Top 10: Most underrated new cars

By John LeBlanc Between now and the end of 2010, you’ll be inundated with a plethora of This- or That-Car-of-the-Year awards. Some, more credible than others. Unfortunately, though, most of these types of trophies go to “all-new” cars coming into the market. And with more than 300 new models available today, some cars — inevitably — get left behind in consideration. The reasons why these underrated new cars may not be top-of-mind are plenty. Some have been on the market for awhile, don’t get any ad support from their makers, or are soon to be replaced with something shinier or newer. Regardless, if you’re in the market for a new car, alphabetically, here are my Top 10 Most Underrated New Cars you can buy:

2011 BMW 3 Wagon 328i xDrive Touring

As most station wagon fans know, it’s a genre on the way out. Even European carmakers — the ones who’ve held onto the segment the longest — are moving away from wagons, offering taller, heavier and less fun-to-drive crossovers. But at least BMW still offers its $45,700 328i xDrive Touring. Luxurious, fun-to-drive, and practical, the underrated five-passenger 3 Series wagon (with a sweet-revving 3.0-litre inline six, rated at a healthy 230 hp and 200 lb.-ft., matched to a slick-shifting six-speed manual plus all-wheel-drive as standard kit) makes so much more sense than any of those X-whatever crossovers. My advice: get one while you can.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse FWD

As a replacement for your old Chevy Venture minivan or prehistoric Tahoe SUV, the $35,715 to $47,540 front-wheel-drive version of Chevrolet’s Traverse crossover makes a lot of sense. Out for a few years now, the seven-passenger, three-row Traverse has lost the spotlight to fresher crossover metal like the Ford Flex, upcoming Explorer, or Chrysler’s new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. But that doesn’t mean the Chevy isn’t worth a second look. With its second row seats slid all the way back, there's more than limo-like leg- and headroom. And while some may want more performance from the Traverse’s 250 hp, 3.6-litre V6, it’s rated at a miserly 12.7L/100 km city, and 8.4L highway.

2011 Ford Taurus SHO AWD

Like station wagons, big, four-door sedans simply aren’t considered cool anymore. But the third-generation just-under $50,000 Taurus SHO AWD is a viable alternative to those German-badged luxobarges at less than half the price. In addition to plenty of room for five and their cargo (you could rent the massive 569 L trunk out as a student apartment), the big Ford’s sophisticated 3.5-litre turbocharged and direct-injected V6 with 365 hp means it's relatively quick in a straight line: 0-100 km/h takes only 6.3 seconds. If you can ignore its plebeian Blue Opal badge, the SHO is a big, comfy, highway missile with few rivals.

2011 Honda Ridgeline

With draconian fuel economy regulations coming in between now and 2016, automakers are panicking on how to make their big (and profitable) pickup trucks more fuel-efficient. Rumours suggest that Ford may offer a car-based version of the next generation F 150. Ironically, Honda, with its Pilot crossover-based Ridgeline, is already there, and has been since its debut in March 2005 as a 2006 model. With only a 3.5-litre V6 and 250 hp, the Honda pickup’s towing is meagre. But the $34,990 to $41,490 four-wheel-drive, five-passenger Ridgeline’s versatility, carlike handling, and fuel economy (14.1L city; 9.8L hwy) — plus its clever storage box in cargo bed — is more than likely all the pickup most buyers need, without the sloppy ride-and-handling associated with traditional trucks.

2011 Infiniti M37 Sport

I just spent a week with a new BMW 5 Series and Infiniti M37S. And because my brain is wired to read “BMW = fun,” and “Infiniti = nice, but…” the two cars couldn’t have shattered my preconceived notions any more than they did. While der neu 5er is now more than ever tuned for luxury, it was the $63,400 M37S that’s the more serious driver’s car. While the M56’s 420 hp V-8 offers serious mojo, the M37’s 330 hp V6 (matched to a snappy, seven-speed autobox/paddle shifters) has plenty of juice. And with a rock-solid chassis, beautifully made and sculpted interior, plus an athletic and aggressive chassis, the underrated M37S would be my pick of the two midsize sports sedans if I was writing the cheque.

