Car brands: Who owns what?

The auto industry is very complicated these days, with constant change across all corners of the globe. The worldwide economic slowdown dictates widespread cost reductions, inspiring partnerships and changes in ownership. Further confusing the scene are past commitments between companies: For example, the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform–even though Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer joined at the hip.

To help clear up some of the confusion, here is a road map to navigate who owns what brands among the major companies that sell in the U.S. car market.

BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce

Fiat owns: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati; Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep–20-percent stake

Ford Motor Company owns: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo (for now), and still owns 13.4 percent of Mazda

General Motors owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Also owns a controlling interest in Daewoo, as well as Opel and Vauxhall in Europe and Holden in Australia. (Pontiac to be discontinued)

Honda owns: Honda, Acura

Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia

Tata Motors (India) owns: Jaguar and Land Rover

Mazda (partially owned by Ford)

Mitsubishi

Daimler AG owns: Mercedes-Benz and Smart

Nissan owns: Nissan and Infiniti (Nissan is owned by Renault--France)

Porsche owns: Porsche and a majority share in Volkswagen

Subaru (A controlling interest of Subaru is owned by Toyota)

Suzuki

Toyota Motor Company owns: Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino Motors, with a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru’s parent company) and Isuzu

Volkswagen owns: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and overseas SEAT and Skoda.

In formal negotiations to be sold:
Hummer: Tengzhong (China)
Saturn: Penske Automotive Group
Saab: Koenigsegg (Sweden)

--Liza Barth

Top 40 Best Deals on American-Made Cars

Memorial Day is a time to commemorate the sacrifices made by men and women to protect our freedoms and values. It is a time to rally around the flag, with picnics, parades, and yes, car sales. In the patriotic spirit, our Auto Price Services team has studied the market and compiled these best deals on American-made cars for the holiday weekend.

Made in America
Buying an American-made car puts a new car in your driveway, and it also stimulates the economy from the automaker down through the parts suppliers, factory workers, and neighborhood dealerships. Given the recent announcements from Chrysler and General Motors that they will be making drastic cuts in the number of franchised dealerships, there will now be a greater drive than ever for these stores to make a deal. Likewise, their competitors will also offer significant discounts.

As is the case with our Best New Car Deals, to make this list, a vehicle must meet our stringent requirements to be recommended. Specifically, the vehicle must have performed well in Consumer Reports' tests, have average or better reliability, and, if crash-tested, provide good overall safety. Vehicles also must not have tipped up in the government rollover test.

To truly judge the deals, we factored customer rebates as well as hidden dealer incentives, as available in our new car price reports. From a list of all discounted models, we whittled it down to the 40 American-made models that meet our recommended criteria and offered the greatest discounts.

The list showcases a diverse assortment of 11 brands, reflecting the global nature of the auto industry and the reality that most companies build cars in the United States. (Conversely, many models from Chrysler, Ford, and GM are imported from other countries.)

While pro-America motives may fuel your purchase, be sure to research the models that best suit your needs and budgets, weighing the potential risks in choosing from a brand in bankruptcy proceedings or being divested, such as Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn. Tremendous up-front savings can be overshadowed by excessive depreciation unless you plan on keeping the car longer than five years. There also may be limited dealer access.

Regardless of the model that catches your eye from this list, buying these models will help keep America working and put you behind the wheel of a good car.

