MotorMouths

The Focus ST is the most mature entry in its segment – fast, well-equipped, solid, attractive, sensibly priced. It’s the most car for the money.

The 2013 Mustang GT is a gorgeous, big-hearted, hugely quick car which didn’t rattle, squeak, or display any quality problems. It’s the best all-around ponycar in history, and the head of its class.

Not everybody expects athletic behavior, light weight, maximum fuel efficiency, and a sporting demeanor from their CUV. Buyers who do expect those qualities won’t have to look any further than the Mazda CX-5, and they won’t suffer much of a practicality penalty for doing so.

The Volvo S60 T5 wasn’t a compelling car for me, and in the end it’s a combination of the noise and the bargain-basement styling that does it. Still, it has plenty of virtues, it’s perfectly respectable as a road-trip proposition, and on the track it was solid and trustworthy.

The pricing is competitive — $22,000 plus destination — and the little Abarth has plenty of virtues, from the way it looks to the way it feels to drive. It seems to be worthy of both the FIAT and Abarth labels.

Dynamically, the Soul is a real pleasure. It’s swift and sure to operate. If you can live without cruise control, the manual-transmission Soul is an entertaining, useful vehicle.

The Rio is the best small car money can buy for almost nearly everyone. However, drivers who need slightly more space and/or a little extra utility will have to look elsewhere.

It will never compete head-on with the Evolutions and STIs of the world, so keep the options light and enjoy the car for what it is: a solid value, a delight to drive, and a GLI which absolutely earns the right to wear the letters.

While it’s still an acquired taste, and it still can’t quite compete with the non-retro current generation of small cars, VW’s newest Beetle fixes most of the old model’s problems while introducing an exciting new look and the latest technology.

This is the car the New Beetle should have been years ago. It’s competent, enjoyable, pleasant, cute. It hits all the targets.

The MKZ is a quiet, comfortable, well-made, well-equipped car that is pleasant to drive, enjoyable to operate, and probably satisfying to own. It is a bit of a bargain given the equipment and materials provided.

The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is a unique combination of massive pace and pleasant on-track demeanor, wrapped up in a gorgeous package.