2011 Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze may be even more important for GM, and it, too, offers surprises. Its interior is perhaps the nicest to reside beneath a Chevy bowtie in decades, and the ride is the most comfortable in its crowded, competitive class.

Unfortunately, we tested only one engine option of the Cruze, the slightly uplevel turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers an impressive 36 mpg on the highway. There's a base model with less power and a lower price tag, and an upcoming Eco model that manages 40 mpg for around $18,000. While the Cruze's design isn't stunning, this class focuses on value, and the Cruze delivers on that promise with a lot of standard equipment for the price