Ten Favorite Vehicles Road Tested in 2010 (Out of 70)

I road tested nearly 70 new cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans over the course of the past year and in that time I learned a lot about what makes a vehicle stand head and shoulders above the rest. Often times I have found my whole week psychologically colored by how good or bad the new car I am driving has shown itself to be through my experiential learning process.

I thought I knew everything about cars even before I started doing these weeklong road tests. What auto critic doesn't think they know it all? But during the 12 months of 2010 I learned there some cars that are cheap for a reason and some that are expensive for no reason. Case in point-the Nissan Rogue in the former case and the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon in the latter.

Without question I am often impressed by whiz-bang gizmos when new cars are delivered to me at the start of a week of testing but by the end of those 7 days my opinions rarely have anything to do with technology. Except for maybe Ford's Sync but that's a whole other matter about my pathology that I wouldn't care to discuss at present.

The following list represents the best of the best in regards to models I tested over the last year. They mainly fit into very mainstream categories so despite the fact that I loved every minute with the 2010 Nissan 370Z and 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser they aren't listed here due to their specialized niche status.

Given the state of the auto industry at present I drove a lot of SUVs. And by a lot I mean a whole heck of a lot and 2011 isn't going to be much different if my schedule is anything to go by. On this list I included my favorite truck, minivan, 3 grades of family SUV, one SUV alternative, one high mileage commuter, a family sedan and the technological marvel of the automotive age. I think that about covers it.

2010 VW Golf TDI-I tested a number of hybrids over the past year (okay, pretty much all of them) and I found the VW Golf TDI to be a superior choice for people looking for high mileage, hypermiling fun. Yes, you can be green and still have a good time with a VW Golf TDI if my experience with my six-speed manual equipped tester is anything to go by.

It is quick, powerful, has a terrifically meaty shift action and returned an incredible 41 miles per gallon over the week I was driving my blue two-door Golf TDI. Call it heresy but I found it to be even more fun than the GTI I also tested. That used to be my favorite car in the whole world so the 2010 VW Golf TDI was truly a game changer in my mind.

2011 Kia Optima EX-A surprise and delight package that I didn't expect to enjoy quite as much as I did. There is simply nothing at the price that looks as good inside or out as the 2011 Kia Optima. Prices are also very, very competitive and even if it lacks a bit of the razor sharp reflexes inherent in most Accords it simply looks better.

Honda FCX Clarity-Easily the coolest car I was privileged enough to drive all year. Apologies, this car ruined me for all plug-in electric vehicles with their puny ranges (the Clarity goes 225 miles per tank-trust me I had to refill it), long recharge times (the hydrogen tank takes only 4 minutes to refill) and dorky styling (hello Nissan Leaf).

This sedan is dynamic looking that half of the complements I got were merely based on the styling with many people probably not even realizing the car ran on hydrogen. Driving it was also a pleasure as it steered and handled with that typical big Honda sedan composure that is always satisfying. It also emits an eerily otherworld hum as you accelerate that is a something akin to the sound of a light saber and the U.S.S. Enterprise entering warp drive.

But unfortunately for the Clarity it appears that all of the Government subsidizing is going towards the electrification of the automobile. Now, if you think that what the powers that be in Washington D.C. have decided is best for you truly is then perhaps you need to stop sipping out of the slow kids sippy cup and think for yourself.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon-There are just some of us out there who would never drive an SUV or a minivan but need something practical for family duties. The Acura TSX is one of my favorite cars in sedan form but I felt that the wagon deserved special mention for bringing luxury, style, class and driving fun to the family transportation segment.

2011 Toyota Sienna SE-Do understand that I refer here to only the SE variant with its sportier suspension/steering calibrations and "Swagger Wagon" ground effects package. You would be surprised how much fun it is to carve corners in this incredibly spacious 8-passenger minivan. Really, it's actually kind of fun.

Now, I don't understand why Toyota doesn't offer the SE with rear seat DVD entertainment since most parents find that to be an indispensible feature these days. Besides that the 3.5 liter V6 emits a lion-like and throaty roar under heavy acceleration that you just don't expect from a sensible minivan. Do note I did not have a chance to drive the 2011 Honda Odyssey yet so if I had the outcome might have been different. We'll see in 2011.

2010 Honda Civic Si-Yes, you have to rev it to 8,000RPM to get the most power out of the 2.0 liter 197 horsepower engine but I guarantee from the first time you lay hands on the delicious six-speed manual shifter in this puppy you will never not want to do that. Really, the noise this engine makes is so addicting that the only problem with this car is that it hates to be driven slowly. The Civic Si has the best six-speed manual transmission on the planet so buy it now while you can.

2011 Kia Sorento EX-V6-Now for the best family SUVs! This was another surprise from Kia that easily won my heart as favorite 7-passenger mainstream family SUV. The 3.5 liter 276 horsepower V6/6-speed automatic combo works flawlessly and build quality of this U.S. built Kia is superb. Classy looking, affordable, comfortable, practical, roomy, sensibly priced and with a terrific warranty-you can't lose with the 2011 Kia Sorento.

2010 Honda CR-V-Balance. That is what the Honda CR-V possesses that its competition does not. Interior packaging and build quality are first rate, the 180 horsepower 4-cylinder is surprisingly punchy and efficient and through it all the CR-V remains affordable. This is the mix of frugality, practicality and sportiness that Honda does better than anyone else.

Some complain about the fact that the second row of seats in the CR-V don't fold flat but I appreciated this fact as when you fold the back seats forward against the two up front you are left with a barrier that keeps your dog out of the driver's seat while you are in the grocery store. Hey, to a dog person that can come in really handy and I am a dog person.

2010 Acura MDX-If you need a little more luxury in your family SUV then might I recommend something in an Acura MDX? I am currently driving a 2011 model and even though little has changed it struck me the instant I climbed aboard why this is Acura's best-selling model.

Everything about it is just right from the way to interface with the technology to the layout of the cabin to the way it deftly handles even the most precarious parking lot hazard zones. It'll be interesting, however, to see how well it does against the 2011 Audi Q7 I have scheduled a few weeks after my current 2011 MDX. Do I smell a comparison test?

2010 Ford F-150-Both the 2010 Dodge Ram and 2010 Toyota Tundra I tested were excellent pick-up trucks in their own ways. The Ram had a terrific ride and those clever bedside Ram Boxes. The Tundra had the most amazing powertrain with the 5.7 liter V8/6-speed automatic feeling like they belonged in a Lexus. But neither can compete with the all-encompassing goodness of the 2010 Ford F-150. Despite the fact that it didn't lead the pack in all areas, it still excelled in them all.

The main trump card that the F-150 offers is the fact that it comes in so many different trim, drivetrain (engines are all new, thank God, for 2011), body-style and bed lengths that there is bound to be an F-150 for everyone. Also, whoever invented the tailgate "Man-Step" and Ford's Sync system deserves the Nobel Prize for making me happy.