Model Tested: 2016 Scion iA 4-Door Sedan Engine: 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas, 106 horsepower, 103 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 31/City—41/Highway—35/Combined Base Price: $15,700 As Tested: $16,470 Performance: Acceptable acceleration if manual trans is used aggressively Very good fuel economy, … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Scion FR-S 2-door coupe Engine: 2.0-literflat four-cylinder gas, 200 horsepower, 151 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/City—30/Highway—25/Combined Base Price: $25,305 As Tested: $28,544 Performance: Great driving fun Tight, concise handling Responsive Agile Smooth 6-speed and clutch … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Touring AWD Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 146 horsepower, 146 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 27/City—32/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $23,210 As Tested: $26,050 Performance: Peppy, Skyactiv four-cylinder engine 6-speed automatic with sport mode All Wheel Drive … read more

Model Tested: 2016 BMW 640i xDrive Coupe M Sport Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder gas, 315 horsepower, 330 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 20/City—29/Highway—23/Combined Base Price: $79,600 As Tested: $85,595 Performance: Very strong performance factor Definitely a driver’s car A … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas, 240 horsepower, 260 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—25/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $41,700 As Tested: $45,095 Performance: Powerful turbo four cylinder engine Efficient 6-speed automatic transmission We … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Acura ILX Tech Plus A-Spec Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas, 201 horsepower, 180 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 25/City—36/Highway—29/Combined Base Price: $34,890 As Tested: $35,810 Performance: Strong, lively engine Excellent fuel economy We got 40.0 and 37.8 … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas, 184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 24/City—30/Highway—26/Combined Base Price: $29,470 As Tested: $33,840 Performance: An excellent mix of pep and frugality We came very close … read more