Here are five of our favorites that are hitting the roads and dealerships all around us… and why you’ll want to buy them, too.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

This hot Camaro comes equipped with a 580-horsepower supercharged V8 engine, with lots of gorgeous features to boot. Termed “barely street legal” (with good reason), the ZL1 is the highest-performing production Camaro of all time. Clocking 7:41:23 this comfortable sportscar is perfect for daily driving… with that racer’s edge.

Buick Verano

The 2012 Buick Verano brings forth a refined, responsive performance with a powerful 2.4L dual overhead cam 4-cylinder engine, variable valve timing and E85⁷ capability.  This luxury sedan includes its advanced QuietTuning technology, as well as Buick IntelliLink and an available GPS navigation system. Another perk? Its EPA-estimated 21 MPG city/32 MPG on the highway and approximate 15-gallon tank: to lower-in-gas bonuses.

Ford C-Max

Among them in Volkswagen’s Tiguan, a slick crossover that finds you the perfect balance of sporty, attractive, and practical.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

This compact crossover is on the way up. Last year, its sales increased from around 14,000 units to nearly 21,000. This year, it’s breaking records.

The new Tiguan utilizes a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI four-cylinder engine, generating the same 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque output as last year’s model. These add up to a big improvement in miles per gallonOther updates include a new  version of its 09M six-speed automatic, now using two different overdrive gears instead of one. As well, the Aslin gearbox changes its torque converter when coasting, and the transmission reduces shift points and lowered idle speed.

These alterations should tally to a 15-to-20 percent gain in efficiency (approximately 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive spec). Last year’s version was about 20/26. The downside is that it still recommends premium fuel.

The Tiguan also boasts updated hardware, which is found underneath its slick, and effective, exterior. The front fascia adopts Volkswagen’s latest corporate look, which is making its way into a number of its vehicles: twin split-bar grille and new headlamps, looking pretty good. There is also an addition of chrome lower trim strips and reshaped taillights with updated internals. Overall, it looks just that much more refined.

There are two front-end looks for the 2012 Tiguan. One is the 28° Track & Style nose, which has a light-duty plastic skid plate and slightly improved arrival angle. The other options is the 18° Sport & Style, which includes a bluffer face, with a larger center air intake and a Leno jut. European customers get to choose, while North American customers will have the 28° Track & Style nose.

The interior of the new Tiguan is largely the same as the 2011: well-constructed, comfortable, and good-looking. New additions include an updated steering wheel with multi-function switchgear, a clearer and more colorful data display  between the tachometer and the speedometer and an updated gearshift lever. For those who choose the SEL model, they will also see a thin matte silver trim on the door cards.

Last year’s  Tiguan was more expensive than its competitors of the same cross overs, though Volkswagen hasn’t started pricing the 2012 model’s September on-sale date. We assume it will be in the same ballpark of $23,000.

If you’re looking for refinement in a gorgeous crossover with all of the reliability of a Volkswagen, the Tiguan is an excellent choice.

Stay tuned for more parts as we pick our favorite upcoming vehicles for 2012!

Here are our top 12 tips for maintaining the life of your car, keeping it new and healthy, and ensuring that what you bought is what you’ll have for years to come.

Oh, and keeping you safe, too.

Skip the at-home car wash

When you wash your car at home, you actually use almost 20 times MORE water than if you get it professionally done. But if you’re not worried about the environment (though, come on, you should be), you’re also damaging your car. Studies have shown that careful at-home car washing can still leave scratches in the paint. These scratches you’ll probably not see after a few washes, but they’ll come to fruition soon enough.

Take the time to adjust

When you have a seat in your car, make sure you adjust all of the mirrors so you can combat all of the blind spots. This will help you while driving, but also with any neck craning. Set the rearview mirror as you normally would, first. Next, tilt it upward slightly so you sit up straight. Once you’re done that, lean your head against the driver’s window, then set your left mirror so you can see the back corner of your car. Repeat on the other side: lean right to do the right mirror.

Watch for deer

It might sound funny, but wildlife can easily dart out in front of you, especially in rural areas. To avoid a collision, don’t swerve or panic. You have no idea which way the animal will go, and you might end up in a ditch, in a tree or, hopefully not, off a cliff.  If you have time before the possible impact, flash your headlights to try to scare the animal out of your path. If you know a collision is going to happen, brake with your steering wheel straight. At the last possible second, steer away from the animal to prevent it from crashing through your windshield.

