Small SUVs are one of the hottest vehicle categories. Their good fuel economy, easy access, all-weather traction, and plenty of passenger and cargo space make them an appealing choice for many car buyers. In this crowded segment, it can be challenging for consumers to determine which one is best to buy. That's where we come in.

The redesigned Subaru Forester is the only small SUV out of 13 tested to earn a top score of Good in the new small overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which received an Acceptable score, earn the Institute's Top Safety Pick+ award.

Quality, safety, and value are the top factors for new-car buyers and are certainly not lost on moms looking to buy the right family car. Hitting all these attributes in a vehicle that is also kid friendly can be a challenge, but our experts have found 25 of the best, least-expensive mom-friendly cars that are appealing to moms with children of varying ages.

With the media days at the New York International Auto Show behind us, the cars team has had time to reflect on the approximately 1,000 vehicles on display. Many new models made impressions, and some were utterly forgettable. To share our perspective, we've named standouts in 10 categories.

Kia has a hit with the Soul, a compact hatchback that has exceeded sales expectations. So, when it came for a redesign, the company stuck with its winning formula, packaged with more upscale amenities.

The past few years have shown dramatic fuel economy improvements in all types of cars in our testing. Rather than exotic technology, such as hybrids and vehicle electrification, most of the improvements have come the old-fashioned way: through conventional technologies applied to gasoline engines.

We've always been impressed with current Kia Sorento's strong powertrain, secure handling, and roomy interior. For 2014, the Sorento is updated, putting it back on our radar and into our test fleet.

Buying a new car on a budget can be a challenge, and you should prepare for some compromises. The trick is getting the right balance of value and quality for your money, without accepting one or more significant sacrifices that you may later regret. The good news: Our recent tests show there are several great cars available for under $18,000.

While car brand reputation can be a strong influence on purchase decisions, such perceptions can be misleading. The reality is, every brand offers models that perform across a spectrum, with some are clearly better than others.

It's important, of course, to get a good deal when you buy a car. But it's just as critical to look down the road at how much a vehicle will cost you to own.

The Kia Forte was introduced in 2010 and gets a full redesign for 2014. That's one of the shortest product cycles we've seen, giving you an idea of how competitive the small car market is. We drove two early-build 2014 Fortes to get a first look at how they'll stack up.

Hyundai and sister carmaker Kia both announced partnerships with Google at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week that will bring Internet search functions on the road.

Proving paying more doesn't automatically equate to safer, some midsized cars do better than luxury models in the new frontal offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Hyundai and Kia today announced that the companies are revising their fuel economy estimates downward after the EPA spot-checked several models and found that the results did not live up to Hyundai's and Kia's claims.

Automakers are turning to smaller displacement, turbocharged engines to produce decent power without sacrificing fuel economy. Kia has followed suit with its Sportage SX, succeeding in delivering these goals.