MotorMouths

The 2011 Kia Sportage is the ritziest Sportage sport utility vehicle ever, and yet it only comes with a four-cylinder engine.

Compared with the early Insight’s lightweight, flimsy feel, rough ride, odd, bug-like exterior styling and thin, uncomfortable seats, the new Honda CR-Z is a significant upgrade.

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 2011 Ford Fiesta is a small car with big-car features and technology and a top mileage rating of 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Scion xD is a thrifty, nimble, small hatchback made by Toyota. It has more horsepower than its major competitors, but the five-door, five-passenger xD can’t seem to shake the image as the Rodney Dangerfield of small hatchbacks.

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.

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 Dodge Ram Truck’s sheer size and mass made it feel safe. Most other vehicles on the road, even Cadillac Escalades, suddenly seemed inconsequential.

The accommodations are still the best attribute of the Sebring convertible in 2010. Unfortunately, the Sebring doesn’t rate as highly in other features.

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 7- to 8-passenger Chevrolet Traverse crossover sport utility vehicle has a car-like ride, SUV styling and high ride height yet offers the seating capacity and cargo-hauling capability of a minivan.

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