By Don Hammonds
It’s probably safe to say that Chevrolet’s Cruze has turned the image of a Chevy compact on its ear.

After years of moving from gawdawful (Chevy Vega) to Cavalier (we remember wanting to see a convertible at a dealership and the mortified salesman couldn’t even get it started to move it off the sales floor) to Cobalt (pleasant, a big improvement, but no game changer), Chevy’s finally introduced one that  is hands-down terrific: the Cruze.
But changing an image is …

By
John Heilig
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2012 Fiat 500 Gucci
Engine: 1.4-liter I4
Horsepower/Torque: 101 hp @ 6,500 rpm/98 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 90.6 in.
Length/Width/Height: 139.6 x 64.1 x 59.8 in.
Tires: P185/55R15
Cargo volume: 9.5 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/37.4 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 1035 gal.
Curb weight: 2,434 lbs.
Sticker: $24,400 (includes $500 destination charge and $4,400 in options ($4,000 for the Gucci package)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. You may want to drive a cousin to a Ferrari
2. Feel Italian like all …

      
By Don Hammonds
  When it comes to subcompact cars, there’s “basic”—and there’s bare bones.
There’s no denying that you won’t find a lot of fancy gimmickry and gee-whiz features on the new 2012 Nissan Versa four door, more specifically known in our tester as tne 1.6 SV sedan.  There’s no heated seats, no armrest for the driver’s right arm, no kick-ass audio system (though the one you get is just fine, thanks), etc.

But….just about all the creature comforts most people look …

         By Don Hammonds
Undeniably, the 2012 North American International Auto Show will go down as one of the most significant shows in years, with important introductions of family sedans and compact cars, more economical hybrids and other alternative vehicles, and a healthy smattering of mouth-watering sports cars and concepts for added spice.
       All of this is occuring against a backdrop of strong sales increases for most brands and a resurgent domestic auto industry, lower interest rates, many more interesting, better-built …

By John Heilig
 
Model: 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI
Engine: 2.0-liter Clean diesel turbocharged 4
Horsepower/Torque: 140 hp @ 4,000 rpm/236 lb.-ft. @ 1,75 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 101.5 in.
Length/Width/Height: 165.4 x 70.3 x 58.2 in.
Tires: P225/45R17 H
Cargo volume: 15.2/46 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)
Fuel economy: 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway/41.7 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 2,994 lbs.
Sticker: $24,955 (includes $770 destination charge, $300 Bluetooth connectivity)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Excellent fuel economy
2. Practical, yet compact
3. Decent small car performance
4. Comfortable
5. Practical economy …

By John Heilig
Model: 2012 Scion iQ
Engine: 1.3-liter 4
Horsepower/Torque: 94 hp @ 6,000 rpm/86 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission: CVT
Wheelbase: 78.7 in.
Length x Width x Height: 120.1 x 66.1 x 59.1 in.
Tires: P175/60R16
Cargo: 3.5/16.7 cu. ft. (rear seats mup/down)
Economy: 36 mpg city/37 mpg highway/37 mpg combined
Fuel capacity: 8.5 gal.
Curb Weight: 2,127 lbs.
Sticker: $15,995 (includes $730 delivery and handling charge
Five reasons to buy this car:
1. Newest premium micro-compact
2.  When you don’t want more car than  you really need
3. Excellent maneuverability
4. City car personified
5. …

America’s consumers are about to get a little lesson in little cars.
The first vanguard of some really small cars like the Scion iQ, Fiat 500 and maybe even some version  of Volkswagen’s Up!  are hitting showrroms this shopping season, bringing some big surprises for people thought small meant frunmpy, cheap and poorly equipped.
Chief among the four wheeled “teachers”  coming to the sales floor will be Chevy’s 2013 Spark, a diminutive little car that Chevy says will be the only car in its segment …

 
By Don Hammonds, executive editor
This model year promises to be a blockbuster one, with so many new models coming out that you’ll need a scorecard to keep up with it all.
Yet, amid the dozens of new models, and hundreds of continuing ones, there are still some diamonds that we believe will shine far above the others before the model year’s out. 
We selected our picks based on their impact on the automotive market, their uniqueness, in some cases, their transformations from …

By John Heilig
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2012 Honda Civic sedan
Engine: 1.8-liter I4
Horsepower/Torque: 140 hp @ 6,500 rpm/128 lb.-ft. @ 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 105.1 in.
Length/Width/Height: 177.3 x 58.5 x 69.0 in.
Tires: P205/55R16
Cargo volume: 12.5 cubic feet
Fuel economy: 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Curb weight: 2,705 lbs
Sticker: $20,505 (base)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Roomy compact car
2. Decent performance
3. Practical
4. Good package
5. Laden with features
 
The Bottom Line: The 2012 Honda Civic isn’t going to blow your mind. It will, however please you …

By Don Hammonds
We at Automobile Journal have always considered the Subaru Impreza to be the perfect compact car.
Yes, it’s well-made, and it lasts forever. Yes, it’s made by a company that has a conscience, knows who it is, and has the good sense to market not only a car, but a lifestyle, thus creating a unique, interesting product with a huge loyal following.  All that alone is commendable.
    But on top of all that, the Impreza is fun to drive, …