Price: $29,190
Gas mileage: 18 city and 25 highway mpg

Macho factor: Second-best horsepower, best warranty and bargain-basement car price.

At a bargain car price, it isn't usually thought of as macho, but with the money saved over more expensive competitors, you can spring for a high-tech, man-toy option or two, such as the 10-speaker premium Infinity-infused audio system or GPS navigation unit.

U.S. News & World Report called the Kia Sedona the best minivan for the money for 2011.

Kia shoved a new 271-horsepower, 3.5-liter engine under the hood for 2012. That's enough ponies to put it right behind our list-leading Chrysler Grand Caravan. A driver-shiftable, six-speed, automatic transmission directs engine production to the front wheels.

What's more, as many as seven can ride comfortably in the Sedona. Second-row seats are easily removable and third-row seats can fold flat into the floor, creating up to 141.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

Among the standard features are full power accessories, dual power-sliding side doors, power rear tailgate, rearview camera, trip computer, cruise control, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player, USB port and auxiliary input jack.