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Acura’s flagship sedan began as the 3.5 RL, which replaced the Legend for the 1997 model year. The 3.5 designation was dropped when the second-generation RL was launched for 2005. That model came with standard all-wheel-drive along with a 290-horsepower V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. The RL received a minor makeover for 2009 plus a new 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. A six-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous five-speed unit for 2012, one year before the RLX replacement arrived in early 2013 as a 2014 model.

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Part wagon, part sport utility vehicle, the Impreza-based Forester was added to Subaru’s line of all-wheel-drive vehicles for the 1998 model year. Although compact in size, a tall roofline gave the Forester a distinctive appearance. After its initial run, the restyled second-generation 2003-’08 version retained the original’s size and powertrains, although an optional turbocharged version of the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder was added to the lineup. An new/larger Forester that was introduced for 2009 had a 170-horsepower 2.5 and a 224-horse turbo version. For 2012, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) replaced the optional four-speed automatic (a five-speed manual was standard) and the turbo’s output climbed to 250 horsepower. A new Forester arrived for the 2014 model year.

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The Mazda3 sedan and hatchback wagon supplanted the ProtegŽ sedan and ProtegŽ5 wagon for the 2004 model year. This was followed by a sportier Mazdaspeed3 hatchback that arrived for 2007. Following six successful years, an all-new second-generation Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 were introduced for the 2010 model year. Under the hood was your choice of a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder or optional 167-horsepower 2.5. The Mazdaspeed3 continued with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that made 263 horsepower. For 2012, Mazda introduced a 163-horsepower version of the 2.0 under its “Skyactiv” banner. Mazda’s third-generation sedan and hatch models arrived for the 2014 model year.

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Kia’s answer to the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla arrived for the 2010 model year, replacing the company’s Spectra sedan. The Forte was first available in sedan and two-door “Koup” body styles, with the Forte5 hatchback joining the fleet for the 2011 model year. All three versions came with a standard 156-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant, or an optional 173-horsepower 2.4. Both engines could be had with either five- or six-speed manual transmissions, or optional five- or six-speed automatics, but the Forte5 could be ordered only with the automatic. After four seasons, the Forte family was completely renewed for the 2014 model year.

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The CTS displaced the Catera as Cadillac’s entry luxury model for the 2003 model year and was the first of General Motors’ premium-division products to showcase an edgier look. An all-new version arrived for 2008, carrying a 3.6-liter V6 worth 263 or 304 horsepower and available AWD. A supercharged 556-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 was also offered in the sporty rear-wheel-drive-only CTS-V. A wagon was added to the fleet for 2010, along with a new 270-horsepower 3.0-liter base V6. An exciting two-door coupe followed for 2011 (all were offered “V” livery). A new-from-the-wheels-up third-generation CTS sedan arrived for the 2014 model year, while both wagon and coupe derivatives carried over unchanged.

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Toyota’s tiny entry-level car arrived in the U.S. market for the 2007 calendar year, replacing the Echo sedan. Designed at the automaker’s studios in France, the Yaris was initially available in a two-door hatchback body style as well as a four-door sedan. A four-door hatchback joined the lineup for 2009. All were equipped with the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. Following a successful six-year run, the second-generation Yaris was launched for the 2012 model year.

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The Dodge division of Chrysler expanded its sport utility vehicle offerings with the addition of the Nitro for the 2007 model year. This five-passenger vehicle employed a modified version of the Jeep Liberty platform and also borrowed the 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. However only the Nitro could be ordered with an optional 260-horsepower 4.0-liter V6. Transmission choices consisted of a six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic for the 3.7, while the 4.0 ran with a five-speed automatic. The Nitro was extinguished following the 2011 model year, even though the Liberty continued on.

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In 1973, Honda launched its two-door sub-compact in both coupe and hatchback styles. Not only was it inexpensive (around $2,200) and frugal, with a 40-mpg highway rating, but the high-revving runabout was great fun to drive. The Civic’s optional CVCC engine also made it one of the cleanest-burning cars around. Civics sold by the boatload then and has continued to enjoy strong sales throughout its numerous redesigns. The eighth-generation Civic that was introduced for 2006, featured both coupe and sedan body styles, including sporty Si coupe and hatchback versions, a gasoline/electric-powered Hybrid sedan and even a natural-gas-burning sedan. Following an unusually long six-year cycle, Honda introduced a new series of Civics for the 2012 model year.

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Kia began exporting affordably priced automobiles to North America from its home base in Korea back in 1993. Today the company sells a variety of vehicles that share most of their mechanical components with Hyundai, which is Kia’s parent company. For the 2001 model year, the automaker introduced the Rio sedan, which was followed a year later by the Rio Cinco wagon. Both body styles were redesigned for 2006, with the wagon name changing to Rio5. Common to both was a 110-horsepower four-cylinder engine that was available with a five-speed automatic transmission, or optional four-speed automatic. Following a six-year run, an all-new third-generation Rio series was launched for the 2012 model year.

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The S40 sedan and “V” wagon were introduced in Europe for 1996 prior to arriving in North America in late 1999. Both models shared numerous components, including a Mitsubishi-built turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Also standard was a four-speed automatic transmission (upgraded to a five-speed in 2001) adapted from Volvo’s larger 70-series cars. Part way into the 2004 model year, Volvo rolled out its all-new Swedish-built S40 sedan and V50 wagon that featured a 168-horsepower 2.4-liter five-cylinder and an optional 218-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-charged five-cylinder that was upgraded to 227 horsepower for the 2008 model year. A five-speed manual transmission accompanied the 2.4, while a six-speed stick was standard with the 2.5. Both powerplants could be ordered with a five-speed automatic while all-wheel-drive was optional only with the 2.5. After seven years, Volvo’s entry-level sedan/wagon duo was cancelled.

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