Cars That Don't Make Great Holiday Gifts and Ones That Do

Base price range: $38,600-$46,350

The X3 is one of the best upscale SUVs on the market. It seamlessly melds luxury car attributes and driving fun with SUV utility. Handling is very agile and the ride is composed, although the body tends to rock side-to-side on uneven pavement. The 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder returned a very good 23-mpg overall in our tests, and the eight-speed automatic shifts seamlessly. But this engine is a bit short on refinement, with a diesel-like clatter. The interior is beautifully finished, with firm and supportive seats that keep the driver and front passenger comfortable all day. The rear seat is roomy, though the cushion is a bit low. Some controls take time to master, and despite the X3’s lofty price, the must-have rearview camera is only optional. A 2.0-liter diesel and a rear-wheel-drive version are available.

See our complete BMW X3 road test.

Base price range: $21,795-$29,470

The small CX-5 SUV is rewarding to drive, thanks to its taut, agile handling and quick, well-weighted steering. Another high point is its good fuel economy. We tested both the 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. Go with the more-powerful 2.5-liter, which got 25 mpg in our tests and isn’t any thirstier than the 2.0-liter. The interior is roomy and versatile. For 2016 Mazda has made improvements to noise isolation and ride comfort. The interior received a new center stack, which gives it a far more upscale look and feel and houses a new infotainment system. It features a rotary dial that controls the center screen, where all audio, phone, and navigation functions are controlled. Both reliability and owner satisfaction are above average.

See our complete Mazda CX-5 road test.

Base price range: $17,845-$26,495

Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 is fun to drive, thanks to its great handling. At 33-mpg, the Mazda3 is the most fuel-efficient compact that isn’t a hybrid or a diesel. It also offers a host of luxury features rarely matched by any other small car, including a multimedia system with a large center screen and active safety features like a blind-spot monitoring system. On the downside, the car tends to be loud on the highway, and ride comfort isn’t stellar. The multimedia controls can be daunting at first and take a while to master, and other compact sedans have roomier rear seats.

See our complete Mazda3 road test.

Base price range: $21,495-$30,195

The Mazda6 delivers equal doses sportiness and frugality. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder is sparing with fuel, delivering 32-mpg overall in our tests, the best fuel economy among conventional midsize sedans. The six-speed automatic is very smooth and delivers quick shifts. When the road turns twisty, the 6 is agile and capable in the corners. The ride is taut and steady, but a bit on the firm side. On top of that, the cabin is rather loud for the class, with considerable wind noise on the highway. None of that has bothered owners, who have praised the Mazda in our owner satisfaction survey. On top of that, reliability is above average. A 2016 freshening includes a new dash and a digital display screen, which is operated via a central knob on the console.

See our complete Mazda6 road test.

Base price range: $52,650-$104,300

Long a benchmark midsized luxury sedan, the E-Class combines a feeling of substance and class with enjoyable and agile handling. Luxury-trim versions have a smooth and cushy ride, while the Sport trim has a considerably firmer ride. We were impressed with the four-cylinder diesel, which got an excellent 30-mpg overall in our tests. It delivers a driving range of more than 800-miles, so plan your bathroom breaks accordingly. No matter which version you buy, the interior is plush, with excellent seats and fit and finish. Owners have loved the E-Class, rating it highly in our owner satisfaction survey. 2016 models get an upgraded infotainment system.

See our complete Mercedes-Benz E-Class road test.

Base price range: $24,995-$33,395

Sometimes overshadowed by the less-expensive Forester, the Outback wagon is a more refined option. It rides very comfortably, with secure handling. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder returns 24-mpg overall, and the unobtrusive CVT operates a lot like a conventional automatic. Opting for the 3.6-liter six-cylinder makes the car quicker and quieter but gives up 2 mpg. Rear seat room and noise isolation were improved with this generation. New safety features include a standard rearview camera and an available system with blind-spot, cross-traffic, and lane-change warnings. The infotainment system has been updated and includes a 6.2-inch touch screen. Owners have been very happy with their Outbacks and reliability has been above average.

See our complete Subaru Outback road test.

