Final Thoughts

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Base price: $18,245 (including destination charge) Price, model tested: $25,345, Sport Limited five-door Powertrain: 2.0-liter, DOHC, four-cylinder boxer engine; continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters Horsepower: 148 at 6,200 rpm Torque: 145 pound-feet at 4,200 rpm 0-60: 9.8 seconds Curb weight: 3,086 pounds Wheelbase: 104.1 inches ...

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

2011 Dodge Durango Citadel RWD Base price: $42,645 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $46,825 Powertrain: 5.7-liter, 16-valve V-8; five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting Horsepower: 360 at 4,250 rpm Torque: 390 pound-feet at 4,250 rpm 0-60 acceleration: 7.3 seconds (according to Motor Trend magazine) Curb weight: 5,200 pounds Wheelbase: 119.8 inches Overall length: 199.8 inches EPA fuel economy: 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway Final thoughts: Easy to want; hard to need.

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 ...

Base price: $47,775 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $50,910 Powertrain: 3.5-liter, DOHC, direct-injected V-6; six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters Horsepower: 306 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 277 pound-feet at 4,800 rpm 0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds Curb weight: 3,795 pounds Wheelbase: 112.2 inches Overall length: 190.7 inches EPA fuel economy: 19/28 mpg city/highway ...

2011 Nissan Juke Base price: $18,960 Price as tested: $24,550 Powertrain: 1.6-liter, Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder, turbocharger with intercooler, continuously variable transmission, torque-vectoring AWD Horsepower: 188 at 5,600 rpm Torque: 177 pound-feet at 2,000 ? 5,200 rpm Wheelbase: 99.6 inches Overall length: 162.4 inches Curb weight: 3,157 pounds 0 to 60: Not available from manufacturer EPA fuel economy: 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway Final thoughts: Fun-loving oddball

2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Base price: $39,190 Price as tested: $45,415 Powertrain: Sequential multiport fuel injection, 3.5-liter, Ti-VCT V-6, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, six-speed automatic Horsepower: 290 at 6,500 rpm Maximum torque: 255 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm Curb weight: 4,695 pounds Wheelbase: 112.6 inches EPA fuel economy : 17 mpg city /25 mpg highway ...