Get out of stuck situations

If you’re sinking down into the mud, snow, or sand, here’s how to get out: lower the tire pressure down to about 5 or 6, and dig out space in front of the tires to give yourself a run. If there is still no get traction, put down some pieces of carpet. Note to self, keep carpet close by.

Head to neutral

When you’re at a stoplight, shift into neutral. It makes no difference for the transmission, but it does ease up on the engine. This makes a reduction in the amount of heat carried by the cooling system and can increase gas mileage a tick or two.

Learn to jump-start

Here’s a quick tip: If your battery terminals are corroded, use a can of cola and pour it directly onto the battery terminals. The acid in the cola acts to remove the corrosion, which improves both your connection and betters the odds of a successful jump-start. Once you return home,  run water over the battery to remove any excess cola and dry it with an old rag.

Keep those windows up

Yes, shutting off the air conditioning lowers fuel consumption, but only when you’re not on the highway. Keeping the windows open uses more gas because of the drag you’re putting on the car. To compromise, run the A/C in recirculation mode, which recycles some of the air from inside the car. This requires less energy than completely cooling the air that comes in from outside.

Drop the pounds

Whether it is you or your car, every 100 pounds you remove improves the car’s fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. Instead of keeping a load in the trunk and backseat before you leave home, clear it out. If you do need to load up, don’t use the roof storage: this can increase fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.

Don’t get a ticket

Ever get caught speeding? Not a fun treat. Head over to speedtrap.org to find user-submitted lists of speed traps all over the country.

Keep it full

Especially during the colder months, keep your gas tank more than half full. Once it goes past, any void above the fuel in your tank will fill with moist air, which condenses to water in the cold. This can settle in the bottom of the tank, and if enough accumulates, it’ll go right to the engine.

Use your seatbelt

Might be snug, uncomfortable, or uncool, but seatbelts are absolutely necessary. Even more so, going without it can mean that the airbag turns into a deadly weapon. Studies have found that the incidence of neck or spine injury was 70 percent higher for drivers who chose to not wear their  seatbelt. If you aren’t buckled up during a collision, you’re probably heading headfirst into an airbag coming at you at 200 mpg.

Stop the crack

If a rock has chipped your windshield, you best fix it. And if you act fast, you can avoid the cost of a replacement – sometimes up to $500. As long as the chip is smaller than the size of a dime, a glass shop can fill the crack with an optically matched resin that should stop the spread of cracks. Most insurance companies waive the deductible and cover this cost-saving procedure.

Purchase insurance

If you don’t have auto insurance, you’re just being silly. Make sure you make the investment to ensure (“insure”?) you have a peace of mind.

Before you head out, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

We’ve gathered together our top tips for used car buying, so you end up with a beaut that’ll last you for awhile–instead of being taken for a ride and getting a lemon.

Arrive Early

When you’re heading out to look at some used cars, make sure you get there early if you have an appointment. Aim for about 20 to 30 minutes earlier than the time–you might catch the car salesman or owner doing some modifications to ensure it appears to be more up to snuff than it is. For example, if the car is a little leaky, the seller will aim to fill it up as close to the appointment time as possible to rid of of those possible leak marks in the driveway. Scope it out before you head in. This can also save you some possible time. If you see something fishy, head out.

Do the Walk-Around

Before you drive or even sit in the car, take a look on the outside. Inspect to see if there is any exterior damage. Fresh dents, for example, may not be there – but then, the day you buy it – take a good look to see if they suddenly are.

Move onto the doors. Open them, shut them, and see if when they are shut that it is nice and snug. If they don’t, this might mean there was an accident, and they weren’t fixed correctly. Also take a look at the hinges and latches for signs of rust or any other damage.

Go to the back and pop the trunk. Make sure everything looks good and it opens and closes properly. Move to the front and unlatch the hood. Take a good look at the gas cap and see how difficult it is to open. It should be a snug fit.

When you walk around, inspect the exterior paint from all angles. There should be no flaking, you should be aware of what scratches are already there, and look closely for any scratches that run deep. Those will rust overtime. As well, if there are any scratches on the undercarriage it could mean that there was an accident.

Look at the tires for any sort of uneven wear, which means there are alignment problems. Check the sidewalls, and make sure all four tires match.

