Lexus ES Hybrid

This comfortable and refined sedan has a quiet, plush interior that's well-put-together. The four-cylinder ES hybrid returns an impressive 42 mpg. The V6 version is mated to an eight-speed automatic, and the combination has prompt throttle response and a linear power delivery. The V6 attained 25 mpg overall. The four-cylinder non-hybrid ES 250 comes standard with all-wheel drive. The ES absorbs bumps very well, and the body stays composed.

Lexus hurt ride comfort and made the controls complex with the ES redesign, and that carries over to the new hybrid version. In tests the hybrid's 200-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric drive system returned an impressive 36 mpg overall and 44 mpg on the highway. The ride is decent but not that plush, and it's worse with the optional 18-inch wheels. Handling is sound but unexceptional. Inside, the quiet cabin looks good at first, but cheap touches are apparent. The driver-interaction system is distracting and convoluted unless you skip the nav system.