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

Making a New Year’s resolution? Don’t forget salt. Most Americans consume about a 1,000 milligrams of sodium over the amount recommended by nutrition and health experts. New research shows cooking with spices and herbs could help you ditch the saltshaker and meet sodium … 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

Model Tested: 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbocharged, 291 horsepower, 300 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed twin clutch automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—22/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $38,995 As Tested: $41,805 Performance: A four-door go-kart Crazy acceleration Glues itself to corners … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Touring AWD Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 146 horsepower, 146 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—32/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $23,210 As Tested: $26,050 Performance: Peppy, Skyactiv four-cylinder engine 6-speed automatic with sport mode All Wheel Drive … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD Engine: 3.3-liter V-6 gas, 290 horsepower, 252 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—22/Highway—19/Combined Base Price: $36,000 As Tested: $41,695 Performance: Strong, efficient V-6 Good torque Economical on highway; we got a … read more

During the weeks after Thanksgiving, I saw numerous trees on top of cars and in pickup trucks — heading home for their two to four weeks of glory, decorated as the family or office Christmas tree. The sadder side of this story is … read more