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, …

By JOHN HEILIG
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Engine: 1.8-liter I4
Horsepower/Torque: 148 hp @ 6,500 rpm/131 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with Shiftronic
Wheelbase: 106.3 in.
Length/Width/Height: 178.3 x 69.9 x 56.5 in.
Tires: P205/55R16
Cargo volume: 14.8 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/35.1 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 12.8 gal.
Curb weight: 2,661 lbs.
Sticker: $18,480 (includes $720 inland freight and handling charge. $680 in options)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Sonata styling in a smaller package
2. Very good economy
3. Comfortable on long rides
4. Large for …

 
Without a doubt, 2012 promises to be a big year for Toyota.
First and foremost will be the all-new 2012 Camry, arguably the most important introduction for the company this year for what is clearly a big player in Toyota’s lineup.
Bob Carter, Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division, recently said the new Camry would lead what he called” a parade of  all-new or major-change Toyota products in the months ahead.  Camry will be followed later this year by the Tacoma, Prius v,  …

By
John Heilig
 
Model: 2012 Nissan Versa SL Sedan
Engine: 1.6-liter inline 4
Horsepower/Torque: 109 hp @ 6,000 rpm/107 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission: CVT
Wheelbase: 102.4 in.
Length/Width/Height: 175.4 x 66.7 x 59.6 in.
Tires: P185/65R15
Cargo volume: 14.8 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway (27/36 with 5MT)
Fuel capacity: 10.8 gal.
Curb weight: 2,459 lbs.
Sticker: $10,990 (base) to $16,260 (top) plus $750 destination charge
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Low cost
2. Spacious for a compact car
3. Decent handling in urban situations
4. Feature-laden for price
5. More space-per-dollar in …

There are times when the important things aren’t always the most obvious things you notice.

A case in point is the all-new 2012Subaru Impreza, which was introduced at the New York International Auto  Show in  four-door and five-door compact models.
It clearly has been restyled,looking sharper with a more muscular, active profile, it isn’t radically different from the most recent model. But there are important things going on underthe surface. According to Subaru, the Impreza’s all-new powertrain offers a 30 percent improvement in …

 
By Will Chamberlain
The Toyota Prius is synonymous with hybrid technology and efficiency.  When you think hybrid, normally the Prius is the first car you think of.  It was one of the first gasoline/electric hybrid cars to hit the market and make a giant splash doing so.
 Since the first generation of Prius, several different models have debuted but none more anticipated than the Plug-in model that AJ recently got to try out for a few days.
It was part of a special …

This year’s North American International Auto Show will be remembered as the year when small cars ruled.
Just about everybody had one new one–or more– to show, and pick up trucks and big cars were, well—–so yesterday. 
The good thing is that with few exceptions, just about everyone had something new and fresh to show–there wasn’t much duplication of efforts or look-alikes, for once, and we can all only hope that auto designers continue to keep their voices original and ground breaking …