2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R

"After spending the last couple nights in the SE-R," notes associate Web editor Rory Jurnecka, "I've begun to appreciate it a bit more for what it is, rather than what I want it to be."

Owner of a Toyota MR2, Jurnecka knows something about sporty cars and the significance of a nameplate. "The SE-R badge on the back brings high expectations, but a performance sedan coupled with a CVT trans just never sat right with me. Nevertheless, the car is nimble, quick, and small enough to zip in and out of gaps in rush-hour traffic-and it offers a ride firm enough to feel sporty without compromising comfort levels." And that CVT? "So-called 'shifts' are surprisingly quick-more than most standard manumatics-and manual mode seems to free up a few horses from the engine (although it obviously doesn't)."