Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Remote anti-theft alarm system
• Emergency braking assist
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear fixed headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

The promise of crossovers lies in SUV versatility with passenger-car manners. The 2012 Nissan Rogue does one better; it drives like a car with capable handling. Road bumps and imperfections are absorbed with ease, highway stability is exemplary and handling is aided by good body control and one of the best-feeling steering systems in the class. Four-cylinder power is adequate enough, but the CVT\\\'s constant drone at full throttle can tax ears and nerves.

Safety Features

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Engine immobilizer
• Auto delay off headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Emergency interior seatback release
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Post-collision safety system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

Although longer than the regular Mini, the 2012 Mini Cooper Clubman still entertains with its road manners. Driver inputs generate immediate results and there's plenty of feedback through the seats, steering wheel and pedals, while the electric-assist power steering makes maneuvering at slow speeds effortless. Hitting the Sport button -- standard on every Clubman -- firms up the steering effort and quickens throttle response. For some, though, the stiff suspension on the John Cooper Works model, or the optional sport suspension on the Cooper S, might be too aggressive for comfort.

In addition to the Clubman's quick handling, engine power is surprisingly zippy, even for the base 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The power is just right, and the engine feels responsive whether you choose the six-speed manual transmission or the six-speed automatic. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works models will please drivers seeking speedier thrills, with the turbo providing a generous helping of acceleration with barely a hint of lag. Regardless of which Clubman you choose, all offer an invigorating drive.

Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front, rear and third row head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Auto delay off headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

We've long favored the Sienna's V6, which has the juice to deliver lively acceleration. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder is smooth and quiet, with enough punch to deal with traffic and freeway cruising with two people aboard; however, its thrust tapers off when it's faced with steeper inclines, quick merging or a full load of passengers. The smart six-speed automatic does a great job at keeping the four-cylinder peppy, but the downside of this powertrain is that the fuel economy isn't any better than the V6's.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna's ride quality is plush, and handling is competent in all versions. The SE, due to its recalibrated suspension, provides more agile handling with a somewhat firmer (though still comfortable) ride quality. The steering is typical Toyota, meaning precise if somewhat numb, though the SE offers a meatier feel in the wheel.

Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front center lap belt
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

After the first few moments behind the wheel of the 2012 Nissan Titan, you notice first that the effort level of the rack-and-pinion steering is nicely weighted and second that the engine is spirited. This truck is relatively nimble and easy to drive on pavement, hence the generally favorable reception by owners who utilize the Titan mostly for personal use and not grunt work on the job site. The Titan's V8 is strong, but it no longer stands out in a very competitive full-size truck segment.

Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Turn signal mirrors
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front integrated headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

The 2012 Scion iQ is small, but there's nothing basic about it. Utility rather than fun is the message here, yet there's no regret as you walk up, open the door and set off into the city. It offers such terrific turn-on-a-dime maneuverability that you're tempted to drive like a maniac, wheeling into impulsive U-turns, crowding into the bicycle lane and diving into the leftovers in curbside parking. You feel a little invulnerable, so maybe it's best that the iQ always feels slower than you'd expect from a 2,127-pound car with a 94-hp engine.

The iQ's sleepy responses seem to be the responsibility of the CVT, which transforms every throttle input into a tedious drone from under the hood. Nevertheless, the reward comes at the gas station, where the Scion seems to hit its EPA standard fairly easily.

You might expect the iQ to have a choppy ride on the highway given its short wheelbase, yet it delivers acceptable stability at speed and you never feel vulnerable to the oversize SUV monsters in the next lane. Crosswinds affect it, but that's about it for the bad manners.

Fulll Review @ www.edmunds.com/scion/iq/2012/road-test.html

Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Turn signal mirrors
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front integrated headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

The 2012 Scion iQ is small, but there's nothing basic about it. Utility rather than fun is the message here, yet there's no regret as you walk up, open the door and set off into the city. It offers such terrific turn-on-a-dime maneuverability that you're tempted to drive like a maniac, wheeling into impulsive U-turns, crowding into the bicycle lane and diving into the leftovers in curbside parking. You feel a little invulnerable, so maybe it's best that the iQ always feels slower than you'd expect from a 2,127-pound car with a 94-hp engine.

The iQ's sleepy responses seem to be the responsibility of the CVT, which transforms every throttle input into a tedious drone from under the hood. Nevertheless, the reward comes at the gas station, where the Scion seems to hit its EPA standard fairly easily.

You might expect the iQ to have a choppy ride on the highway given its short wheelbase, yet it delivers acceptable stability at speed and you never feel vulnerable to the oversize SUV monsters in the next lane. Crosswinds affect it, but that's about it for the bad manners.

Fulll Review @ www.edmunds.com/scion/iq/2012/road-test.html

Safety Features

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Auto delay off headlamps
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front center lap belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Tire pressure monitoring

Driving Impressions

We haven't always admired the ride on previous generations of the GM full-size pickup, but the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is pleasant to drive. It features a light yet reasonably precise steering response. The suspension keeps the body under control without any drama and provides as comfortable a ride as can be expected from a full-size truck. One downside is the wide turning circle, which doesn't help the broad-shouldered truck maneuver in a downtown parking garage.

The base V6 doesn't provide the power needed for hauling a heavy load, although the 4.8-liter V8 picks up the pace a little. The 5.3-liter V8 feels brawny while the 6.2-liter V8 turns the Silverado into a veritable muscle truck. The smaller engines are still saddled with an outdated four-speed automatic that doesn't contribute much to either low-end grunt or fuel economy. But the six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard with the two bigger V8s does an admirable job of keeping power on tap and features a well-calibrated tow-haul mode and cruise-grade braking.