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.

Unlike many over-hyped, under-satisfying products, Corvette Gran Sportss surpass your wildest imagination, causing you to praise your savior of choice each and every time you hit the throttle.

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.

The Suzuki Kizashi is essentially a Chevy Malibu or Buick Regal in drag, gorgeous in its sexy dress, but very much a working boy beneath. The structure is solid, and the car is very well engineered.

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.

Decked out in elegant attire, the hot and powerful Ford F-150 will turn heads wherever it goes, but is not afraid to scrape the matte lacquer off its manicure when real work is required. It is no surprise the it just won the North American Truck of the Year award at the Detroit auto show.

Comparing the new 2010 Chevy Equinox to its predecessor is like putting on your first pair of Gucci loafers after wearing boat shoes your entire life.

A few automakers pursue perfection to the point of being unrecognizable and over-done. Lexus has hit the sweet spot with the RX350 in that it is recognizable, advancing the art of luxury crossovers, while keeping loyal buyers interested.

Terrain jumps up about four notches in style and refinement from the outbound Pontiac Torrent it replaces. This is a vehicle that changes everything you think you know about GM SUVs.

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.