Smaller than a Honda Accord or Nissan Altima but bigger than a Civic or Jetta, the Kizashi sports European styling inside and out yet it costs the same or less than its Japanese competition.

The Kizashi comes equipped with a four-cylinder engine with either a manual transmission or automatic. Word is that the manufacturers will be offering a six-cylinder in the future for those who need that extra punch. I found the four-banger to be plenty peppy for around town and freeway trips.

The Kizashi comes available in S, SE, GTS and SLS trim levels. I drove the SE which adds 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and power driver’s seat to the standard keyless ignition, power accessories, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Every Kizashi comes standard with antilock disk brakes, stability and traction control, front, rear side and side curtain airbags. In government crash tests it scored a perfect 5 stars in front and side protection.

The interiors of the car are high-end, materials are top-notch and even the dash is similar to upscale models. I had plenty of headroom and legroom in the driver’s seat but the back seat is a bit smaller than other cars in its class and the trunk is also a bit smaller than the norm.

With 20/29 mpg and a base price of $19,000 the Suzuki Kizashi is worth a look-see if you are considering buying a mid-sized sedan.

The PT Cruiser is not a super high performance vehicle but it is a good start-out car for the young driver and young family and of course empty-nester’s like me.

It has a roomy interior with seating for five. My model came with the optional Convenience Group adding a six-way power drive seat, fold-flat front passenger seat and heated front seats with a sunroof and sat radio. Standard is keyless entry with 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, air conditioning and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

A 2.4 liter four banger powers the PT Cruiser, it’s not a speed demon but it’ll get you there. The only available trany is a four-speed automatic that easily takes you through the gears.

One of the reasons I think it’s great for new drivers is that the interior profile is lifted up. The driver sits higher and has greater visibility. Front and side-impact airbags are standard as is a driver’s side knee airbag, but there are no side curtain airbags to protect the rear occupants.

Exterior styling includes the PT’s retro panel van look which is truly “Classic”. It has tall doors which make accessing the interior a breeze. The big rear hatch opens with a movable shelf that can serve as a table for tailgate parties or a privacy cover.

The gas mileage is not retro, however, at 19 mpg city and about 26 mpg highway this fun cruiser gives you the best of both worlds. Base price begins at $19,000 which makes it an affordable car for first time buyers or just someone who wants to have fun, fun, fun while driving the day away.

The direct-injected V6 engine delivers power when asked and a unibody architecture gives this crossover superior handling. A smooth ride is a plus for families on the move as is the 117 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. No need for a minivan here.

Safety is formost in our thoughts and the Acadia complies with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. It also scored a perfect five stars in governmental frontal and side-impact testing.

Although the Acadia is pleasant to drive, it feels big because it is big. But in exchange for this “bigness” it gives the driver a capacious interior. Even third-row passengers will find plenty of leg room with easy entry through the large passenger door and sliding second row seats.

Rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, this big crossover delivers on the mileage. But it’s at a price, my forward-wheel drive SLT-2 lists for around $40,000, not exactly a bargain.

Over-all if it’s space you need, the Acadia is for you. Extras and a peppy V6 engine make it one of the top choices for large crossovers.

An eight cylinder engine growled under the hood like a caged tiger begging to be released. Man what a car!

I did not speed although I was sorely tempted; besides anybody knows it not the speed at which you travel its how quickly you get to that speed. The Camaro didn’t disappoint, I reached my speed of 65 (okay 70ish) in about 5 seconds. This is an E-ticket ride every time you start the engine.

And the looks, people would circle the car like sharks pouncing on me as soon as I opened the door; asking the price, what was under the hood, how it drove. I think I must have sold a few cars during my seven-day test drive.

The interior was two-toned, buttery soft leather and very comfortable. The car was full of dials and gauges telling me the oil temperature and transmission temperature and at night the interior has a warm glow from LED light pipe technology in the doors and around the guages.

It also comes equipped with On Star which is a really useful service. Directions, phone, emergency services are all tied in to On Star. This service is provided free for a year then it’s up to you whether you want to keep it or not.

Because of its retro-themed exterior there is little room for glass and this compromises visibility. Also the trunk opening is really small so putting large items in it is not possible. Ask me if I care? I don’t and neither will you.

This is not a practical car. It’s a rip-roaring good time car. Something you buy to please yourself and no one else.

The price is not bad either. The model I was driving with all the bells and whistles had a price of $37,460. The MSRP is $33,430 not bad when you consider this is a muscle car that competes easily with the likes of the BMW 135i and Challenger SRT8 and outperforms the slightly more affordable Mustang GT.

Keeping it simple with two available trims the 2010 Hyundai Tucson offers the GLS and the Limited with optional sunroof and stereo/navigation upgrades. The shelves are not full of endless choices, Hyundai offers a limited number of buildable combinations making buying a car a bit less cumbersome.

