MAZDA CX-7

The 2012 CX-7 is offered in two different models: The 'i' trims get a 161-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission, while 's' models come with a 244-horsepower, turbocharged direct-injected 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The 'i' comes in front-wheel drive only, while the 's' models can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. Overall, the turbo engine in 's' models is still the better match for the racy look and feel of the CX-7, but most drivers will find the 2.5-liter to be just fine. The turbo engine makes its peak torque starting at 2,000 rpm, so acceleration with the automatic feels strong and almost seamless, but the tradeoff is a slightly coarser sound. Handling on either model is excellent, and it's a joy to drive on backroads even if the steering isn't quite as nicely weighted as the smaller Mazda3 (or even Mazda5 minivan). Inside, the Mazda CX-7 has a nice, upright driving position, with firm, supportive seats that are good for a wide range of sizes. In back, the CX-7 isn't quite up to the standard of rival models; it's barely wide enough for three adults--which is to be expected--but the low position leaves knees elevated and a general shortage of legroom. If you fold the seatbacks forward you'll find 70 inches of flat cargo floor--good enough for moving small pieces of furniture, but not all that large, due to the rather high cargo floor and downward-sloping roofline. Safety ratings for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 remain mixed. Even though the CX-7 has all the safety features you'd expect in this class, it gets worrisome 'marginal' ratings in both rear impact (whiplash-related) and roof strength (rollover-related). Base SV and Sport models are reserved for the 'i' powertrain, but both powertrains can be had in Touring or Grand Touring trims. The Touring models essentially step up to leather upholstery, while Grand Touring models get automatic climate control, a SmartKey entry system, a moonroof, heated mirrors, the nav system, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and xenon HID headlamps. Bose Centerpoint audio is optional, as well as a touch-screen, voice-activated navigation system. A Bluetooth interface is included on most of the lineup but missing from the base SV.

