Despite his eye-rolls and cynicism – targeted at yet another crossover entering the market – our Driveway editor Keith Morgan was pleasantly surprised by Mazda's CX-3.

The market it as "adventure at every turn" – as an "exciting new urban crossover" to carry you through 2015.

"Upscale is a word rarely used when describing the fit, finish and looks of a compact car's interior – but it fits here," reports Morgan, fresh off a desert tour outside of Phoenix, Arizona, at the Camelback Mountain Resort. "The lines flow pleasingly throughout and the use of red and metallic accents coupled with upmarket stitching is simply classy."

If you're in the market for something used or maybe just not brand-new for 2016 – from a brand well-known and, for some, trusted – our car reviewer Bob McHugh looks back on he past few years of Jeep's Wrangler Unlimited.

From 2011 to 2014:

"A champion of the un-paved path, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited allows owners to pack more gear and share their outdoor adventure," he writes.

VIDEO: Zack Spencer reviews Jeep's newest offering in 2016,

Keith Morgan takes a look at Ford's growing green envelope, focusing on the company's C-MAX hybrid.

Morgan says Ford is filing an unprecedented amount of patents and opening up its secrets for green machines, in an effort to bolster the clean car industry as a whole.

"Innovation is our goal," says Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs. "The way to provide the best technology is through constant development and progress. By sharing our research with other companies, we will accelerate the growth of electrified vehicle technology and deliver even better products to customers."