Automatic Transmission

The engineers won. That much is certain. Mazda Motor Corp. embarked on a noble mission — to rethink the entire automobile and to treat form and function as one in the process. The aesthetic goal was to elevate engineering to art. But Mazda partly missed that mark in its 2014 redevelopment of the Mazda 6 Grand Touring sedan, the subject of this week's review. There is little about the new Mazda 6 that is visually impressive. It is not ugly. But it isn't memorable or seductive either.

The engineers won. That much is certain. Mazda Motor Corp. embarked on a noble mission — to rethink the entire automobile and to treat form and function as one in the process. The aesthetic goal was to elevate engineering to art. But Mazda partly missed that mark in its 2014 redevelopment of the Mazda 6 Grand Touring sedan, the subject of this week's review. There is little about the new Mazda 6 that is visually impressive. It is not ugly. But it isn't memorable or seductive either.

With its newfound power, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is the complete package for crossover-minded driving enthusiasts. The CX-5 burst onto the small crossover market a little more than a year ago and established itself as one of the most fun-to-drive models in the class. It had everything going for it — except one thing: Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine frequently felt weak. Mazda zeroed in on this shortcoming for the 2014 model year with a newly optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 19 percent more horsepower and 23 percent more torque.

Bottom line:  The Sonata, with a major restyling for the 2012 model year, has undergone modest revisions for 2013. A manual gearbox is no longer available in the base GLS model. A six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually is standard. The Sonata, especially the top-of-the-line Limited, remains one of the best buys available among midsize family sedans. Head-turning quotient: Among the best in the business. Ride, acceleration and handling: It gets good marks in all three.

When the all-new Dodge Dart debuted at last year's Detroit Auto Show , the media was excited. It marked the revival of a once-loved nameplate and the first major collaboration between Chrysler and its new Italian owners (since the Dart is based on a Fiat platform). And for a reasonably priced compact sedan, the 2013 Dart offered a range of options to please driving enthusiasts. The reception from the general public, however, has been more muted -- so much so that, according to AutoNews , Chrysler executives have taken pains to...

Bottom line:  The Sonata, with a major restyling for the 2012 model year, has undergone modest revisions for 2013. A manual gearbox is no longer available in the base GLS model. A six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually is standard. The Sonata, especially the top-of-the-line Limited, remains one of the best buys available among midsize family sedans. Head-turning quotient: Among the best in the business. Ride, acceleration and handling: It gets good...

Bottom line:  It's time for a major redo of the Fiesta. Ford might look at the new Chevrolet Sonic and Hyundai Elantra, both of which use their share of renewable and recyclable materials but have managed to present themselves as class acts. Ride, acceleration and handling: Okay in all respects. There's nothing sensational, but it gets the A-to-B job done reliably. Head-turning quotient: Cute body and semi-"Star Wars" interior. It works, for a while. Body style/layout: The Ford Fiesta is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive...

Complaints: The Impreza sedan is not a car for everyone. It will please practical souls but will not satisfy adventurous sorts, such as my associate, Ria Manglapus, who found the Impreza "less than impressive" in styling and performance. Ride, acceleration and handling: Mary Anne and I gave it "good" marks in all three categories. Ria called it a "snoozemobile. " Head-turning quotient: Eccentricity flooded by mainstream. We'd rather have ugly that is so ugly it's cute than styling that is so vanilla it's forgettable.

Only 11 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles were ever built, making them among the rarest and most desirable of Mopar muscle cars . Among Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles , it doesn't get any more exclusive than one of one built, like the 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible seen here. The only 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible sprayed in "Plum Crazy" (and one of two originally built for export to Canada) will cross the block at Barrett-Jackson's upcoming Scottsdale auction, as part of its exclusive "Salon...

Small families looking for efficient, versatile vehicles are flocking to the compact crossover class, where automakers are keeping it fresh and competitive with frequent redesigns and new models. After six years with minimal changes, the 2013 Toyota RAV4's redesign is an awkward dance of two steps forward, one step back. The updates are big: The RAV4 loses its available V-6 and third row of seats, upgrades to a six-speed automatic transmission and swaps its swing-gate cargo door for a more conventional roof-hinged liftgate.

