Car price: $22,995

When is less more? When it's the fuel-efficient 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Equinox LS, a CUV with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and a whopping 32 mpg highway. This is the best highway mpg number on our list. And a six-speed, driver-shiftable automatic transmission hands off engine output to the front wheels.

All-wheel-drive is available for a $1,750 premium.

An Equinox feature we particularly like is the sliding-reclining, second-row seat. When positioned back at its limit, it provides 39.9 inches of rear-seat legroom. Maximum cargo space with the second-row seat folded flat is 63.7 cubic feet.

Although it's the entry-level Equinox crossover, the LS comes with full power accessories, air conditioning, trip computer, cruise control, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, six air bags, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack.