Six Cars You Must Keep Your Eye On!

There are a lot of cool cars out there waiting for a warm garage or driveway to call home. Some you may have not even considered in the past. Then there are some cars that are worth checking out once more, as they have vastly improved. I've compiled six different models for you to keep your eye on should you find yourselves looking for inspiration.

Honda Civic

The revamped Honda Civic was recently named the North American Car of the Year by auto journalists convening in Detroit. This is the first time the Civic has won this honor in ten years. This award comes after a long renovation process for the Civic. "We are bringing more new technology and innovative thinking to Civic than ever before to establish a new benchmark for fun-to-drive performance, fuel efficiency, safety performance and refinement in the compact class," John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., said in a press release. The sedan in particular received a complete revamp, introducing a turbo engine to U.S. Honda models for the first time, innovative Honda Sensing technologies, LED lighting, the largest cabin for a car in compact class, and much more.

VW Budd-e

This concept car won't be seen on the roads until 2019, but it is already generating a lot of buzz after winning the "Best Innovation" award by Engadget Magazine at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Specifically, it won the award for its impressive all-electric setup: not only can the Budd-e run over 230 miles on just one charge, the batteries can be charged at any charging station and be ready for a long drive in as little as 30 minutes. Very impressive! The microbus also features Yuneec RealSense technology, allowing the car to avoid potholes and other obstacles, and genius design options that allow for a four (or more) seater or a two-seater with a sofa in the back. Oh, and did I mention the front seats rotate all the way around so you can face your guests when you talk to them? (Just don't do that while on the road, driver!)

FIAT 500

The FIAT 500 has been a top-selling car for gays and lesbians for quite a while, and the 2016 update includes a 135 horsepower turbo model, meaning you can get a little more speed from this compact machine. The 2016 model reports better performance with turns and handling. There are a number of different designs you can choose from as well: Would you like the soft-top Cabrio so you can enjoy the Florida sun, or the 500X, which was named a 2016 top safety pick? Or what about the Abarth, which is sleek and stylish in an all-black color configuration? Florida drivers can pick from five different options. Leasing has never been more affordable either (as low as $179 per month for 36 months).

Kia Optima

CBS and Car and Driver partnered together to pick the best mid-size sedan on the market today, and they agreed that the Kia Optima was it. When we talked to Phil Smith Kia late last year, we were told that the 2016 models are some of the best Kias they've ever sold. This car reaches 37 miles to the gallon on the highway and standard options for the LX (the most basic model) include a SiriusXM audio system, six speakers, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a rear camera display, a trip computer, keyless entry, power windows, eight-way driver's seat adjustment and six-way passenger seat adjustment. There are a lot more add-ons available as well. The 2016 Optima starts at $21,840.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The same CBS/Car and Driver report picked this model as the best luxury sedan of the year. You can choose from turbo, biturbo or hybrid power (241-hp, 362-hp, and 20 miles on one charge, respectively). Their suspensions are some of the tightest yet, and their 4MATIC all-wheel drive makes sure you have great handling on the roads, whether the sky is blue or the roads are wet and slick. All of your navigation and vehicle decisions can be made from a simple touch control. This control can also be customized so it is in your direct line of sight and not next to you. People purchasing 2016 models will also get five years of uninterrupted service via the mbrace mobile customer service app.

Lexus RX

Luxury meets a beautiful body and a spacious interior with the 2016 redesign of the Lexus RX. Completely overhauled inside and out, people looking for a great performance SUV will be happy to know that the RX offers more horsepower than any Lexus SUV before it. With a 3.5-liter V6 engine and direct fuel injection, the Lexus RX ensures that you will get the most mileage for your dollar whether you're in the city or on the highway. Want better control? Choose the "sport" option in drive mode. As far as luxurious amenities are concerned, the seats and interior utilize soft leather that's dyed all the way through, touch-free opening of the rear door, climate control customized for the driver and for the passengers, and even heated front seats!