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It's been a long time coming for the Buick Enclave's first facelift. With a recess for bankruptcy along the way, three years to the typical mid-cycle refresh has become five years. Fortunately for GM, the Enclave and its Lambda-platform siblings -- the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia -- were assets, not liabilities, when the cash dried up. The sensible family haulers were well positioned to weather a financial drought as the rebuttal to a criticism that GM couldn't build a car that people actually wanted. For Buick, the efficient, stylish, upscale crossover had single-handedly resuscitated a brand that previously looked as healthy as Oldsmobile.

In the early '90s, we had a long-term 1991 Acura Integra GS two-door. A couple of criticisms, like uncomfortable seats and lack of interior space, kept the staff from falling in love with the car, but there was unanimous adoration for two things: the engine and drivetrain. "The Integra really came alive on deserted Huron River Drive, and I made it home in nine minutes," said now deputy editor, then editorial assistant, Joe DeMatio. "It usually takes fifteen."

We've raved about the impressive fuel economy delivered by our Four Seasons 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI for months now, but every so often, curious bystanders ask exactly what life with a diesel-fueled vehicle is like.