MotorMouths

There is nothing extreme about the 2012 Honda CR-V; this car is an excellent example of moderation. Although an SUV, it is far from a monster truck. Its four-cylinder engine gives it all the power it needs, but no more.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is a luxurious and striking SUV with off-road chops and good-quality, if not cutting-edge, cabin tech.

My first thought when I considered the 2012 Subaru Impreza’s standard all-wheel drive and this model’s $23K price tag was, why wouldn’t you buy one? But the cabin tech is not the most advanced, feeling like a slapdash set of different systems.

The other Jetta models all get by with boring engine and transmission combinations, but the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is the exciting one. It has an inoffensive, mundane look, but proved practical, with plenty of trunk and comfortable cabin space.

There is no vice in the 2012 Nissan Versa; it is all virtue. But virtue can be quite boring. This latest Versa comes out with inoffensive style. Its engine is small, getting good mileage and offering no temptation to blow over speed limits.

With its dual-clutch transmission and turbocharged 2-liter engine, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI delivers enjoyable and economical performance. The boring sedan body belies the superior handling and quick-shifting gearbox.

Although a bit archaic in its power-train hardware, the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 features modern cabin electronics and full-size sedan comfort.

The 2012 Ford Edge, with the EcoBoost engine, makes for a very practical family hauler, with a useful range of cabin electronics.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h’s good looks are complemented by its excellent practicality, but it lacks power and its cabin tech falls short of the cutting edge.

Excellent fuel economy and a large, airy cabin make the 2012 Toyota Prius v a very practical choice for families, and new electronics give it a modern tech edge.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Bluetec’s luxury features make it a very comfortable road tripper. With its soft suspension, sound damping, and good-quality stereo, the miles go by easily.

The FX35 is well-designed from an aesthetic view point, carrying Infiniti styling effortlessly from sedan to SUV. The cabin tech interface also wins it design points. But while the cabin is comfortable, its cargo space is limited, losing a little on practicality.