Car hits and misses of 2014

Every year, consumers get inundated with a plethora of ads, commercials, and social buzz about models that are either brand-new to the market or have undergone a major makeover. All of this fuels the growing hype and expectations. But which ones really deliver when their rubber meets our test track and they get put through our 50-plus evaluations? And which, well, stall out? Here are five models that shone in our testing and thoroughly impressed our autos staff, and three that left us wondering, “Where’s the beef?”

Acura MDX

The redesigned MDX is a well-rounded SUV that does many things well. It treats you to a hushed, versatile cabin, supple ride, and a new V6 engine that’s quick, responsive, and refined. At 20 mpg overall, it’s also among the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the class.

BMW M235i

The new M235i is a fresh, exhilarating coupe that’s a joy to drive. It’s taut and quick, and it has a satisfyingly sonorous exhaust note. Forged in the tradition of BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra, it’s now one of our top-rated cars.

Ford Fiesta ST

Yes, it’s frugal, affordable, and easy to park, but this hot hatch is also exciting to drive. It won us over with its razor-sharp handling, near-telepathic steering, amazing braking, and invigorating exhaust bark. We also measured a great 29 mpg overall.

Mazda3

Redesigned for 2014, the Mazda3 has the magic formula of being fun to drive, fuel-efficient, and affordable. It delivers agile, even inspiring handling. And we got an excellent 33 mpg overall with the 2.0-liter engine and automatic transmission, and 32 with the manual. The 3 also offers advanced safety features on midlevel trims and has earned top-notch crash-test scores.