Model Tested: 2016 Honda Civic Touring Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 gas, 174 horsepower 162 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 31/City—42/Highway—35/Combined Base Price: $26,500 As Tested: $27,335 Performance: Very nice highway ride Electric power steering a little disjointed Outstanding fuel economy (our … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Honda Accord Sport Engine: 2.4-liter I-4 gas, 189 horsepower, 182 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 26 city, 35 highway, 30 combined Base Price: $25,965 As Tested: $26,785 Performance: Smooth, quiet engine Very pleasant city and highway … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbocharged, 247 horsepower, 260 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/city, 32 highway, 25 combined Base Price: $29,690 As Tested: $33,215 Performance: Strong power and acceleration Pleasant driving dynamics … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition Engine: 1.8-liter I-4 gas, 140 horsepower, 126 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 29/City—37/Highway—32/Combined Base Price: $20,635 As Tested: $22,320 Performance: Pleasant ride Fun to drive if not quite “sporty” Sport Drive mode … read more

  Model Tested: 2016 Nissan Altima SV Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 gas, 182 horsepower, 180 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 26/City—37/Highway—30/Combined Base Price: $25,460 As Tested: $28,425 Performance: Smooth highway ride Strong acceleration OK CVT transmission Overdrive function We averaged … read more

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: 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas plus electric motor, 196 horsepower total, 122 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT electronic automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 50/City—45/Highway—47/Combined Base Price: $35,055 As Tested: $35,845 Performance: Outstanding fuel economy We fell a little … read more