Honda Fit Sport With Navigation Function

The 2009 Fit's stereo controls are clustered around the display in a fairly generic manner, but there's some flair in the Fit's climate controls, which are gathered in a charming semicircle on the driver side of the center console. We found this layout attractive, and the positioning of these controls also makes them easy to access.(Magazine Ryan Binkley)

Honda Civic Hybrid With Leather and Navigation You don't buy a hybrid for its high horsepower or because it's fun to drive in any of the ways a traditional all-gas all-the-time car can be. You buy a hybrid to get better fuel economy than everything short of a golf cart. You buy a hybrid to use less gas in your everyday driving and to fill the air with fewer emissions every year. Those are all great reasons to consider the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. It's not fast, it isn't a world-class handling car and it won't break any speed records. But it's a solid contender in the compact hybrid sedan market, an arena that is becoming increasingly crowded with vehicles worth considering.

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Mini Cooper S Clubman

As with its similarly sprung sibling, the Clubman is happiest when the going gets twisty. Among front-wheel-drive performance cars, this is about as good as it gets in the handling department. If you want seating for four adults along with that Mini character and cuteness, then the 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman won't disappoint. Be prepared to pay dearly, though, unless you can live with a bare-bones version.

Ryan Binkley Dallas : Dodge Dakota Performance

The Dakota proved to have excellent brakes for a truck, even if it had rear drums and a soft pedal. From 60 mph, the fully loaded Dakota came to a stop in 126 feet — better than many family sedans. The Dakota's steering is pretty inert, though, offering little feedback through turns and a numb on-center feel. Still, there were no spooky moments when one editor got stuck in a biblical thunderstorm — the truck plowed confidently through rain and standing water. Profile Ryan Binkley

Mini Cooper S Clubman Performance

Once the Clubman is under way, "comfort" becomes a relative term. More comfortable than an all-out sports car? Undoubtedly. But only the owners of such cars would call the Clubman cushy. The suspension is so hardwired to the road that even minor bumps and ruts send shockwaves through the cabin. We think that most buyers could live with a little more body roll in corners if it afforded the Clubman a less punishing ride. Based on our brief experience, the standard non-sport suspension feels almost as stiff. Road noise, too, could stand to be dialed down a notch or three.

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