Some decisions are completely rational. Others may be based on some factor that just calls to you. It may be color, style, space or something that just seems right to you. In clothing, it may be a style that seems both trendy and unique. In furniture, it may be factors like comfort for you and the rest of your family and friends.
What makes one car more appealing to you than another? Is it the drive-up appeal? Is it a classy, upscale look? Is it a fun vehicle with a moon roof or a sun roof? Is it sporty or sexy? Or does its fuel economy reflect your commitment to the environment?

Each of these cars has a certain something that made it easy for me to imagine them being part of my life.

2012 Acadia Denali

The moment I saw this car, I knew it would be fun. Big fun. With its spacious rear cargo space (think tailgate parties or camping gear) and sun roof, it can’t help making a good time even better. But the appeal of the 2012 Acadia Denali goes beyond fun. The Acadia Denali proves that luxury and efficiency can get along. The capacity and efficiency that make Acadia such a great family vehicle are combined with signature Denali cues and premium standard content.

GMC vehicles aren’t made to sit in the showroom. They’re designed, engineered and built to get things done. The 2012 Acadia Denali is almost a motivational car. It makes you want to do more because it offers more. It’s the perfect vehicle for keeping your life in control and taking charge of the day.

The week I drove this, I was doing some big-time spring cleaning. The huge cargo space made it easy to give things to charity. It seemed like the clothes and I were both entering a new phase of life. The 2012 Acadia Denali seemed larger than it really was. Its strong silhouette made me feel like the queen of the road. Because it is wider, the interior was really spacious. But it was a little harder to park. I kept thinking of the cars I have driven with parking assist. Why do smaller cars like the Scion have parking assist?

The distinguished look and exceptional convenience of the Acadia Denali make it the premium crossover for luxury and refinement. Acadia Denali’s low drag co-efficient and aerodynamic design help give it 24 MPG on the highway for the FWD model.

2012 Ford Focus

When things are really popular, the reason is usually easy to see. I drove a red candy metallic 2012 Ford Focus for a week and heads turned everywhere I went. It is a great shopping car. Because it is energy efficient, it is cost effective to shop around. And the huge trunk has plenty of room for acquisitions. What woman doesn’t like a bargain and a place to stash it?

In an odd measure of the popularity of this car, when I posted my weekly picture sitting in the trunk, the 2012 Ford Focus got more comments than any other car I posted since I joined Facebook. That is really not surprising. Demographically, Ford Focus buyers like the energy efficient motor, are proud of their choice, and want to share their feelings about the Ford Focus with others. Ford has been a leader in using social media and using the internet as a major factor in introducing the Ford Fiesta.

In fact, the Focus keeps you connected through the SYNC system, which allows you to control your Bluetooth phone and audio mp3 player with voice for hands-free commands. It also has AppLink, which lets you access smartphone apps like Pandora radio by voice too. The MyFord Touch system adds an 8 inch touch screen for extending control of navigation and radio by voice or touch. And speaking of advanced available features, the Focus offers Active Park Assist which uses ultrasonic sensors to help with semi-automatic parallel parking—the car steers and you work the gas and brake.

Nowadays, everyone wants to stretch a dollar. Well, Ford has stretched the 2012 Ford Focus a couple of inches in every direction, making it livable without being large. What makes it so popular is the value, customizability, and performance combination. Another leading buying decision is based on fuel economy (it is just one of Ford’s cars that get 40 mpg.)

The 2012 Ford Focus is more than good-looking for the sake of being good-looking. This kinetic design actually serves an aerodynamic purpose. The Focus sedan has a body surface eight percent more aerodynamic than the previous model. It improved its wind resistance and therefore made it more efficient. Irresistible to your eyes. Less resistant to the wind.

2012 Prius v

The name Prius is almost as synonymous with hybrid as Coke is to cola drinks and Kleenex is to tissue. Prius was a leader in the hybrid market and continues to make segment leading innovations. I think the Entune™ multimedia system is one of the easiest synch systems to use. It is important to me to stay connected as I own 10 websites. On the 2012 Prius v you can access your favorite apps on your vehicle’s multimedia screen. Now, that’s smart. The available EntuneTM multimedia system offers popular mobile apps and data services so you can stay connected.

If these were my measurements, I wouldn’t post them. But Toyota is proud of them. 44/40/42 mpg. Sporting an aerodynamic design, and powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive®, Prius v delivers excellent fuel efficiency and produces low smog-forming emissions.

Another number related to the Prius v that I really like is 98. There is room for 98 paper grocery bags. With the rear seatbacks down, Prius v offers 67.3 cubic feet of cargo space (You may want to note it offers more cargo space than 80 percent of small SUVs). By volume, that’s equal to 98 paper grocery bags. With the seatbacks up, there’s 34.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Prius v, with its 60/40 split sliding reclining fold-down rear seats, gives you a variety of people and payload possibilities.

The Prius v design lets you pack a lot. Pump a little. Look at the numbers, the price, the package, and the practicality. It all adds up to an exceptional value.

2012 Hyundai Azera

Sometimes one feature is so great that it makes a memorable impression and enhances your feelings toward the car. As a short person, the first thing I do when I get into a car is adjust the seat. Sometimes you reach under the seat. But the electric seat control buttons near my left hand in the Azera made it seem like there was an invisible mechanic adjusting the seat just to my size. It got our relationship off to a great start. A ten-way power driver and eight-way front passenger’s seats are standard equipment.

The 2012 Hyundai Azera leads in other features that are important to me. It has best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 mpg.

The 2012 Azera stands between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan in the Hyundai line-up. This Hyundai sedan follows the Korean manufacturer’s marketing philosophy of modern style and practicality at a fair price. It encourages you to upgrade your expectations. It has more horsepower than Maxima, it’s more spacious than a Lexus ES350, and it’s the only vehicle in its class with a standard navigation system with rearview camera and Bluetooth and HD Radio Technology. When it comes to the newest technology, the 2012 Hyundai Azera outclasses its class.

It might not take that long for Hyundai to become the Apple of the car business. They certainly stand behind their cars with some of the best warranties on the market and they offer a range of pretty high-level vehicles. What they have done in a few short years is really impressive.