Model Tested: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Touring All-Wheel Drive Engine: Skyactiv-G 2-liter 4-cylinder Transmission: Skyactiv-Drive 6-speed, sport mode automatic EPA Ratings: 27/city, 32/highway, 29/combined Base Price: $23,210 As Tested: $26,050 Overview: The Mazda CX-3 is an all-new SUV-like subcompact crossover. Despite its basic crossover-type … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 155 horsepower, 148 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—34/Highway—30/Combined Base Price: $28,600 As Tested: $32,820 Performance: Club model has extra performance enhancements Limited slip differential 17-inch BBS forged … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Acura MDX AWD Engine: 3.5-liter V-6 gas, 290 horsepower, 267 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—26/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $57,080 As Tested: $58,000 Performance: Very smooth, powerful V-6 engine 9-speed automatic: a gear for every occasion Paddle … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Honda HR-V 5-Door AWD EX-L Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas, 141 horsepower, 127 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, Real Time all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—32/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $25,840 As Tested: $26,720 Performance: Nimble off-road capabilities Full time AWD, but no locking features … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Scion iA 4-Door Sedan Engine: 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas, 106 horsepower, 103 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 31/City—41/Highway—35/Combined Base Price: $15,700 As Tested: $16,470 Performance: Acceptable acceleration if manual trans is used aggressively Very good fuel economy, … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Scion FR-S 2-door coupe Engine: 2.0-literflat four-cylinder gas, 200 horsepower, 151 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/City—30/Highway—25/Combined Base Price: $25,305 As Tested: $28,544 Performance: Great driving fun Tight, concise handling Responsive Agile Smooth 6-speed and clutch … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Engine: 2.0-literflat four-cylinder gas, 148 horsepower, 145 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—36/Highway—31/Combined Base Price: $23,295 As Tested: $26,885 Performance: Reasonable acceleration, but nothing like the WRX variant Smooth CVT transmission Seamless … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4×4 Engine: 3.2-liter V-6 gas, 271 horsepower, 239 lb-ft torque Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—26/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $30,395 As Tested: $36,869 Performance: Engine has start/stop feature for fuel economy Strong V-6 engine 9-speed automatic … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Honda Pilot AWD Elite Engine: 3.5 liter, SOHC direct-injection V6 Transmission: 9-speed automatic EPA Ratings: 19/city —26/highway — 22/combined Base Price: $46,420 As Tested: $47,300 Overview: The 2016 Honda Pilot is no longer that awkward-looking box. The all-new version is … read more