The Best All Around Car: is based on safety scores, drivability, fuel milage, reliability, resale  and overall versatility. While there are some fiece contenders in this category, I feel the SUBARU OUTBACK  still fills these shoes best. Although the new VW PASSAT TDi sedan is another top choice for those looking for a safe, roomy 4 door with unbeatable highway milage (Passat TDi trim not available in a wagon, nor AWD).  

The Best Minivan- The Toyota Sienna AWD. No other minivan offers the versatility and extra safety of AWD. The Sienna has a strong engine and the AWD really puts the power to the pavement delivering the best all around performance, utility and safety.

The Best large SUV-  While there are some worthy new and redesigned contenders in this field, no other offers the reliability, utility, ground clearance, power and fuel efficiency of the
Toyota Sequoia 4WD.  Another alternative to the Sequoia is the Nissan Armada, with even slightly better ground clearance, but with lower mpg.

The Best Full-Size Pick-Up - I was considering the F-150 for this spot.  However when compared to the Toyota Tundra the Toyota still offers better occupant protection in IIHS tests than the  other makes, provides more ground clearance and more believable towing figures.  When the other makes adapt the comprehensive J2807 Universal Towing Standards (within a year or so) that Toyota has been using for years I expect to see advertised tow ratings dropping most everywhere, even significantly in  certain makes and models. With this in mind, among other issues, the Toyota Tundra is the best gasoline powered truck for 2012. 

The Best (diesel) Pick-up- Last year I chose the Ford  F-250 & F-350 4x4 diesels, this year I feel even stonger about that pick.  These rigs have the quietest and frequently the most powerful diesel engine offered. All this while also delivering the top mpgs and the best ride of the bunch. The competition was really leapfrogged by Ford with their last engine, transmission and truck redesign. GM is my next choice with the bulletproof Isuzu designed Duramax Diesel and Allsion Transmission combo.  Dodge, even though they upped their power in their diesel trucks to be competitive,  still run louder and drive harsher than all their competition. That sounds macho at first, but quickly gets old after spending any real time behind the wheel.

The Best Fuel Sipper-  I chose the VW Sportswagen TDi last year and I still believe it to be superior to the current Jetta TDi Sedan in almost everyway. I however do recognize not everyone wants a fun to drive, safe, classy looking wagon. If this describes you than feel free to include the still fun VW Golf TDi or the new, roomier Passat TDi Sedan mentioned in the first "Best" category. VW has managed to deliver superior fuel milage in an Audi like passenger cabin, with top notch safety and good reliablity with these clean diesels.

* Engine performance figures are subject to change at any moment throughout the year.

Remember your first car? For many, it was the same car that got you through the white knuckled experience of preparing for the driving test. For many though, (as statistics go) this was also  the car you wrecked within a year after passing your exam. There is much to learn for new drivers and most of the risk is experienced in your first car. 

So, one might  assume that every parent would naturally put safety on the top of their list when buying a car for their new driver. Afterall, this car will be what keeps children secure from their occasional poor decision, the wrath of mother nature and the crazy and often impaired drivers sharing the road. 

Over the years I have noticed something unsettling when talking to parents who are buying cars for their new drivers. There seems to be an apparent and consistent disconnect in applying any sort of safety standard on the choice of car their child will be driving solo in. Priorities cited as overall importance from the parents' viewpoint were price, engine power and looks.  Is it just me or what happened to safety as a priority?

Car selection can be a life or death choice! Many serious and fatal vehicle casualties from auto accidents can be prevented if the individual wears a seatbelt. If a driver has a vehicle equipped with airbags, ABS brakes, crumple zones or a legitimate "safety cage," there is a much better chance of walking away from the scene, versus being carried away. The unfortunate thing is that many parents assume their kids will have minor accidents with their car, so they feel buying a cheap car is the the most attractive attribute for a first car. This is understandable, but one can find safety in a car, without spending anymore on a vehicle.

Do your research, this is the information age afterall. Visit the Insurance Institute for  highway Safety (IIHS) for the best crash data www.IIHS.org. One can also visit the government's National Highway Safety Crash Administrations (NHTSA) www.NHTSA.gov site for additional tests, such as on  roof strength in new vehicles.  I prefer the IIHS data when it comes to their barrier testing, but anything is better than nothing.