With impressive outer angles it’s Tucson’s interior bling that will have you oohing and aahing. There are silver accents on the steering wheel and center console as well as a stylish dash. Leg room is expansive; enough for a six-footer in the front and back seat of the car (at the same time!).

Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, hill holder (prevents rolling back on inclined stops) and hill descent control (automatically brakes down steep off-road hills when activated).

Expect to get between 23 mpg and 31 mpg. Although the Tucson feels sportier than most models in its class the stiff suspension may put some people off. But the overall impressions are that of comfort and stylishness; the economy is an extra benefit.

A V-6 engine provides plenty of power when needed and steering is accurate with little center play. The engine seems a bit throatier than needed when going uphill, but delivers the needed speed.

The six-speed manumatic transmission shifts smoothly, but save the manual shifting for lower gears when going up steep hills. It’s really not made to be a sporty shifter.

Interiors provide plenty of leg room in the cockpit and are aesthetically pleasing. All models come with USB and auxiliary audio input jacks as well as Bluetooth wireless. Loved the Sat. radio but found the tuning system a little confusing. It has your standard dial but when you get to the station you have to push in the dial to lock it in, otherwise your back to the station you wanted to get rid of in the first place. The leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob was a nice touch as was the panoramic sunroof.

There is an available third-row seat which provides seating for seven but it cuts down on the leg room and don’t expect to fit more than a single row of grocery bags behind the third-row seat.

My Sorento was equipped with a 3.5 V6 which delivers 20/26 mpg, great stats for a two-ton vehicle with such a powerful engine. And speaking of power I fairly flew on the freeways (within the speed limit of course). When power was needed power was delivered.

Keyless entry and ignition are highlights of the Sorento as is the rearview television cameras so that you’ll have no excuse for running over the neighbor’s cat. It also comes equipped with a rear entertainment system for those long trips (you know 15 minutes or more).

All-in-all the 2011 Kia Sorento is a good ride for the money.

A milestone
Thanks to the creative genius of a former Audi designer, the 2010 Kia Forte EX’s sleek exterior sends a clear message that business in Kia Motors is no longer as usual, well, as far as the sedan segment is concerned. One glance is all it takes to understand that the new Kia EX is really a great looking car, which is a far cry from the looks of its predecessor Spectra. Although Spectra was not at all bad, its generic styling did not win many car aficionados.
 
Simple and elegant
The Forte EX resembles all that is new to Kia. It has clean smooth lines at the front and back with just the right proportions—a good sleek design without going over the top and is most likely to age well as years pass. Both exteriors and interiors of this sedan exude a simple and more organic design, creating a no-nonsense appeal yet totally classy.
 
Features
Although the Forte EX is available in three wheel-and-tire combinations and four transmissions, its strongest selling point is really the standard electronics package. The EX, being the middle ground for the Forte segment, has seriously impressive standards: Bluetooth connectivity, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, an MP3 capability, USB and Aux input jacks, and steering wheel controls to integrate the process. Base price for this model $15,795. It comes with all the power accessories, AC, and a six-speaker stereo. The EX also comes with more option packages than the LX model. Now, that is not bad for a standard.
 
Inside the hood
The Forte EX trim has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which bats at 156 horsepower and 144 lb-ft torque, which is an improvement from Spectra by 18-horsepower. The EX standard version is delivered with a five-speed manual. But four-speed automatics are available as option for drivers who prefer to use two pedals. EX trims with economy packages already features a five-speed automatic.
 
Strong fuel economy
Kia sought fuel mileage as one of its strongest selling points, which they addressed by introducing the EX Fuel Economy Package. The EX is the only trim of the Forte segment which can be purchased with a $600 package, thus adding a five-speed automatic, electric power steering, a smart alternator that only works when you need it, low resistance but high silica content tires, with minor underbody aerodynamic changes. This car bumps 2.0-liter’s mileage from 25 mpg in city drive and 34 mpg in the highway to 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg in the highway.
 
Sophisticated and techie
The Forte EX interiors is impressive. It exudes a sophisticated feel backed by high tech features which gives Kia and edge over its competitors. The Bluetooth connectivity is voice activated and accessible through steering wheel controls. This feature alone can grab any tech-savvy motorist.
 
The standard six-speaker stereo also delivered quite impressively. It delivered crisp sound separation and great bass volume at any level.
 
Downside of the Ex’s five-speed automatic is its rush to get into fifth gear and consume the fuel. This aspect gave the car a sluggish feel especially in city driving where it resisted the urge to downshift unless you make an effort of really putting your foot into it. But the miserly goal on fuel economy really delivered to its promise by providing adequate acceleration most of the time.
 
Not a drama queen
The test drive of the EX was comfortable and compliant as expected, especially its ability to traverse the rough roads without little drama. In effect, the Forte EX was smooth but not exceedingly inspiring. But with this new babe, it is no surprise that Kia will grab the tech-savvy market dramatically by offering a high connectivity motoring experience. With its fresh looks, attractive economy and power output, the 2010 Kia Forte EX is regarded as the most promising performer in the sedan segment.

