We drove the hottest new compact crossovers to see which has better real-life performance. Our testing contradicts other experts.

The 2013 Lexus IS350 is a great car so it is hard to believe that the redesigned 2014 Lexus IS350 is significantly improved but after spending a few hours driving the two Japanese luxo-sport sedans head to head – it is clear that Lexus has done a masterful job of improving an already very good option in the small luxury sedan segment.

Although the early days of the 2013 Ford Escape were plagued with precautionary recalls, spending a week behind the wheel made it clear why the Escape was, is and will continue to be one of the bestselling vehicles in the United States – with great power, tons of room and incredible fuel economy. It’s quite a bit of fun to drive, as well.

The fully loaded 2013 Lexus GS 350 is second only to the brand’s LS flagship in premium appointments, and yet can deliver spirited handling when called upon to perform.

The 2013 Ram 1500 took the industry by storm with a refreshed exterior, a refined suspension system and the powerful Hemi drivetrain – easily making this one of the best half ton trucks on the marketing and showing that all of those awards handed to the Ram team over the past six months weren’t just the result of marketing fluff.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the founding members of the sporty utility vehicle segment and with the 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 – it is clear why this is the most awarded SUV ever considering that it is one of the few on the market that emphasizes both sport and utility.

General Motors doesn’t call the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco a hybrid because – while it offers similar fuel saving technology through the eAssist drivetrain packed in a good looking, upscale midsized sedan – it doesn’t come with many of the quirks of the other popular hybrids on the market today.

It was a bright sunny day this week as Colorado Auto Dealers Association President Tim Jackson drove me to Phil Long Ford in Littleton to pick up a 2013 C-Max Hybrid SEL, for the first leg of the 2013 Colorado Green Car Convoy.

The all-new 2013 Toyota RAV4 has lost the identifying rear-mounted spare tire, but has gained richly in added value in the fourth generation of the Recreational Activity Vehicle.

It has been many moons since the Buick brand offered a high quality compact option but with the 2013 Buick Verano, General Motors has an affordable compact sedan that offers a luxurious interior, a superb ride and drivetrain that is both powerful and efficient that makes the Verano exactly what Buick has been needing.

The 2013 Lexus GS350 F Sport is a premium luxury sport sedan fitted with all of the amenities and features that a car claiming to be both luxury and sporty should have – with these attributes combining to create a roomy sedan that is a blast to drive while also being packed to the roof with the greatest of creature comforts.

The Fiat 500 Abarth might not be the fastest or the most high tech sports car in America but with a price starting just under $23,000, fuel economy measures in the 30-34 mile per gallon range and driving characteristics that make it just as much fun to drive as far more power and far more expensive sports cars – it is my belief that the Fiat 500 Abarth is not only the most engaging compact car sold in America but it is also the most exciting car sold in the US with a price tag under $25,000.

The German auto industry is ripe with sports cars that can offer an exhilarating driving experience with a stylish exterior combined with a luxurious, high tech interior but few do it as efficiently as the 2012 Audi TT 2.0 Quattro S-Tronic Coupe – a compact sports coupe that offers everything that you would expect from a European luxury sport model.

Now in its forth generation, the 2013 Toyota Avalon now for the first time offers a hybrid version, which takes full advantage of the revised Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive to achieve a potential 39-40 mpg in both city and highway driving.