Porsche 718 Cayman Price: $54,950 - $67,350

Sharing the same “718” prefix as its Boxster brother, the Cayman also shares the award as a 10Best winner. Despite more-powerful turbo fours (there is a base 300-hp 2.0-liter and a 350-hp 2.5-liter in the S) with increased torque, the legendary Porsche flat-six rasp of yore is gone—and we miss it. The car remains perfectly poised as its predecessors. A six-speed manual is standard; a seven-speed automatic is optional. An improved infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard, too.

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Honda CR-Z

The CR-Z is an ambitious attempt at making a sporty hybrid, but its performance doesn’t match its adventurous styling. The good news is that it’s the only hybrid sold with a manual—a six-speed—but the bad news is that the combined output is a mere 130 hp. A 1.5-liter four-cylinder pairs with an electric motor; the EPA rates it for 36-mpg city/39-mpg highway with the optional CVT; the manual gets 31/38. Standard features include Bluetooth capability, automatic climate control, and cruise.

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Toyota Prius Prime Price: $27,965 - $33,965

Fans of efficient driving now have another option: the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid. Electric motors and a four-cylinder gas engine team with a larger battery than the regular Prius, yielding up to 25 miles of electric-only range; its 124 MPGe rating beats the Chevy Volt’s 106 MPGe. An 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard. Behind the wheel, the Prius Prime feels quite nimble, smoothly taking curves; its ride is compliant, too, and its steering is among the best, hybrid or not.

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Chevrolet Volt Price: $34,095 - $38,445

Despite the Volt’s eco image, it’s actually fun to drive, without the range anxiety of pure electric vehicles. Its gasoline-hybrid powertrain offers impressive all-electric range, greater efficiency, and better acceleration. The all-electric range is 53 miles; after that, the gas engine starts up to recharge the battery and keep you going. In our testing, we recorded 59 MPGe. There are five seats, but the middle rear seat is almost unusable. Charge times are 13 hours on 120V and 4.5 on 240V.

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Nissan Rogue Price: $24,760 - $32,250

Relying on good looks will only get you so far, but for the Rogue that may be okay. Attractive inside and out, it has comfy seats, nice materials, and many connectivity features. Regrettably, the Rogue suffers from vague steering and body roll. A 170-hp four with a CVT power the gas model; a 2.0-liter four and electric motor pair with the hybrid. Both offer front- or all-wheel-drive setups. Safety options are intelligent cruise control and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

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