Make & model	Expires	MSRP	Invoice price	Customer rebate	Dealer incentive	Bottom line price	Potential savings below MSRP
2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab SWB	6/1/2009	$33,200	$30,061	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	25%+
2009 Ford Focus SES Sedan	6/30/2009	17,865	16,552	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe	6/30/2009	17,865	16,552	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Nissan Armada LE 4X4	6/1/2009	47,860	43,562	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe	6/1/2009	29,160	26,734	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Convertible	6/1/2009	27,345	25,100	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 157-in.	6/1/2009	34,760	31,303	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4WD	6/30/2009	25,205	23,381	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Odyssey EX	6/1/2009	29,455	26,692	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Sable Premier	6/30/2009	29,380	26,917	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L 4WD	6/30/2009	26,215	24,300	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Taurus Limited FWD	6/30/2009	30,670	28,053	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Mariner Premier I4 4WD	6/30/2009	26,515	24,598	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 Auto RTS	6/1/2009	31,305	28,363	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Nissan Frontier 4.0 LE Crew Cab 4X4 AT	6/1/2009	29,190	27,045	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Mariner Premier V6 4WD	6/30/2009	27,515	25,508	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Auto 4WD SR5 Crew Max	6/1/2009	34,285	31,369	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Taurus X Limited AWD	6/30/2009	34,175	31,272	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto Hybrid	6/1/2009	26,150	23,796	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto SE	6/1/2009	22,815	20,533	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto LE	6/1/2009	21,650	19,593	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Lincoln Navigator Luxury 4x4	6/1/2009	56,020	51,383	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 EL	6/30/2009	45,730	41,628	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5 Auto I	6/1/2009	23,295	21,907	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 3.5 Auto V6 XLE	6/1/2009	28,695	25,823	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS I4	6/1/2009	18,700	17,922	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Tribeca Limited 5-Passenger	6/1/2009	32,595	30,727	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab	6/1/2009	34,295	31,723	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mazda Tribute 2.5 Auto i Grand Touring 4WD	6/1/2009	26,375	24,681	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited w/Navigation Auto 4WD	6/1/2009	34,095	31,721	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Accord 2.4 LX-P	6/1/2009	21,905	19,869	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD	6/1/2009	35,295	31,969	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mazda Tribute 3.0 Auto S Grand Touring 4WD	6/1/2009	27,635	25,856	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Accord 2.4 LX-P 5AT	6/1/2009	22,705	20,592	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 HEV Auto	6/1/2009	26,650	24,976	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 GMC Sierra 4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB	6/1/2009	41,855	38,716	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 A/T	6/1/2009	22,450	21,466	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Sedan	6/1/2009	21,040	19,728	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE Auto Sedan	6/1/2009	25,680	23,800	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Honda Accord 3.5 EX-L V6 5AT	6/1/2009	28,955	26,240	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+

—Jeff Bartlett and Michael Dempsey

 

Pricing: 2010 Subaru Legacy

The all-new, larger Subaru Legacy sedan will start at $19,995 for the 2.5i--about $800 less than the previous generation. It will feature a six-speed manual transmission or a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) option that adds an additional $1,000 to the price. The base model is equipped with a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, electronic parking brake, auto headlights, and remote keyless entry. A number of packages are also available including a power moon roof, all-weather package, and navigation system, but their availability depends on the trim level.

The 2.5i Premium will have a starting price of $20,995 with the manual transmission. It ads a power driver’s seat, automatic side windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The 2.5i Limited comes with a standard CVT with a starting price of $24,995. Additional features include a manual-override feature for the transmission with paddle shifters, leather seats, 17-inch wheels, and the all-weather package.

The Legacy 2.5GT Premium ($27,995) and Limited ($29,995) models are powered by a 265-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. The Limited version adds in the harman/kardon audio system, plus leather interior and power front passenger seat. No automatic transmission is available with the turbo.

Fitted with a 256-hp six-cylinder engine, the 3.6R model will start at $24,995, the 3.6R Premium at $25,995, and 3.6R Limited at $27,995. The main differences between the three trims are the addition of the weather package on the Premium and the leather interior and harman/kardon audio system found on the Limited.

All models will have a destination charge of $695, not factored into the prices listed here.

The previous Legacy was too small to compete with other midsized sedans like the Accord and Camry, but this redesign brings a longer wheelbase, plus four inches of extra rear seat leg room and three inches of added head room.

The Legacy concept car was shown at the Detroit auto show, and the production Legacy made its debut at the New York Auto Show in early April. For more information, see our first coverage and video. We’ll run the Legacy through our testing program after it becomes available this summer.

–Liza Barth

Behind the Scenes: Top Picks 2009 – Toyota RAV4 vs. Subaru Forester

One of the highlights of Consumer Reports' Annual Auto Issue is the Top Picks list. These are the cars we think are the best choices in a particular category. We don’t cover every vehicle group, but we do feature a broad spectrum of the vehicles that most people buy.

Although the criteria for selecting a Top Pick is fairly simple on the surface – the car ranks at or near the top of the Ratings, average or better reliability, easily available electronic stability control (ESC) – there are some nuances. One interesting choice involves our 2009 Pick for Small SUV.

