MotorMouths

The Sonic’s quiet cabin and stout exterior design combine with its relative enthusiasm for the road, especially the turbo, to push it above the Accent and Fiesta sedans. Chevy finally has a tiny winner.

The 2012 Mercedes ML350 is practicality infused with elegance. But adding available packages to put you in pure luxury can throw the cost into overdrive.

This 2012 SLK350 probably won’t out-sport its peers, this latest version elevates it to a legitimate competitor, and it is now a more elegant riff on the sporty two-seater.

American automakers have long needed to demonstrate to consumers that the era of ambiguous identities is over. The CTS Coupe offers proof. It is by no means perfect, but it is some very sweet medicine.

It’s not necessarily the best all-around vehicle in the luxury compact SUV segment, but without question, this second-generation X3 is the fastest, sportiest and most fun to drive of its peers.

The JX does a commendable job of getting seven people into one vehicle without cash bribes or contortionist poses and then keeps them content and comfortable.

The Azera’s body challenges the engine for title of this car’s best feature. And value joins a commendable list of reasons this Hyundai is in an excellent position to challenge both current and future rivals.

The Optima is a tremendous value, and a formidable mid-size competitor. The styling and execution of the 2011 Optima will help the Kia nameplate rise to a respected brand.

Visually, the ATS is a win. Also laudable is how stable and solid the car feels at a variety of speeds. But its flaws reach critical mass when you get to the dashboard. Despite its flaws, the thrill of the drive is an impressive feat.

The 2011 Cayenne is slightly bigger than its predecessor, despite its lighter weight. Not only is the new Cayenne lighter and more fun to drive, it’s also bigger, more powerful and more efficient.

Mazda’s 2013 CX-5 has the sturdy construction to climb Mt. Olympus, impressive safety features to keep little Herakles in one piece and the adroit handling ability to outmaneuver any errant lightning bolt thrown its way.

So even if you find the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 odd to look at, dull to drive hard and aggressively expensive, remember that it moves through long road trips with fantastic aplomb while keeping passengers in uncompromised comfort.