2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic Diesel: First Drive

Small crossovers are all the rage these days, one of the fastest-growing sales segments in the U.S. market at all price points. From the less-expensive Hyundais and Kias at the bottom end to the high-priced luxury versions like the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK, Americans seemingly can't get enough of them.

We reviewed the newly restyled 2013 GLK350 last summer, with News Editor Jennifer Geiger finding it a bit compromised in V-6 form, with a smallish interior, fussy audio and navigation system, and styling that's aimed at a male demographic (making the vehicle's public debut as Samatha's ride in the "Sex and the City" movie somewhat odd).

But now Mercedes-Benz is introducing the second powertrain for the GLK, with the arrival of the GLK250 Bluetec diesel, making the GLK the most fuel-efficient luxury crossover in the country. That suddenly makes the little trucklet a bit more interesting.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 BMW X1

BMW's all-new X1 is a pint-sized crossover with a sophisticated interior and performance chops, says Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey. This subcompact crossover can pull family duty. It worked well for Sara and her 8- and 10-year-olds, but families with kids in rear-facing child-safety seats will want to make sure the X1 has enough room in the backseat. The cargo area is small but functional, though a large jogging stroller could be a tough fit.

2013 BMW X1 Family Review

2013 Toyota RAV4 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick Status

Toyota redesigned its compact crossover for 2013, and along with new exterior styling and more interior features, the RAV4 also got improved safety ratings for the new model year. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the RAV4 its Top Safety Pick award; the crossover earned "Good" ratings in the agency's moderate overlap front, side, rollover and rear crash tests. The biggest improvement for 2013 comes in roof strength. According to Kristin Nevels from the IIHS, "the new model's roof withstood a force equal to five times the SUV's weight. The previous generation RAV4, manufactured from 2006 to 2012, had a strength-to-weight ratio of 3.46, which equates to an acceptable rating," she said. 

The RAV4's main competitors, including the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5, are also Top Safety Picks. None of the 2013 vehicles in the small crossover class have earned the agency's new and best safety rating, the Top Safety Pick+ (plus) award.

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: First Drive

Behold the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe — wait a minute, you say, didn't we already see a review on a Hyundai Santa Fe? Yes, you did, but that was the Santa Fe Sport, this one is just plain old Santa Fe. Despite the shorter name, this is actually the larger version of the same vehicle. While the Santa Fe Sport is a short wheelbase, five-passenger model that matches up well against vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the larger six- and seven-passenger Santa Fe takes the fight to the bigger Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder while undercutting most of them in price.

Confused yet? It helps to think of the Santa Fe lineup like Hyundai does: one model with three trim levels. The Sport trim level is meant for pre-family couples; it's short, seats five, has fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines and is less expensive. The midlevel Santa Fe GLS is a seven-passenger family model; it's longer, only comes with V-6 engine and can tow 5,000 pounds. Top of the line is the Santa Fe Limited, which sounds like a 1950s passenger train but is actually a luxurious six-passenger version of the crossover with captain's chairs instead of a second-row bench, a leather interior, 19-inch wheels and other niceties.

Recall Alert: 2014 Subaru Forester

Well that didn't take very long. The redesigned-for-2014 Forester has been on sale for only a few weeks, but it's already being recalled. Subaru is recalling 10,137 units of the compact crossover due to problems with the floormats, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured from January through March 2013 (check your vehicle's build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb) and use floormats that weren't properly manufactured. According to NHTSA, they could curl if exposed to heat and could interfere with brake and accelerator pedal operation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Subaru will notify affected owners before the month's end, and dealers will replace all four floormats for free. Owners can call Subaru at 800-782-2783 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

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Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Lexus RX 450h

Parents are often in search of a little tranquility, and the 2013 Lexus RX 450h delivers it, says Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh. Of course, silence is golden, so you'll have to pay a premium for this hybrid crossover, which starts at $47,205. The RX seats five, but it was a squeeze for Courtney to fit her three kids and their child-safety seats into the backseat.

2013 Lexus RX 450h Family Review

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Toyota RAV4

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 has received its long overdue redesign and it was worth the wait, says Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim. Gone is the optional third row, the optional V-6 engine and the swing-gate. What's left is a terrific five-seat crossover that easily handles family duty with good looks and a comfy interior.

2013 Toyota RAV4 Family Review

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Acura ZDX

Acura's flashy-looking ZDX may have an exciting exterior design, but looks are decieiving in this case. The ZDX is not very fun to drive and pretty uncomfortable, says Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. Poor visibility, gutless power and high prices top his laundry list of ZDX misses.

2013 Acura ZDX Review

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Mazda CX-9

A three-row crossover, the 2013 Mazda CX-9 successfully manages to handle seven passengers without feeling bulky or looking matronly, says Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh. This crossover is agile and its 3.7-liter V-6 engine easily handles highway on-ramps. Courtney says the third row isn't the most comfortable, but anyone can sit back there for a short trip.

2013 Mazda CX-9 Family Review

2013 Buick Enclave: Car Seat Check

Buick's three-row crossover, the Enclave, has been updated with exterior styling tweaks and interior updates for 2013. The Enclave comes standard with seating for seven, but the second row's captain's chairs can be replaced with an optional three-seat bench, increasing capacity to eight passengers. For our Car Seat Check, we had a seven-seat Enclave.

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.