MotorMouths

At first, the Outlander Sport appears like the most affordable compact crossover on the market, despite its performance and small cargo area. However, the competition is only a few hundred dollars more while offering a more substantial driving experience and better overall package.

If not for the drivetrain’s poor performance, the Outlander Sport would be a terrific vehicle with good handling, a surprising amount of interior room and sharp looks. I just wouldn’t want to drive it anywhere.

The Nissan GT-R’s incredible performance and ease of use will make it a favorite of performance junkies. That it costs less than $100,000 while achieving performance that usually costs at least twice that boggles the mind — and being able to drive it so easily blew my mind.

The Nissan Maxima succeeds because it doesn’t equate lots of interior space to whalelike exterior dimensions, making it enjoyable to drive. The Maxima is also comfortable and well-equipped, and some trims have extremely competitive pricing.

The Quest doesn’t break much new ground, but it offers a stylish, at times luxurious alternative to the rest of the market. It doesn’t fall far behind any minivan on sale today.

The redesigned 2013 Porsche Boxster impresses visually inside and out and handles superbly. The base model could use more power; otherwise, there were few faults to be found.

For 2010, the overhauled Subaru Outback may not be as fun to drive as before, but it’s a better family vehicle that still exudes ruggedness and foul-weather capability.

If you’re looking for a three-row crossover, the 2012 Toyota Highlander is as sound a pick as you can get. It’s affordable and it has a quiet, comfortable ride with a family-friendly interior.

While refinements to the interior, ride comfort and noise intrusion all make the eight-seat Toyota Land Cruiser a better SUV for 2013, it still isn’t for everyone. Even off-road enthusiasts might want to look at something more affordable.

The 2010 Prius is a huge improvement over the outgoing model. Not only is the interior vastly improved, the car gets even better mileage, 50 mpg combined.

The 2012 Toyota Prius c obliterates the hybrid price penalty with a $19,000 starting price and a segment-leading 50 mpg combined. The mini-Prius is also surprisingly roomy — and has a comfortable ride and an impressive array of standard features.

The 2012 VW Beetle has received a much-needed update. The result is a more sophisticated coupe that’s also a better daily driver, and it’s high on style and comfort.