2010 Mazda RX-8 R3

Sure. The RX-8’s been around for a while (2003.) And other, more powerful 2+2 coupes from Audi (TT), Ford (Mustang), Hyundai (Genesis), and Chevrolet (Camaro) may have been getting the headlines in the interim. But that’s no reason to ignore one of the best handling and imaginative coupes you can buy today. For starters, the RX-8 puts its power down as God and Gilles Villeneuve intended: via the rear wheels and a manual gearbox. While its 232 hp and 159 lb.-ft. torque 1.3-litre birotor Wankel rotary engine revs like angels singing. The most underrated RX-8 is the $41,995 R3, introduced a couple of years back. It adds such driver-oriented kit as a limited-slip rear differential, sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, lightweight forged alloy wheels, and lightweight Recaro front seats.

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

While sales are up this year, Mitsubishi has struggled during the Great Recession. After getting dumped by former partner Mercedes-Benz, suffering with an aging range of midsize sedans, coupes, and crossovers, and a brand strategy that moves away from its rally racing grassroots towards electric vehicles, the Japanese brand has fallen off the map for many new car buyers. But its solidly built, compact Lancer family is still a favourite. And my pick of the bunch — outside of the giant-killing Evolution street-legal rally car — is the five-door hatchback Lancer Sportback, an underrated Mazda3 Sport and VW Golf alternative. Only available previously in pricey $33,698 Ralliart trim, Mitsubishi now offers the practical and sharp-looking five door with a 148 hp 2.0-litre four for 2011, starting at $19,998. Although down on power compared to its siblings, the Sportback’s cockpit is standard Lancer fare: functional, proper driving relationships between the steering wheel, pedals and shifter with easy-to-use driver controls and a chassis that’s not afraid of a corner or three.

2011 Subaru Tribeca

If you miss Chrysler’s Pacifica, or are looking for a seven-passenger people hauler that offers luxury features, tidy driving characteristics and doesn’t scream “minivan!” take a gander at the all-wheel-drive $40,995 to $49,195 Subaru Tribeca. Crucified for its Alfa Romeo looks when it debuted in 2006, the more conventional-looking 2008 update hides a quiet-riding, well-made machine with exceptional ride quality and decent power off the line from its 3.6-litre flat six with 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, wrapped up in a package that’s urban-friendly inside and possesses Subaru’s solid reputation or engineering excellence and reliability.

2011 Suzuki SX4 Hatchback JX AWD

While the likes of mini-crossovers like the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Mitsubishi RVR are getting rave reviews, one of the most underrated small crossovers is from Suzuki. With a combination of AWD and the utility of a fifth door, the $21,595 SX4 Fastback JX AWD adds up as one of the best AWD values under $25,000. It starts with a smooth clutch and snickety-snick action from the six-speed manual, and an AWD system that adds flexibility—front-wheel drive, AWD auto, or AWD lock is only a switch away. Also underrated is the SX4’s well-screwed-together cabin, complemented with lively driving characteristics. Then there's the sweet-revving 2.0 L 150 hp four-cylinder engine. It spins easily, scoots the Suzuki from 0 to 100 km/h in a reasonable 9.3 seconds, and is rated at 9.9L/100 km city, 7.3 highway.

2010 Volvo V50 T5

As the midsize V70 heads out to pasture for 2011, like BMW, Volvo is getting out of the station wagon business. The last remaining Volvo wagon is the underrated compact, front-wheel-drive V50. Starting at $35,495, the 2011 V50 T5 is a better value than ever. Standard kit includes the 227 hp turbo-inline five-cylinder and a five-speed “Geartronic” automanual, as well as Volvo’s usual phalanx of safety equipment. Don’t bother with your calculators: You already know that’s about $10,000 less than where rivals from Germany usually start. With some of the most orthopedically correct and structurally safe seats in the biz, a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes, a wide cabin that belies its compact roots, and excellent all-around visibility, perhaps the best part of the V50 is its well-designed cabin.

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