The two engines with the 2010 SRX are smaller but more sophisticated than the former SRX. The base engine is 2.0-liter, 265-horsepower V6 with variable valve timing, paired with six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode. The other is a turbocharged 2.8-liter, 300-horsepower V6 partnered with a much sportier six-speed automatic that has an “eco mode” capability for saving fuel. Because of its front-wheel drive feature, the SRX base model chugs 18 miles per gallon in city drive and 25 on the highway. Its fuel mileage drops to 17/23 with all-wheel drive and 15/21 with the turbocharged engine.

The base price for the 2010 SRX begins at $34,155 and comes only with the front-wheel drive. However, the base price is much lower than the RX 350, yet the standard SRX has 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-speaker Bose sound system, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a steering wheel with leather wrapped tilts and telescope, leatherette upholstery, USB jack, and satellite radio.

The turbocharged SRX, on the other hand, provides ultimate performance. If you want a car that books then this is your car. I drove the turbocharged SRX during heavy rain and was thrilled with its performance. The turbocharged version also has sport-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping system. Its AWD system also enables you to automatically shift power to the outside wheels especially while driving on hard corners which improves handling.

The classy interiors are big ticket items for the 2010 SRX. An attractive dash, lots of leather, and wooden inlays which integrates with the door trim grace the SRX interiors.

The seats are second to none as far as interior quality and comfort is concerned. Well-cushioned seats adorn the interiors and the legroom is very adequate for adult occupants, both in the front and back. The standard for fancier SRXs provides panoramic sunroof. You can also fold the rear seats on a 60/40 pattern for more rear space.

With the base price, the 201- base SRX is quite a steal if you are willing to settle for front-wheel drive without other options. But this comes handy when you’re just after a suitable car for daily driving. If you want to get a kick out of a superior performance especially the turbocharged engine, then be ready to shell out additional $50,000 to get the fancier version.

Over all, the 2010 SRX Turbo Caddy is quite a deal with its makeover and is quite economical for price conscious buyers.

The CX-9 Touring earned its reputation primarily for its design—both interior and exterior. The whole of the Mazda CX-9 trims have been redesigned for 2010.

Exterior
Instead of the big angular style, the Mazda CX-9 Touring Model rather looks like a super-sized wagon. It stands on 18-inch alloy wheels and has a stylish silhouette.

Interior
Classy is how you would describe the cabin of the CX-9 Touring trim. Mazda designers should be lauded for coming up with a design which gives the cabin the appeal of luxury, without ripping someone off. Buttery feeling black soft surfaces and chrome grace the gloss and soft interiors of the car. Seating is built for seven with gorgeous design and can be adjusted to allow more cargo space. The standard third row seats are surprisingly easy to adjust and can be folded to accomplish that purpose.

Under the Hood
The 2010 Mazda CX-9 Touring front wheel drive comes with a 273 horsepower which peaks at 6,250 rpm and 270-lb-ft. of torque. It also comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission has manual gear selection capability.

The six-speed automatic transmission performed well on a test drive. While on the freeway, the CX-9 transmission easily and quickly find its way to sixth gear making the manual gear option unnecessary.

Fuel Economy
The fuel economy is the only let down of this new trim. Gas consumption was tracked at 21 mpg on the highway and closer to 17 mpg in the city, which does not make it impressive for a standard crossover.

In sum, the 2010 Mazda CX-9 Touring is attractive inside and out and generally gives a good driving feel. But the engine, while being the appropriate size for the CX-9 was quite average and did not excel as far as fuel economy is concerned. The six-speed automatic transmission was quite impressive and maximized the engine’s power. This new model is good for those who needed more space with flair—in the purest sense of the word.

Nissan manages to squeeze the maximum power out of the four cylinder engine utilizing the continuously variable transmission. It does a great job of maximizing engine power by using its variable shifting to make the most out of the smaller engine while still delivering great gas mileage. Government ratings are 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, I got somewhere in the middle of the two numbers.

Interior-wise the Altima comes equipped with cloth seats which are comfortable if uninspired; my model added an optional 8-way power driver seat which made adjusting the seat a breeze. Keyless push-button ignition, power door locks and power windows are standard on the S model. I had plenty of legroom, but I always do as I am only 5’ 2”. But I think my taller brethren would also find the legroom in the Altima plentiful. Electronics include a six-speaker sound system with an auxiliary jack for that ever-present MP3 player and two 12-volt DC outlets for everyone’s electronic doodads.

My test model came with the Convenience Package which adds power drive seat, 16 inch alloy wheels, auto headlights and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. It also had the Convenience Plus Package which includes a moonroof so that you can pretend you’re in a convertible.

At a base price of around $22,000 the 2010 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is a good deal for the money especially with the great CVT transmission making the most of the four cylinder engine.