Standard half-ton pickup or heavy-duty variant? That’s the question often faced by those needing a pickup for commercial use, combined personal/business activity, or heavy-duty towing. It’s a tough choice because heavy-duty pickups really do offer levels of functionality that typically exceed that of light-duty pickups, but they’re also costlier, more cumbersome to maneuver, and usually less fuel efficient.

Nissan’s fully-redesigned Titan XD aims to solve this conundrum by combining the capability of a heavy-duty pickup with the fuel economy and affordability of a half-ton model. It delivers welcome functionality with a 5.6-liter Endurance gasoline V-8 or a notable 5.0-liter Cummins turbodiesel that delivers 310 horsepower and a formidable 555 lb-ft torque. The latter is capable of carrying a 2,000 pound payload or towing up to 12,000 pounds.

A half-ton 2017 Titan variant introduced just this summer shares the Titan DNA but is distinguished by a unique chassis some 14.7 inches shorter than that of the XD. No diesel powerplant is offered with the lighter-duty Titan, which is powered by the same 390 horsepower, 5.6-liter Endurance gasoline V-8 and connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission. An as-yet undisclosed V-6 will also be available for the half-ton Titan.

Titan XD benefits from the first application of the new Cummins M2 two-stage turbo system, which helps reduce turbo lag through precision balancing between high-pressure and low-pressure turbos. The engine’s Rotary Turbine Control provides solid performance across the powerband and manages exhaust gas temperatures. Efficiency-enhancing weight reduction is achieved with a compacted graphite iron cylinder block, high-strength aluminum alloy heads, and composite valve covers. The CGI block, along with the dual overhead camshafts, contributes to Nissan’s goal of delivering excellent noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics.

The XD features an extended 151.6-inch wheelbase to handle the higher towing and payload potential of the Cummins diesel while maximizing stability, handling, and ride comfort. It also uses a new heavy-duty, highly stable suspension design. Titan XD buyers can choose between several available hitches including an integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame that’s easily accessible in the bed. It is also snow plow-capable.

Clearly, the Titan XD is the right size pickup for many chores. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to overall driveability. The step up to a traditional heavy-duty pickup is more than many drivers care to deal with on a daily basis. Titan XD simply doesn’t feel as cumbersome as a bigger and heavier HD truck. We wouldn’t call it nimble, but it is certainly easier to maneuver, especially around town. Overall ride and handling is quite pleasant and on par with most half-ton pickups. We drove the Titan XD loaded near maximum payload capacity and it performed without complaint.

The Titan XD is offered in Crew Cab, King Cab, and Single Cab versions with three available bed lengths. A work truck version is also available. All are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Titan XD is offered in several trims including a rugged-looking Pro-4X model and a top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve. All except the Pro-4X can be had with two- or four-wheel drive. Inside, The Titan XD’s instrument panel integrates both analog and digital gauges and a 5-inch color display, plus diesel monitoring and maintenance displays. A 7-inch color monitor includes NissanConnect with navigation, mobile apps, and service.

While fuel economy estimates are not required for heavy-duty pickup models, expect the XD's Cummins diesel to provide about 20 percent better efficiency than a gas-powered V-8 while towing full loads. Our driving experience in an XD with a fully-loaded pickup bed realized a mpg average of just over 20 mpg…pretty impressive for an HD pickup.

Mazda's CX-3, this automaker’s entry in the hot compact crossover SUV segment, aims to provide the style and functionality of a crossover SUV at a price approachable to a great many buyers, beginning at just $19,960. Sporting the unique front grill and fascia that speak the brand’s latest design language, the CX-3 shares its platform and much of its cabin with the 2016 Mazda 2 subcompact hatchback. While both ride on a 101.2 inch wheelbase, the CX-3 is slightly larger in all dimensions than the 2 in keeping with its small SUV mission of optimizing versatility and carrying five people plus cargo.

The CX-3 is comfortable, capable, and responsive, getting its power from a 146 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Its SKYACTIV-G engine uses direct injection, variable valve timing, and a high 13:1 compression ratio to eke the most power out of its engine displacement, along the way producing satisfying low-to-mid-range torque and lower emissions while consuming less fuel. The engine connects to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels are available, each with standard front-wheel-drive or optional i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive. Mazda's predictive all-wheel drive system optimizes performance and stability by taking many real-time factors into account like road conditions, steering-angle, temperature, and weather as it intelligently routes power to specific wheels in response to these conditions.

