MotorMouths

The Audi R8 does what you expect from a high-performance sports car. And it does so with daily livability, turn-key reliability, and perhaps in your style more than any other. You could drive it to the office in the rain, go parts shopping, then do a few laps at the track in one day.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ does everything you expect in a luxury sedan, with room, amenities, quiet and thrust. Eye-catching lines and contemporary design convey a sense of style that more antiseptic modern conveyances can only wish for…and that the XJ has the performance to back up.

The Volkswagen Touareg mixes trail-worthy ability, excellent road manners, and a feature-laden five-seat cabin into a compact package to find favor with urban warriors, outdoor adventurers, suburban sybarites and everyone else who’d like to be one.

The C-Class offers driving enjoyment in addition to safety, stability and luxury. And it does this for about $14,000 less than an E-Class.

The Chevrolet Silverado HD wins bragging rights in diesel pickup power and load/towing capacities. It can be mop-out simple or heated leather deluxe, tow across the country or just cart hay across the farm. If you do not plan on working it, it is overkill. If you do, it’s the right tool for the job.

The Chrysler 300 is a big American car with room, comfort, power and presence. Apart from its relative the Dodge Charger, the Chrysler 300 is the only rear-wheel-drive sedan we can think of that you can get for less than $35,000.

The Buick Regal brings a stylish alternative to the entry-premium midsize sedan segment. It musters visual appeal, soothing quiet and smoothness, quickly deciphered features, comfort and economy conducive to long drives and a better than average warranty.

Superlatives like the best mileage of anything without a plug, very good maneuverability, electronics available or standard to appease younger or tech-savvy types, and relatively low pricing for an eco-friendly hybrid are the Prius c strengths.

The Audi A4 is a superb road car. The least-expensive model is nicely finished, has an interior hard to beat at the price and makes a very nice commuter without breaking the fuel bank.

The Hyundai Elantra is among the best in the compact class. It’s stylish outside, very nice inside. We like the quiet ride, the airy cabin. It delivers excellent fuel economy.

The new Odyssey combines all the seating and cargo flexibility needed in a van with a variety of features to suit different tastes, functions and budgets. Finally, it delivers best-in-class driving experience and fuel economy.

If you want the capability of a big pickup with the least sensation of driving a big pickup, the Sierra HD deserves consideration. In a world run amuck for ever-larger trailers and powerplants, it’s a sensible alternative for anyone who needs to haul heavy material but doesn’t want a Class IV or V truck to do it.