MotorMouths

So, how does it feel to drive the 2013 Shelby GT500 on the street every day? In a word, awesome. We can’t imagine anyone could possibly keep his or her foot out of the throttle whenever a clear path of road lies ahead, but we found it surprisingly easy to drive in traffic.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is a muscle car for those of us who have outgrown muscle cars. It’s not exactly a luxury sedan, and it’s not exactly a track-day weapon. It’s a pure, unadulterated, rollicking good time that also happens to be a (tire) smoking good deal.

The 2011 Dodge Charger clearly isn’t for everyone, and for that, we’re thankful. It is unabashedly American and offers a unique blend of style, comfort, practicality and performance in this segment of big, boring sedans

It’s quick and nimble, and so full of character that the things it gets wrong sort of become endearing. If its offbeat seating position doesn’t immediately knock it out of contention for your hard-earned dollars, the 500 Abarth is an extremely fun car to drive, almost in spite of itself.

The Raptor will take on almost anything that Mother Nature has in its arsenal. Vespa-sized boulders, tire-swallowing holes and trenches large enough to halt a blitzkrieg are all dispatched with an air of invincibility.

It’s impossible not to be impressed with Ram’s latest heavy hauler. Today’s HD pickups, with their impossibly stout oil-burning powerplants, are basically unstoppable. And, in the case of the Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab, you’re graced with an extraordinarily luxurious interior.

To say we were impressed by Ford’s latest F-150 pickup powertrain packages would be an understatement. We are particularly keen on two of them: the base 3.7-liter V6 and the uplevel 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

If you’re looking for something suitable for relaxed strolls with your significant other or even somewhat quick jaunts through your favorite local set of twisties, the SLK350 will do quite nicely.

There isn’t a single car on the market today that ticks all the muscle car boxes the way this Challenger does. From its looks to its new engine to the sound of the big Hemi exhaling, the Challenger SRT8 392 screams throwback Americana in a way the Mustang and Camaro just can’t match.

The 2011 Mini Cooper retains all the charm and panache buyers have come to expect since the brand’s rebirth. And the added improvements just sweeten the deal. There aren’t any cars currently available in the States that can match the size, fun and refinement it offers.

Considering the equipment, ten-year warranty and the price, the 2011 Kia Sportage is a very good vehicle. We noted a couple of demerits – most bothersome being a somewhat flinty ride and artificial steering feel.

Some people just want a stylish car that’s cheap to buy and economical to drive. And, at its $18,275 well-equipped starting price, that’s exactly what Scion has crafted with the 2011 tC.