MotorMouths

The 2011 Quest’s styling was off-putting. The front appears tapered, stylish. But the upright, overly festooned rear seemed a mismatch. Overall, better than its predecessor, but perhaps not the bull’s-eye Nissan wants.

If Honda prices it low enough, Insight finally could make full-fledged hybrid technology available to car buyers with tighter budgets.

While reducing emissions and using a cheaper U.S.-produced fuel are worthy goals, the extra upfront costs and compromises seem a formidable barrier to widespread acceptance of the Civic CNG.

Nice to see Mitsubishi still producing vehicles that are a ball, but you’d have to be blind to a lot of annoyances, faults and flaws — and be smitten by driving dynamics — to settle on the Outlander GT as your first choice.

If you can find an A3 with no noises, don’t need the latest-greatest interior and perhaps actually like the MMI control system, you are dead meat. You will find it pretty close to impossible to leave the Audi store without buying one.

Maybe all you need to know about the 200 drop-top is that it’s derived from the Sebring, and the overhaul had to be done quickly and on a tight budget.

If you need the size, can afford $60,000 or so and a big premium-fuel appetite (midteens with prayer), can live with the quirky steering and (possibly) numb brakes and like a distinctive, often satisfying machine, you might be a match for the new QX56.

For its good looks, thoughtful packaging, above-average drivetrain, we’d love to give Sportage a hearty recommendation. For its nearly intolerable ride, seats and steering, we’ll do no such thing.

As a foul-weather appliance, the Jeep Patriot served quite well. As a solid entry in the very competitive small SUV segment, it seems subpar, even after the three years of changes.