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

It wasn’t just the bright-green Formica countertops that Tami Watts disliked about her kitchen. Watts and her husband, Brad, owner of Valley Nursery in Poulsbo, typically host holiday and birthday gatherings for their extended local family, now three generations. The long peninsula in … 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

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