MINI Cooper Countryman

Despite being so small, the vehicle still manages to offer a lot, including a healthy dose of practicality, some off-road capability, and plenty of style. Taller, bigger, and with a more boldly-styled front end than your regular MINI Cooper, the Countryman is instantly recognizable, both as a MINI and as something out of the ordinary. Inside, the Countryman is more similar to its smaller siblings, with all of the retro design and odd ergonomics that brings. The rear seat has two individual seats and is not a full bench, and most adults will find it tight back there. The vehicle’s closest competitor would be the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the VW is easily one size bigger. The base model is the regular Cooper Countryman and it comes with a 121-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Up one rung on the ladder is the sportier Countryman S model, which gets a turbocharged version of the base model’s engine and a 181-horsepower rating. The vehicles also come with front- or all-wheel drive configurations. All-wheel drive is safer but hurts fuel economy a little. Whichever wheels are doing the driving, it’s a bit of a shock how good the thing handles though you’ll never mistake it for a sports car like you may with the regular MINI Cooper. We also found the vehicle to be a bit down in power, even when driving the turbocharged Countryman S. Safety is a strong suit as the Countryman is equipped with a wide array of safety equipment, including a full complement of airbags, stability and traction control, corner brake control and anti-lock brakes all helping it to score top marks in independent crash testing. The MINI Cooper Countryman was all-new for 2011 so there haven’t been any major updates. The 2013 model year introduces a sporty John Cooper Works variant, however, and this gets a livelier version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the Countryman S, which is rated at 211 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque (up to 221 pound-feet of torque with Overboost). This particular John Cooper Works model is also the first to offer an available six-speed automatic gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen has introduced a new gas-powered Polo variant, the BlueGT, bridging the gap—make that the crevasse—between the 105-hp Polo 1.2 FSI and the 180-hp Polo GTI. The 140-hp BlueGT is notable because it not only focuses on fun (VW claims 0-to-62-mph in a respectable 7.9 seconds) but also fuel economy, which is expected to hit 50 mpg combined on the European test cycle. Credit for both goes to the 1.4-liter turbocharged EA211 four-cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation—yep, cylinder deactivation in a four-pot. The system, known as ACT in VW-speak, is said to be applicable over a wide swath of the engine’s operating range. VW claims that the engine operates just as quietly and as smoothly in two-cylinder mode as it does with all four pistons astir; we found the system to work well when we were recently given an opportunity to drive a Polo so equipped. More details on ACT and driving impressions are available here. The Polo BlueGT is identified on the exterior by its unique 17-inch wheels, new tailpipes, and GT badges front and rear. The BlueGT swipes most of its front and rear styling elements, including its LED daytime running lights, from the Polo GTI, and it also gets a black-painted grille, an R-line bumper intake, and black mirror caps. The underbody aerodynamics are said to be improved, and the ride height is lower by 0.6 inch versus that of less-sporting Polos. Interior upgrades include sport seats, a leather-wrapped and aggressively contoured steering wheel, Polo GTI gauges, a black headliner, and chrome accents. A manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed DSG automatic is optional. Oh, and it gets cruise control. The new Volkswagen Polo BlueGT stands out in its ability to combine superior dynamic performance with extreme fuel-efficiency. The technical highlight of the progressive compact car is the cylinder deactivation system, which is being introduced for the first time in a Volkswagen - also known as active cylinder management or ACT. The system was realised with the new 1.4-litre TSI of the VW Polo BlueGT. The torque-strong TSI develops a power output of 103 kW / 140 PS, yet has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.7 l/100 km/h (equivalent to 108 g/km CO2). If the Polo BlueGT is ordered with the optional 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), fuel consumption drops further to 4.5 l/100 km - and, bear in mind, this is a petrol, not a diesel (105 g/km CO2). Nonetheless, this car, with a top speed of 210 km/h, accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. This uncommon coexistence of efficiency and dynamic performance is enabled by the systematic interplay of ACT, downsizing (reduced engine displacement plus direct injection and charging) and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system, battery regeneration). As such, the Polo BlueGT closes the gap between the Polo 1.2 TSI (77 kW / 105 PS) and the Polo GTI (132 kW / 180 PS). The new car will already on the market in July. New generation of engines The 1.4 TSI in the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT is the top engine of the entirely new EA211 series of petrol engines. These petrol engines and the EA288 series diesel engines, which are also new, are technological pillars of the future Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). One property shared by all of these engines is an identical mounting position in the car - and indeed across vehicle classes and brands Fuel savings by ACT Even before the MQB is introduced, Volkswagen Polo BlueGT buyers will get to enjoy the new high-tech TSI with cylinder deactivation. Volkswagen is the first carmaker to introduce active cylinder management as a fuel-saving technology in smaller engines - they were previously only known in larger eight or twelve cylinder units. Shutting down the second and third cylinders under low and medium load states reduces fuel consumption in the EU driving cycle by about 0.4 l/100 km. In constant speed driving at 50 km/h in third or fourth gear, fuel savings are as much as one litre per 100 km. But even when driving at 70 km/h in fifth gear, fuel consumption is still reduced by 0.7 l/100 km. ACT mode of operation ACT becomes active at engine speeds from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs from 25 to approx. 100 Nm - a broad swath of the operating map that includes nearly 70 per cent of all driving states in the EU driving cycle! When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated. The high efficiency certainly does not come at the price of a high level of smooth engine running: even with two cylinders, the excellently balanced 1.4 TSI of the VW Polo BlueGT runs just as quietly with as little vibration as it does when all four combustion chambers are active. All mechanical switchover actions are completed within one half of a camshaft revolution; this only takes between 13 and 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed. The transitions are smoothed by supporting interventions to the ignition and throttle valve. Ingenious: thanks to an accelerator pedal sensor and intelligent monitoring software, the system can also detect non-uniform driving profiles - such as while driving through traffic or in a sporty manner when driving on a country road. In such cases, cylinder shutoff is disabled. The driver is informed whether two or four cylinders are active by an indication in the multifunction display located between the speedometer and tachometer. ACT camshaft adjustment To further reduce emission and fuel consumption values and improve torque in the lower engine speed range, the intake camshaft was designed to be adjustable over a range of 50 degree crank angle on all EA211 engines; in the 1.4 TSI of the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT, an exhaust camshaft adjuster is added. It adjusts to the desired spread of control times, thereby ensuring more spontaneous response from low revs; at the same time, it also improves torque at high revs. Exterior of the Polo BlueGT The new Volkswagen is clearly distinguished both inside and out. From the outside, it is the new 17-inch alloy wheels with spoke styling, GT signatures at the front and rear (and additional 'BLUEMOTION' at the rear) and new tailpipe trim that are identifying characteristics of the VW Polo BlueGT. In addition, numerous standard features were adapted from the Polo GTI or the Polo BlueMotion. GTI features are the rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, front bumper and fog lights including daytime running lights. BlueMotion elements are the side sills and the front rain channels (outside on the windscreen). The Volkswagen Polo BlueGT is also upgraded by a black painted radiator grille, R-line ventilation screen in the bumper and black door mirrors. Having a positive effect on aerodynamics are the Polo's 15 mm lower ride height and special underbody trim. Interior of the Polo BlueGT Interior features were upgraded by extended functionality of the multifunction display (ACT message and tyre pressure), the GTI instruments, a cruise control system, black roofliner and black pillar trim in GTI style, vanity and interior lights tuned to match, a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with 'BlueGT' emblem, sport seats in front with newly designed trim (fabric type and colour) as well as various chrome surrounds.

