6. Honda Element
Your mother was right when she said looks aren't everything. That adage applies to the Element, which is boxy and ugly in a way that only someone looking for ultimate utility can appreciate.Originally billed as a dorm room on wheels -- Honda had visions of 20-somethings virtually living out of their Elements -- the Element is the Swiss army knife of the automotive world. The interior can be swabbed out, which appeals to people with messy kids. With the rear seats removed, it can carry 75 cubic feet of cargo, making it an appealing alternative to an SUV.
The Element's four-cylinder, 166-horsepower engine delivers peppy performance, which makes you forget you're driving a tall box on wheels. The base price of less than $19,000 reminds you you're driving a bargain.
7. Ford Edge
When the Ford Edge debuted, a Ford executive said it would be the Mustang of crossover SUVs. I laughed then and I'm still laughing. It's no Mustang, but that doesn't mean the Edge isn't a good buy for someone looking for style, room and performance in something that can carry five passengers and a fair amount of cargo comfortably.The V-6 delivers 265 horsepower, on fuel mileage that's 16/23 in the city/highway cycle. There are lots of storage bins as well, and Ford dealers are discounting the Edge well below its $25,735 base list price. Avoid pricey options like the panoramic sunroof, and the Edge can be a good buy.
8. Mazda CX-7
Is it possible to build a crossover SUV that can display some sports car DNA? When Ford bragged its Edge would be the Mustang of crossover SUVs, the company must have been thinking of Mazda's CX-7, which has the sporty looks and performance of a vehicle that is more than a cargo box on wheels.There's a firm suspension that makes drivers feel like they are piloting something smaller and sportier. There's a turbocharged four-cylinder that's responsive. There's good fit and finish throughout that makes the CX-7 seem more expensive than its under-$24,000 base price would indicate.
The one drawback -- and it may be a deal-breaker for some buyers -- is that all that sporty power comes at the expense of premium fuel and mileage that hits just 16/22 mpg city-highway.
9. Chevrolet Tahoe
For sure, the Tahoe is an old-school SUV, based on a truck chassis with a V-8 under the hood. But it still provides what a lot of buyers need -- a comfortable, roomy interior, plenty of cargo room and enough towing ability to take care of a boat or camper.There's also a conventional four-wheel-drive system available for those who need traction off road or in deep snow. Fuel mileage will rarely ride above 19 mpg in highway situations, and lead-footed drivers will see mileage dip to 14 mpg in city driving.
Yet if you need something like the Tahoe, there's no better time to buy. Dealers are knocking many thousands off the sticker price, which starts at less than $35,000.
10. Chevrolet Corvette
If you've reached that age when you feel you need to reward a lifetime of hard work with a splashy, fast sports car, then consider the Corvette. It has been said elsewhere that it's hard to find a better sports car for the money than the Corvette, and it's true.With a base price of slightly more than $46,000 for the coupe, the Corvette comes with a 430 horsepower V-8, precise handling and brakes that inspire confidence. Sports-car purists will argue that the Porsche is better, but performance on par with the Corvette will cost twice as much.
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Here are this week's reader questions:
Even those who frown at sports cars as being out of step with today's fuel mileage concerns are astounded to learn that a Corvette can get 26 mpg in highway driving.