MotorMouths

Now in its third-generation, the Toyota Prius still rides on top of the segment it created. To discover the 2010 Prius’ inner athlete, step on the gas, and put the Prius into a hard corner. The car is infinitely more fun to drive than the previous model.

The IS 250C is a jewel of near-perfect clarity. The design is spot on, interior features rival flagship luxury sedans, and the convertible hardtop looks great up in winter or stowed in summer.

Rams have earned a well-deserved reputation for doing the tough jobs. The 2010 edition is just as capable, but wears finer tailory, pampers weary guys and gals in a luxury cabin, and provides a ride that no other heavy-duty truck can match.

The Lexus HS250h has enough technology to star in a sci-fi flick, but is a joy to drive at high speeds over long distances. It defies expectations and categories. Your mind wants to compare it to other near luxury sport sedans or eco-hybrids, but it really can’t.

Deride the Acura ZDX if you must. You might take a glance at the Cord 812 Beverly, 1940 Lincoln Continental, or Studebaker Avanti before you do. All of those cars were thought of as odd or ugly in their day, were technically advanced, and are now considered works of art.

You don’t buy a Super Duty because you want a pick-up truck for domestic duties. This is what you buy to pull the mini-yacht, a stable of horses, or a 30-ft. fifth-wheel through the mountains without loosing your (or your truck’s) cool.