HONDA FIT

The Fit is Honda's entry-level model (and lowest-priced model) in the U.S., and it perhaps comes closest to emulating what the Civic used to be: well-configured, affordable transportation with a fun-to-drive edge. While the Civic has become somewhat larger, softer, and more anonymous in look and feel over the years, the smaller Fit manages to feel nearly as roomy thanks to its tall, upright body style and still-best-in-class 'Magic Seat' seat-folding arrangement. Depending on how you see the 2012 Honda Fit—and how you value a voluptuous exterior—you might be turned off somewhat by its obvious preference of function over form. It's difficult to make a super-practical, small, tall hatchback like the Fit look even vaguely sexy, and the tall proportions arguably make it look like a scaled-down minivan in some respects. Inside, the Fit has an airier feel than in some other small cars, with a relatively low (by today's standards) beltline and a vast expanse of dashboard ahead, due to the rakish windshield. You won't find impressive performance from the 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine in the 2012 Honda Fit, but provided you don't have a stopwatch in your hand you'll find it quite fun-to-drive with the manual gearbox. A five-speed automatic is also offered and comes with paddle-shifters in Fit Sport trims. And though sheer velocity might not come easy in the Fit, its handling and maneuverability are stellar, with this small hatchback possessing a responsive, tossable feel around town or in tight corners. The Fit feels just fine at 80 mph, and settled enough for longer-distance highway cruising. Honda claims to have made the Fit even quieter for 2012 with more insulation from road noise. If you're cross-shopping a lot of small cars, you'll notice that while appointments are simple and sturdy in the Fit, something is very different—in a good way—about its interior packaging. The Fit makes the most out of a small space, for both passengers and cargo--and it feels like Honda has applied some minivan ideas here. There's enough headroom and legroom for two adults—or three kids—in back, and the so-called Magic Seat folds flat by lifting a single lever and pushing the seatback forward, with no need to remove rear headrests in the process. In front the driving position is upright but comfortable, with a good view forward. The cargo floor is especially low for easy loading, amassing an impressive 20.6 cubic feet of EPA cargo room. In addition, there are two glove compartments (upper and lower), plenty of cup holders (redesigned in the center console for 2012), and many useful storage compartments and cubbies in the center console, dash, and doors—as well as under the back seat. The Honda Fit has earned respectable safety ratings from the IIHS, although it roof strength score was just 'acceptable.' That said, the 2012 Honda Fit offers an especially strong body structure, along with a long list of safety features including front seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain bags, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. The 2012 Honda Fit includes plenty of features and option possibilities and manages to buck the stripped-down small-car stereotype in this respect. Both the Fit and Fit Sport models include a pretty generous list of features, and for 2012, equipment on the Fit Sport has been bolstered, with additional dash trim, steering-wheel audio controls, and upgraded seat fabric. Air conditioning; power windows, locks, and mirrors; cruise control; keyless entry; a USB input; and an MP3-compatible CD sound system are included with the base Fit. The Fit Sport gets larger 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry, a security system, and USB connectivity for the sound system, along with sporty cues throughout. Offered only on Fit Sport models is a package adding the navigation system. The navigation system now includes Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and streaming audio, but that's unfortunately the only way to get it. The 2012 Honda Fit ranks 1 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 37 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Fit, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. The automotive press says the 2012 Honda Fit is a great choice because with its ample and flexible interior space, it can tackle nearly anything your family throws at it. Families may skip small cars, thinking that going for a small car means compromising on space. That’s not the case with the 2012 Honda Fit. The Fit has a Magic Seat that lets you haul anything from a bike to a tall plant in the back seat, and that’s in addition to the space in the rear cargo area. Even with the rear seats up, reviewers say they’re amazed that the Honda Fit has so much cargo space. Though the backseat isn't huge, it has space for three passengers or two car seats. All that utility and passenger space, as well as the Fit's outstanding safety scores has earned it our Best Hatchback and Subcompact Car for Families Awards. The 2012 Honda Fit does have some flaws. Test drivers are disappointed that the front seats aren’t height-adjustable, and find that taller passengers will need more leg space. And while many reviewers think the base engine will be plenty powerful for most drivers, some say the Honda Fit struggles uphill and needs an extra boost on the highway. But overall, test drivers think these quirks will be minor details for shoppers in this class because they’re looking for something affordable and fuel-efficient that can carry people comfortably, haul sports equipment or move their child into their college dorm.

