CarReview's Best Car Choices of 2008

Best Sports Car: Porsche 911 Carrera and Chevrolet Corvette

The iconic Porsche 911 Carrera is well-suited for road-ripping sports performance, as well as running errands. With the Carrera S and 4S boasting a 0 to 60 mph time of only 4.6 seconds, the 911 Carrera leads its class in the performance category. The standard 2008 Carrera offers a 3.6-liter (3596 cc) flat-6 rated at 325 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera S is fitted with a slightly more powerful 3.8-liter (3824 cc) flat-6 rated at 355 hp and 295 lb-ft. The exterior of the base Porsche 911 Carrera models are nearly devoid of extraneous trim and the low, smooth-bodied 911 looks the part of a serious performance machine. Basically, few cars can match the 2008 Porsche 911′s terrific performance and looks.

The Chevrolet Corvette proves to be a smart choice for anyone wanting a luxury sports car with Ferrari-like performance at a bargain price. Updated for 2008 and beyond, the Corvette receives an all-new 6.2L LS3 V8. The bump in displacement — up from 6.0L — increases horsepower to 430 or 436 with an available sports exhaust. Peak torque is 424 pound-feet on the basic model and 428-pound feet with the improved exhaust. With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time under four seconds, the Corvette’s performance ranks high within the class of luxury sports cars, and it even gives Ferraris and Aston Martins a run for their money.

Best Small Crossover/SUV: Honda CR-V and Acura RDX

The Honda CR-V’s position is based on its excellent combination of a practical interior and a reputation for safety and reliability in its class. The 2008 Honda CR-V has city-friendly maneuverability and car like handling. The CR-V’s smooth powertrain and an attractive, yet simple instrument panel and controls are some if its outstanding features. Its closest competitor, the Toyota RAV4, just can’t quite match the CR-V’s high level of quality, although, it does have and an available third-row seat option over the CR-V.

The Acura RDX scores well for its excellent combination of performance, a comfortable and roomy cabin, and stellar safety ratings. With standard all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, the 2008 Acura RDX is seen as a worthy competitor to the high-performing BMW X3. The 2008 RDX Base Sport Utility is a great value with an MSRP of $33,195.00. Gas mileage might also be an important consideration and the RDX gets an average 22 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 miles per gallon in the city.