The 28th annual 10 Best Cars competition hosted by Car and Driver named its winners in the January 2010 issue. The list was condensed from 58 models, which were mainly comprised of the 2009 Best 10 and those that are going to be released not later than January of next year. There were three areas to consider in the selection process: 1) How well does this car perform its intended mission? Does a given luxury car, for example, ride harshly? Does it sacrifice rear-seat headroom for an aggressive tumblehome? 2) Is this a highly engaging, fun-to-drive vehicle in its category? Does it compel the driver to get in and enjoy it? And 3) What kind of value does it represent? How much goodness does it deliver for its price? (The target price was $35,000 to $80,000 cap)

Basing on those requirements, the nominees were resized to:

Acura TL 6-sp manual • Acura ZDX • Audi A5 2•0T • Audi A6 3•0T • Audi S4 • Audi S5 Cabriolet • Audi TTS • BMW Z4 • BMW 3-series/M3 • Buick LaCrosse • Cadillac CTS/CTS-V • Chevrolet Camaro • Chevrolet Corvette/Grand Sport/Z06 • Ford Fusion/Fusion hybrid • Ford Mustang/Shelby GT500 • Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO • Honda Accord • Honda Fit • Honda Insight • Hyundai Genesis coupe • Infiniti G37 • Jaguar XF/XFR • Kia Forte/Forte Koup • Kia Soul • Lexus HS250h • Lexus IS convertible • Lincoln MKS EcoBoost • Lotus Evora* • Lotus Exige S 260 Sport • Mazda MX-5 Miata • Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed 3 • Mercedes-Benz E-class • Nissan Cube • Nissan 370Z • Pontiac G8 GXP* • Pontiac Solstice coupe* • Porsche Boxster / Cayman • Porsche 911 Carrera • Subaru Legacy • Subaru Outback • Suzuki Kizashi • Toyota Prius • Toyota Venza • Volkswagen Golf*/GTI

After further evaluations, the 10 Best Cars 2010 are……

• 2010 Audi S4
• 2010 BMW 3-series / M3
• 2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
• 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
• 2010 Honda Accord
• 2010 Honda Fit
• 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
• 2010 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3
• 2010 Porsche Boxster / Cayman
• 2010 Volkswagen GTI

From the look of it, you can identify where the concept came from—the Evo MR. In fact, it’s not only the appeal but even the six-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. There is also something new, though. That is the obnoxious rear wing. Still, the full leather upholstery makes up for that. These interior comforts include heated seats and sunroof. Of course, fully dressing the Evo up have tried to conceal the similarity. There are the auto headlamps and insulated windshield that rounds the new trim. Inside, there is also a new stylistic center console with more improved materials to complete the dress up.

As to the drive, STEVE SILER of Car And Driver describes it as ‘ A slightly more evolved Evo