The Honda CR-V is one of the best-selling cars in its class and one of the best-selling cars in the entire market. However, Honda has made some significant changes to the powertrain to help it compete with more fuel-efficient models like the Toyota RAV4. The 2010 CR-V goes on sale today.

Horsepower has gone from 166 hp to 180 hp for 2010 and mileage actually improves by 1 mpg for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models. Those ratings are now 21/28 mpg city/highway and 21/27 mpg city/highway respectively.

In the looks department, the CR-V gets a new grille and front bumper treatment that does alter the look quite a bit compared to some other facelifts we see. The rear refresh is much less significant with new yellow turn signal indicators and a slightly different lower rear bumper.

While the interior looks the same in terms of layout and design, Honda says it has improved the quality of its seat fabrics and improved small things, like a new door handle that now has a rubber grip. The armrests for both front occupants have also been widened.

Honda says the radio controls have been altered but we have no images of them. The stereo and information display between the gauges also gets a new blue backlight instead of black.

As if it didn’t have enough on its plate, Toyota is now coming under scrutiny for denying an extended warranty to owners of 2001-03 . Toyota began an inquiry into the issue last August after more than 300 complaints were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The complaints involved the vehicle jerking, failing to accelerate or suddenly slowing down. Many of the complaints included descriptions of the transmission failure as “dangerous” and “scary.”It’s important to note that drivers can severely damage their transmissions just by driving poorly and that the transmission is covered under Toyota’s powertrain warranty of six years or 60,000 miles.

No stranger to minivans, Toyota has thrown a lot of darts at the board with the redesigned 2011 Sienna. Features run the gamut from functional — the Sienna is the only minivan with optional all-wheel drive and is the first in a long while to offer a four-cylinder engine — to pie-in-the-sky: Loaded models can have dual moonroofs and rear lounge seats with footrests. There’s even a sport-tuned Sienna SE for parents inclined to carve corners en route to Sally’s slumber party.

It’s a good thing the minivan behind the frills stands up. Though flawed in a couple key respects, the Sienna’s fundamentals are sound. Toyota seems to think the minivan segment is headed for a rebirth. Sales indicate that the top players in the minivan segment are holding their own with three-row crossovers.

I’m skeptical a larger surge is in the cards. However, if you’re not high-tailing it out for a crossover, this particular minivan deserves a look. We had a chance to drive the Sienna in California, and we’ll have full review of the model, which hits dealerships in February, up on Monday, including our impressions of the sport-tuned Sienna SE. Below is an early take on that review. We'll have a full photo gallery and video tomorrow.

The 2010 Lexus RX 450h came so close to earning a rave review from Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. He found the crossover an immensely enjoyable vehicle with good mileage, an impressive interior and a price tag most shoppers in this segment can stomach. What held back the RX 450h? Thomas says Lexus might want to work a little harder on that hybrid drivetrain.

When Acura first rolled out the RDX, it hit a juicy vein in the compact luxury SUV segment that had yet to be overexploited. These days, nearly every luxury automaker has an entry-level crossover with a relatively low price tag. Does the RDX manage to distinguish itself even though the competition has caught on? For the answer, check out the full review of the 2010 RDX by Cars.com reviewer David Thomas.

When Acura first rolled out the RDX, it hit a juicy vein in the compact luxury SUV segment that had yet to be overexploited. These days, nearly every luxury automaker has an entry-level crossover with a relatively low price tag. Does the RDX manage to distinguish itself even though the competition has caught on? For the answer, check out the full review of the 2010 RDX by Cars.com reviewer David Thomas.

The 2010 Subaru Outback was displaced this week as the most read car review, and the all-new 2010 Hyundai Tucson ascended to the top spot. Drivers must still have winter weather on their minds because the top five were rounded out by SUVs and crossovers, while the acrobatically named Suzuki Kizashi debuted in the middle of the pack. Remember: Every time you read a review, you are in fact voting in our eyes.

The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is a hybrid sedan that gets an EPA-estimated 35/34 mpg city/highway, which sounds well and good. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley wonders if this will be enough to entice luxury hybrid shoppers. After all, the HS 250h carries a hefty price tag in the $35,000 range, and the ride quality doesn’t quite cut it in the luxury market. Read Hanley’s full review to find out if the Lexus sedan can overcome these deficits.

While Acura has had a winner with the TSX, this year it added a powerful V-6 engine, which makes for a curious choice, according to Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. The V-6 pushes up the price of the TSX, putting it into competition with the larger Acura TL. Thomas explains why this could wreak some havoc in the Acura lineup and why looking at the four-cylinder TSX will still make a lot of sense to car buyers in search of a fun midsize sedan for under $30,000.

The 2011 Kia Sorento has shown improvements in leaps and bounds, according to Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. Combining ample cargo room with a low sticker price, the Sorento makes a compelling case for itself over the competition. Check out Thomas’ full review to find out what the Sorento gets right, and where it might turn off some car buyers looking for a smooth driving experience