MotorMouths

For luxury, solid build, all weather and terrain conquering skills, I would have to say that the 2011 Grand Cherokee is one of the best sport utility vehicles I have ever driven.

The Range Rover Evoque has a lot going for it. A very comfortable ride, plush interior, all-terrain capability, and a rev-happy engine are especially noteworthy.

The 2010 Lexus RX 450h is a better vehicle than the RX 400h. It’s a bit more fuel-efficient, a touch smoother and more refined. It feels more like a normal luxury crossover SUV.

It’s perfect for a road trip, with lots of passenger room and a good-size trunk. With an aging baby-boomer generation seeking comfort and functionality over style and flash, the 2011 Avalon is perfect for staying within your comfort zone.

The Lexus HS Hybrid is a small, classy car with a softer, quieter ride that is noticeably quicker than the Prius.

The Lexus IS has given up on its sport pretensions and concentrated what it does best by providing an astute, competitively priced, entry-level luxury sedan with an adept level of performance.

Get in line now because our prediction is that the Ford Focus EV is going to be more popular than the prom queen. And maybe even more fun.

The TSX Sport Wagon marks a return to the cars that Acura should have been making all along. With front-wheel drive, a four-cylinder engine, and automatic-only transmission, it is, simply, a well-built compact wagon.

While the 2011 Nissan Maxima expertly mimes the Z car, what it really does best is to carry 4 (or 5 in a pinch) expeditiously, comfortable and spaciously. In that regard, it has few peers at any price.

Licoln’s MKZ is a hybrid that’s both affordable and a segment leader in terms of fuel economy. To that end, it has succeeded, but the sedan’s cabin needs more work if the brand intends to contend with the titans of the market.

The Hyundai Tucson now has the power, fuel economy, and interior amenities to do battle with competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, and others.

While the tC lacks in performance, it does redeem itself by offering a safe, comfortable, and unassuming compact car with some useful utility added to the mix.