The Mazda CX-3 is available with an array of electronics features including a rearview camera, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, adaptive headlights, and headlight control. Mazda Connect comes standard, offering a seven-inch color touchscreen infotainment suite with Bluetooth audio streaming, phone controls, and internet radio like Pandora and Aha by Harmon, all integrated with a commander control knob. Pushbutton start is also standard.

Available as options or with the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels are navigation, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, head-up display, Bose premium audio with SiriusXM satellite and HD radio, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and LED headlights. When equipped with the Grand Touring i-ACTIVSENSE package, CX-3 packs features unavailable in rival vehicles like Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support, High Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning System, rain-sensing wipers, and auto on/off headlights.

As one would expect with Mazda’s efficient and sprightly SKYACTIV-equipped new models, the CX-3 achieves a welcome 29 city mpg and 35 mpg in the front-wheel drive version, with the AWD model sacrificing just a bit of efficiency with 27/32 mpg numbers. Importantly, unlike most engines with high compression that require high octane fuel, the 2.0-liter SKYACTIV powerplant is designed to run on less expensive regular gas, offering fuel savings that adds up over time.

Positioned below the Honda CR-V in size and price, Honda’s new HR-V compact crossover aims to attract buyers with its coupe-like styling, SUV functionality,  and of course the quality and dependability of a Honda. The HR-V is based on the Honda Fit platform although it’s substantially larger than the Fit, measuring in 9.1 inches longer, 2.8 inches wider, and 3.2 inches taller. It also features a front and rear track several inches wider for a more stable ride.

These added dimensions mean the HR-V can carry people more comfortably and, of course, accommodate more gear and cargo. Since Honda located the fuel tank beneath the front seats like the Fit, the same second row Magic Seat configuration is built in, enabling the seat to fold completely flat into the floor to provide a more spacious cargo area. In fact, the HR-V’s 100 cubic feet of passenger space and 58.8 cubic feet of cargo volume with the second row seats folded down rivals the interior volume of some midsize SUVs.

The HR-V is powered by the same 1.8-liter engine as the Honda Civic, delivering 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft torque. It comes in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions and in LX, EX and EX-L Navi trim levels. A continuously variable transmission is available with all-wheel drive, equipped with steering wheel paddles that provide seven preset ratios. A six-speed manual transmission is available on front-wheel-drive LX and EX models.

The HR-V turns in impressive fuel economy numbers. Depending on transmission and whether equipped with FWD or AWD, highway fuel economy reaches up to 35 mpg, as good as it gets in this segment. Driving range is about 400 miles.

Like most Hondas, the HR-V comes with Eco Assist. This includes a sophisticated coaching system that helps improve driving habits for better fuel efficiency. It uses color-changing displays within the HR-V’s instrument cluster, with speedometer illumination changing from white to green depending on real-time fuel efficiency. Engaging the car’s ECON button optimizes operation of the transmission, engine, and other powertrain components to also help conserve fuel.

The HR-V hits a home run with its many desired features combined with an approachable entry point of just $19,215. Depending on trim, standard or available electronics include Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; electronic stability control; Multi-Angle Rearview Camera; Bluetooth, Tire Pressure Monitoring, and Honda LaneWatch. Either a 5 inch color LCD screen or 7-inch touchscreen display are offered. EX-L Navi trim adds satellite-linked navigation and SiriusXM radio, HD Radio, and Honda Digital Traffic that provides real-time traffic information.

Chevrolet introduced the Cruze Turbo Diesel in 2014, the first diesel sedan from an American nameplate since the less-than-stellar diesel cars Detroit offered in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It’s a world of difference. Actually, GM brought the European Cruze 2.0-liter turbodiesel to the Cruze powertrain lineup here, a well-proved engine that accounts for about 40 percent of all Cruze models sold in Europe. The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel returns for 2015 with only minor cosmetic changes.

The 2015 model we test drove is easily recognized from the 2014 version by its revised grille and front fascia, influences that came from the Chevy Impala and Malibu. Inside, minor changes include revised cup holders, relocating the trunk-release button to the center console, and door lock buttons now on the door. Features include everything offered on Cruze LS and 1LT models, plus a sport-tuned suspension, 17 inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, remote vehicle starter system, and LED running lights.

