(December 6, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com has picked 10 cars from the "freshman class" that are unique and worth getting to know. While each new model year brings dozens and dozens of all-new cars, most arrive wearing familiar nametags.

While the totally redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry is a big deal, there's a lot on the line when revamping the best-selling car in the country — it doesn't stir the same kind of intrigue as totally new cars like the 2012 Hyundai Veloster or 2012 Fiat 500.

"The car world is indeed getting smaller, as evidenced by this year's freshman car class," said Jason Allan, editor of online content for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "There's only one new car on the list not powered by a four-cylinder engine, and that car, Mitsubishi i, runs on electricity alone.

Even the new Land Rover features a four-banger, albeit a turbocharged version still good for 240 horsepower."

2012 Freshman Class: 10 Cars to Get to Know

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Smaller, more daringly styled and more capable on-road than its forbearers, the 2012 Evoque represents the future of Land Rover's upscale Range Rover lineup. Thankfully the Range Rover Evoque hasn't forgotten its roots and is more than happy to slog through mud or ford streams before it transports its occupants to da club. Holla!

2012 Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is the oldest car on the list: We first drove it way back at the beginning of 2011, it went on sale not long after that, and it topped this year's list of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000. More affordable and not as tightly wound as a Mini Cooper, we like the Fiat 500's style-based approach to driving pleasure.

2012 Hyundai Veloster
Hyundai knows what buyers want, as indicated by its stellar sales of late. Much of what makes Hyundai successful is exemplified in the 2012 Veloster. The feature-rich Veloster dishes up impeccable fuel economy, utterly unique styling, and an odd yet practical 3-door hatchback design, all for a price tag the young buyers it's aimed at can actually afford.

2012 Chevy Sonic
Fortunately, the Chevy Aveo had grown so uncompetitive – and its replacement turned out so much better – that Chevy changed the name of its subcompact entry to Sonic, qualifying it for this list. Name games aside, the 2012 Chevy Sonic belongs at or near the top of any subcompact shopping list, with wonderfully refined driving dynamics leading the list of why-buys.

2012 Mitsubishi i
An increasing number of electric cars are coming to market but the Mitsubishi i has a trump card up its electrified sleeve: it's the least expensive pure electric car on the market. The Mitsubishi i can travel an EPA-estimated range of 62 miles per charge and can hit an 80 mph top speed. With just enough practicality for daily driving this little 4-seater is an intriguing new option for early adopters on a budget.

2012 Scion iQ
Plans don't always go as planned. Originally slated to arrive for 2011, the iQ minicar was actually included on this same list last year. But it's finally here — we've driven it with our own hands — and now shoppers looking for something really different or really small have one more car to weigh against the likes of the Smart Fortwo or the larger Mini Cooper or Fiat 500.

2012 Mini Coupe
Ditching the traditional Cooper's hatchback and rear seats, the Mini Coupe sports two seats and an abbreviated roof inspired by a backwards baseball cap. If the regular ol' Mini Cooper wasn't fun or funky enough for you, maybe this will do it.

2012 Mini Roadster
The Mini Roadster goes one step beyond the new Coupe, ditching the metal roof for a retractable soft top. As a last hurrah for the current-generation Cooper, this funky looking pair nicely encapsulates Mini's devotion to driving fun.

2012 Toyota Prius V
On one hand, the Prius V's city/highway combined fuel economy rating of 42 mpg isn't as jaw-dropping as the regular Prius' 50-mpg rating. On the other hand, the new Prius-plus actually offers more cargo room than most compact crossovers, which typically top out at around 25 combined mpg.

2012 Buick Verano
The Buick Verano cleverly sits in the chasm between top-trim compact cars and entry level luxury cars, making it an interesting alternative for buyers who want a fancy ride that won't set their finances ablaze. For less than $24,000 the Verano offers up tasteful looks, an upscale interior, an incredibly quiet cabin and competent, comfortable road manners.

For a more in-depth look at the Freshman Class click here.