2006 Honda Civic Si

Detroit editor Todd Lassa logged a few comments comparing our Civic Si with the Volkswagen GTI that competed in our 2007 Car of the Year competition. He feels it was edgier, yet less adult. But "as long as you're used to revving high," he says, "the GTI has nothing over this."

The Si is surprisingly Japanese for something designed in North America. And you don't need to downshift out of sixth when climbing the I-5 hills out of Bakersfield. Hard to believe it's already been a year since the Civic lineup took home that well-earned Car of the Year trophy.