When we tested the redesigned 2009 Subaru Forester, it did very well. The turbocharged 2.5XT even outscored the RAV4 V6 and the basic Forester 2.5X outscored the four-cylinder RAV4 at the time. We also tested a group of several manual transmission vehicles including a Forester with a stick; it’s one of the very few small SUVs that offers one. It also scored well. (See the Forester and RAV4 model overview pages, with reviews and ratings, available to online subscribers.)

So, why isn’t the Forester our Top Pick for small SUVs? Two reasons:

The RAV4 got a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine for 2009. When we retested the RAV4 for the upcoming May issue, we found that it was improved. It just barely outscored the equivalent four-cylinder, automatic-transmission Forester.
 
While the turbocharged and manual-transmission Foresters each outscore the RAV4, those versions sell in comparatively low numbers. The vast majority of Foresters and RAV4s sold are basic, non-turbo, four-cylinder, automatic-transmission versions.

It boiled down to this: we wanted the Top Pick to apply to the biggest number of buyers out there. In the end, the 2009 RAV4 four-cylinder narrowly out pointed the Subaru equivalent, becoming our Top Pick.

It’s important to keep something in mind here: both the RAV4 and Forester are very impressive small SUVs. You’re not going to go wrong choosing either one. (See the Forester and RAV4 videos.)

—Tom Mutchler

Visit the annual auto issue special section for quick access to the latest Ratings, articles, and videos.

Consumer Reports automaker report cards

For the third consecutive year, Honda has earned class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to the Automaker Report Cards published in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue. At the opposite end of the annual ranking is Chrysler, which fared
even worse than last year. The company’s poor performing products and sinking reliability results have kept all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep badged vehicles off CR’s Recommended list.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Subaru (75), and Toyota (74) in the overall score. Subaru is also the only automaker with 100% of its tested vehicles Recommended, although it has a relatively small model lineup. Mazda (73), came in 4th, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen, and BMW, all tied at 72.

While the top four overall scores belong to Japanese automakers, a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer. For example, the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris scored too low in Consumer Reports’ tests to be recommended. Conversely, despite overall scores of 63 and 57 respectively, that placed Ford and GM toward the bottom of the results, new models like the Ford Flex, F-150, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac CTS have done well in CR’s tests and rank near the top of their classes in its ratings.

Full details and rankings are available in the article “Who makes the best cars?”

Visit the annual auto issue special section for quick access to the latest Ratings, articles, and videos.

IIHS names safest cars for 2009

Cars have gotten a lot safer in recent years, and that trend seems to have accelerated just in the past year. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its annual list of Top Safety Picks. The big news is that 72 vehicles earned the Institute’s highest ranking this year, more than double the number of 2008 models and more than three times the number of 2007 winners.

To earn a Top Safety Pick award, a car has to  receive the Institute’s highest rating of Good in front, side, and rear crash protection, including a Good rating in an assessment of head-restraint safety; and it must offer electronic stability control.

For the first time, there is at least one vehicle in every segment Consumer Reports tests that earns a Top Safety Pick award, giving consumers the ability to find a safe car, no matter their budget or transportation needs. All Acura and Subaru models earn Top Safety Pick awards. The IIHS doesn’t test two-seat roadsters, but three four-passenger convertibles made the grade: the Saab 9-3, Volkswagen Eos, and Volvo C70.

In addition to the 72 Top Safety Picks, another 26 models earn Good front- and side-crash-test scores and offer electronic stability control, but don’t have good head-restraint designs. While rear impacts are rarely fatal, they produce a high percentage of injuries in auto accidents.

Virtually all cars now earn Good front crash scores, but not all have Good side-crash scores and rear-impact scores.

It is important when choosing a new car to also consider its dynamic performance relative to safety. Consumer Reports Safety Ratings factor insurance industry and government crash tests, when available, as well as our own dry braking, wet braking, and accident avoidance test findings. On the model overview pages at ConsumerReports.org, we provide a complete breakdown of how each tested model fares in the full range of safety evaluations.

Below are the lists of 2009 Top Safety Picks, as well as those "Also-Ran" models that lack only good seat/head restraint designs.

