MotorMouths

With the added power of the larger V6, the IS350 C delivers plenty of luxury and refinement in a comfortable package with plenty of style. Open air driving is meant to be this enjoyable.

The Infiniti G37 is a serious ride with plenty to offer at every turn, and is easily the most capable alternative to BMW’s 335i sedan – at a significantly lower price point.

Despite the slippery grade and a dicey maneuver, the Toyota Tacoma trudges forward without tipping, rolling or foundering in what becomes a keen demonstration of its 4WD ability.

Overall, the 2010 Toyota Tacoma does an excellent job of delivering off-road capability and yet is perfectly at home on the road.

Obstacles like granite steps might prove too dicey for a car-based wagon ill-suited for severe four-wheeling chores, but it’s not too tricky for the Jeep Liberty, which is capable of taking a hard tack over rough terrain far away from pavement.

The 2010 Nissan Xterra is a sturdy wagon capable of serious off-road action but also one that works as a comfortable pavement cruiser.

The 3/4-ton Ram 2500 as a behemoth vehicle designed expressly for truck-type work like toting loads of two-by-ten lumber planks, towing a trailer teeming with horses, hauling hay up to the high pastures, crawling over a rocky trail or slithering through a Texas sluice.