We've enjoyed Mazda3s for years. They've often been the driver's choice for the most fun-to-drive small sedan. And now they're very fuel efficient, as well.

There was a time when consumers could count on redesigned cars to be better than the previous model. Well, not any more, as exemplified by Honda's string of models that performed worse than their predecessors. Now it seems Toyota has followed suit, with its all-new Yaris being less competitive than before.

Sometimes less is more with cars. That was our experience with the 2012 Ford Edge. We bought a four-cylinder Ecoboost engine and skipped the optional MyFord Touch infotainment system that had frustrated us on other models.

After seeing what happened to the redesigned-for-2012 Honda Civic, we were worried about the 2012 redesign of the CR-V. Turns out the big-selling small SUV managed to escape the low-scoring fate of the unimpressive Civic update.

When the Wrangler was redesigned for its current generation (aka JK), the iconic SUV saw its road test score more than triple. The larger, more powerful Wrangler had joined the 21st-century, though it remained a trail-bred machine lumbering in a world now dominated by civilized crossovers. As Chrysler Corp. has rapidly updated its models on this side of bankruptcy, we were interested to see if the new touches applied to the Wrangler could elevate its standing.

Toyota has expanded the coveted Prius brand by introducing this larger wagon, and it will soon flank the original Prius hatchback with the introduction of a smaller hybrid, the Prius C. The Prius V certainly seems like a good idea: Take a proven powertrain and fit it to a roomier vehicle, offering current Prius owners a step-up vehicle, well suited to growing families. But does it work? We bought a Prius V “Three Model” ($28,217) to see if Toyota got the formula right, or if it proved to, literally, be too much of a good thing.

At first look - not to mention the second and third - the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is rather appealing. But living with and thoroughly testing the car reveals a lot of flaws.

It’s not often we think of any SUV as being fun to drive. But consider this: The BMW X3 truly fits that description. And seeing as how the original X3 basically invented the upscale sporty compact SUV segment, it’s refreshing that the latest version continues this tradition, while adding functionality.

A latecomer to the small SUV market, Volkswagen introduced the Tiguan in 2009, after the segment pioneers were well into their third generation. Competing in a popular category that is seeing several key models redesigned, we bought an updated 2012 Tiguan SEL 4Motion to see how it has progressed and chart how it stacks up.

The upcoming March 2012 issue of Consumer Reports magazine features road tests of the BMW X3, Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Toyota Prius V. These new or updated models were treated to the full battery of more than 50 tests, and the full results are available now to online subscribers.

The biggest news about the 2012 Impala (besides it being 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart’s ride) is that it now has a modern 302-hp, 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission. Other than that, we’ve found this relic of a car-- the platform dates back to 1988--wanting.

When Toyota updated their top-selling midsized sedan for 2012, they addressed what needed to be improved without messing with the Camry’s recipe for success.

Volkswagen’s recent redesign of the Jetta-bigger, less nimble, cheaply-trimmed inside - left us concerned about the 2012 redesign of the Passat. The good news: The Passat is a lot more competitive than the Jetta. But we’re not exactly putting it on any Consumer Reports “Car of the Year” lists, either.

By now, it should be no surprise that Consumer Reports isn’t fond of the redesigned-for-2012 Honda Civic. We’ve tested LX, EX, and Hybrid versions, and all of them scored below our threshold to be recommended. (Honda seems to agree that the car could be better, as Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito recently took personal responsibility for the car’s faults.) Now it’s time for Civic test car #4: a four-door Si.

Chrysler’s mid-sized sedans--the Chrysler Sebring and its platform-mate, the Dodge Avenger--left them in a bind. The cars were woefully uncompetitive with slow sales as a result. All-new replacements from their then new-found alliance with Fiat were years away. Killing off the Sebring and Avenger would leave a line-up with no sedan smaller than the large Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. And keeping the mid-sizers on sale unchanged wasn’t much of an option.