Large cars
Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A3, A4
BMW 3 Series sedan
Ford Fusion with optional ESC
Honda Accord sedan
Mercedes C Class
Mercury Milan with optional ESC
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

Midsize convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars
Honda Civic sedan with optional ESC (except Si)
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional ESC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza with optional ESC
Toyota Corolla with optional ESC
Volkswagen Rabbit 4-door

Minicar
Honda Fit with optional ESC

Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX, RDX
BMW X3, X5
Ford Edge, Flex, Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M Class
Nissan Murano
Saturn Vue
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser, Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V, Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup
Toyota Tacoma

Also-Rans
These 26 vehicles earn good ratings in front- and side-crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2009 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earn good ratings:

Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Sebring, Sebring convertible, Town & Country
Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan
Infiniti G35, M35
Kia Amanti
Lexus ES, GS, IS
Mazda CX-7, CX-9
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor
Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Quest, Xterra
Saturn Aura
Smart Fortwo
Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Sienna

Learn more about car safety in our special section, including Crash Test 101 and more than 250 crash test videos.

—Eric Evarts

2008 SEMA - Sleepers and creepers

Given SEMA’s tendency towards the extreme, its refreshing to see two groups of concept vehicles here that buck the trend. Call them sleepers and creepers.

A sleeper is a car that is faster than its looks let on. Two notable manufacturer-tuned cars here this year illustrate this. Subaru brought a concept Forester XTi to the show; beneath the boxy styling beats the drivetrain of an Impreza STi. (Watch our Impreza STi video review.) Calm down the show-floor paintwork, and this seems like quite a good way to get your family to the slopes on time - once you put on winter tires.

It’s a bit hard to call any Dodge Challenger a sleeper, but given what lurks under the hood of the Challenger SRT10, that term may apply. Note the SRT10 designation – as in the 10-cylinder engine from the current Dodge Viper. This car is a favorite among CR’s auto test engineers here at SEMA. As Jen Stockburger put it, "It’s the best of both worlds. You get the Viper’s engine and you don’t burn your legs getting in and out." With Chrysler trying to find a buyer for the Viper line, maybe they should hold onto a few engines.

As for creepers: a lot of the four-wheel-drive trucks here seem to be emulating Bigfoot. (Not the hairy one.) They’re jacked way up in the air, have lots of chrome, and big power mods. There was even an aftermarket lifted 2009 Forester that almost looked almost menacing.

In that vein, I like the contrast of seeing bare-bones elemental off-roaders here. Two trucks here came to mind. Jeep showed their Wrangler "J8 Sarge," an open-back basic Wrangler with a turbodiesel four-cylinder from VM, the same company that supplied the diesel in the Liberty a few years back. Given Jeep’s heritage and the fact that even the $30,000 Wrangler four-door hardtop we tested wasn’t a paragon of refinement, this idea seems right.

The same goes for the Toyota Tacoma concept. Even the name is basic. This four-cylinder truck harkens back stylistically to the mid-80s. Seeing this off-white truck with vertical brown-gray stripes across the floor, I thought they had restored an old truck. Even the brown Recaro-labeled fabric on the seats (not to be confused with actual bolstered Recaro seats themselves) harkens back in time. But once you get up close and can put the size into scale, the largeness of the current Tacoma compared to the (much smaller) older trucks becomes more obvious. Mechanical upgrades were mostly limited to swapping in the axles and transfer case of the very capable FJ Cruiser.

This is one of the joys of SEMA for the enthusiast—the idea that there really does seem to be something for everyone.

—Tom Mutchler

Read about more cars, gear, news, and views from SEMA.

                                                                                                           

                   

Videos: Sporty cars

For our October-issue road tests, we rounded up a group of nine small, sporty cars that are big on fun. In these videos, Consumer Reports auto experts walk (and drive!) you through the highs and lows of their tests of these sporty cars.

Here’s a brief snapshot of each:

BMW 135i: It is small inside and not cheap, but Consumer Reports found the 135i simply a joy to drive.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS: Chevy transformed its mediocre Cobalt into a sporty coupe, with a powerful turbocharged engine and very capable handling and braking.

Dodge Caliber SRT4: The SRT version adds lots of power and sporty cues to the unrefined Caliber, but that doesn’t make it much fun to drive.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: The Evolution is brilliant on our test track and a blast to drive on the street, but it’s not comfortable for a daily commute.

Nissan Sentra SE-R: The SE-R is an economy car with great fuel economy and sporty personality, but it falls short of being a true fun-to-drive sports sedan.

