The Ford Flex is one of the few crossovers that truly marry the generous passenger space of a minivan with the ample hauling room of an SUV. The boxy look might put some people off, but a long wheelbase provides a nice, smooth ride.

Interior: “Business class”-style front seats are wide and comfy and have stylish contrast stitching. And third-row riders get skylights overhead, which makes the cabin feel even more spacious.

Capless fuel filler: The fuel door pops open and doesn’t require muscle to twist off a tight gas cap. And you won’t have to worry about leaving it behind at the station.

Formidable Rough Rider

Rugged performance doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Haul heavy stuff and navigate muddy, rocky terrain with the new Nismo version of the Frontier. The radical design is a product of Nissan’s motor-sports division, which has turned its attention on its pickup line.

Exterior Bed: The cab-mounted cargo-bed lamp illuminates the entire cargo area for easy use at night. A factory-applied spray-on bed liner allows for easy clean-up after dirty jobs.

Performance: Off-road performance shocks makes simple work of slushy and pockmarked roads. The formidable 281 foot-pounds of torque give excellent pulling power over moderate terrain.

Judging from its size and low model number, you’d guess the 135i is an economy Bimmer. But auto enthusiasts know otherwise. This is BMW’s very well priced, rip-it-up performance car. Think of it as the naughty little brother to the marque’s own M3.

Engine: A very able 300-horsepower motor belies the car’s sporty heritage. The six-speed automatic, which is somewhat fuelefficient, comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Interior: The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel has hands-free Bluetooth phone controls. And the eight-way adjustable front seats are comfy.

The new seven-speed sports transmission shifts quickly and responds like a manual transmission but with the ease of an automatic. Go, man, go.

- Mileage: 12mpg city, 17 highway

- Engine: 6.3-liter, V-8

- Price: $136,425

- Site: mbusa.com

- Airscarf: Don’t suffer a chill with the top down. Push a button and warm air circulates like a cashmere muffler through the ever-so-comfy head restraints.

- Interior: A new AMG sport steering wheel with shifter paddles is ergonomic and substantial in hand; a “Racetimer” will keep track of your lap times.

- Performance: Hits 60mph in just 4.7 seconds. The car is low, flat and stable on tight curves at very high speeds.

ROAD TEST: SATURN VUE HYBRID
By Tara Weingarten

Saturn goes contemporary and makes families look hip with the new Vue. Moreover, the car is well priced and gets high marks in government safety tests. Though it’s only a partial hybrid, it does eke out six more miles per gallon than its gas-only brother.

Engine: Considered a “mild” hybrid, the Vue has just enough electric power to jump-start the gas motor after it shuts down at a stoplight. The ride is comfortable and stable at normal speeds, but steering can feel a bit disconnected at higher speeds.

Cargo: Front- and back-seat passengers have ample space, and both get reclining seats. But the cargo area is somewhat compromised in favor of back-seat roominess.

Interior: Brushed aluminum trim is sporty and luxe. Climate-control dials are intuitive enough to use without taking your eyes off the road—a rarity in most vehicles.

Subaru enthusiasts love their machines. While the redesigned Forester may keep them happy, it probably won’t attract converts. This compact crossover is loaded with cargo space and new safety features, but its pronounced sluggishness is a deal breaker.

Engine: The standard motor screams on hilly ascents but fails to gain any momentum. The 2.5-liter, 170hp boxer engine just doesn’t cut it. A larger turbocharged engine with 224hp is available.

By Tara Weingarten

March 10, 2008 issue

‘I’m Ready for My Chase Scene’

Forty years ago Steve McQueen popped his Mustang GT over San Francisco’s pointy hills in “Bullitt.” Ford pays homage to that iconic man-car with a limited edition. Get on the list fast: just 7,000 will be built.

Mag Wheels: These 18-inch cast aluminum Euroflange wheels are made in the original charcoal satin finish with Argent gray-painted brake calipers.

Ride: A high-performance engine with 300hp is sweet at this price point. And a Tremac five-speed manual transmission is easy and quick to shift.

Interior: The engine-turned aluminum dashboard trim is inspired, even if hard plastic on air vents, the audio system and door panels isn’t.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid proves you don’t have to sacrifice sporty driving dynamics and midsize roominess for improved enviro-friendliness. It has sure-footed handling, sharp steering response and standard ABS brakes.

Power: Nissan licensed Toyota’s excellent electric motor for use in the Altima. Paired with Nissan’s own engine, that’s a combined 198hp.

Interior: The brightly lit animated gauge cluster is fun, and the base model has many perks. But the push-button ignition is not for everyone.

Side mirrors: Altima’s side-mirror-mounted direction indicators are a surprising added safety feature in a car of this price.

Interior: A central dial controls all audio, climate and navigation, which appear on a colorful large screen. The heated 10-way power seats are comfortable and well bolstered.

A Real Italian Stallion, Upgraded
This dream ride has been tweaked to go lighter, faster and track-ready. It goes from zero to 60 in a body-flattening 3.6 seconds, significantly quicker than the F430 and has shorter braking time. Just 350 will be made in ’08.

By Tara Weingarten
When a Little Goes a Long Way

You wouldn’t know it, but this scrappy little hatch costs about the same as an entry-level Mercedes-Benz. The snob appeal is all under the hood—in its taut, high-performance suspension and all-wheel-drive traction. Enthusiasts thrill to the R32’s quick acceleration and sharp steering. Just 5,000 will be produced.

Nov. 5, 2007 issue

Something for Everyone: The 2008 Scion tC

Universally Appealing

Toyota created the Scion to attract young buyers. With the TC, a three-door hatchback, it stays true to that goal with fun features. But about half the brand’s customers are over 30. Guess we older folks like a good value, too.

Audio: The 160-watt Pioneer sound system, with its many different electronically enhanced modes, was confusing and difficult to maneuver. Gen Y would likely breeze through it.

Gauges: The speedometer and odometer spring to life, flashing from left to right and back again as the ignition is started. Redlining at 6,200rpm, the TC allows for high revs and good pulling power.

Sport-tuned exhaust: The TC is purposely loud and

All Grown Up: The Honda Accord turns 30 this year

Oct. 22, 2007 issue

Are you sitting down? The Honda Accord is 30. Ouch. But like the rest of us, this popular sedan just keeps getting better with age. Honda designed this eighth-generation Accord with the boomer generation in mind, making it even more comfortable.

Interior: This new model is the roomiest yet— 3 percent longer than the last one. New sound-absorbing carpet supposedly reduces road noise, but we couldn’t tell the difference.