If I were to mention a car company that’s been on a roll lately, chances are you’d think of Audi – and rightfully so. The Ingolstadt outfit has been hogging the limelight when talking about automakers that have “evolved” or “reinvented” themselves in the past decade. But if Audi’s plaudits are warranted, so too are…

“There it is!” I exclaimed to my wife, spotting the Power Wagon from more than a block away as it approached. Indeed this big red truck, which reminds me of a toy from my childhood come to life, is a bit conspicuous in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles.

Not so long ago, owning a subcompact like the Fit was considered to be a punishment for sins of a past life by most global societies. They were flimsy, clunky, loud, uncomfortable, if economical deathtraps. The original Fit did a lot to change that, though, and thankfully this new one has completely flipped the script.

The Dart is a charismatic little car. Thanks to its Alfa Romeo roots, the Dart is handsome and fun to drive – especially if you drive like an Italian. The Dodge Dart couldn’t be more American, in that it is an immigrant.

When it hits showrooms later this year, the redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang will have plenty of rivals. From Detroit pony cars like the Chevrolet Camaro to muscle cars like Dodge Challenger to more effete German sport coupes, everyone’s got the Mustang’s number.