Auto News 5

The Fiat 500 is finally on sale in the United States, and it is a big deal. Conveniently for the Chrysler Group, the car's arrival is coinciding with a huge jump in fuel prices. Even though the 500 doesn't get fantastic mileage, it's EPA-rated at 30/38 mpg city/highway, which is more economical than most. The 500 starts at a friendly $16,000 and offers tons of style and lots of opportunity for additional personalization. The low price, however, shows through in the interior materials and assembly quality, which are both average at best. Still, the interior is very functional and would be easy to live with.

Ever since Mini returned to the marketplace in 2001 under BMW's guidance, the brand's been getting bigger, both in offerings and vehicle size. It started with the second-generation Mini, which was bigger in almost every dimension than the first. Larger still was the Mini Clubman, and then came the Mini Countryman, a four-door, all-wheel drive crossover. The 2012 Mini Coupe isn't exactly reversing that trend, as it's roughly the same size as the present Mini Cooper, but it sure looks Mini-er.