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2010 Mazda CX-7

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a small crossover SUV, with its sleek lines, pumped-up wheel-opening flares and tapered roof line. It comes in three trim levels -- the new SV base model, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- with a new 2.5-liter base engine and an optional turbocharged four-cylinder.

The well-equipped base i SV trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel and a four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack.

The s Touring model adds a turbocharged engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats and a rear cargo cover. The top-of-the-line s Grand Touring features 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, a sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, a navigation system, keyless ignition/entry, a rearview camera, electroluminescent gauges, distinct leather upholstery, driver seat memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a four-way power passenger seat and an upgraded Bose audio system with satellite radio and a six-CD changer.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 has received excellent scores in federal government crash tests. It also features a comprehensive array of safety equipment, including side curtain air bags and electronic stability control. However, there are front visibility concerns due to the CX-7's styling.

When it comes to handling and braking performance, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 lives up to Mazda's sporty reputation. The steering is nicely weighted, and the effort increases in direct proportion to cornering forces. This crossover SUV feels stable in turns and changes direction quickly. The writer took three friends to Kentucky in a Mazda CX-7 and covered almost 1,200 miles for roundtrip. It is indeed a smooth ride!

2010 Nissan Altima SR

As the company's number-one global volume vehicle, the Altima is sold in both sedan and coupe variants with a choice of two gasoline engines or one hybrid powerplant. Nissan offers four sedans for the 2010 model year, with the Altima slotting in directly under the flagship Maxima in the lineup.

Altima's hood, front grille, front bumper and rear license plate areas of the sedans now feature revised character, with new 16- and 17-inch wheel designs completing the transformation. The coupe receives the same updates, but offers standard 17-inch alloy wheels, new projector-beam headlamps and side view mirrors with integrated turn signals. The sedan is offered with two new colors while the coupe receives three colors.

Within the cabin, the new duds include revised interior fabrics and finishes. Gauge illumination has switched from orange to white for a new look, and the optional next-generation navigation system has been fitted with a larger 6.5-inch monitor offering Zagat ratings, XM NavWeather, and Bluetooth streaming audio. The premium audio package includes a 4.3-inch color display, USB and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback, XM Satellite Radio, and RearView monitor (which operates quite well through the smaller color display).

The standard powerplant on base and S models is a 175 horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four. The 270 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 is reserved for the newly-designated top-of-the-line SR models (replacing the SE models for 2010). The Altima Hybrid sedan model utilizes a 2.5-liter inline-four mated to a 40-hp electric motor sending power through a CVT transmission.

2010 Mazda CX-9

The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is a large seven-passenger crossover SUV that's available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The entry-level Sport model includes 18-inch alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, a trip computer, Bluetooth and a six-speaker CD player with an auxiliary audio jack. Stepping up to the Touring version adds heated mirrors, leather upholstery (for front- and second-row seats) and heated power front seats. The range-topping Grand Touring adds 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless ignition and entry, driver-seat memory presets, a second-row armrest, dark silver and wood grain cabin accents, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and special blue cabin illumination.

One of the most notable changes to the 2010 Mazda CX-9 is a restyled front end that follows the brand's newest upturned grille aesthetic first established on the new Mazda 3. If the latest CX-9 appears to be smiling, there's good reason -- it's a standout crossover among an increasingly crowded field. This large crossover sets itself apart from the competition with tasteful styling, a roomy interior and athletic driving dynamics.

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan lineup is a 4-door wagon for 5 seats and is powered by a 200-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Tiguan offers S, SE, Wolfsburg, and SEL trim levels. All are available with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is offered on the SE/Wolfsburg and SEL. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the S. Optional on that model and standard on all others is a 6-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Other available features include a navigation system with rearview camera, a sunroof, and a 30-gigabyte hard drive to store data and digital audio files. Leather upholstery is standard on the SEL; it's optional on the SE and versions so equipped are priced as separate models.

Four 2010 Volkswagen models - the brand-leading Jetta sedan, the all-new Golf four-door, the stylish Passat sedan, and the nimble Tiguan - have each received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010: The highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control (branded Electronic Stabilization Program® / ESP® on Volkswagen vehicles), and head protection airbags.

Li Chen contributed to this article.