Inspect the rubber molding by running your finger along it. Bad seals mean dry spots, which means moisture can get in.

Get Inside

When you get in the car, turn the headlights on. Check over  the turn signals and the hazards switches, too. Look at all the lenses and make sure they are clear, and that the windshield is free of cracks.

Double check the dome light and make sure it works. If it is just burnt out, that is fine, but ask about electrical troubles.Then, press every other button in sight, making sure they work: heat, AC, stereo.

Look around for the oil change sticker and see what the date is.

Double check the emergency break, seat belts, adjustment of the seats.

Check the seats for tears, the dashboard for cracks and sun damage, and the fabric on the passenger compartment’s ceiling, to make sure it isn’t separating or bulging.

Finally, look under the front seats for signs of rust. There shouldn’t be any.

Look in the glove compartment

The glove compartment should be home to the owner’s manual, any maintenance records and inspection reports, registration. Double check to make sure that the vehicle identification number (VIN number) matches the one on the vehicle.

Go in the trunk

Check the trunk for for signs of moisture, and inspect the jack to see if all the parts are there. It should also be in good shape. Make sure the spare tire isn’t flat, and if it is, make the owner replace it. Pull on the interior trunk release to make sure it works.

Turn it on

Finally, open the hood and start the car.  Get the salesman or the owner to accelerate. There should be no vibration in the engine. Look at the belts for signs of wear, though don’t touch them.

Turn off the car, then take a deeper look. Check the battery for excessive corrosion around where the cables connect. Make sure hoses have a firm connection.

Pull out the dipstick. Wipe it off, put it back in all the way, then pull it out again. The oil should look clean, not sludgy or thick. Double check that it as a good level.

Get down and dirty

Get that car on a lift, and look for rust. Take off the hubcaps, look underneath, and make sure the exhaust system doesn’t puncture with a rough poke.

Drive it, baby

Take a good drive. Do you love it? Don’t buy it – yet. Come back in a week or so and make sure everything is still top notch.

This year, the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Smart Electric Drive, and Coda Sedan were among the arrivals to our otherwise gas-driven fleet.

Here are our top 6 tips to keep in mind when purchasing an electric car.

There are two varieties of cars

Not all electric cars are of the 100 percent variety. There are all-electric cars, as well as plug-in hybrids. All-electric cars are powered only by large batteries charged from the grid; when they run out of battery power they can no longer move. Plug-in hybrids have a shorter all-electric driving range; they have a smaller battery pack, and once drained, they can either revert to being a normal fuel-fed hybrid, or they can use fuel to run a generator and recharge the batteries.

Take advantage of the incentives

The sticker prices for electric cars tends to be higher than conventional cars, but federal and state governments think they are worth offering some incentives for you to buy one. Excellent. All U.S. taxpayers are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit if you have a one-year tax liability that exceeds that amount. If you don’t, you can lease the car and use the $7,500 to pay down the lease. In addition, many states offer their own credits. Oregon, for example, offers $1,500 in savings; California has a $5,000 credit; the State of Washington waves the 6.5% sales tax charge.

There are different ways to charge them

Known as levels, there are three ways to charge your car, so you have options once you buy.

Level 1 charging works off of a standard three-prong household outlet. Every car comes with support for this. It is easy, but slow: about 5 miles of driving range for every hour of charging.

Level 2 charging uses special equipment unique to electric cars. It works a little faster, adding about 15-30 miles of driving range per hour of charging. This can charge a car overnight, but for installation, costs between $1,500 and $2,500. Don’t worry too much: the federal government offers a tax credit of 30% of the cost of purchase and installation, up to $1,000.

DC fast charging uses industrially-rated, gas pump-sized stations for high speed charging. It isn’t available for all cars, and usually costs extra. It add about 80 miles of driving range in a half hour of charging.

Public charging is few and far betwen

Yes, a home charging station is what you need, but having the convenience of one on the road–like a gas station– is even better, allowing more freedom when you’re out and about. Public charging provides drivers the ability to extend the electric car’s all-electric range. Right now, don’t expect it, but there is a $250 million joint federal-private program, called the EV Project, to install nearly 15,000 public charging stations around the United States over the course of 2011. This includes areas of Oregon, California, Washington, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona and Washington, D.C. Other areas, we’re sure, will be around soon.