Subaru Impreza WRX: Redesigned for 2008, the WRX is still quick and now is roomier and more refined—but sadly some of the fun is gone.

Subaru Impreza WRX STi: The STi is very fast, has lots of grip, and the hatchback adds utility. Unfortunately the handling doesn’t live up to the car’s potential.

Volkswagen R32: The highest performance version of VW’s GTI, the all-wheel-drive R32 is luxurious and fast.

Volvo C30: The C30 is pleasant to drive with distinctive styling, but it is expensive compared to some other more entertaining hatchbacks.

A wide range of prices and driving characteristics are represented here. Between the videos and road tests, you may find a sporty car that matches your personality and budget. Read the full story on sporty cars. And for more insights, see the staff’s Personal Picks from this group in parts 1 and 2.

Personal Picks: Sporty cars, part 2

Continuing our staff's personal insights into the October-issue sporty car test group. (Read: “Personal Picks: Sporty cars, part 1.”)

Rick Small: I was a bit disappointed in the new Subaru WRX/STi. The cars have more power but lost some of the sporty feel in acceleration and handling, thus losing some appeal. The Evo is much sportier with better low-end power and crisper handling. It is an enthusiast’s car with a stiff ride, limited driving position, and plenty of noise that may be too much for everyday use for some people. Definitely a “try before you buy.” And the Volkswagen R32 is nice. Still, I like the 135i best. It fits my tall body better than most competing models, and it’s quick, refined and sporty (but expensive). For a lot less money, the Cobalt SS is also quick, sporty and more fun to drive than you’d think.

Mike Quincy: I had the pleasure of buying the BMW 135i for the test program. When I drove it off the lot, I immediately knew this car was special. Didn’t take more than a few miles to realize that maybe (just maybe) this is the car that will help get BMW back on track. The 135i is a thrill to drive – it’s light, quick, has sensitive steering and fits me perfectly. But what turns the corner for this car is that its controls are WAY easier than any BMW we’ve tested for the last four or five years. There’s no iDrive, no confusing navigation system (although this stuff is optional…I wouldn’t bother). I wrote in the car’s logbook that the 135i is “magical.” I’ll also add that the 135i is a car that I’d drive for the rest of my life. Yes, it’s that good.

Gabe Shenhar: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo really gets my adrenaline going and puts a big grin on my face every time I drive it. This road rocket is a true driving machine with terrific handling; it’s essentially a go-kart with four doors. But you’ve got to be the most die-hard type to endure this car with its stiff ride and frenetic highway behavior.

That’s why my pick is the BMW 135i. It’s agile and fun yet smooth in every move, whether it’s the clutch action, shifter, steering, or the punchy, linear power delivery of the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. It rides compliantly and lets you hear only the noises you want to hear. The seat, driving position, and interior quality are first class, as in every BMW. The car is perceived as small and expensive. But since it provides such a spectacular driving experience, close to, say, a Porsche Boxster, it’s a relative bargain in my opinion.

Tom Mutchler: For me, this group of sports sedans brought a bunch of surprises:

·    It’s amazing how enjoyable the BMW 135i is to drive, even beyond the high standards set by the various automatic-equipped 3 Series models we’ve tested. As I wrote before in “From the logbook,” it’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot of fun.

·    What isn’t a whole lot of fun is driving the Subaru WRX and STi. Going beyond the turbocharged powertrain, I enjoyed driving our base Legacy 2.5i sedan more; it had better steering and body control. Tellingly, Subaru is making major revisions to the WRX just one year after introduction. Too bad they didn’t get it right the first time.

·    The Cobalt SS is the prime automotive example of making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. I liked the supercharged version we tested in 2005, but this turbocharged model is even more fun and refined. It’s truly a welcome surprise.

·    One of the few automotive regrets I have is not buying a first-generation (1991-1994) Nissan Sentra SE-R. The new car, while likely empirically better in every way, just isn’t fun to drive.

Since we combined two price classes here, I have two picks this month. (Let’s assume I need a back seat, so a Miata is out of the running.) For $24K, I’d buy a VW GTI four-door – it’s practical, fun, and well-equipped. At $37K, I would find it very hard to resist an Infiniti G37 coupe. This gentleman’s coupe looks awesome (without all of the boy-racer flippery of the Evo or STi), has a great powertrain, and is roomier than the tight 135i.

