By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

We pulled into an empty narrow two-lane dead-end city street in Palm Beach not long ago. We had decided to test Toyota's claim of an incredibly small 12.9-foot turning radius. A bit dizzy after our self-induced amusement-park-like ride spinning between the curbs, we were quick to affirm that the little iQ has the ability to negotiate the tightest of parking predicaments with some success.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

For the budget-conscience car buyer who would rather purchase new than used and who desires the exceptional fuel economy of a hybrid vehicle, the all-new Toyota Prius c hatchback may be just the ticket. The sub-compact c starts at under $19,000 and delivers a combined city/highway EPA rating of 50 miles to the gallon.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Infiniti has made a 180 degree turn with its SUV lineup electing to sell for the first time in its quarter-century history a front-wheel drive sport utility vehicle. But that's not the biggest news. The all-new 2013 JX is not only driven by its front wheels, it's motivated by a continuously variable transmission (CVT), usually reserved in the luxury ranks for hybrid vehicles.

When we first heard that startling news shortly before the JX was unveiled last fall at the Los Angeles Auto Show we were predisposed not to like Infiniti's newest crossover. But considering that Infiniti is the luxury arm of Nissan, the company that has staked its future on the CVT, it was inevitable that a vehicle wearing the Infiniti badge would eventually join the gear-less ranks.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback is one of the most enjoyable small cars to come our way, a satisfying piece of engineering with a go-fast demeanor that should suit virtually everyone who has the good fortune to slip behind the wheel.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda has wiped its compact SUV crossover slate clean. Gone are the long-running Tribute, a clone of the previous-generation Ford Escape, and the competent, but slow-selling CX-7, which has resided in the Mazda lineup since the 2007 model year.

Like a young still wet-behind-the-ears baseball phenom just stepping off the bus from Smallville into the big time to replace the old, retiring veteran slugger, the CX-5 enters the compact crossover game against an array of heavyweight players. Mazda has bet all its small crossover marbles that its new entry — loaded with the latest SkyActiv technology — can elevate the brand against such stalwarts as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Acura developed the new compact ILX sedan to target first-time luxury car buyers, young people with luxury car intentions, but not yet with a luxury car budget. The ILX, starting at a seemingly affordable $26,795, has been given the same job once handled by the long-departed Integra.

The ILX imparts a more luxury persona then the Integra, last sold in 2001, but the Integra in some guises had a sportier, harder edge persona. This time around, Acura has elected to go with a mainstream entry-level luxury sedan aimed at young buyers more interested in luxury amenities, a quiet cabin, refined appointments, and stellar gas mileage than in road-carving capabilities.

By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com

Al Stewart once had a song entitled “The Year of the Cat.” Big deal! I just spent a week with the cat and I’m the better man for it. In this case the “cat” is the 2012 Jaguar XJL Portfolio, a vehicle that screams volumes about its owner “having arrived.”

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

You say family responsibilities have mandated the need for more useable cargo space, but you are a sports sedan guy, have been and always will be. For some the conflict between buying what the young family really needs and what the young dad really wants is excruciating.

Hey, no worries. We recommend the 2012 Infiniti EX35, a compact crossover SUV that is styled like a sports sedan and drives like a sports sedan. It should because it is based on the Infiniti G37 sports sedan platform. Young dad, you can have it all in one smartly styled package.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Volkswagen's North American strategy over the past couple of years has been to build larger and less expensive cars with generic styling designed to appeal to the largest audience possible. The strategy has worked. VW sales have steadily risen with the revamped compact Jetta and the totally remade mid-sized Passat doing the heavy lifting.

Fortunately for those of us who admire cutting-edge design and top-shelf build quality, Volkswagen continues to offer the gorgeous CC mid-sized sedan.

By Jim Meachen and Al Vinikour

The all-new Dodge Dart is a different kind of Dart and a different kind of Dodge. The new Dart is a good-looking, well-designed, fuel-efficient compact sedan that the new Chrysler-Fiat group desperately needed to effectively compete in the growing compact segment.

And it's the first vehicle from the new Chrysler Group that combines elements of Fiat — basic structure, suspension and steering from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta — and elements of Dodge styling and flare.