By Jim Meachen and Al Vinikour

The Ford Escape has very neatly "escaped" its 11-year boxy SUV persona with a new-generation vehicle featuring three four-cylinder engines including two performance-oriented fuel-efficient EcoBoost powerplants; a new athletic, aerodynamic look for the 2013 model year; and  a well controlled driving demeanor that belies its SUV stance.

The transformation is astounding, and we would say long overdue — long overdue if it wasn't for the outgoing Escape's phonemail sales success.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Over the past few years we have talked to several Acura RDX owners who proclaimed a love for their luxury crossover, but wished for better gas mileage and the option of pumping the less-expensive 87 octane regular into their tanks.

Acura has granted half their wishes with the all-new 2013 RDX. The turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, which propelled the first-generation RDX, has been scrapped for a smoother driving 3.5-liter V-6 that gets between three or four more miles to the gallon in highway driving, and with increased horsepower. But premium gas is still recommended, Acura says.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It's lively, agile, and excitingly fun to drive making the compact Volkswagen Tiguan crossover a driveway delight. It's no mystery why it's popularity has steadily grown over nearly four years on the market.

Tiguan sales nearly doubled from its first full year of production in 2009 when about 14,000 units left showrooms to 2011 when  sales hit 26,000. Growth continues in 2012 after a mid-cycle refreshening. Through the first four months of 2012, the Tiguan is on track to hit between 35,000 and 40,000 sales.

By Jim Meachen and Al Vinikour

One of the most memorial automotive catch phrases in history, "The Ultimate Driving Machine," got the green light from then BMW marketing chief Bob Lutz in the 1970s reviving a flagging German brand and helping make BMW cars wildly popular in the U.S.

What has made this ingenious tagline stick through the decades is that BMW has consistently backed it up with outstanding products led by the popular 3-Series — the ultimate driving machine, if you will.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Exterior styling tweaks, interior upgrades and the addition of the award-winning Pentastar V-6 engine has transformed the Chrysler Sebring convertible — rechristened the 200 — into a four-person droptop worthy of consideration.

The extreme makeover was accomplished last year in Chrysler's rush to get freshened — and improved — "made in Detroit" products out the door. A new generation of the Chrysler mid-sized sedan and convertible is still a year or two away, but for now the renamed Chrysler 200 convertible is a noteworthy replacement for the cheap-looking and cheap-feeling Sebring.

By Jim Meachen and Al Vinikour

A well-worn adage is “good things come in small packages.” Perhaps with the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth (pronounced ah-bart') that adage can be altered to "wicked things come in small packages." The odd moniker for the performance version of Fiat’s popular tiny world car comes from legendary racer Karl Abarth who is responsible for more than 10,000 individual race victories, 10 world records and 1,334 international titles.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It’s no secret the mere mention of the word Lexus connotes luxury. Not so well known is the fact that some Lexus models, while loaded with the usual upscale amenities its owners have come to expect, are also drivers’/enthusiasts’ cars as well.

The newest case in point is the all-new 2013 GS 350 sport sedan. Lexus has thrown all its gee-whiz technology into a completely redesigned mid-size GS.

By Russ Heaps
MyCarData

In the jam-packed world of crossovers, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan carves its own niche. Targeting buyers looking for more "sport" than "utility" in their driving experience, Tiguan offers the only standard turbocharged engine in its segment. Add to this handling that has a distinctively European feel, and you have a fun-to-drive vehicle with a healthy dollop of utility.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

When speaking of the excellent new crop of compact cars now in American showrooms or on the way later this year, seldom is the Subaru Impreza part of the discussion. That may change with an all-new, stylish and more fuel efficient 2012 Impreza. The redesigned Subaru is better looking, has more interior space and is more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The mid-sized sedan segment has probably never been more competitive than it has become in 2012 as a number of all-new models hit the market. Perhaps for that reason Chevrolet decided to get its updated 2013 Malibu into the hands of consumers six months ahead of the original schedule.

The new Malibu went on sale in February with just one drivetrain, a mild hybrid system that General Motors calls eAssist.