2013 car buying guide top picks

2013 TOP PICK:Toyota Camry Hybrid
BEST FOR: Baby boomers seeking grown-up green
STARTING PRICE: $26,750
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 5.7L/100KM
BUZZ: All eyes this year are on the sexy new Ford Fusion hybrids, but last year’s revamp of Toyota’s Camry hybrid gave this tried-and-true eco leader spunkier performance, spiffier cabin materials and more refined tech toys. With critics perennially knocking the Camry for snoozy design — and up-and-coming rivals like the Hyundai Sonata upping the boldness factor — Toyota gave the new Camry sportier lines, inside and out. And hey, the mileage rocks.

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2012 Prius C | 2012 Prius V | 2012 Avalon | 2012 Camry | 2012 Yaris Hatchback | 2012 Sequoia

2013 TOP PICK: Hyundai Genesis
BEST FOR: Baby boomers with an appreciation for understated (and underpriced) luxury
STARTING PRICE: $35,050
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 10.7L/100KM
BUZZ: Hyundai’s polished executive sedan easily rivals the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 in styling, performance and perks (optional heated back seats!) — for more than $10,000 less. Year-to-date sales have risen 7% since 2011, but the model is due for a refresh, which may spell haggling room.

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2012 Sonata Hybrid | 2012 Santa Fe | 2012 Veracruz | 2011 Accent

2013 TOP PICK: Volvo XC60
BEST FOR: Family drivers craving a little style
STARTING PRICE: $35,095
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 11.7L/100KM
BUZZ: Moms may come for the safety features (including integrated booster seats and a self-braking, pedestrian-detection system), not to mention the interior flexibility. (Fold-flat seats yield a ton of cargo space.) But refined styling and nimbler handling distinguish this from the boxy, plodding Swedish tanks of yore. Volvo says year-to-date sales in September were up 35% over 2011.

2013 TOP PICK: Toyota Prius V
BEST FOR: Family drivers with green leanings
STARTING PRICE: $27,310
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 5.6L/100KM
BUZZ: Commodious and quiet, the wagon version of the venerable Japanese hybrid fills a much-needed niche. Impressive safety and entertainment tech options are available, including app integration and automated parking, but critics say the interior materials can feel cheap.

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2012 Prius C | 2012 Prius V | 2012 Avalon | 2012 Camry | 2012 Yaris Hatchback | 2012 Sequoia

2013 TOP PICK: Honda Odyssey
BEST FOR: Family drivers who are practical, but not too boring
STARTING PRICE: $29,205
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 11.2L/100KM
BUZZ: Lauded for its flexible, roomy interior, the Odyssey is also the only minivan to get top ratings from all the major crash testers. Meanwhile, the robust V-6 engine and responsive handling keep it from being a bland drive. Fully loaded, though, the price can jump to as much as $40,000.

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2012 Fit | 2012 Insight | 2012 Crosstour Canada | 2012 CR-Z

2013 TOP PICK: Audi Q5 (V6)
BEST FOR: Baby boomers who need cargo space for the dogs and antiques
STARTING PRICE: $36,475
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 11.7L/100KM
BUZZ: This quintessential boomer-mobile boasts a cushy, well-crafted cabin, sporty handling and an impressive parade of safety tech. But options push the price up quickly. On deck: hybrid and clean-diesel versions.

2013 TOP PICK: Fiat 500 Sport
BEST FOR: Young professionals who are urban design mavens
STARTING PRICE: $18,200
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 7.5L/100KM
BUZZ: This automotive cup of espresso has spunk and retro style to spare for city drivers without serious passenger or cargo needs. Initially sluggish sales of this revival have made an impressive U-turn; Fiat says year-to-date sales are outpacing last year’s by more than 135%. But it’s too soon to judge reliability. The brand’s old nickname? “Fix It Again, Tony.”

2013 TOP PICK: Ford Focus
BEST FOR: Young professionals with a technology addiction
STARTING PRICE: $16,995
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 7.5L/100KM
BUZZ: Recently revamped, the Focus may be a tad smaller inside than other popular competitors, like the Hyundai Elantra and Chevy Cruze. But it appeals to younger drivers where it counts, offering a spirited ride, 38 mpg (highway) and infotainment features galore, including voice-activated text alerts. A plug-in version scratches this demographic’s green itch, but for — ouch — twice the cost.

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F-250 Super Duty | F-350 Super Duty | 2011 Ranger | 2011 F-450 Super Duty

2013 TOP PICK: Mazda CX-5 Touring
BEST FOR: Young professionals hauling bikes or surfboards
STARTING PRICE: $24,690
AVG. FUEL ECONOMY: 8.4L/100KM
BUZZ: Critics knock this sporty new fuel-sipping crossover for being somewhat underpowered, but we found its driving manners those of an excited puppy: fun, fearless and champing at the bit. We liked the roomy, understated interior and well-chosen tech options, including back-up camera, Bluetooth and blind-spot monitor.

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2012 CX-7 | 2012 MX-5 | 2012 CX-9 | 2012 Mazda5 | 2011 RX-8