Support for Car Talk is provided by:
Become a Car Talk Sponsor
Check out our other recommendations
Hyundai Genesis Volkswagen Jetta Ford Focus MINI Cooper Clubman Toyota Prius Nissan Altima
Scion xD Toyota Matrix Infiniti M35 Lincoln MKS Volvo Cross Country XC70

2010 Mazda6

  • Comfortable, smooth ride
  • Styling
  • Good mileage with 4 cylinder engine
  • Plenty of power with 4 cylinder engine
  • Good ergonomics
  • Well-equipped for the $25k price
  • Fool-proof blind spot monitoring system works well
  • Nothing especially outstanding about the car
  • Why not get a Honda Accord? It's the same money
  • Four-cylinder engine is a little noisy -- though not more than any other four-cylinder
  • Blind spot monitoring for highway driving only
Mazda6 Research
Check Prices Read Reviews Share


2010 Ford Taurus

  • 3.8 liter engine has more than enough power
  • Quiet interior
  • Handles extremely well
  • Good back support from front seats
  • Proximity beeper helps when backing up
  • Reasonably good mileage EPA 18/28
  • Terrible visibility
  • Poor visibility out the back due to high belt-line and small rear window
  • Small windows on the side further reduce visibility
  • Trunk opening is not large enough for big objects
  • Front seat could have been longer
  • Back seat is a little uncomfortable and confining -- surprising for such a big car
Ford Taurus Research
Check Prices Read Reviews Share


Infiniti EX 35

  • Incredible "top down" around-view composite parking camera system. The system uses four cameras and software, and it really works!
  • Audio safety alert system uses radar and braking measurements, to indicate that you're closing too quickly on a nearby vehicle or object. It was right, too.
  • Nice reasonable size. Not huge.
  • Great ride and comfort — opposite of hard-riding FX series
  • Small wagon-like versatility
  • Plenty of power
  • All the bells and whistles — including safety features
  • Lousy gas mileage — 19 combined
  • Rear seat knee room is minimal
  • Cargo room is compromised by the EX 35's sleek design
Infiniti EX 35 Research
Check Prices Read Reviews Share


Kia Soul

  • We got 28 MPG, combined — not bad!
  • Cool looking car. We think it'll be the #1 back-to-college car
  • A bit over $18,000, fully tricked out with sunroof and all the accoutrements
  • Two-liter engine is entirely adequate. We'd skip the 1.6 liter, which we think might be a bit underpowered.
  • Pretty comfortable — including the back seat
  • Handles well for a little car
  • Surprisingly quiet
  • 120 month/100,000 miles power train warranty
  • Very little cargo room, especially when traveling with driver and three passengers
  • Small, so safety is a concern
  • Annoying flashing speaker display on console. (Can be deactivated.)
Kia Soul Research
Check Prices Read Reviews Share



Search Car Talk