Is this Taurus' big brother? Ford made the original Five Hundred concept look like a modern American muscle car, but it ended up looking like this: a fairly bland reinterpretation of the boring Ford sedan theme. Thankfully, Ford gave the Five Hundred's interior proper styling. It comes with a long list of standard equipment at a low price, offering what Ford calls "guilt-free luxury." Read More »

Like a cross between a pickup truck and a classic street rod, the new Dodge Magnum station wagon has tough-guy looks and family-car practicality. A quiet, roomy interior makes the Magnum feel as comfortable as a traditional family car, despite its outlandish styling. It has the look and practicality of an SUV without any of the drawbacks. Read More »

Suzuki's XL-7 doesn't just look like a tough, off-road SUV. It's the real thing. Unlike its car-based competitors, it rides on a truck-style frame that makes it durable enough for extreme off-road driving. The XL-7 has the roomiest interior in its class, both in terms of passenger space and cargo volume. Plus, thanks to improved materials on its] redesigned dash and several fancy features, it doesn't feel cheap. Read More »

Nissan's massive Titan, the first Japanese-brand truck to go head-to-head with the American stalwarts, looks as tough as it feels. It may be the best truck for sale today, but intense brand loyalty stands ominously in its path toward domination. Despite its rugged feel and best-in-class capability, the Titan's cabin is surprisingly quiet and refined. Only the new Ford F-150 comes close to matching its quality trim and comfortable ride. Read More »

The addition of all-wheel drive for 2004 gives the Infiniti G35 sports sedan better traction in bad weather. It also matches the expensive European luxury cars that are making AWD the latest must-have option on sedans. A comfortable, roomy, high-quality interior makes the G35 a pleasant place to spend time on the road, whether blasting through corners or cruising on the freeway. Read More »

With the boxy look of a traditional Land Rover, the Discovery combines immense off-road capability with a surprising level of comfort. It can drive almost anywhere, yet it still feels smooth, quiet, and refined around town. Other than poor gas mileage, the Discovery's only weaknesses are its interior ergonomics and back seat room. Despite those drawbacks, it's a well-appointed vehicle with a combination of style, performance and luxury that's rarely found in off-road SUVs. Read More »

Toyota's all-new, 2006 Highlander Hybrid looks almost exactly like the regular Highlander, but it gets much better gas mileage. It also feels almost identical from behind the wheel with the exception of a gas engine that automatically shuts off to save fuel every time you roll to a stop. The Highlander Hybrid is the world's first seven-passenger hybrid SUV. It has a third-row seat that can fold flat for extra cargo space, and the cabin is as roomy and comfortable as you'd expect in any mid-size SUV. Read More »

Styling on the all-new 2006 Lexus GS is sporty without being flamboyant. The front end is a slightly elongated version of Lexus' family theme, while the back end looks almost like a hatchback with its raked roofline. Despite all the technology in this car, the GS has a very simple dash layout that's easy to learn. A large navigation screen dominates the center of the dash, while covers keep seldom-used controls hidden away to keep the layout simple and clean. Read More »

Volkswagen's precious New Beetle is available as a convertible starting at $18,770. The big news for 2005, though, is the addition of a new turbodiesel engine that makes 100 horsepower and gets 46 miles per gallon on the highway. Volkswagen's interiors are the best in the industry, and the Beetle is no exception. Quality materials and rock-solid construction make it feel more expensive than it is. Read More »

Unlike the odd-looking car it replaces, the all-new Infiniti M45 shares a family resemblance with the cheaper G35 and more expensive Q45. It's a wonderful, full-size sport-luxury car that combines the fun of the G with the sublime luxury of the Q. When outfitted with high-tech options, the M45's cabin is a showcase of the latest automotive gadgets, including a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, navigation system, DVD player and air-conditioned seats. Read More »