Likewise, there is no change to the 2.0-liter ECOTEC turbodiesel four-cylinder from last year, an engine that produces 151 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque with at least 250 pound-feet of torque between a low 1,750 and 3,000 rpm. The dual overhead camshaft (DOHC), 16-valve engine has an overboost capability that increases torque to an estimated 280 pound-feet during short bursts of stronger acceleration for about 10 seconds. The Cruze Diesel can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 8.6 seconds and you can feel this diesel’s expected low-end torque coming on strong within a few seconds of hard acceleration from a stop.  An Aisin AF-40 six-speed automatic transmission handles the car’s higher torque.

As expected, fuel economy is the Cruze Diesel's strong suit.  With an EPA-estimated 46 highway mpg, this means the thrifty Cruze can travel 717 miles on its 15.6 gallon fuel tank. City efficiency is an EPA estimated 27 mpg and 33 mpg combined. An aero performance package that integrates a lower front grille air shutter, mid-body aero panels, and front air dam help achieve its higher fuel efficiency.

The version sold here in the States was adapted to meet more stringent Tier 2 Bin 5 emission standards as well as a wider range of driving conditions, including higher altitudes and colder weather. For example, ceramic glow plugs are used rather than conventional metal glow plugs to provide better cold starts. An engine oil heater is optional for cold climates.

Importantly, this diesel engine emits at least 90 percent less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions compared to previous-generation diesels. A diesel particulate filter (DPF) and urea injection are used.  The exhaust after-treatment system uses technology similar to that found in GM's Duramax diesel engines for heavy-duty trucks and vans. Those seeking an additional level of environmental performance will appreciate that the engine is B20 biodiesel compatible.

Connectivity is enhanced with features like text message alerts for smartphone users with incoming texts through the car’s speakers, plus Siri Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7. Voice -controlled connectivity aims to mitigate distracted driving by helping keep phones in pockets and hands on the wheel. Popular available options include a seven-inch color touch screen and navigation. Expanding MyLink capability is OnStar with 4G LTE and a standard Wi-Fi hotspot to provide a mobile hub for staying connected. A three-month/three gigabyte data trial is provided.

The 2015 Cruze received a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for Safety from the National Highway Transportation Administration. Standard safety features include 10 standard airbags. A rear vision camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Side Blind Zone Alert are available. Chevy’s best-selling model worldwide with more than three million sold since its 2010 launch, the Cruze is offered in LS, LT, RS, LTZ, and Eco models. Its base MSRP starts at $16,995 with the diesel model available at $26,485.

The road to higher efficiency is an appealing one these days and driving a small car is one way to get there. While it’s true that not everyone is in the market for a small car, the appeal grows if small means efficient and highly functional but not constrained or boring.

This is the theme with Honda’s third-generation 2015 Honda Fit, which offers a more aerodynamic look and additional interior space while retaining the previous version's overall physical footprint. Honda designers have clearly gone the extra mile in not only offering a thoroughly modern small car, but innovating ways to bring greater interior functionality than should be expected in this size package.

Helping achieve this is the Fit's ‘Magic Seat’ rear seat setup that offers four modes for carrying passengers, cargo, or both. In the Utility Mode, it can carry 52 cubic feet of cargo. Fold down the right sides of the rear and front passenger seat in the Long Mode and you can carry items up to 7 feet, 9 inches in length. In the Tall Mode there’s nearly 4 feet of room available top to bottom. Remove the front head restraints, fold back the front seats, and you can relax, or even sleep, in the Refresh Mode.

Beyond this refreshing small car functionality, perhaps the Fit’s most important change is a new and more fuel-efficient powertrain. Its new direct-injected, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder Earth Dreams engine produces 130 horsepower, 13 more than the engine it replaces.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but most will be fitted with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that has shift paddles and a Sport mode that provides seven selectable ‘gears’ to increase the fun factor. This CVT comes with Eco Assist and an ECON button for more fuel efficient operation. All models also feature Honda's Eco Coaching function that prompts drivers to achieve maximum fuel economy.

With the 6-speed, the Fit achieves EPA estimated numbers of up to 33 mpg in the city and an impressive 41 mpg on the highway, achieving desirable efficiency with a gasoline engine that only comes with a hybrid in some other models. Not only do drivers save on gas, but also on purchase price since the 2015 Fit offers a base MSRP of just $15,525 that makes this model approachable for most new car buyers.