22 cars Americans love most

Unlike the Chevy Aveo that it replaces, the Sonic isn't designed to appeal to buyers simply because it wears a bargain-basement price tag. Instead, the Sonic's appeal is its top-notch build quality, impressive feature set and fun-to-drive nature. The Sonic gets the same 4-cylinder engine options as its bigger sibling, the Cruze — 1.4-liter turbocharged or 1.8-liter normally aspirated — and it handles just as well as the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit, if not better. One dig: It has less cargo capacity than some of its rivals.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

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For the second year in a row, the Volt takes home top honors in the compact-car segment. The Volt is a technological marvel, and owners have come to recognize that. Survey respondents particularly like the electric vehicle's styling, fuel economy and powertrain performance. We are impressed that the Volt integrates its technology well and that, unlike the Toyota Prius, it feels like a normal car.

2012 Chevrolet Volt

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The new-for-2012 MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster is basically the same car — a MINI Cooper with two fewer seats. The big difference is that the roof has been chopped off the Roadster. While we think the Coupe looks awkward, offers limited visibility and isn't very functional, the Roadster is a hoot. Both are available in Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants, powered by three versions of the automaker's 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, producing 122, 184 and 211 horsepower, respectively.

2012 MINI Coupe

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In 1998, Mercedes set the blueprint for modern roadsters and convertibles with its SLK. The roadster offered a well-executed, reliable, power-retractable hardtop in a stylish, compact package that was fun to drive. Now in its third generation, the SLK has been completely redesigned, with an emphasis on comfort and refinement, dynamic balance and improved efficiency. With direct injection and multi-spark ignition, the new 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 302 horsepower and delivers respectable fuel economy at 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK

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As one of the most iconic and significant vehicles ever made, BMW's 3-Series has been the poster child for superior German engineering since it hit the streets back in the early 1970s. The 3 is the sport sedan that all other sport sedans aspire to be. For 2012, BMW made it faster and more powerful than ever before. It also packed the 3-Series with far more standard features and updated its style, both inside and out. One thing that did bother survey respondents: mediocre fuel economy.

2013 BMW 3-Series

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It might look, move and sound like a muscle car, but don't let that fool you; the Challenger is also a practical family car. Its interior is more spacious, especially the back seat, than either the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang, as is its trunk, making the Challenger more palatable for trips to the grocery store or picking up the kids at soccer practice. However, survey respondents had some reservations about build quality.

2013 Dodge Challenger

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At a distance, the 2012 A6 might look like the outgoing model, but it' a completely different car up close. The new A6 looks more balanced and athletic than its predecessor, and its interior, which is always the best in the category, has been improved as well; it is a more comfortable, luxurious and efficient car. The core engine is a supercharged double-overhead-cam 3.0-liter V6 with twin intercoolers. It produces 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Fuel-economy ratings are 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

2013 Audi A6

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With a stylish new body, a well-sorted interior and an excellent 8-speed transmission, the A8 is the new pinnacle of all things Audi. The car retains its legendary strengths (i.e., an elegant interior and standard all-wheel drive), but grows a little bigger and gets a host of new electronic gadgets, such as the highly intuitive driver interface and display. Though the sedan retains its all-aluminum 4.2-liter V8, the engine produces 33 additional horsepower. More importantly, Audi says the new transmission will improve the A8's fuel economy by a 15 percent, to 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

2013 Audi A8

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The Kia Optima looks and feels like a much more expensive car than its humble price tag would suggest. It is available in five trim levels and three engine choices: The LX and EX models are powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower; the EX Turbo and SX get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 274 horses; and the Kia Optima Hybrid is powered by a 166-horsepower 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that makes 40 horsepower.

2013 Kia Optima

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The all-new 2012 Passat is more spacious, stylish and, more importantly, appropriately priced than ever before. By setting a starting price of less than $20,000, Volkswagen has made its intentions clear: It wants to take on the sales leaders in the midsize segment, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. While survey respondents loved the design and fuel economy, they were a bit concerned over build quality.

2013 Volkswagen Passat

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For the second year in a row, the Dodge Charger is named as the top practical people-mover. This rear-wheel-drive 4-door sedan can be outfitted from the factory almost any way you want it. It has a balanced ride and is more agile than its immense size would suggest. Respondents were enamored with the exterior design, and they also liked the entertainment features and interior storage space. We appreciate the Charger's new 3.6-liter V6 engine.

2013 Dodge Charger

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The 2012 Porsche 911 might not look significantly different than its predecessor, but underneath that iconic sheet metal is a whole new beast. Some experts, including our own, call it the best 911 they have ever driven. Interior materials look and feel high-quality, and the dash has much improved usability.

