Acura TL ($42,395)
’09 TL was award winner; redesign didn’t go far enough.
Acura TSX Wagon ($35,470)
Clean, consistent design overall, but too many buttons.
*Audi A8 4.2 FSI ($93,525)
Aesthetically breathtaking, functionally sound, elegantly intuitive, supremely comfortable.
*BMW X3 ($52,025)
Great driver’s interior, unmistakably BMW. Big step up for X3.
Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon ($69,585)
Not enough differentiation from standard CTS, but Recaro seats are nice.
*Chevrolet Cruze 2LT ($22,910)
Multiple colors mesh beautifully; comfortable front seats for taller people.
Chevy Silverado 3500 Crew ($51,825)
Disappointing when compared with highly styled Ram, Ford HD offerings.
Chevrolet Volt ($44,180)
Strong use of graphics and color; excellent HMI. Unique finishes for plastic trim.
Chrysler 200 Limited ($27,455)
Much improved but the bar has risen in the segment.
Chrysler 300 Limited ($40,775)
Stunning instrument cluster and Mercedes-level seats highlight elegant redesign.
Chrysler Town & Country Limited ($40,385)
Good value, but other Chrysler interior redesigns are more thorough.
*Dodge Charger Rallye Plus ($34,635)
Bold use of color, high-quality surfaces and trim set this sedan apart.
Dodge Durango Citadel ($42,645)
Superb execution of 7-passenger vehicle, but uses old-school audio/navigation system.
Dodge Journey Lux ($34,510)
Great style; engaging color choices make up for unusable third row.
Fiat 500 Lounge ($23,150)
Love the IP, funky design; sitting in back a challenge.
Ford Edge Sport ($40,530)
Sleek interior front to rear, but not much “sport.”
Ford Explorer Limited ($45,415)
Spacious and highly functional, but $45,000 we expect a little more luxury.
Ford F-250 King Ranch ($63,470)
Well done but incomplete when compared with Ram Laramie HD.
Ford Fiesta ($19,605)
On par for price segment. Buttons stylish, but less ergonomic.
*Ford Focus Titanium ($27,520)
Dazzling with gray/cranberry color scheme; dynamic information display.
Ford Mustang GT ($39,680)
Captures essence of legendary brand without being overly nostalgic.
GMC Acadia Denali ($49,725)
Looks dated, with too much hard plastic for the price.
Honda CR-Z ($23,310)
Unique design, bright trim commendable; a great bargain.
*Honda Odyssey Elite ($44,030)
It’s not cheap, but well crafted and luxurious. This minivan soothes in style.
*Hyundai Elantra Limited ($22,110)
Beautifully shaped center stack; Hyundai interiors are copycat no more.
Hyundai Equus ($65,400)
Ultra luxury for the price of mid-level luxury; lavish features, conservative styling.
Infiniti QX56 ($71,850)
Clever folding second row; gorgeous ash-wood trim.
Jaguar XJ Supersport ($111,075)
Spectacular materials, including leather headliner. LCD gauges controversial.
Jeep Wrangler Sahara ($33,340)
Liked all-weather seats; Wrangler has come a long way.
*Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit ($48,770)
Highly crafted interior redefines luxury in the SUV segment.
*Kia Optima EX ($27,440)
Craftsmanship, flowing lines and dramatic use of color make this look like a luxury car.
Kia Sportage EX ($29,490)
Kudos for high-quality stitching and other details, but orange trim was too much.
Lexus CT200h ($38,239)
Extra points for clever HMI, but it’s been done before.
Lincoln MKX ($51,135)
High-gloss caramel faux wood hurts an otherwise upscale interior.
Mazda2 ($16,985)
Very basic; Honda Fit is a better value, more stylish.
Mazda5 ($24,720)
Comfortable 6-passenger seating in a small package is strongest feature.
Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 ($35,150)
A little busy, but captures Mini flavor; plenty of room.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE ($28,570)
Too many hard plastic surfaces; lacks upscale details.
Nissan Juke ($22,490)
Interior more attractive than exterior; loaded with character.
Nissan Leaf ($35,440)
Futuristic, but still functional, comfortable and user-friendly.
Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet ($47,825)
Interior does not help sell this unusual value proposition.
Nissan Quest LE ($43,790)
Design less polarizing than predecessor, but Honda and Chrysler tough to beat.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($117,610)
Beautifully styled, but many cues carried over from Panamera sedan.
Ram 3500 Longhorn Crew ($59,535)
Spectacularly rugged; impressive attention to design details and graphics.
Saab 9-5 Turbo ($50,140)
Disappointing reminder that Saab needs to rediscover its own design language.
Scion tC ($18,995)
Spacious backseat, but interior surprisingly bland for a youth brand.
Subaru Forester Touring ($29,068)
Nicely sculpted instrument panel, but materials lack upscale finishes and textures of segment leaders.
Toyota Avalon ($38,884)
Design a bit old school, but plenty of space and storage.
Volkswagen Jetta SEL ($23,065)
Yes, VW took out content, but interior more than adequate.
Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid ($61,385)
Attractive, with improved ergonomics; but still kinda plain for the price.
*Volvo S60 T6 ($46,200)
Eye-catching colors and textures, distinctive floating center stack, superb seats.
