Hits and misses from our testing

Hits

A delightful diesel

The compact Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a very pleasant car to drive that also happens to be the first affordable ($24,000) "clean diesel," meeting stringent air-quality standards in all 50 states. Gone are the days of diesel cars with sluggish acceleration, a nasty smell, plumes of smoke, and noise. Power is just fine, steering is crisp, and interior quality is top-drawer. We averaged 33 mpg overall and 47 mpg on the highway.

Virtual keys

A keyless ignition lets you leave the electronic "key" fob in your pocket or purse. The car senses your presence and you start the engine with a push button. Nissan and Toyota make some of the best systems. Some even unlock the driver's door when you merely get close to it and have the fob in your possession.

Wipe or swipe

We like rain-sensing wipers. They turn on automatically and appropriately when the windshield gets wet, whether from light mist or a sudden downpour. Those from Audi, GM, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, among others, work well.

No-blindlights

The Lexus RX SUV and new Ford Taurus sedan are two vehicles that have auto-dimming headlights. They cut the high beams when they sense oncoming cars and switch them back on when the coast is clear. Though sometimes fooled by reflective signs, they're still a help.

Glass ceiling

The Ford Flex, among others, has a huge panoramic sunroof that admits natural light, gives the cabin a roomier feeling, and lets even rear-seat passengers see the sky.

Hot wheels

A steering wheel that warms itself up on a cold day is one of those don't-want-to-live-without-it frills that can grow on a person. Found on Audi, BMW, Infiniti, and Nissan models, among others.

Misses

Backward-step backup camera

On the whole we love backup cameras, but the Toyota Venza uses a tiny display far away on the dash on cars without navigation. It's like using a spoon as a shaving mirror.

Unfitting glove box

The owner's manual for the Mercedes-Benz E350 is so fat it takes up nearly the whole glove compartment. The thick book fits in an upper shelf within the compartment but you really need to cram it in.

Non-stowable rear seats

The redesigned Chevrolet Equinox, among others, has rear seats that fold down to make more cargo space, but they don't fold flat enough. In cargo mode the load floor winds up with a ramp and a raised stage behind the front seats.

Pesky reminder

While helpful on a highway, Infiniti's lane-departure warning system is a nuisance elsewhere. Unless you switch it off each trip, it beeps whenever you get too close to a road's painted lane markers, something most of us do surprisingly often on narrow roads with little traffic.

More pet peeves

• Power door locks that activate after you start off are fine, but those that stay locked after you park are not. Cars that allow you to program the system to your choosing-stay locked or open upon parking-are a better solution for most owners.
• We dislike trunk lids that force you to open them only with a remote switch or the key. It's far better if the trunk lid has its own button, latch, or touchpad.
• Many cup holders are too small to accommodate 20-ounce water bottles, an increasingly common commodity. More-versatile cup holders are a no-brainer.
• Once the Mercedes-Benz navigation system begins issuing spoken directions, it's a convoluted process to figure out how to hush the lady's voice.