Automobiles

The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster serves as a fine showpiece, but a balky transmission and poor cabin electronics hurt its everyday drivability.

The much-improved 2012 Dodge Charger R/T offers a good blend of power and cabin technology, but could use a bit more refinement where efficiency and ease of use are concerned.

The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas works well as an economical commute car and errand runner, but its average cabin tech falls far short of the cutting edge.

The 2012 Toyota Prius just works, delivering outstanding fuel economy, good cabin-tech options, and a comfortable ride with few compromises.

A turbocharger, closer gear ratios, and suspension tuning make the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth ridiculously fun to drive, but it takes the TomTom navigation option to overcome problems with the cabin tech interface.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML550 4Matic isn't perfect, but it does offer a good blend of tech, performance, and luxury. However, its diesel-powered sibling is probably the better bargain.

The 2013 Lexus GS 350 makes for a convincing high-tech cruiser. With the F Sport package, it has some real performance chops, although it falls short of a BMW M or Mercedes-Benz AMG.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is a competent highway cruiser with a good baseline of cabin tech, but its eAssist mild-hybrid system doesn't really deliver the miles per gallon.

As the latest member of the Prius family, the 2012 Toyota Prius C shows off a very modern, high-tech cabin, along with excellent fuel economy, in a size city dwellers will find easy to park.

Love or hate its styling, the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works is easily one of the best-performing front-wheel-drive cars we've tested. Unfortunately, it's also priced about $10,000 too high.

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev will fit specific driving situations well, such as a 20-mile suburban commute, but above the base trim level its price comes too close to that of the more capable Nissan Leaf.

Infiniti's first foray into the waters of high-performance variants with the 2012 IPL G Coupe is more of a tentative toe than a full-blown cannonball.

The 2013 Volkswagen CC would be an impressive car if it were priced in the mid-20s. At $35,000, its sparse cabin tech does not measure up with the competition.

The irony is that the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S' allure as "the fastest, most powerful production Jaguar model ever sold" is less about powerful performance than it is about making a powerful statement.

The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S combines technology and traditional sports car principles to deliver an excellent driving experience. The cabin electronics won't disappoint, but neither will they wow.

With its robust technology roster, the 2012 BMW 650i makes for a very enjoyable and comfortable car to drive, while providing the latest in convenience through navigation, audio, and iPhone integration.

The 2012 Toyota Yaris is a good car for urban drivers looking for basic, reliable transportation. However, those looking for performance or tech should consider shopping around.

With the 2012 328i, BMW managed to retain its driving virtues while drastically increasing fuel economy. Cabin technology stays on the cutting edge with app integration and other connected features.

The Entune-powered 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE offers perhaps the best blend of performance, efficiency, and cabin comfort in Toyota's portfolio of vehicles.

With a price around $30,000 and fuel economy around 30 mpg, the 2012 Buick LaCrosse represents luxury at a discount, but it still needs work on its cabin electronics integration.

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4x4 retains the off-road chops that make this model legendary, but adds creature comforts that make it an adequate, though not particularly good, daily driver.

A very practical and easy-to-drive vehicle, the 2012 Honda CR-V shows off a few tech highlights, but is mostly content to rest on its laurels.

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is a luxurious and striking SUV with off-road chops and good-quality, if not cutting-edge, cabin tech.

With all-wheel drive a rare find in the 2012 Subaru Impreza's segment, the car makes a good showing, but the cabin electronics are not cutting-edge.

Cabin tech in the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI may not be cutting-edge, but the Fender audio system sounds excellent. The boring sedan body belies the superior handling and quick-shifting gearbox.