A big, bold grille on Audi's new A3 seems to exude the kind of confidence that comes when a car company knows it's created something great. The four-door hatchback is a true bargain at $25,000 considering its refinement and cutting-edge engineering are hard to find in some vehicles that cost twice as much. Many of the bits and pieces in the A3's cabin are the same ones found in much more expensive Audi models like the TT and A8. Materials and build quality are second to none at this price. Read More »

Like it or not, the Scion xB's styling gives it an enormous amount of interior space. Compared to most other cars in its price range, the back seat of an xB feels like a Lincoln Town Car. A central instrument pod is unusual -- no surprise in a car that looks so weird -- but it actually makes a lot of sense. The driver's eyes don't have to stray far from the road to see the speedometer. Read More »

With styling cues from classic Porsches of yesteryear, the new Boxster looks an awful lot like the old one. And that's good. While the first generation Boxster was often criticized for its relatively cheap-looking interior, the new one offers better materials and a more upscale feel. Read More »

Nissan's high-performance Altima SE-R has a more aggressive front end, painted brake calipers and rear spoiler to make it stand out from the average Altima. Extra power and firmer handling make this car a blast to drive, despite its front-wheel-drive configuration. A gauge pod mounts to the steering column in Nissan's Altima SE-R, which lets the gauges move up and down with the steering wheel to provide an optimum view from any angle. This feature is pulled directly from the 350Z sports car, and it's one of several unique bits that make the SE-R's interior different from the regular Altima. Read More »

The all-new Ford Mustang builds on the car's storied heritage without looking blatantly retro like the PT Cruiser, New Beetle and Thunderbird. It's a brilliant design that looks modern and historic at the same time. The body's sense of heritage is carried into the interior, where nice materials and carefully designed instruments give it a classic muscle car personality inside. It's a major improvement over Ford's cheap-feeling interiors of just a few years ago. Read More »

Nissan's all-new Pathfinder shares an obvious family resemblance with the Titan pickup and Armada SUV, making it clear that the Pathfinder is designed for rugged off-road performance. A new third-row seat makes the Pathfinder more suitable for families than the previous generation, although it held onto its off-road roots. Read More »

Few cars make you want to hug them like this cute Mini Cooper. With exaggerated lines and a squatty, bug-eye appearance, it looks like a caricature of the original Mini that blossomed in swingin' England. Front seats are more comfortable than you'd expect in the Mini, but adult back-seat passengers will be packed in like sardines. Read More »

Cadillac's new STS flagship is clearly inspired by the CTS. It has the same fresh, modern lines of the smaller Caddy, but it's toned down slightly to give it a more refined, elegant look. Soft leather and real wood are what you expect to find in a top-of-the-line Cadillac, and the STS is no exception. It feels solidly constructed and has a brilliant dash layout that avoids unnecessary clutter with buttons and switches. Read More »

A new body on the Acura RSX gives the car's sporty wedge shape a slightly more aggressive style. Most people would find it hard to tell the difference between 2004 and 2005 models, but a lot of little changes add up to a big improvement this year. Read More »

Audi has had a long, and somewhat checkered, history selling cars in the U.S. despite the beauty of their designs, wonderful sporty ride and handling, and magnificent interiors. It was in fact the predecessor of the new 2005 model, the 1995 Audi A4, that brought the company back from near extinction in the U.S. Read More »