MotorMouths

The styling is decidedly conservative, and the interior lacks the high-rent look of past Jettas, but a week spent in an up-level SEL showed that the Jetta’s handling still shines, even if some of the other attributes have lost their glitter.

The Golf beguiles with neither speed nor cornering ability, but with its overall charm. It combines practicality and distinctive style with a suspension that can either comfort or, to some extent, cavort.

For most people, all-wheel drive isn’t a necessity, so it is easy to see why potential customers were scared away by the previously uncompetitive mileage. But stunning changes to the Impreza have suddenly made its fuel economy a strength and its all-wheel drive a no-fault bonus.

The Evoque could become the best-selling Range Rover in the United States. Given its combination of chic style, all-around capability, relative affordability and more acceptable fuel economy, such a degree of popularity would not come as a surprise.

Over all, Kia got a lot right on the Sorento. But the slam-bam suspension suggests that the automaker is still in its formative stage. While the Sorento isn’t a benchmark, it certainly is a warning shot.

The Optima is a competent and extremely pleasant package, with style and price at the core of its allure.

With the new Grand Cherokee, Chrysler has created a Jeep that has reasonable performance both on-road and off, but that is not a benchmark on either front. It is a compromise, and of course that means giving up something on both ends.

Ford has created a Focus in conflict with itself. The energetic handling will appeal to enthusiasts, but the automatic transmission won’t cooperate.

The new Explorer’s excellence on pavement, its safety equipment and its comforts are likely to match the needs of many families most of the time. It may well be the new benchmark in its class.

With the Verano, G.M. has done a lovely job of knitting together upscale features, ride and handling at a competitive price. The question is to what extent Americans are willing to embrace the concept of “small luxury” — and whether status-conscious buyers are ready to consider Buick.

With the LaCrosse eAssist, Buick has retained the things that make the LaCrosse a comfortable, quiet and soothing sedan, and it has managed to improve the car’s fuel economy without any sense of sacrifice.