Ford Fiesta

The new Ford Fiesta is the first subcompact offered by Ford in the U.S. since its three-door Aspire of the late 1990s. The Fiesta was launched as a 2011 model, in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models, and has been adapted from the well-received and very popular model sold under the same name in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere—though North American versions offer more standard equipment than Fiestas elsewhere in the world. The Fiesta competes with the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and Chevrolet Aveo. Its starting price of $13,995 can rise as high as $23,000 if buyers tick lots of boxes on the lavish lists of options offered by both the factory and Ford dealers. Ford last sold a car called the Fiesta—a subcompact three-door hatchback—in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980, following it with the Festiva three-door (1986-1993) and then the Aspire three-door (1994-1997). The newest iteration for 2011 offers “expressive” and “vibrant” styling inside and out (and bright and cheery exterior hues)—the theme is “energy in motion”—with a dashboard center stack deliberately reminiscent of a mobile-phone keypad. The driver can choose among several different colors of LED “mood lighting” to illuminate the cup holders, footwells, and so forth. The new Fiesta, in either body style, comes with just a single engine option: a 1.6-liter four making 120 horsepower. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, but the automatic option is an unusual and technically advanced six-speed “PowerShift” direct-shift gearbox (DSG). EPA fuel economy ratings rolled in at 28/38 or 29/39, but with a $795 Super Fuel Economy Package (special tires and aerodynamic improvements), the Fiesta's highway rating was boosted to 40 mpg. In reviews of the Fiesta, we noted that the Fiesta steers and handles far better than most softened, numbed appliances its size. However, its narrow body and tight backseat didn't make it as useful as some other vehicles in this class. We weren't fans of the Fiesta's odd, slanted instrument panel, either, and noted some drivability issues with the PowerShift transmission, which wasn't as smooth as we'd hoped. Engine noise can also be an issue, depending on your expectations; it's not bad compared to other subcompacts. Features are a strength of the Fiesta. Even the base $13,995 model includes air conditioning and an aux-in port; while at the SE level you get upgraded trim and lighting. SES Sport and SEL models get upgraded sound, LED driving lamps, and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, plus big alloy wheels.

2012 Honda Insight

The 2012 Honda Insight ranks 19 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 32 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Insight, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. The automotive press says the 2012 Honda Insight is designed for shoppers who want a hybrid without an ultra-high price tag. The 2012 Honda Insight is one of the most fuel-efficient affordable small cars on the market, but its high EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings come with a few drawbacks, including an underpowered engine, budget interior and a cramped second row. These traits, however, are characteristic of hybrids and small cars, so as a whole, the automotive press isn’t shocked that the Insight has these issues. The 2012 Honda Insight is available in three trims: base, LX and EX. This year, Honda updated the Insight’s exterior, improved rear-passenger leg- and headroom, tweaked the exterior to improve rear visibility and made some aesthetic adjustments to the center controls. Finally, Honda also fitted LX models with better seat fabric and added more cabin insulation to all models to make the cabin quieter. Honda Insight Performance The Insight has a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that is paired with a continuously variable transmission. CVTs are designed to improve fuel economy. This powertrain makes only 98 horsepower, so it’s not surprising that many test drivers call the Insight underpowered. All models come with Eco Assist, which helps save even more gas when selected. Drivers say disabling Eco Assist doesn’t help performance. The Insight gets fuel averages of 41/44 mpg city/highway, according to the EPA. Handling and Braking Some test drivers say the 2012 Insight handles like most cars in its class and appreciate that there isn’t much body lean, but one thinks the Insight is a bit sloppy when roads aren’t smooth because the ride is choppy. The Insight has regenerative brakes, which capture the energy produced during braking to recharge the battery. Reviewers don’t mention if this system feels too unnatural compared with traditional brakes, but one does say the brakes are spongy. Honda Insight Interior One of the best aspects of the 2012 Honda Insight’s interior is its Eco Assist system, which tells drivers how fuel-efficient their driving is. Other than that, the interior resembles other hybrid models: It’s good-looking, but has a budget feel, and there isn’t enough passenger space. Honda Insight Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2012 Insight the highest score of “Good” in front, side and rear crash tests and a lower score of “Acceptable” in roof strength tests. These scores make the Insight an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Honda Insight comes with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control, dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags and side-curtain airbags. All of these safety features are normal for the class. Honda Insight Reliability The 2012 Honda Insight has a three-year/36,000-mile new vehicle warranty, a powertrain warranty that's good for five years or 60,000 miles and a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for rust damage. All of these warranties are normal for the class. Honda also covers the battery pack with a warranty, but the length of coverage varies.

