competition might’ve caught up with and bested the CX-9’s benchmarks. You’d assume wrong.

Aside from a few grievances, we like Mazda’s mini minivan. It offers a unique and more sensible way to transport people and goods. And it’s a good value. That and the updates for this model year make for a better car — even if there is no comparison yet.

The 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i can match a 263-horse Mazdaspeed3 from0-60. Then on the drive home, with all the settings switched back to normal, the X3 reverts to a pleasant cross-town runabout, one with a surprising amount of legroom for all passengers.

The fourth generation 2012 Honda CR-V hosts numerous updates that, when taken apart, might seem minor and inconsequential, but together they make for a vehicle that’s more fuel-efficient, more powerful, and larger inside.