Base price range: $19,195-$24,395

The 500L looks good on paper, but it is let down by a stiff ride, flat seats, and odd driving position. Versions with the dual-clutch transmission feel sluggish and hesitant around town. Choosing the new conventional automatic eliminates that problem. This quasi-wagon responds eagerly in turns and handles securely at its limits. But the driving position is odd, with a bus like steering-wheel rake and windshield pillars that hamper the view. We like the 500L’s easy access, commodious interior, and spacious backseat. A tiny 5-inch screen is used for the UConnect system. On top of all that, the 500L scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap crash test. If that wasn’t enough, reliability has been well below average and 500L owners haven’t been happy with their cars.

See our complete Fiat 500L road test.

Base price range: Compass - $19,395-$25,595, Patriot - $17,295-$21,195

Both of these SUVs have a low price, simple controls, and a composed ride. Unfortunately, those are their only attractive attributes. The Compass and Patriot are seriously outdated and outclassed by the majority of small SUVs. Handling lacks agility and is unimpressive, although it’s ultimately secure at their relatively low limits. The sluggish 2.4-liter four-cylinder returned a paltry 22-mpg overall in the Compass and 21-mpg in the Patriot. That places them both at the bottom of the small SUV category. The upright front seats are narrow and are not particularly comfortable, and the cabin is cramped. Controls are straightforward, but the very basic interior is austere. The high rear window makes the cabin feel claustrophobic and the styling restricts visibility to the rear. Both have a Poor owner satisfaction score, and reliability is below average for the Patriot. There are far better SUVs on the market, no matter how much of a discount you can get on either Jeep.

See our complete Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot road tests.

Base price range: $69,800-$77,900

The Ghibli is a combination of Italian power and style on a German chassis. It’s based on a Chrysler 300 platform, itself a derivative of an older Mercedes-Benz platform. The base engine is a Ferrari-developed 345-hp turbo V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic. The SQ-4 all-wheel-drive version we tested has a 404-hp turbo V6. Handling is sporty and agile, the brakes are strong, and the engine emits a thrilling bark. But the stiff ride can grow fatiguing, and the rear seat is cramped. Climbing into or out of this low-slung sports sedan can be a challenge. The interior is festooned with high-quality leather and suede, and most controls are easy to use, including Chrysler’s UConnect touch screen. But it’s hard not to notice some cheap-looking switches, sourced from the Chrysler parts bins. At this price point there is no reason you should settle for the Ghibli, as there are more well-rounded ultra-luxury cars on the market.

See our complete Maserati Ghibli road test.

Base price range: $31,500-$48,500

Don’t be fooled. While the E250 in the nice list is a real Mercedes-Benz through and through, the sleek CLA250 feels every bit the entry-level car that it is. Yes, the interior has high-quality materials, and fuel economy of 28-mpg is respectable. But the driving experience falls well short of a typical Mercedes. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed automatic lack refinement. It’s quick, but power delivery is uneven. While fairly agile in the corners, the car rides very stiffly. The cabin is noisy and cramped, especially in the rear; the view out is seriously impaired; and cabin access is difficult. Owners haven’t spoken kindly of the CLA once the honeymoon period has worn off, giving it a worse-than-average Rating, and reliability has been well below average. It also scores too low in our testing to be recommended.

See our complete Mercedes-Benz CLA road test.

Base price range: Infiniti QX60 - $41,550-$46,400, Nissan Pathfinder - $29,630-$43,100

These two SUVs share the same basic platform and, for good and bad, share similar attributes. Both are have plenty of room for seven passengers and are quiet inside, with the QX60 sporting a particularly well-finished interior. They have a comfortable ride, but handling lacks agility in both versions, and the Infiniti feels rather mushy. In our tests the 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and CVT delivered smooth—but just adequate—acceleration. The Infiniti returned 19-mpg overall on premium fuel, while the Nissan got 18-mpg overall using regular. The QX60 has a low 3,500-pound towing limit; the Pathfinder can tow a competitive 5,000 pounds. A family-friendly feature allows access to the third row even with a child seat installed in the second row. But that also resulted in an overly-low second-row seating cushion. Reliability for both has been well below average. Owners haven’t been happy either, giving each SUV a below-average rating.

See our complete Infiniti QX60 and Nissan Pathfinder road tests.