Volkswagen Polo BlueGT

VW Polo BlueGT The new Volkswagen Polo BlueGT stands out in its ability to combine superior dynamic performance with extreme fuel-efficiency. The technical highlight of the progressive compact car is the cylinder deactivation system, which is being introduced for the first time in a Volkswagen - also known as active cylinder management or ACT. The system was realised with the new 1.4-litre TSI of the VW Polo BlueGT. The torque-strong TSI develops a power output of 103 kW / 140 PS, yet has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.7 l/100 km/h (equivalent to 108 g/km CO2). If the Polo BlueGT is ordered with the optional 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), fuel consumption drops further to 4.5 l/100 km - and, bear in mind, this is a petrol, not a diesel (105 g/km CO2). Nonetheless, this car, with a top speed of 210 km/h, accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. This uncommon coexistence of efficiency and dynamic performance is enabled by the systematic interplay of ACT, downsizing (reduced engine displacement plus direct injection and charging) and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system, battery regeneration). As such, the Polo BlueGT closes the gap between the Polo 1.2 TSI (77 kW / 105 PS) and the Polo GTI (132 kW / 180 PS). The new car will already on the market in July. New generation of engines The 1.4 TSI in the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT is the top engine of the entirely new EA211 series of petrol engines. These petrol engines and the EA288 series diesel engines, which are also new, are technological pillars of the future Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). One property shared by all of these engines is an identical mounting position in the car - and indeed across vehicle classes and brands Fuel savings by ACT Even before the MQB is introduced, Volkswagen Polo BlueGT buyers will get to enjoy the new high-tech TSI with cylinder deactivation. Volkswagen is the first carmaker to introduce active cylinder management as a fuel-saving technology in smaller engines - they were previously only known in larger eight or twelve cylinder units. Shutting down the second and third cylinders under low and medium load states reduces fuel consumption in the EU driving cycle by about 0.4 l/100 km. In constant speed driving at 50 km/h in third or fourth gear, fuel savings are as much as one litre per 100 km. But even when driving at 70 km/h in fifth gear, fuel consumption is still reduced by 0.7 l/100 km. ACT mode of operation ACT becomes active at engine speeds from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs from 25 to approx. 100 Nm - a broad swath of the operating map that includes nearly 70 per cent of all driving states in the EU driving cycle! When the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated. The high efficiency certainly does not come at the price of a high level of smooth engine running: even with two cylinders, the excellently balanced 1.4 TSI of the VW Polo BlueGT runs just as quietly with as little vibration as it does when all four combustion chambers are active. All mechanical switchover actions are completed within one half of a camshaft revolution; this only takes between 13 and 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed. The transitions are smoothed by supporting interventions to the ignition and throttle valve. Ingenious: thanks to an accelerator pedal sensor and intelligent monitoring software, the system can also detect non-uniform driving profiles - such as while driving through traffic or in a sporty manner when driving on a country road. In such cases, cylinder shutoff is disabled. The driver is informed whether two or four cylinders are active by an indication in the multifunction display located between the speedometer and tachometer. ACT camshaft adjustment To further reduce emission and fuel consumption values and improve torque in the lower engine speed range, the intake camshaft was designed to be adjustable over a range of 50 degree crank angle on all EA211 engines; in the 1.4 TSI of the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT, an exhaust camshaft adjuster is added. It adjusts to the desired spread of control times, thereby ensuring more spontaneous response from low revs; at the same time, it also improves torque at high revs. Exterior of the Polo BlueGT The new Volkswagen is clearly distinguished both inside and out. From the outside, it is the new 17-inch alloy wheels with spoke styling, GT signatures at the front and rear (and additional 'BLUEMOTION' at the rear) and new tailpipe trim that are identifying characteristics of the VW Polo BlueGT. In addition, numerous standard features were adapted from the Polo GTI or the Polo BlueMotion. GTI features are the rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, front bumper and fog lights including daytime running lights. BlueMotion elements are the side sills and the front rain channels (outside on the windscreen). The Volkswagen Polo BlueGT is also upgraded by a black painted radiator grille, R-line ventilation screen in the bumper and black door mirrors. Having a positive effect on aerodynamics are the Polo's 15 mm lower ride height and special underbody trim. Interior of the Polo BlueGT Interior features were upgraded by extended functionality of the multifunction display (ACT message and tyre pressure), the GTI instruments, a cruise control system, black roofliner and black pillar trim in GTI style, vanity and interior lights tuned to match, a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with 'BlueGT' emblem, sport seats in front with newly designed trim (fabric type and colour) as well as various chrome surrounds.