2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

2.5L 4-cyl. engine
Manual transmission
Up to 17 cty/23 hwy mpg
All-wheel drive
Bluetooth
iPod input
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
Satellite radio (Optional)
MSRP from $34,095

What's New for 2012

The regular 2012 Subaru Impreza has been completely redesigned. Highlights include a more fuel-efficient engine, updated styling and a roomier and higher-quality interior. Last year's high-performance WRX and STI variants carry over unchanged. The Outback Sport has been discontinued.

Introduction

Thanks to standard all-wheel drive and a strong safety record, the Subaru Impreza has become a popular alternative to more well-known small sedans and hatchbacks in the compact class. With the fully redesigned 2012 Subaru Impreza, the model maintains its strengths while becoming more appealing to a wider range of car shoppers.

It starts with styling. While the new look is hardly what we'd call handsome, it aligns the Impreza more closely with its Legacy and Outback siblings. More importantly, the interior is more spacious and the design, construction and materials have been improved. In terms of quality, the 2012 Subaru Impreza now has one of the nicest cabins in the small-car market.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

6.4L V8 engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 14 cty/23 hwy mpg
Navigation System
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
MSRP from $45,795

What's New for 2012

The Dodge Charger adds a pair of trim levels for 2012: the midlevel SXT and the high-performance SRT8. An eight-speed automatic is also now available with the standard V6.

Introduction

It's rare to find a car that looks mean, sounds meaner and accelerates with the exuberance of a muscle car, yet can still comfortably schlep kids to school or pick up grandparents from the airport. Plenty of expensive European luxury sport sedans satisfy most of the criteria, save for the "look mean" bit. The 2012 Dodge Charger, meanwhile, satisfies all of the above.

The Charger's breadth of personalities is pretty unique for its class. While its sloping roof line cuts into some rear headroom, the Charger otherwise offers the comfort you'd expect from a large sedan, with plenty of rear seat legroom and a reasonably big trunk. Its interior design is also a cut above most other family sedans.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Sedan

2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited PZEV Sedan 

1.8L 4-cyl. engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 29 cty/40 hwy mpg
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
Navigation System (Optional)
MSRP from $20,445

What's New for 2012

After a complete redesign last year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra gains an "Active Eco System" that modifies engine and transmission parameters at the push of a button to increase fuel economy by up to 7 percent. The names of option packages have also been changed.

Introduction

Once a crummy also-ran, then a dark-horse alternative and now one of the sales leaders, the Hyundai Elantra is quite the success story. After last year's complete redesign, the Elantra has shed its frumpy, anonymous styling and gained fluid curves and a coupelike roof line. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra looks good, and that counts for a lot in a segment not normally known for visual excitement.

Thankfully, there's substance to go along with the Elantra's new sheet metal. Its 1.8-liter engine delivers commendable power for its class and the type of thrifty fuel economy achieved only by its competitors when equipped with special high-efficiency packages. Fuel economy improves even further for 2012 thanks to a new system known as Active Eco. When the driver selects this mode, the Elantra's automatic transmission shift points and throttle response are adjusted to increase fuel economy by up to 7 percent. The downside, though, is more sluggish performance when the mode is engaged.

2012 Kia Optima SX Sedan

2012 Kia Optima SX Sedan 

2.0L 4-cyl. engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 22 cty/34 hwy mpg
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
Navigation System (Optional)
MSRP from $26,500

What's New for 2012

For 2012, the Kia Optima receives the optional Uvo voice command system on all but the base models and a minor shuffling of features between trim levels and option packages. The front seats have also been slightly reshaped for improved comfort.

Introduction

There was a time, not long ago, when the term "family sedan" was associated with sensible -- but dull -- vehicles. While these volume-selling cars occupied a large chunk of sales, they likely weren't the object of desire. Once in a while, though, a sedan like the 2012 Kia Optima comes along that makes you want it for more reasons than just how sensibly it transports your family.