One last surprise might be on the horizon: Could the Hyundai Genesis coupe be a contender? The specs and tentative pricing look very promising, but Hyundai isn’t known for building sports cars. We’ll see…

Personal Picks: Sporty cars

In the October issue of Consumer Reports, and online, we reviewed several sporty cars that go beyond the mainstream to deliver true driving excitement in compact packages: BMW 135i, Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Dodge Caliber SRT4, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, and Volkswagen R32.

Several of these cars scored very high in the class with impressive performance and packaging. Though, by definition, these vehicles each have very distinct personalities, and the raw numbers do not tell the full story.

We have rotated through the cars repeatedly, debating all the while over our preferences. It is a tough group, because often there is a car that appeals for a weekend and another that suits for the daily grind. Below, some editors and engineers share their personal takes on this entertaining group.

Jim Travers: Our October test group of sporty sedans and hatchbacks is a fun bunch to have around, and it includes a couple of cars I might actually want to have in my own driveway. That’s not always the case, given that our testing program is broad enough to include everything from family sedans to minivans to big SUVs. For my tastes, this has just been an especially good month. 

At the top of my list is the Volkswagen R32. What a sweet car: Refined, comfortable, and quick. The all-wheel-drive R32 offers buckets of grip, it is fun to drive, and it even has hatchback practicality. Although still expensive at $33,630, the R32 is still thousands less than our BMW 135i, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR.

At the moment, the Evo is sitting in my driveway, and it’s not too shabby, either. On the other hand, it is kind of shabby, especially in terms of fit and finish, build quality, refinement, and various other things that most people might want out of a daily driver. Especially those without regular access to a track, where the Evo makes a bit more sense.

The R32, on the other hand, doesn’t kick you in the pants at every bump, isn’t spinning along on the north side of 3000 rpm at 65 mph, and has a well-executed interior in the VW tradition. 

Eric Evarts: Unlike many of my automotive journalist colleagues, I’ve never been a devote BMW fan. Sure, there have been models I’ve liked—even loved. The Z8, the 1998 M coupe, the latest Z4 roadster, and even the current 535i have all been favorites. My experience with an old 2002 automatic left me unimpressed, though I did come to enjoy a certain 1983 320i. But the whole progression of 3 Series sedans and wagons that the rest of the automotive press corps has gone ga-ga over have left me cold.

However, the 135i we tested this month is the car all those recent 3 Series should have been. It wants to dance, wherever you go, but it is just as happy with either a smooth fox trot or a full-on break dance. The shifter is slick, the steering is lively, the handling is responsive, and power explosive. It’s always eager for you to punch the gas or throw it into a corner, yet never harsh, punishing, or abrupt if you don’t.

Really, if I were looking to put a 1 Series in my driveway, though, I’d skip the turbos and save $6,000 on the 128i. After all, I was happy with the underpowered 320i.

Jeff Bartlett: Reconciling these vehicles is a difficult task, as my needs and desires change through the week. And, as I’ve learned, my tastes have changed through the years. The previous-generation Lancer Evolution and WRX STi were thrill machines par excellence that could transform the most mundane drive into a blistering thrill ride that would end in either machine worship or prison. Having long crossed the 35-year-old milestone, the trade offs in noise, suspension punishment, notchy shifters, and general motoring brutality doesn’t carry the same luster it once did. (Yes, getting old sucks.)

The regular Impreza WRX with its more Buick-inspired suspension is entertaining for daily driving, though I do lament the loss of handling acumen. (Splitting this car into the Impreza 2.5GT and edgier WRX for 2009 makes tons of sense.)

The Sentra SE-R is the budget choice in this group, starting at about $20,000. Admittedly, it feels like an economy car given a quick aftermarket makeover. The benefit is a car with spunk, a few sporty details, and fuel economy that shames the force-fed cars in this group.

I agree with my colleagues: With a generous budget, both the engaging and livable 1 Series and R32 would be my choices. Bonus points go to the R32 for interior comfort, versatility, and AWD. Since budget is always an issue in my house, the Sentra SE-R stands out for its frugality and true four-passenger function. But, were I looking for a pure commuter in this class, it would be the base Mini Cooper. 

For more on this sporty group, read the road tests and watch our review videos. Also, read Jon Linkov’s “Nit picking the BMW 135i.”