MotorMouths

The 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible is a magic carpet for wealthy folks who have thick-enough skins to shed eco-villain barbs from neighbors. Except for some really cheap-looking plastic interior trim. Chevy’s gotta do something about that.

It’s hardly a stretch to call the 2013 Malibu the best modern Chevy. Styling is crisp and restrained. Interior is roomy and quiet, outfitted with classy trim. Engine’s strong.

Ford Motor remade its Escape compact SUV so thoroughly that only the name and one engine carry over into the 2013. It’s a sexy-looking, comfy package that could use a little more drivetrain refinement.

The Cadillac ATS is roundly satisfying to drive. It provides crisp handling, quick acceleration, snappy braking, responsive steering, entertaining technology and an alluring base price of $33,990. Bull’s-eye.

The Scion FR-S is a gorgeous, joy-generating, modest-price, small sports coupe that turns out to be slightly more appealing than its near-clone, the Subaru BRZ.

The 2013 RDX is bigger, softer-feeling, smoother-driving. All worthy. But it’s also a bit dumbed-down from Acura’s historic high-tech/high-class approach. On the other hand, it works fine and probably will suit most people most of the time.

The XTS is visually pleasant, inside and out. It is comfortable, quick, easy on fuel and technologically gee-whizzed to the gills. The main threat to success, though, seems to be that XTS might fail to fit the brand’s intended image as a perfect blend of sportiness and luxury.

There’s enough good about the car that we’d love to give the new Altima a fist-bump and unreserved applause. But until that steering gets retuned, and the cloth seats and their lumbar setup are upgraded, no can do.

It has the distinct advantages of being roomier and more powerful than rivals. In fact, among open-minded shoppers, we’d bet that it’ll be hard to justify a Corolla or Civic or Elantra after driving a Dart.

Infiniti’s 2013 JX 35 is a big crossover SUV that breaks the brand’s self-imposed rules and gets by with the transgressions. It’s not cheap, but buyers would do well to knock on JX 35’s door and ask to come in.

Subaru’s 2013 BRZ sports coupe is such a ball that you seldom notice the few aggravations. The price is remarkably reasonable for the look, feel and joy that you get.

Brakes feel responsive enough. Steering is firm.Styling, ugly in photos, is better in real life. All-in, the GS 350 is a strong start toward an admirable goal. Where you get cheated is space.