Top Picks for Weekend Athletes

Getting to the game with all your gear requires a car that's functional but comfortable. Our picks included sedans, coupes, SUVs, convertibles, hatchbacks, station wagons, minivans and pickups. Considering cargo versatility, drivability and interior refinement helped us pick winners from dozens of contenders, gathered from our 2008 Best Bets and anything new we've driven since.

Best New Car for Weekend Athletes 2009 Honda Element Starting MSRP $20,175 If you do your playing in the great outdoors, this is the best car to take you there. It's got room for bikes, tents, fishing rods, picnic supplies and the stuffed head of the moose you just shot. Opt for the regular Element — not the wimpy, carpeted SC variant — and you get an easy-to-clean rear floor and stain-resistant seats. It's easy to park if you're an urban athlete, and if roughing it gets too rough you can fold the seats down to create a decent bed for a catnap.

Best Deal for Weekend Athletes 2009 Scion xB Starting MSRP $15,750 No, it won't take you down a muddy, rock-strewn path, but this is the Best Value winner, remember? It gives you enormous room on the inside for toys, and if you're the sort who's fixated on using a roof rack, the xB sits low enough that you'll be able to get stuff up there. Mileage is decent, too, at an estimated 22/28 mpg city/highway. It's handy, not too expensive and looks more modern than a lot of other cars in this category. Finally, since it's a Scion, there are many, many options available for you to personalize your xB.

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Ford Edge (2009) Starting MSRP $26,130 When you have to step up to a larger crossover, the Edge combines a large cargo area, plenty of comfort in the cabin, and an optional Vista Roof sunroof that makes you feel like you're still outside. It's both functional enough and dressy enough to be comfortable taking the kids to their soccer game in the morning and going for a night on the town later. Research this car      Build this car

Ford Expedition (2009) Starting MSRP $32,820 Sometimes you need a sledgehammer to do the job. The Expedition, with its enormous interior and mighty powertrain, fills that role quite nicely. It's not a bad thing that it's fairly nice on the inside as well, but that does mean you'll need to wipe your feet before getting in. It's the one you'd want to use to take the Scout troop on a camping trip. Research this car      Build this car

Honda Ridgeline (2009) Starting MSRP $28,000 Lightly restyled for 2008, Honda's attempt at a pickup has been largely dismissed by traditional truck buyers, but it remains an attractive alternative to those who own kayaks and other types of bulky outdoors equipment. It tows 5,000 pounds, which is more than enough for personal watercraft or ATVs. The rear seats fold up to make a rather large interior cargo area, while the bed features a lockable trunk — still the only one of its kind. Research this car      Build this car

	Nissan Rogue (2009) Starting MSRP $20,220 Surprisingly fun to drive, the Rogue offers the convenience of a small SUV along with stylish looks. It is on the small size, so folks with bulky toys will need to check the cargo area before buying. If your toys fit and you want something comfortable with a bit of pep, you could do worse. Research this car      Build this car

Pontiac Vibe (2009) Starting MSRP $16,100 If you really don't want to move up to an SUV or wagon, the Vibe is a handy vehicle. The cargo area is plastic — for easy cleanup — there's a lot of room inside and it's wrapped up in a small, easy-to-park package. As a plus, you can opt for all-wheel drive if you want that security or stay with front-wheel drive and enjoy slightly better gas mileage. Research this car      Build this car

	Subaru Forester (2009) Starting MSRP $19,995 The Forester fits that spot in between a low-riding wagon and a high-riding SUV, and it offers a lot of usable cargo space. Standard all-wheel drive gets you through the snow, and it'll handle a dirt road really well, too. The interior is also much improved over the previous version. Research this car      Build this car

Subaru Impreza (2009) Starting MSRP $17,495 The Impreza isn't big on the outside, but the cargo area is large and the engine offers plenty of pep in the GT version. Fun and practical — just what this category should be about. Obviously, you'll want the hatchback/wagon version, not the sedan. Compared to the other Subarus on this list, the Impreza — especially the GT — feels the most athletic. Research this car      Build this car

Subaru Outback (2009) Starting MSRP $22,295 It's bigger inside than you might expect, and very practical, with standard all-wheel drive. Wagons in general are nice for their versatility, but what sets the Outback apart is that it feels like the people who designed it actually use it themselves for their outdoor adventures. All your outdoors toys fit in the car, and, just as importantly, they're easy to get out of the car when you need them thanks to a rear hatch that doesn't bonk your head. Research this car      Build this car