Maintenance still applies

Sure, there won’t be as many maintenance costs, considering there is no combustion engine and many moving parts. But don’t assume that you’ll be free of all maintenance costs. Yes, don’t worry: say goodbye to oil changes, transmission fluid changes and random mechanical repairs. And even plug-in hybrids, which still have an engine and emissions equipment, are very low maintenance compared to conventional gasoline engines. Electric vehicles, however, have large, costly batteries that may need replacement after 8 years or so. The good thing is, since these are new in the auto front, by time you need the replacement, the prices will come down. And if you need one in the next 6 years or so, depending on the company, it’s covered by the warranty.

The car costs less, but your house will cost more

Sure, you can drive a new electric car for about 3 cents per mile. And maintenance is at a minimum (although we’ve went over that already). But you do have to charge it up when you aren’t driving it, and stats tell us that if you drive your electric car about 50 miles per  day,  your electricity bill to increase by half. Just keep in mind as those utilities increase, that you savings will probably decrease, but not as much as you might think.

But it takes a little more than driving through a car wash here and there to extend it’s longevity past its prime.

Here are our top six ways to make your car last as long as you want it to, then sell it for a good price, too.

Read the Owner’s Manual

Sounds obvious, right? Well, chances are you haven’t cracked it (unless, of course, you found it on Google). The majority of us put aside the manuals and instructions and assume we know what is what.

The owner’s manual is written by engineers… Those that specifically created and designed your vehicle. It holds the “secrets” to the maintenance schedule and the “what to do when” details… both of which will keep your car healthy for years on end.

Fill ‘er Up

Although the numbers at the gas station influence us otherwise, keeping our gas tanks full helps out our cars, too. If you keep a low level of gas in your tank, moisture, dirt and rust can enter the fuel system.

To avoid this, try to keep it above a quarter full.

Flush the Coolant

What do you think is one of the most common problems with cars? Yep, that pesky engine icon, lighting up on your dashboard to alert you something is up.

When you see those cars on the side of the highway, you can assume one this: the engine light. And if you do have an overheated engine, it can destroy gaskets and ruin engine components… both of which sometimes can’t be repaired.

By flushing out your cooling system and replacing the coolant every couple years, you can get rid of that possible heat that will make your engine bid its goodbyes.

Fresh coolant releases heat, replenishes lubricants and improves rust inhibitors in the system.

Get That Oil Changed

Simple enough, an oil change is recommended at specific intervals–generally about 5000 kilometers. In that bible of a manual, it might recommend something specific for your car, so take a look. Synthetic oil allows for further longevity, improved starting in cold-weather and slightly better fuel economy.

Clean It

Don’t just drive it through a car wash… give it regular washings (by hand), and waxing, too. Debris such as bird droppings are acidic, and can damage your car’s exterior. As well, the sun’s rays break down paint, causing it to fade and even peel.

And don’t ignore the interior. If something spills, clean it quickly–you wouldn’t let it set in your carpet, would you? And every year or so, opt for a good cleaning with shampooing, steam cleaning, and removing dents and scratches.

Test Those Tires

Invest in a tire pressure gauge. It is estimated that about a third of all of the tires on the road are under inflated. What does mean? These tires have a shorter life span and a tendency to become flat.

Tire pressure gauges have about a ten dollar price tag, and will go a long away. Check your tires monthly, have them rotated every 15,000km, and keep your eyes open for leaks and rust.

And if you drive daily, your wallet might be taking a bit of a hit, too.

If commuting is not an option, here are our top eleven ways to make the most of what the situation, while still effectively getting from A to B.

Ditch Driving Aggressively

To save the most money, simply stop any sort of aggressive driving. This can help lower gas mileage by up to 33 per cent at highway speeds and by 5  per cent driving around town. What’s aggressive driving? Think of two things: gradual acceleration and gentle braking.

Depending on your car, this could create savings of $175 to $1,150 per year for the average two-car household.

Slow Down

Driving just a little slower – for example, moving from about 120 km/h to 90 km/h, will help boost gas mileage. In tests, slowing this 30km increased gas mileage by about 30 per cent in cars, SUVS, trucks and vans of most sizes.

Avoid Idling

Because idling yields zero km/litre, you might as well just stop. A good rule rule of thumb is to turn off your car if you know you won’t be going anywhere for more than about thirty seconds.

