Mini Cooper Clubman S / JCW Price: $28,500 - $35,950

Sports-car athleticism and cheeky styling are hallmarks of the Mini brand; cargo space isn’t, so here’s the Clubman S with up to 48 cubic feet of storage. A 189-hp 2.0-liter turbo four, six-speed manual, and front-wheel drive are standard; a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are optional. Handling is nimble and the ride is surprisingly civilized. The chic interior features sporty bucket seats and snazzy ambient lighting. A JCW model with 228 hp arrives in late 2016.

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Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Price: $22,400 - $30,790

Mix the goodness of the Golf with the utility of a wagon, and you get the Golf SportWagen—as well as a 10Best award. The standard engine is a 170-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are optional. The ride is solid and controlled, interior quality is very good, and the front seats are highly supportive. A standard touchscreen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC Price: $102,625

Absurd power and blistering acceleration are not the E63’s only party tricks; thanks to computer magic and an excellent suspension, it’s also quite agile. But oh, that mighty 577-hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 is a sweetheart of an engine. A seven-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard, as are 14-way power-operated and heated/cooled seats. If the sedan isn’t enough, check out the E63 wagon; it’ll haul your groceries in record time. A new E63 debuts in summer 2017.

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Nissan NV200 Price: $22,215 - $23,115

Cargo vans aren’t usually regarded as exciting vehicles, but to the hard-working men and women of America, a well-designed van can be critical. The NV200 is more nimble and thrifty than larger full-size vans, yet it offers a 1500-pound payload capacity, seating for two in carlike surroundings, and a 131-hp, 2.0-liter four with a continuously variable transmission. It’s available in taxicab livery as well, with rear seating, a partition, and side windows. Modern workers deserve a modern choice.

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Chevrolet City Express Price: $23,400 - $24,510

Lurking behind the bow tie on the grille is a Nissan NV200, but that’s not all bad. It’s a bow tie, not a black tie, since the City Express is a cargo carrier. The Chevy has a 1500-pound payload and shares the NV200’s unitized body, 131-hp 2.0-liter four, continuously variable automatic transmission, and 123 cubic feet of cargo space. What does Chevrolet bring to the table? A five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, two years/24,000 miles of free maintenance, and a 3200-dealer sales network.

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