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The Rogue, which is Nissans long overdue entry into the compact crossover category, is based on the C platform. This is the same chassis as the Sentra sedan. Its agility and over the top styling have helped it wedge into a market where such perennial leaders as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 dwell. The rogue is both longer their either of these two alternative and yet shorter vertically and narrower than both of them.

What is a Mini when it's no mini? It's a Mini Countryman. This is what BWM refers to as a Mini crossover. While still a small car, being about the size of a Honda Fit, it is somewhat larger than the standard Mini and is able to add four doors to the mix, making life much easier for those who spend time in the rear seats.

Since its introduction in 1986 as a body on frame two door, the Nissan Pathfinder has come a long way. It has grown larger over the years. Late into its first generation it added a second set of doors and switched to a more modern unibody construction. In its second generation, it dropped the two door option all together. Now into its 3rd production generation with a fourth on the way. It is in some ways a jack of all trades and master of nothing. Able to appeal to a more general crowd than most other SUV's. It retains much of its off road prowess while appealing to those who will never get mud on the fenders as well. It's grown large enough now to fit a 3rd row of seats. Also of note is the unusual process of going back to a more truck like body on frame, though it's likely the next generation will reverse that trend yet again and return to a unibody construction.

Cars that get good gas mileage are always dull behind the wheel, right? Not so, says the Mini Cooper. Born from BMW in 2001, the Mini has been hugely successful since its introduction. Growing into a second generation in 2007 the Mini continues to evolve and delight owners with its' cute good look, razor sharp handling, not at all unimpressive performance, and its respectable fuel economy. Add to that the Mini is the most customizable car in its class and you have the recipe for a vehicle which will continue to sell well for years to come. Most options that come in packages can also be ordered individually, so the possibilities for personalization abound. The mini is available as either a hatchback or a convertible, and three trim levels.

After the success of the company's Scion XB, the cube takes over as Nissan's box on the road. This class includes the Element from Honda and Kia's Soul. The Cube does its best to standout from the pack by utilizing unique styling cues, such as a wraparound rear window, a side opening rear door and a spacious cabin offering a reclining rear seat and high style headliner.

The Armada is Nissans full sized (and I mean FULL sized) SUV. By most Japanese SUV standards, this is a monster. Imparting many of the favorite aspects of big trucks, such as it's towing capacity of 9100 lbs. and true off the road performance, it is still able to hang with the best of them on the streets. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds and stop from 60 miles per hour in 128 feet. Either of these an amazing feat for a vehicle this large. It handles well too, posting a .76g on the skid pad. All this combined with the castle on wheels size of its interior, which can seat 8 people. The price from all this has to come somewhere and as one might well expect, the highest price is to be paid in fuel consumption. You just can't move a leviathan like this around with authority and get even decent gas mileage doing so.

The Xterra, aimed at younger, more active buyers, try's to blend style, toughness, and both on and off road performance. It won Motor Trends Sport/Utility Vehicle of the year in its first model year. Now in its 6th year of generation 3 continues that legacy into the new decade. It shares some parts with the Titan, the Armada, and the Pathfinder. These help contribute to the real off road prowess. Not just a vehicle for those who want to look like they've seen the outdoors, it will actually take you there. The Xterra is a viable rival to such rugged off roaders at the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser. With its tough body on frame construction and live rear axle, little has changed since the Xterra won its second Motor Trend Sport/Utility vehicle title in 2006.

The Mercury Mountaineer, now in its second generation, is the only SUV in Mercury's catalog large enough to seat 7 people. While it uses a truck like body on frame chassis, it remains highly regarded in this category, much like its corporate cousin, the Ford Explorer. As with all Mercury models, if you want one, you need to act soon, as the entire brand is going to under the axe in the near future. The Mercury has sold well due to its more pleasant ride, the use of All-Wheel Drive as opposed to standard four wheel drive, and a host of standard feature upgrades. The class has become more competitive however, and the Mountaineer is starting to slip under pressure from other auto makers.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse doesn't have the same competition it used to. In its long production cycle it battled head to head with the likes of the Toyota Celica, Acura RSX, and the Honda Prelude. Those have all gone the way of the dinosaur, with the eclipse left hanging on as the last of the inexpensive, high performance sport coupes. While the current generation's style can be seen as somewhat over the top, it helps them to stand out among other cars on the road. It remains a statement of style on the road to this day. However, it's performance hasn't kept up with the times as well as its looks.

The Nissan Frontier is Nissans newest pickup and is now in its own second generation. It competes in the dwindling midsize truck segment. Once this was one of the most contested genres, but of late, there are only a few auto makers who remain to compete in this class. The Nissan frontier is one of the main competitors here.

Originally destined to replace the G series, the GL is too civilized to replace the aging G series when it comes to off road prowess. The GL joins the ranks of Mercedes produces that are built in the USA. Specifically, the Alabama plant that also produces the M and R classes. The mass produced, unibody for the GL is shared with those other two models, though on the road, the vehicles have a distinctively different feel which keeps the models separate at least for the person behind the wheel.

Being sold under the Dodge brand for the last 7 years hasn't hurt the Mercedes Sprinter. After the split between Mercedes and Chrysler, the Sprinter returns to its Mercedes badging. They will still be assembled in the US as Mercedes South Carolina plant.

There was a time when the Galant from Mitsubishi was a car to be considered when shopping for a mid-sized sedan. They were fairly sport, fairly stylish, and could even be found with what was at the time, advanced technology, in the form of the Turbocharged, all-wheel drive VR4 from the 1980's. Times have changed a great deal since then, but the Galant has not. It lacks much of the inspiration that has gone into class leading models and has now been surpassed in virtually all respects by the competition. It's most recent generation came off the factory floor in 2004.

In 2004 Mitsubishi launched the Endeavor, which was a surprise win in an Edmunds comparison test of the day. However, despite continued improvements to the model, it has started to slip under heavy pressure from other car makers in this highly competitive category. After the Montero left the lineup in 2006, the Endeavor was left as the largest SUV in Mitsubishi's fleet. To compete in this class, a third seat has become almost a price of entry and the Endeavor lacks one.

A few years ago, the Outlander stepped into one of the most hotly contested of product segments, the small SUV market. Long dominated by the likes of the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, the Outlander remains, despite Mitsubishis attempts to improve upon it, in the back of the pack. It offers the same All Wheel Drive, commanding view of the road, and cargo space that consumer look for, while setting itself apart somewhat due to its unique style. To its credit, the current Outlander solves some of the knocks against it by offering more power and sportier handling though the tradeoff for that sporty handling is ride stiff enough to leave many unhappy. Interior space remains an issue, with cramped second seat and nearly unusable third seat dimensions.