Small families looking for efficient, versatile vehicles are flocking to the compact crossover class, where automakers are keeping it fresh and competitive with frequent redesigns and new models. After six years with minimal changes, the 2013 Toyota RAV4's redesign is an awkward dance of two steps forward, one step back. The updates are big: The RAV4 loses its available V-6 and third row of seats, upgrades to a six-speed automatic transmission and swaps its swing-gate cargo door for a more conventional roof-hinged liftgate.

The ultimate 5 Series sedan — ranking above the 535i and 550i — BMW's M5 is blazingly fast. This four-door "family sedan" with 560 horsepower and insane acceleration rivals the thrill of most dedicated, two-door sports cars. Channeling the M5's tremendous power is a six-speed manual transmission, which high-horsepower super-sedans like Mercedes' E63 AMG and CLS63 AMG and the Audi S6 don't offer. Compare the M5 with those sedans here . Though appealing in theory, the 2013 BMW M5's exclusive six-speed manual transmission just isn't that good,...

With its newfound power, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 is the complete package for crossover-minded driving enthusiasts. The CX-5 burst onto the small crossover market a little more than a year ago and established itself as one of the most fun-to-drive models in the class. It had everything going for it — except one thing: Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine frequently felt weak. Mazda zeroed in on this shortcoming for the 2014 model year with a newly optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 19 percent more horsepower and 23 percent more torque.

When the all-new Dodge Dart debuted at last year's Detroit Auto Show , the media was excited. It marked the revival of a once-loved nameplate and the first major collaboration between Chrysler and its new Italian owners (since the Dart is based on a Fiat platform). And for a reasonably priced compact sedan, the 2013 Dart offered a range of options to please driving enthusiasts. The reception from the general public, however, has been more muted -- so much so that, according to AutoNews , Chrysler executives have taken...

Bottom line:  The 2013 Audi S5 Quattro coupe proves that compromise, carefully and thoughtfully worked out, can be a very good thing. This one gets a strong "buy" for people who have the money to afford it. Ride, acceleration and handling: It gets superior marks in all three. Head-turning quotient: Witness the beautiful face of well-considered compromise. Body style/layout: The 2013 Audi S5 is a front-engine, all-wheel-drive two-door automobile available as a hard-top coupe and...

The Mayans (or at least their interpreters) were wrong, the holidays are over, the new year is upon us, and the 2013 Detroit Auto Show is just around the corner. Accordingly, Mercedes-Benz has some more of the E Class range to bring us, as a sort of belated holiday gift: the 2014 E Class Coupe and Cabriolet . Joining the 2014 E Class Sedan and Wagon , previewed nearly a month ago, the two-door and drop-top versions of the E Class wear similar clothes and offer similar features...

Complaints: Lousy fuel economy. The four-speed automatic transmission is outmoded. Ride, acceleration and handling: Good on-road driving marks in all categories. Head-turning quotient: "It makes you feel powerful. " Neat feature: The optional, power-operated Sky Slider roof -- a canvas top that can be opened almost the full length of the roof -- drew raves, which was odd, considering that we drove the Jeep Liberty in the middle of winter. Body style/layout: The Jeep Liberty is a front-engine,...

The 2013 Infiniti IPL G retractable-hardtop convertible doesn't raise the performance bar enough compared with the regular G37 droptop, and neither does it improve on that car's shortcomings. The Infiniti Performance Line launched last year with an IPL G37 coupe, followed by the 2013 IPL G convertible. IPL represents Infiniti's first cautious dip into the sea of performance sub-brands available from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac and other luxury competitors. The IPL G convertible starts at $61,495 including an $895 destination charge.

Only 11 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles were ever built, making them among the rarest and most desirable of Mopar muscle cars . Among Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles , it doesn't get any more exclusive than one of one built, like the 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible seen here. The only 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible sprayed in "Plum Crazy" (and one of two originally built for export to Canada) will cross the block at Barrett-Jackson's upcoming Scottsdale auction, as part of its exclusive...