BMW Vision Efficientdynamics Concept

What it is: BMW’s take on a green car. Naturally, it keeps performance in mind.

What we like about it: You can have your cake and eat it too. Stellar performance in a radical wrapper that’s actually good for the planet.

Bottom line: While this is a concept of a car that’ll probably never be produced, it’s exciting to see tree hugging and road hugging together at last.

Cadillac CTS Coupe

What it is: CTS sedan minus 2 doors plus a whole lot of style.

What we like about it: The concept vehicle’s design carries over virtually unchanged to production: nearly horizontal rear glass, LED light pipes all around, center exit exhaust and all.

Bottom line: The CTS Coupe showcases the future of Cadillac design. We like where this is going. 

Chevrolet Cruze

What it is: The replacement for the lackluster Chevy Cobalt. Finally!

What we like about it: This is GM’s first crack at a serious small car for the United States. Gorgeous exterior, interior that rivals a Cadillac’s and 40 mpg on the highway…need we say more?

Bottom line: Here’s a major contender from GM in the small car market that Toyota and Honda have cornered in the US for decades.

Chevrolet Volt

What it is: GM’s all-in bet on plug-in electric technology.

What we like about it: A hatchback that can drive up to 40 miles without burning a drop of gas, and up to 300 miles with the gas engine-generator running.

Bottom line: An electric car designed and priced for the masses. What took so long?

Ford Fiesta

What it is: Ford of Europe’s top selling vehicle ready for sale in the U.S. You might have heard of the Fiesta already from one of the 100 social media-ites Ford chose to drive and promote them online as part of the Fiesta Movement.

What we like about it: It drives like a go-kart, gets better fuel economy than many hybrids, and we've been watching people drive them for the last 6 months. Fun, frugal, Facebook? OMGROTFL

Bottom line: Proof that small cars can rock.

Fisker Karma

What it is: An $87,900 plug-in electric hybrid 4-door luxury wonder car.

What we like about it: It’s really, really, ridiculously good looking…minus maybe the cheshire cat smile. A 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, top speed of 125 mph, and a 300 mile range in sport mode (with the aid of a gas engine generator) makes this one of the coolest electric cars in the pipeline.

Bottom line: Proof that the future of electric cars is very bright.

Hyundai Sonata

What it is: The completely redesigned Sonata marks the sixth generation of Hyundai’s midsize sedan. Not so midsize anymore though, it has so much interior volume that the EPA considers it a large sedan.

What we like about it: The base engine is a class-leading 198-horsepower 2.4-liter gas direct-injected power plant that achieves 35 mpg on the highway.

Bottom line: VW CC meets Toyota Camry in a car the size of a Honda Accord.

Jaguar XJ

What it is: New flagship sedan from the blokes across the pond at Jaguar.

What we like about it: This cat is a perfect marriage of technology, design and elegance. Coolest feature: LCD screen in place of physical gauges.

Bottom line: Watch for it in an upcoming Jay Z video, this could be the “it” car of 2010.

Lexus LFA

What it is: Lexus goes all-out building its first halo supercar.

What we like about it: It’s been almost 5 years since we saw the first concept of the LFA, and Lexus took all that time dialing the car in. With a spec sheet that resembles a racecar more than a street car, Lexus proves that it can build far more than rolling couches.

Bottom line: If you’re one of the lucky 500 owners to have one of these bad boys built completely custom for you, can we have a ride?

MAZDA2

What it is: A sporty subcompact car introduced in Europe, now coming to the U.S.

What we like about it: Being from Mazda, the MAZDA2 was developed from the ground up with performance in mind. Add to that the frugality of a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder power plant, and you’re left with a car that’s heavy on smiles and light on the wallet.

Bottom line: Looks like the Ford Fiesta has some competition from cousin Mazda.

Mercedes SLS AMG

What it is: Zero to sixty in 3.7 seconds, 3,573 lbs, electronically limited 197 mph top speed and gull wing doors. A throwback to the 300SL gullwing coupe of the 1950’s, with all the modern performance you can (or can’t) handle.

What we like about it: Crazy fast with a perfect mix of retro and modern styling.

Bottom line: First ever car developed from the ground-up by Mercedes-AMG (AMG usually keeps separate from Mercedes), the SLS AMG is sure to be instantly collectable.

Porsche Boxster Spyder

What it is: Lighter, faster, stronger Porsche Boxster.

What we like about it: Weighing in at only 2,811 lbs, this is the lightest car in the Porsche lineup.

Bottom line: No radio, air conditioning, or even door handles (replaced with fabric straps from the GT3RS), this is what pure driving is all about.

Suzuki Kizashi

What it is: A midsize sedan from a company known for small cars and motorcycles.

What we like about it: Developed with vehicles like the Acura TSX, Volkswagen Passat, and Audi A4 in mind, the Kizashi promises premium performance at an affordable price.

Bottom line: The Kizashi sports a handsome exterior with an impressive spec sheet.

Toyota Sienna

What it is: Toyota’s third generation kid hauler takes the mini van to a whole new level.

What we like about it: New sporty SE trim adds a ground effects package, 19-inch wheels, and a sport tuned suspension. Hold on Junior, twisties ahead!

Bottom line: A rather stylish minivan that kids and parents might not be embarrassed to be seen in.