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We liked the new Mazda 2 from the moment it was announced. The idea of sharply reducing weight and aerodynamic drag while increasing power synced perfectly with our automotive philosophy. In our November 2008 "Cars We Need Now" issue, we called the smallest Mazda "a car that ought to be available for our market." We backed up our belief in its virtues by putting an example in our Four Seasons fleet. Since it wasn't yet available in the United States (it's coming this summer), we asked Mazda Europe to loan us a 1.5-liter four-door hatchback with the sport package in France. The twin-cam four-cylinder pumps out 102 hp and, over our test period, managed a respectable 32 mpg despite most of our use being in low-speed urban traffic.inline_mediumwraptextright27600877/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1002_2008_mazda_2_wrap_up1002_07_z+2008_mazda_2+side_view.jpgTrue

It was a chilly 14 degrees on the evening I drove the CX-7. The leather seats were frigid and transmitted the chill straight through the seat of my pants. So I turned the seat heaters on full blast and fiddled with the rest of the controls - mirrors, steering wheel, radio - to get them set the way I like. By the time I was done with that, the seats had already started to heat up nicely, and the chill was waning. So - at least the seat heaters work quite well in the CX-7, thank you Mazda.inline_mediumwraptextright31897545/reviews/editors_notebook/1001_2010_mazda_cx7_grand_touring1001_05_z+2010_mazda_cX-7_grand_touring_aWD+front_interior.jpgTrue

Manual transmissions have a wonderful way of spicing up what would otherwise be a mundane driving experience. The Mazda-sourced six-speed manual does just that for the four-cylinder Fusion, making this model the most entertaining of the many variants we've driven. Throw the car into second gear at 30 mph, and its no-drama 2.5-liter four-cylinder howls pleasantly and reminds you that it's the same peppy, smooth motor found in the Mazda3. Give credit to Ford as well, not only for offering a stick shift in the first place, but also for making it available with a decent amount of equipment, rather than relegating it to the bargain basement, fuel-economy special (good thing, as the six-speed automatic actually gets better mileage). Our Fusion came with eighteen-inch wheels, performance tires, and a sunroof all for $23,065. I also like the sporty-looking body-colored grille, though I should disclose that I'm one of those folks who used to admire plastic-cladded Pontiacs.inline_mediumwraptextright31851960/reviews/editors_notebook/0912_2010_ford_fusion_se0912_01_z+2010_ford_fusion_sE+front_view.jpgTrue

The Mazda 5 is getting old, but I remain a fan. This is a great vehicle for a small family that needs something bigger and more versatile than a sedan but doesn't want the expense and bulk of a minivan or a larger crossover. With comfortable seating for six spread among three rows, a carlike driving demeanor, and great visibility through its huge windshield, it's a very pleasant vehicle to drive. Yep, it's only got a four-cylinder engine. Nope, you don't need a V-6, which would only drive up the sticker price and lower the fuel economy which, at 21/27 mpg city/highway, is pretty good for a car that can haul six people, or four people and a lot of stuff.inline_mediumwraptextright26344289/reviews/editors_notebook/0912_2010_mazda5_touring0912_03_z+2010_mazda5_touring+rear_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Even as the miles wore on during two recent road trips, our Mazda 3 remained comfortable and engaging. During a Thanksgiving trip to Boston, assistant editor David Zenlea found the seats supportive over the long haul while the 3's chassis soaked up bumps and kept the drive lively. Having made the same trip two weeks earlier in our long-term BMW 7-series, Zenlea made the surprising assessment that the 3 was "significantly more enjoyable." His only gripe during the1600-mile drive was the navigation system that failed to warn him about standstill traffic near the Canadian border costing him hours and forcing him into a hotel for the night.inline_mediumwraptextright25452041/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/0912_2010_mazda3_s_sport_5_door_december_update0910_01_z+2010_mazda3_s_sport+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Make no mistake, the Mazda Kiyora is not a concept car. At least, not as the term is typically used these days, when what is presented as an idea about the future is in fact a hastily restyled upcoming production car, presented to prepare public opinion in advance: "Wow, the new Thingamajig came from the Chimera concept car." No way will we see versions of the Kiyora on the streets anytime soon. Or ever.