MotorMouths

If the test S4, in bright red paint and mostly black interior, was any indication, buyers will get a car that has personality galore. It was spirited, right out of the garage and down the driveway. A little nudge of the accelerator while I was in first gear pushed my head back into the head restraint.

The hallmark of the BMW 7-Series is a palpable sense of solidity. The doors of the test 750i xDrive sedan feel heavy. There’s nothing flimsy here, and the doors’ serious way of closing adds to the vault-like feeling inside.

The unassuming-looking 2010 Honda Fit continues to endear itself to buyers even though its starting retail price is higher than many competitors’.

The Panamera’s V-8 engines deliver awesome power and acceleration so quick, a driver can race up to other cars in traffic in a heartbeat. At the same time, it’s interior appointments can be sumptuous and the array of driver-controlled buttons for seats, suspension settings and more, overwhelming.

For a starting retail price of just $22,995, buyers get more than 300 horsepower, a six-speed transmission and the unmistakable sporty looks of one of America’s favorite icons. The Ford Mustang also has the best fuel economy rating ever in the car’s 47-year history.

The 2010 Nissan GT-R still has what it takes to delight drivers. And while it’s difficult to describe $80,000-plus as a bargain, the GT-R has a lower starting price than some competitors.

The Nissan Frontier Crew Cab can make even car lovers appreciate a pickup truck.

The Volkswagen Golf’s real claim to fame — its decades-long reputation as a fun, sporty, little hatchback — remains.

A roomy, attractive sedan, the 2010 Milan Hybrid is rated by the federal government at an impressive 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway. Best of all, I didn’t look like every other environmentally conscious driver with a Prius.

The 2010 CTS Wagon is a nicely sized, comfortable, five-passenger car with cargo space that’s easier to reach than that of a sport utility vehicle. It’s also is arguably the most striking station wagon on the market.

The Lexus RX 350 offers a higher-than-a-car seat height above the road and good views out, a smooth ride, quiet, comfortable interior and a luxury badge and amenities.

The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is a fun-to-drive, youthful, five-passenger hatchback. Buyers just have to get over its new front styling that looks like someone grinning with an orange peel in his mouth.