Final Thoughts

2013 Porsche Boxster S Base price: $61,850 (including destination charge) Price tested: $84,120 Powertrain: 3.4-liter, direct-injected flat six-cylinder engine; six-speed manual transmission Horsepower: 315 at 6,700 rpm Torque: 266 pound-feet at 4,500-5,800 rpm 0-60: 4.8 seconds Curb weight: 2,910 pounds Wheelbase: 97.4 inches Overall length: 172.2 inches EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway Observed...

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Base price: $29,095 (including destination charge) Price, model tested: $39,995, Pathfinder Platinum 2WD Powertrain: 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6 engine; continuously variable transmission (CVT) Horsepower: 260 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 240 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm 0-60: 7.6 seconds for 4WD model, according to Truck Trend Curb weight: 4,330 pounds Wheelbase: 114.2 inches Overall length: 197.2 inches EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/26 highway Final thoughts: Better at climbing to the top of the segment than climbing mountains

Federico Fellini once said, "There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life." We like that thought. But checking out the offerings at the multiplex, we notice that as new movies go, there's an infinite passion for -- endings. Will Smith is the last man on Earth in "I Am Legend," wandering the desolate streets of a post-apocalyptic New York, his faithful German shepherd by his side.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Base price: $25,995 (including destination) Price, model tested: $28,680, C-Max Hybrid SE Powertrain: 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine paired with a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor powered by a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery; continuously variable transmission (CVT) Horsepower: 188 0-60: 8.2 seconds, according to Motor Trend Curb weight: 3,640 pounds Wheelbase: 104.3 inches Overall length: 173.6 inches EPA fuel economy: 47/47 mpg city and highway Final thoughts: Faster than it looks

Realistic or sentimental, full of hope or delivered with an eye on the history books, the final words of America's presidents have been dutifully recorded ever since George Washington uttered his on Dec. 14, 1799. "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go," Washington told his doctor after being stricken with a violent throat infection at his Mount Vernon, Va., estate. He was 67. John Adams, who lived to be 91, approached his demise with humor.

Icon FJ44 details Base price: $140,000 Price as tested: $180,000 Powertrain: Electronic fuel injection, 5.3-liter General Motors LS series V-8, five-speed manual transmission, part-time four-wheel drive Maximum horsepower: 350 at 5,600 rpm Maximum torque: 350 at 4,800 rpm Wheelbase: 119 inches Estimated curb weight: 3,800 pounds Final thoughts: Exclusive off-roader

2011 Buick Regal CXL Base price: $26,995 Price as tested: $29,495 Powertrain: 2.0-liter, inline four, four valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing, twin-scroll turbocharger, six-speed automatic with overdrive Horsepower: 220 at 5,300 rpm Torque: 258 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm Curb weight: 3,600 lbs. Fuel economy: 18 mpg city / 29 mpg highway Final thoughts: ...

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Base price: $19,275 (includes destination charge) Price as tested: $27,575 Powertrain: fuel-injected, 2-liter, inline-four-cylinder, DOHC, two- or four-wheel drive, Sportronic continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters Horsepower: 148 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 145 pound-feet at 4,200 rpm Wheelbase: 105.1 inches Overall length: 169.1 inches ...

Base price: $14,495 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $18,555 Powertrain: 1.8-liter, DOHC, inline four-cylinder engine; six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting Horsepower: 138 at 6,300 rpm Torque: 125 pound-feet at 3,800 rpm Curb weight: 2,721 pounds Wheelbase: 99.4 inches Overall length: 173.1 inches EPA fuel economy: 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway ...

2011 BMW 535i Base price: $50,000 (est.) Price, as tested: $65,000 Powertrain: Turbocharged 3.0-liter, 24-valve in-line six-cylinder; variable valve timing and lift; eight-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive with electronic limited-slip differential Horsepower: 300 at 5,800 rpm Torque: 300 pound-feet at 1,200-5,000 rpm Curb weight: 4,090 pounds 0-60 mph: ...

2013 Cadillac ATS Base price: $34,885 (including destination charge) Price, model tested: 2.0-liter Turbo Premium, $46,205 Powertrain: 2.0-liter, DOHC direct-injected four-cylinder engine; six-speed manual transmission Horsepower: 272 at 5,500 rpm Torque: 260 pound-feet at 1,700-5,500 rpm 0-60: 6.3 seconds, according to Edmunds.com Curb weight: 3,403 pounds Wheelbase: 109.3 inches Overall length: 182.8 inches ...

2013 Porsche Boxster S Base price: $61,850 (including destination charge) Price tested: $84,120 Powertrain: 3.4-liter, direct-injected flat six-cylinder engine; six-speed manual transmission Horsepower: 315 at 6,700 rpm Torque: 266 pound-feet at 4,500-5,800 rpm 0-60: 4.8 seconds Curb weight: 2,910 pounds Wheelbase: 97.4 inches Overall length: 172.2 inches EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway Observed...

2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 Base price: $22,280 (including destination charge) Price, model tested: $24,880; Altima 2.5 SV Powertrain: 2.5-liter, DOHC inline four-cylinder engine; single-speed, continuously variable transmission with sport mode Horsepower: 182 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 180 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm 0-60: 7.4 seconds, according to Motor Trend magazine Curb weight: 3,121 pounds ...

2012 Hyundai Azera Base price: $32,875 (including destination charge) Price, model tested: $36,875; includes Technology package Powertrain: 3.3-liter, direct-injected, V-6 engine; six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting Horsepower: 293 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 255 pound-feet at 5,200 rpm 0-60: 6.6 seconds, according to Motor Trend magazine Curb weight: 3,825 pounds ...

2012 Honda Civic Base price: $16,355 (including destination charge) Price as tested: $24,205 (including destination charge) Powertrain: Multipoint fuel injection, 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, i-VTEC intelligent valve control system, SOHC, five-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission Torque: 128 pound-feet at 4,300 rpm Horsepower: 140 at 6,500 rpm Wheelbase: 105.1 inches Overall length: 177.3 inches Curb weight: 2,773 pounds 0 to 60: 9.2 seconds EPA fuel economy: 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway Final thoughts: Unpretentious performer