Reduce the Load

By losing some weight in your vehicle, you can reduce your gas mileage, too. Minimizing about a hundred pounds can give you about two per cent back.

Keep it on Cruise

Cruise control is a great tool, and it keeps the accelerator pretty steady. Use it on long stretches of land, whether in town or on the highway.

Use a GPS

Nothing wastes gas like getting lost. Use GPS devices or smartphones to help find efficient routes, in single or among multiple destinations. If not, plan a route with Google Maps beforehand.

Look for Discounts

Many gas stations offer discounts promoting gas, especially given the higher prices. Check out which ones offer sales, bonus cards, and other promo items. Many companies (not gas-related) have started to offer gift cards as promos, too.

Carpool

Perhaps the obvious choice, but sharing the car with a few co-workers each day, and taking turns, will lessen the gas costs by a longshot.

Keep It Cool

Regardless of the way you do it, keeping the car cool is better for gas mileage, however windows versus air conditioner doesn’t make a difference.

Inflate those Tires

Tires that are under-inflated increase fuel use by more than three per cent. Inflated tires are also safer, and reduce tire wear and other eventual costs.

Compare Prices

Although it won’t save you money driving from station to station, or going out of your way, you can check out Gas Buddy, a helpful service that searches for a list of gas stations with the lowest prices. Just type in your zip code or state or province, and it gets the job done. There’s an app for that, too. For longer trips, check out GasPriceWatch and MapQuest Gas Prices for a nationwide search.

And yes, electric cars seem like the logical choice — but are they?

These new, 2011 cars are our top picks, all of which get 30 miles per gallon or better, and don’t cost that much to boot.

Hyundai Accent

Cost: $9,985
Fuel economy: 30 mpg
Annual fuel cost: $1,479

Sleek and efficient, the Hyundai Accent is a light purchase on your wallet – and stays light on the gas intake.

Don’t know where to begin? Read on.

What is four-wheel drive?

On four-wheel drive vehicles, power is transferred from the engine to the road via a differential, which splits the power between the left and right wheels. This is located on the front and back axles (as opposed to rear-wheel drive, where it’s on the back, or front-wheel, where it’s on (you guessed it) the front).

A vehicle with four-wheel drive will always have two wheels receiving power, which helps save the day if there is a traction imbalance between the side wheels at both the front and back of the vehicle.

Good, I’ll never get stuck.

Not true. Yes, you’ll be able to go through rough, brutal terrains with a lot more ease, but if you use too much throttle, you’ll end up building yourself into a pretty deep hole. But the good part is, four-wheel drive will offer you more traction in icy or slippery conditions, which will help pull you forward through, say, piles of snow.

Gunning it

Unlike your souped-up Civic, speed isn’t something that works into off-roading. Instead, opt for slower speeds with gentle steering and breaking.  This will keep you steady and alert to check out the conditions around you.

Become one with your off-roader

Pay close attention to what your car is telling you, along with what’s going on around you. How soft is the terrain? Is your car lurching to the left? What’s in front of you? And be logical–stopping uphill might not be the best idea.

When it comes to value + luxury all rolled into one, pickups and SUVs are on the top of the list.Forbes recently analyzed all 2011 model-year vechiles on the US market. The evaluated cars, trucks and SUVs with a price of at least $40,000. Each evaluation included five-year total costs of fuel, maintenance, repairs, average national insurance rates, depreciation, interest, opportunity costs and taxes.

Number one on their list? The 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Although not your traditional luxury car, the  $40,280 price allows it on their list. The hybrid technology and generous federal tax rebates make it their choice for the most affordable expensive car of the year.

But along with all of the perks, come the extra costs, too.

“Ownership costs do fall in line along with their vehicle price as a group quite a bit,” Dave Wurster, the president of Vincentric, an auto industry analysis firm based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. says. “A $100,000 vehicle is going to have a much higher cost of ownership than a $50,000 vehicle. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad value, but it’s going to depreciate a lot more.” Their list also includes Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS (No. 10 in the Forbes ranking), the GMC Acadia SLT (No. 5) and Honda’s Odyssey (No. 2). They each have prices only slightly higher than $40,000, which is why they made the list.

Trucks include the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (No. 4) and GMC Sierra Hybrid (No. 6) come in.

Slide Show: The 10 Most Affordable Luxury Vehicles Of 2011

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