MotorMouths

For all of its sales significance, the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer ES we recently took for a spin doesn’t feel like an automaker’s pride and joy.the Lancer is slowly sliding further behind its ever-evolving, better-quality peers.

Sure, if you really want to “go rogue,” pick up a Nissan Rogue Krom. But if making a bold statement isn’t your MO, the cheaper, more attractive, and no less competent standard editions are the better way to go.

While we may not adore the new heart matched to its old-school four-speed, the 2011 Subaru Forester continues to be one of the most useful entry-level ’utes around.

Fuel economy, comfort, and style (depending on your point-of-view) are improved in the 2012 Nissan Versa — and so is value.

For the handful of drivers wanting a relatively rare CUV that ruffles few feathers, has room for seven, and proudly touts 74.4 cubic-feet of cargo capacity, the current Tribeca should stay on their Potential Buy radars.

Dodge has finally done the Avenger right. The midsizer now offers the performance, comfort, and appeal to help move it into class contention. Consider the shortcomings of yesteryear’s model avenged.

We’d bet though that if you stuck a driver into a debadged version and let them go drive around for an hour, they’d never guess it was an Avenger. Nicely done Dodge, and way to live up to a name.

If you’re looking for a charismatic and comfortable all-season convertible cruiser, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio should be right near the top of your drop-top shopping list.

The 2012 Honda Civic HF is an environmentally friendly, high-MPG, high-value vehicle attractive to the masses. Its design is simple, aerodynamically efficient, and stylish.

A vehicle’s quickness ultimately takes a backseat to how much fuel it gulps, its everyday usefulness, and its bottom-line price, three factors the Forte SX excels at. Throw in some handsome looks, and what Kia now has is the hatchback it always wanted.

The Countryman S ALL4 performs like a bigger, top-heavy Mini Cooper Hardtop with controllable grip, uncanny soft-road capability, four full doors, and interior space capable of housing four American adults.

Wwhile Infiniti may be fashionably late to the luxury hybrid party, this technology-stuffed, sporty hybrid sedan certainly looks as though it will be a green machine worth keeping on the guest list.