Car and Driver - February, 2009

High Fives: Cars For Drivers, Editors Choice

Performance Compacts:
1. Mazdaspeed 3 ($23,410) - although it's due to be replaced soon, the Mazdaspeed 3 offers explosive performance, good handling, and a composed ride. It is also spacious and practical, with a well-executed interior.
2. Volkswagen GTI ($23,640) - it's not the fastest car in its class or the best handling, but the GTI is an appealing all-around package. It has the best interior in this group, and the dual-clutch transmission is superb.
3. Chevrolet Cobalt SS ($24,095) - a stunningly capable chassis collaborates well with a powerful, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Its only weakness is being a Cobalt, which means it's let down by a chintzy interior.
4. Subaru Impreza WRX ($25,660) - we were disappointed with the latest-generation WRX when it debuted in 2007, but changes to the suspension and engine - up from 224 to 265 hp - have transformed it.
5. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR ($38,985) - it's fast and fabulous (except for the interior), but the Evo is pricey in the superior MR guise. Then again, it's one of the quickest ways we know to travel from point to point.

Sports Sedans:
1. BMW M3 - practical and blindingly fast, quite possibly the best car in the world.
2. Cadillac CTS-V - zero to 60mph in 4.3 seconds, comfy ride, 60 grand. Smokin'!
3. Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - truly wonderful but awfully expensive.
4. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG - good enough to give the M3 a fright.
One to watch - Pontiac G8 GXP - promises to be the bargain of the decade.

Sports Cars:
1. Porsche Boxster - it's hard to think of a car that involves and indulges its driver so much. It is also surprisingly practical for a two-seat roadster.
2. Chevrolet Corvette - for less than $50,000, the base car offers more performance than most drivers will ever be able to use.
3. Mazda MX-5 Miata - it's simple, light on its feet, and easy to live with. We especially like the folding-hardtop version.
4. Mazda RX-8 - we love the unique sound of the rotary engine and the car's sweet handling, but gas mileage is poor.
One to watch - Nissan 370Z - smaller all around and more powerful, the 370Z promises to be even more entertaining than the outgoing 350Z.

Small SUVs:
1. Toyota RAV4 - the available third-row seat and an optional 269hp V6 give it the edge over the CR-V.
2. Honda CR-V - for anyone who doesn't have to carry more than five people, this is the rational all-weather hauler.
3. Nissan Rogue - the most entertaining cute ute on the road, let down only by a somber interior and a noisy transmission.
4. Subaru Forester - less quirky than the old Forester, the 09 model is still fast and useful. We favor the nonturbo model equipped with a stick shift.
One to watch - Volkswagen Tiguan - good to look at, great to sit in, and pleasing to drive. The only downside is that VW thinks it can charge a premium for this class.

Mid-size SUVs:
1. Honda Pilot - this redesigned crossover is solid, nicely appointed, spacious, and a good value. Its only weakness is an engine that's 20hp shy of the competition.
2. Nissan Murano - with excellent real-world gas mileage, a punchy V6, good steering, and a roomy cabin, it's the best two-row SUV out there.
3. Mazda CX-9 - aside from its slightly flinty ride, this is a great highway cruiser - and fun to drive on back roads, too. But it lacks the Pilot's rock-solid feel.
4. Hyundai Santa Fe - somewhat numb and inert to drive, the Santa Fe scores on interior quality and amenities, as well as value and livability.
5. Nissan Xterra - the choice for people who feel the need to go rock crawling but don't want to sacrifice everyday utility or on-road drivability.

Entry Luxury Cars:
1. BMW 3-series - it's hard to argue with the sheer brilliance of the 3-series sedans and coupes. The new 335d turbo-diesel only increases this appeal.
2. Infiniti G37 - sporting newly refined powertrains, the G37 comes close to toppling the 3-series. And the coupe and sedan are better values, too.
3. Cadillac CTS - beautifully styled inside and out, the CTS suffers only minor refinement issues and a notchy manual transmission.
4. Audi A4 - lacking a little personality, the elegant and luxurious A4 is worth a look, especially in 2.0-liter form.
5. Acura TSX - it has grown and lost some charm, but it still drives beautifully and is the bargain in this class.

Luxury Sedans:
1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class - the "base" S550 is our favoirte, combining class-leading presence, spaciousness, driver appeal, and the full gamut of luxury amenities.
2. Jaguar XF - undoubtedly the best Jaguar ever made, the gorgeous XF mates a superb ride with sharp handling.
3. Infiniti M35/M45 - competitive in every respect, the M45 blows the 5-series away because of its price advantage.
4. BMW 5-series - now available with the superb 3.0-liter turbo engine, the 5-series is a terrific, if pricey, option.
One to watch - BMW 7-series - more high-tech but more user-friendly, the revamped 750i will give stern opposition to the S550.

Small Cars:
1. Honda Fit - with EPA ratings of 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway (for the manual), a ton of interior room, and enjoyable handling, it's a standout.
2. Volkswagen Rabbit - a two-time comparison test winner, the Rabbit is high on driving pleasure and exudes quality.
3. Honda Civic - the space-age exterior and interior styling polarizes. But the Civic drives nicely and gets good gas mileage: 26mpg city and 34mpg highway for the manual models.
4. Nissan Versa - commodious and capable, the Versa is a great value: A new 1.6 model comes in under $11,000.

Supercars:
1. Ferrari F430/430 Scuderia - whether you choose a coupe or a spider, the F430 is a glorious device. And the lightweight Scuderia is the best of them all.
2. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - a $105,000 Corvette might seem like a stretch, but the ZR1 is fabulous and easier to drive at the limit than the less powerful Z06.
3. Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 - recent upgrades have turned the 552hp baby Lambo into a car that's as quick as the Ferrari Enzo.
4. Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano - the perfect expression of what a two-seat gran turismo should be.
5. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - stupid expensive, but it rewrites the book on street-car performance.

Family Sedans:
1. Honda Accord - a perennial 10Best winner, the Accord is the most complete family sedan on the market. Our pick is the EX 4-cylinder, which gains 13hp over the 177hp LX base model. Dislikes? A needlessly complex center stack.
2. Mazda 6 - all-new for 2009, the 6 has grown bigger over time, like every car in this class. It isn't as much fun to drive as the previous model, but is more refined. It looks distinctive too.
3. Nissan Altima - we're not sold on the gloomy cockpit, but the Altima is the most enjoyable family sedan on back roads. With cars in this class, stick with the 4-cylinder models.
4. Chevrolet Malibu - now a serious player, the Malibu has looks, refinement, and a classy interior. A 6-speed automatic option further improves the 4-cylinder models.
5. Hyundai Sonata - we wouldn't recommend the Sonata to any budding Lewis Hamiltons out there, but it's a good deal for anyone who wants a quiet, luxurious, well-equipped cruiser.