The 2012 Kia Optima sees few changes from last year, and that suits us just fine. Compared to other family sedans, the Optima is a styling standout, with a level of aggression and modernity inside and out that we're accustomed to seeing in much more expensive cars. Thankfully, this beauty is also more than skin deep, as the Optima also benefits from a better-than-average ride quality and driving dynamics.

2011 BMW X6 xDrive35i SUV

2011 BMW X6 xDrive35i SUV

3.0L 6-cyl. engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 16 cty/23 hwy mpg
All-wheel drive
iPod input
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
Navigation System (Optional)
Satellite radio (Optional)
DVD player (Optional)
MSRP from $59,300

What's New for 2012

For 2012, the BMW X6 gains an optional rear center seat that increases passenger capacity to five. Otherwise, it sees no significant changes apart from a minor shuffling of standard and optional features.

Introduction

Sleek "coupelike" styling is all the rage lately. Four-door sedans with downwardly sweeping roof lines started it off a few years back, and the coupe concept now has been adopted by crossover SUVs, of which the BMW X6 is a prime example.

From the beltline down, the 2012 BMW X6 has all the expected characteristics of a crossover ute -- rugged styling, elevated ride height and all-wheel drive. But all this has been capped by a sloped roof line that suggests speed. Three inches shorter than the traditional X5 sport-utility with which it shares a platform, the X6 does indeed handle a bit better when you're driving fast. But just as with any coupe, there are compromises in the overall package, notably rear seat space and cargo capacity in this case.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class CL63 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class CL63 AMG

5.5L V8 engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 15 cty/21 hwy mpg
Navigation System
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
DVD player
MSRP from $151,500

What's New for 2012

After significant updates last year, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class carries into 2012 unchanged.

Introduction

Trivia question: What is the most expensive new Mercedes-Benz on sale this year? If you answered the gullwing SLS supercar, you'd be wrong. Starting a good $26,000 north of the flashiest Benz is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, the ultra-luxury grand touring coupe with a mind-blowing twin-turbo V12 under the hood. Maybe it won't get quite the same attention as the SLS, but the CL65 AMG and its lesser-engined comrades within the 2012 CL-Class lineup offer the sort of grand opulence that can be appreciated whether you're on a weekend back road drive, a 700-mile road trip or the daily slog to work.

2012 Audi A8 4.2 quattro Sedan

2012 Audi A8 4.2 quattro Sedan

4.2L V8 engine
Automatic transmission
Up to 18 cty/28 hwy mpg
All-wheel drive
Navigation System
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control
MSRP from $78,750

What's New for 2012

For 2012, the Audi A8 lineup is topped by a new 500-horsepower, 12-cylinder flagship -- the A8 6.3 L.

Introduction

Not being the most popular choice doesn't necessarily equate to not being a good choice. As proof, consider the 2012 Audi A8. With its lightweight aluminum construction, standard all-wheel drive and impeccably trimmed cabin, the A8 has plenty going for it and stands as our favorite alternative pick in the premium large luxury sedan segment. Completely redesigned last year and bolstered by this year's introduction of the A8L W12 with its 12-cylinder engine, the A8 might well become the Underdog of the class.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

6.2L V8 engine
Manual or automatic transmission
Bluetooth
iPod input
Satellite radio
Side/Curtain Airbags
Stability Control
Traction Control

MSRP from $54,095

What's New for 2012

For 2012, the Chevrolet Camaro sees a number of improvements. The V6 versions get more power, the SS coupe gets a revised sport suspension, a rearview camera becomes available and all Camaros benefit from an interior with much-needed upgrades. Later in the model year, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuts, resurrecting a legendary name and providing pavement-ripping performance by way of a supercharged V8.

Introduction

The big news for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro will be burnouts -- lots and lots of burnouts. Oh, right, the new-generation Camaro has already been known for that. But this year that pastime of high school kids and muscle car buffs rips to an all-new level with the introduction of the ZL1 trim level. The new Camaro ZL1 is a fitting homage to the legendary ZL1 high-performance engine option for the 1969 Camaro that was favored among acceleration addicts and bench-racing braggarts.