MotorMouths

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder offers respectable acceleration, above-average fuel economy, comfortable seating and some of the nicest cabin furnishings in this class. Pricing is competitive, too.

It may not be able to beat the Toyota Prius V at the packaging game, but the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is certainly the better car on the road. It’s much quicker, it handles better, it steers more precisely, and it just feels more like a real car more of the time.

Buying a large luxury sedan isn’t a rational decision at heart. No one needs a Lexus LS like they need a Toyota Camry. You just want a lavish sedan because you want it, and the new LS F Sport delivers the most compelling package that Lexus has had in a long time.

The four-door BMW 6 Series is a beautiful car for sure. We’re hopeless plebeians, though, so we advise waiting until BMW puts more engine in this car and retunes the chassis underneath it to make it feel as good as it looks.

The 2013 Lexus ES is just as quiet and comfortable as its predecessor, only now it’s a little bit better. No, it’s not any quicker, but it’s more fuel-efficient, roomier and available with more features.

The 2013 Lexus ES is just as quiet and comfortable as its predecessor, only now it’s a little bit better. No, it’s not any quicker, but it’s more fuel-efficient. Plus, both ES models are roomier and available with more features.

If you want a refined compact car that has everything you and your smartphone need and not 1 cubic foot more, there’s a case to be made for the ILX over the larger, less efficient cars in this price range.

The 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec is certainly the best Genesis Coupe to date. It’s quick, it sounds wonderful, it handles well, it’s comfortable enough to drive every day, and in time we’ll get used to the fake hood vents (maybe).

We really like the 2012 BMW 328i as a luxury sedan. It’s very quick, spacious, elegant, fuel-efficient, and if we want to explore some back road, the capability is there.

We really like the 2012 BMW 328i as a luxury sedan. It’s very quick, spacious, elegant, fuel-efficient, and if we want to explore some back road, the capability is there.

Driving the 2012 Mazda 3 on back roads reminds us why it remains a favorite of ours in the compact car class. The fuel mileage is for real with the new drivetrains, and unlike most other approaches to maximizing mpg, they don’t put a damper on the fun.

This 2012 Subaru Impreza makes a good commuter car. The ride is comfortable. The acceleration is adequate. Getting 30 mpg is easy. And the cabin is spacious and furnished with quality materials.