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The Cobalt replaced the Cavalier compact car that was definitely overdue for retirement. As with the ‘Cav,’ the Cobalt was available in both two-door coupe and four-door sedan formats. Initial base models were equipped with the 145-148 horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, while a 205-horsepower 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder came in the more robust SS coupe.

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Chevrolet finally found the correct formula for building a smart-looking, comfortable compact car. The interior was spacious, quiet and nicely turned out and trunk room was near or at the top of its class. The Cruze also handled quite competently on twisty and/or bumpy roads. The six-speed manual transmission shifted smoothly with a minimum of clutch effort and the six-speed automatic also performed well. The two available gas engines were thrifty runners, as was the fuel-stretching turbo-diesel.

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The TT carried plenty of spring in its step due to a low curb weight and a generous dose of power. Even the base 200-horse versions provided sufficient thrust for most drivers, although it remained far out-gunned by the TTS and TT RS variants. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system helped the car stick like glue in the corners and in slick conditions.

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The Clubman offered Mini lovers considerably more rear-seat passenger and/or stowage space than the standard Mini. The wagon was nearly 10 inches longer with more than three inches longer between the front and rear wheels. Along with dual rear cargo doors in place of a liftgate, the Clubman had a single rear-hinged ‘Clubdoor’ aft of the passenger door. This half-sized opening allowed easier access to the rear-seat area, making it easier to accommodate two adults in individual bucket seats.

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For 2011, big boosts in performance helped revitalize the Mustang brand and made it competitive with the then-new Chevrolet Camaro. Even base V-6 Mustang buyers had nearly as much horsepower to play with as those who owned pre-2011 Mustang GTs with their 315-horse V-8 engines. Similarly, 2011-’15 GTs, Boss 302s and torqued-up GTs were more fun, as was the outrageous Shelby GT500, especially the later versions with 662 horsepower. Even the best Camaro had ‘only’ 580 horsepower.

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Following several years and hundreds of millions of dollars spent on research and development (and in the midst of a recession) Chevrolet launched the electrically propelled Volt four-passenger sedan. The car used an electric motor that sent 149 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A backup 1.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine took over as a power generator when the large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack became depleted.

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The full-size Expedition became a popular pick with sport-ute shoppers who wanted big, but not too big. Its pickup-based roots meant it could take families into the back woods, or tow the heftiest of trailers. Even with all three rows of seats in use, there was a considerable amount of available storage space, especially on EL versions. An available load-leveling suspension help keep the big Ford on an even keel no matter how heavy the load. The Expedition’s beefy body-on-frame chassis assisted both ride comfort and handling abilities.

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Although toned down somewhat from its original auto-show concept version, the Crossfire was nonetheless an eye-catching design that never failed to draw a crowd. And with Mercedes-Benz content, the car drove as competently as its SLK counterpart. Additionally, the car’s modest (3,000-pound) curb weight helped it accelerate and brake with authority. Cornering agility was especially impressive, thanks to a pair of beefy front and rear anti-sway bars along with extra-wide 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels.

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Being a hatchback, cargo space suffered and fell well short of the smaller but boxier Honda CR-V. The Crosstour’s extreme hatchback shape also affected rear visibility; later models were equipped with a standard backup camera. The elevated ride height detracted from ride comfort and also made the car feel a bit tippy in the corners. It also suffered from a wide turning circle. A modest redesign for 2013 gave the car a more premium look, but the overall design remained on the awkward side.

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The Mexico-built Jetta provided German-engineered fit and finish at a far more affordable price than, for example, a BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. Both Jetta gasoline engines, including the 150-horsepower five-cylinder (upgraded to 170 horsepower for 2008) and the 200-horsepower turbo four-cylinder (standard in the sporty GLI) delivered decent power. As well, the 140-horsepower four-cylinder turbo-diesel available on 2009-’10 Jettas delivered impressive fuel economy along with reasonable acceleration and was a significant improvement over the 2006-only 100-horsepower diesel.

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