Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

The 2013 Toyota RAV4, which spent the first three months of 2013 atop our most-read reviews list, is once again at No. 1, overtaking the also-popular 2014 Subaru Forester. Following its long reign, the RAV4 relinquished its throne to the Forster to hold the No. 2 spot for a month before returning to the top spot for a week – before losing it again to the Forester last week only to reclaim it this week … whew! The other significant change this week is at No. 10, where the 2013 Nissan Altima returns to the list.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 BMW 3 Series
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Buick Encore
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Honda Accord
9. 2013 Dodge Dart
10. 2013 Nissan Altima

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

After relinquishing the No. 1 spot for a week to former longtime champ the 2013 Toyota RAV4, the 2014 Subaru Forester reclaimed its position this week atop our list of most-read reviews. Farther down the roster, this week’s order might be a little different, but the names are all the same.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Toyota Avalon
5. 2013 BMW 3 Series
6. 2013 Ford Escape
7. 2013 Buick Encore
8. 2013 Dodge Dart
9. 2013 Honda Accord
10. 2014 Mazda CX-5

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Just when we thought it was out, readers pull it back in. The godfather of persistently read reviews — the 2013 Toyota RAV4 — muscled its way back to the head of the family this week after being relegated to the No. 2 spot on our list of most-read reviews for a month by the 2014 Subaru Forester. Before that, the RAV4 enjoyed a three-month reign at No. 1 that we were beginning to think might never end. Ousted by a measly 109 page views, the Forester had to settle back into second place. Meanwhile, the 2014 Mazda CX-5 returns at No. 8 after a brief absence, while the 2013 Dodge Dart comes in at No. 10 after a long one.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2014 Subaru Forester
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 BMW 3 Series
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Buick Encore
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Honda Accord
10. 2013 Dodge Dart

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Last week's top four most-read reviews stayed put this week, with the 2014 Subaru Forester and 2013 Toyota RAV4 once again occupying Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, and the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and 2013 Ford Escape holding fast in fourth and fifth. Meanwhile, at No. 7, our 2013 Mazda CX-9 review makes its debut roughly two months after first appearing on Kicking Tires, and the 2013 Ford Explorer returns at No. 10. Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 BMW 3 Series
6. 2013 Honda Accord
7. 2013 Mazda CX-9
8. 2013 Buick Encore
9. 2013 Toyota Avalon
10. 2013 Ford Explorer

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

There was no movement this week atop our list of most-read reviews, as the 2014 Subaru Forester maintained its commanding lead in the top spot and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 hung tough in second. Further down the ranks, however, the list hosted an encore appearance from one car and the debuts of two others. The 2014 Chevrolet Impala returned this week with a vengeance, rocketing straight up to No. 3, while newcomers the 2013 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI bowed at Nos. 6 and 9, respectively.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2014 Chevrolet Impala
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 Buick Encore
6. 2013 BMW 3 Series
7. 2013 Honda Accord
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI
10. 2013 Toyota Avalon

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Although there was no movement in this week's top two spots, the 2014 Subaru Forester substantially increased its lead after toppling longtime champ the 2013 Toyota RAV4 last week. The new Forester saw nearly double the RAV4's traffic in its second week atop our most-read reviews list. Meanwhile, the 2013 Buick Encore compact crossover — which Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays said stuffs a whole lot of refinement and features into a tiny package — debuted big at No. 3.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2013 Toyota RAV4
3. 2013 Buick Encore
4. 2013 Ford Fusion
5. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
6. 2013 Ford Escape
7. 2013 Honda Accord
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2013 Toyota Avalon
10. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

2013 Buick Encore: Photo Gallery

With its new Encore, Buick is going where very few automakers have tread before: the luxury subcompact crossover class. Outside, the baby Enclave mimics its larger sibling with a version of Buick's familiar waterfall grille and sweeping, blue-accented headlamps. Inside, a handsome, high-quality cabin delivers the Enclave's level of luxury — but on a much smaller scale.

Click here for our full review and check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Buick Encore

It may be tiny and awkward looking, but Buick's subcompact crossover packs large levels of refinement and premium features, says Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays. The 2013 Encore blends the tall ride height of an SUV with the materials of a luxury vehicle and the maneuverability of a compact car, Mays says. The subcompact SUV class may be small now, but Mays says expect vehicles like the Encore to start catching on with young professionals and empty-nesters.

2013 Buick Encore Review

Recall Alert: 2013 Buick Encore

General Motors is recalling 144 model-year 2013 versions of its new Buick Encore compact crossover because of a steering wheel malfunction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28, 2012 (check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb), and are equipped with a heated steering wheel. NHTSA reports that in these vehicles, the steering-wheel fastener may not have been installed properly, causing the steering wheel to become loose and separate from the steering column. This could cause a crash.

2013 Buick Encore: Car Seat Check

The all-new Buick Encore is part of a new class of cars: the near-luxury subcompact crossover segment, which also includes the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. The 2013 Encore seats five, but space is at a premium. The Encore is 3 feet shorter than its bigger sibling, the Enclave and it really shows.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.