2013 Porsche 911

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The Countryman is the largest and most versatile MINI, offering all-wheel drive and far more interior space than its tiny siblings. Still, it is no larger than a Honda Fit, so its 1.6-liter 120- and 180-horsepower 4-cylinder engines provide plenty of pep. Among respondents, the Countryman stood out from the competition in exterior styling, engine performance and fuel economy. We like the driving dynamics, too.

2012 MINI Countryman

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The funky Soul was updated inside and out for the 2012 model year. The most notable changes were powertrain upgrades, which make this boxy ride more powerful and fuel-efficient. The new, base 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine produces a solid 138 horsepower, thanks to direct fuel injection, and it gets 27 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The Plus and Exclaim trims get a 2.0-liter engine that packs a bigger punch, with 164 horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque that delivers 25 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

2013 Kia Soul

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The Range Rover Evoque is selling like hot cakes all over the world. While it is based on the Land Rover LR2, don't hold that against this little luxury ute. The Evoque is a much, much better machine. It looks slick, is well-engineered, and is probably more capable than any other suburban rock-crawler. It also delivers acceptable fuel economy and offers an inviting interior.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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The 2012 Ford Flex has the space, versatility, features and driving dynamics to make it a top contender among midsize people-movers. It has a large cabin with genuine 3-row seating, and is available in seven trims, ranging from the front-wheel-drive SE to the all-wheel-drive Titanium, both of which are equipped with a 3.5-liter 262-horsepower V6 engine that achieves 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

2013 Ford Flex

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While other sport utilities have downsized to crossovers (crossovers use a car chassis, rather than one from a truck, for better driving dynamics and fuel efficiency), the Expedition has remained unapologetically true to its truck-based roots. It can tow more than some pickup trucks, seat up to eight people and offers 4-wheel drive. It also has a comfortable ride. But it will cost you at the pumps.

2013 Ford Expedition

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No vehicle offers the extremes of off-road capability and track-ready handling like the Porsche Cayenne. Redesigned for 2011, the Cayenne comes into 2012 relatively unchanged. The standard model gets a blind-spot warning system, and the Turbo receives a few minor changes, including a new power kit that increases output by 40 horsepower. Study participants were impressed by the Cayenne's fuel economy, exterior design, engine performance and driving dynamics. We like the Cayenne as a go-anywhere, do-anything SUV, but hate its price.

2012 Porsche Cayenne

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The QX56 is more suited to its primary mission than ever before: ferrying well-heeled families to and from the weekend house, mall or country club. It is available in two trims, the 2WD and 4WD. Both are equipped with the 5.6-liter 400-horsepower V8 engine that achieves 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway.

2013 Infiniti QX56

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The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is a good compromise between a comfortable SUV and capable pickup truck, thanks to its midgate, a foldable partition that can be arranged for different passenger and cargo configurations. The design also allows the truck to deliver a more composed ride than most pickups. In addition, it's comfortable. Unfortunately, it's pricey and has lower towing and hauling capacity than regular pickups.

2013 Chevrolet Avalanche

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The Frontier is one of the toughest little pickup trucks on the market today. It is available with a choice of 4-cylinder or V6 power, and rear- or 4-wheel drive. With seating for four or five people, depending on the cab style, the Frontier competes with the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado. On the road, its handling is relatively nimble, and the ride is comfortable. With its long list of standard features and available options, you can tailor the Frontier to match your intended use.

2013 Nissan Frontier

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Redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Nissan Quest minivan offers plenty of seating (up to seven people in three rows) and a versatile cargo area (the second-row seats fold flat). It comes in four trim levels — S, SV, SL and LE — and offers a quiet and smooth ride, along with sharp steering and handling.

2013 Nissan Quest

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For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

• Chevrolet Sonic
• Chevrolet Volt
• MINI Coupe
• MINI Roadster
• Mercedes-Benz SLK
• BMW 3-Series
• Dodge Challenger
• Audi A6
• Audi A8
• Kia Optima
• Volkswagen Passat
• Dodge Charger
• Porsche 911
• MINI Countryman
• Kia Soul
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
• Ford Flex
• Ford Expedition
• Porsche Cayenne
• Infiniti QX56
• Nissan Frontier
• Nissan Quest

For nearly two decades, New York-based writer and editor Chuck Tannert has covered everything fromautomobiles to gadgets to travel. Before joining the MSN Autos team, Tannert served as senior automotiveeditor at Cargo and Popular Mechanics, and his work has appeared in many outlets, including Men's Fitness, Men's Journal, Penthouse, Popular Science and Wired.

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