Top 50 Most Popular Cars 2009

Comfortable, smartly designed and available in a wide array of configurations, the 2009 Honda Civic sets the bar for the small-car segment.

The 2009 Honda CR-V boasts great crash test scores, intuitive controls and above-average driving dynamics. However, the mandatory 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is ponderous and there’s no six-cylinder option.

To the glee of burnout aficionados everywhere, the Camaro is back. Chevrolet has reintroduced its iconic pony car after an eight-year hiatus, and this time the car’s driving excitement goes beyond just apocalyptic clouds of rear tire smoke.

No car boasts a better blend of fuel and space-efficiency than the 2009 Toyota Prius.

As expected, the 2009 Toyota Camry is pleasant to drive and spacious enough to keep a family of four content on a long road trip. But newer competition has managed to better this segment titan in overall performance and cabin refinement.

Entertaining yet sophisticated in demeanor, the 2009 Mazda 3 doesn’t look, feel or drive like an economy car. If you’re shopping for a small, inexpensive sedan or hatchback, this car should be at the top of your list.

Subtle styling updates and an available broad-shouldered diesel power plant put a layer of icing on our favorite entry-level luxury car, the 2009 BMW 3 Series.

The 2009 Ford Fusion has a lot of things going for it, including sporty handling and the nifty Sync MP3 and cell phone interface. Underwhelming powertrains and some unpleasant interior controls, however, relegate the Fusion to being a mid-pack choice for a midsize sedan.

The 2009 Nissan Altima bundles contemporary styling, athletic driving manners and a cozy cabin in either coupe or sedan varieties. The smart execution of the Altima places it among our top picks for sporty family cars.

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta remains the only discount-price European sedan. This year’s return of the wagon and TDI models makes the Jetta an even more attractive choice.

Spacious, comfortable and easy to drive, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is a top pick for a crossover SUV, especially if you want a V6 or a usable kid-size third-row seat.

The 2010 Honda Insight largely improves upon the tried-and-true formula of the rival Prius, and it costs thousands less.

The 2009 Honda Pilot looks tougher than its predecessor and offers more room for third-row passengers, but the stereo and climate controls are less than intuitive, and some interior plastics feel cheap.

Though scheduled for a complete redesign next year, the 2009 Honda Odyssey remains our favorite choice in the minivan segment.

Although competitors offer superior driving dynamics, the 2009 Lexus RX 350 will impress anyone shopping for a luxury crossover SUV with its plush ride quality, exceptional fit and finish, and ample day-to-day utility.

Sport-focused, intelligently designed and attractively priced, the 2009 Infiniti G37 is an excellent choice for an entry-level luxury sport sedan or coupe.

The redesigned 2009 Toyota Corolla will satisfy those seeking a refined and fuel-efficient small sedan backed by an impressive reliability record. Younger buyers, however, might be put off by the tepid driving experience.

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe bundles excellent rear-wheel-drive driving dynamics and brisk performance into an attractive — and attractively priced — package.

With newly available Bluetooth connectivity, standard stability control and the widespread adoption of the six-speed automatic for four-cylinder models, the already respected 2009 Chevy Malibu makes a stronger case for itself in the midsize sedan arena.

Now more SUV-like than ever before, the 2009 Subaru Forester grows in useful ways while retaining much of the previous model’s charm.

The 2009 Toyota Venza is a new breed of vehicle, mixing crossover SUV attributes with a wagon. We think many families will find it to be pleasantly useful transportation.

The redesigned 2009 Audi A4 sedan and Avant wagon boast more space, better driving dynamics and more gadgets. They’re worth a look for shoppers desiring good looks and sharp handling.

Having effectively addressed the F-150’s few shortcomings for 2009, Ford should have little problem holding onto its top-seller tradition.

With plenty of room, power and features, the 2009 Toyota Highlander is optimized for family use. If you’re shopping for a midsize crossover SUV, make sure you try this Toyota.

More than just a show pony, the 2009 Ford Mustang offers enthusiasts on a budget a tempting combination of potent performance and timeless styling. Given today’s gas prices, though, the Mustang’s prodigious thirst detracts from its appeal.

Thanks to the 2009 Honda Fit, “affordable subcompact” no longer equals “chintzy penalty box.”

With rising gas prices gluing full-size trucks to dealer lots, folks who still need a pickup’s utility should find that the midsize and more fuel-efficient 2009 Toyota Tacoma is an ideal alternative.

With the lowest base price of its three platform siblings, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse will probably become the most successful, too.

Acura addressed customer requests in its full redesign of the 2009 TL; it’s now bigger, quicker and easier to maneuver at slow speeds. However, its controversial styling could be a hit or miss with consumers.

With upgrades to its engine and suspension, the 2009 Ford Escape would get our full endorsement were it not for mediocre braking performance.

Roomy, comfortable and well-built, the 2009 Toyota Sienna minivan is an excellent choice for larger families.

Powerful, comfortable and offered in a wide array of body styles and configurations, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a prime choice for a full-size pickup.

While the amply proportioned 2009 Mazda 6 may no longer be the sportiest family sedan on the market, it has unquestionably become one of the best.

The 2009 Jeep Wrangler can’t be beat for heritage, image and no-compromises off-road ability. But compared to some other SUVs, it lacks refinement and power.

Though compromised by unpolished handling dynamics, the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500 still shines thanks to massive performance potential, classic-era looks and a reasonable price.

Nissan retains the Murano’s attractive qualities while making some key improvements to keep this sporty crossover more than competitive in the midsize segment.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has many key attributes that make it a competitive, entry-level luxury performance sedan — the C63 AMG in particular offers power and torque unmatched by its competitors. However, in certain aspects, the C-Class misses the mark.

The 2009 Acura MDX might not drive just like a sport sedan, but this seven-passenger luxury SUV comes very close.

With a brand-new interior and improved engines, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata re-establishes itself as a serious contender in the cutthroat midsize family sedan segment. It should definitely be on your shopping list.

With optional V8 power, a roomy interior and plenty of standard and optional equipment, this luxury sedan in the $30,000-$40,000 price range deserves serious consideration.

With ample room for up to eight passengers, a comfortable ride, respectable performance and decent fuel economy, the 2009 GMC Acadia ranks as one of the best family-oriented crossovers available.

Although the Impreza lost some of its quirky Subaru personality during last year’s “we’re going mainstream” redesign, the 2009 WRX model has happily been restored to its former high-performance glory.

Comfortable, stylish and impressively capable in terms of performance, the 2009 Dodge Challenger is exactly what a modern version of an old muscle-car icon should be.

The 2009 Nissan Maxima is a high-quality, well-stocked entry-level luxury sedan with an everyday badge. Snobs need not apply, but those with a keen eye for value should take note.

The 2009 Ford Flex is a thoughtfully designed and cool-looking alternative to minivans and seven-passenger crossover SUVs.

A revolutionary rear suspension makes the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 the smoothest-riding pickup on the market, while a stronger, more efficient Hemi V8 helps it keep up with the competition. A well-crafted new interior is icing on the cake.

The 2009 Ford Edge is not our first choice among midsize crossover SUVs, but it is a solid entry nonetheless. It is comfortable and spacious and offers confidence-inspiring handling, while its engine provides a good mix of power and fuel economy.

It’s hard not to walk away underwhelmed from the redesigned 2009 Acura TSX. While it improves upon its predecessor in some ways, it goes backward in others.