The second-generation CLA is a desirable piece of eye candy and is also one of the more affordable vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Before diving in, however, there are certain practicalities that should be considered. You see, the CLA is a bit of a head scratcher. For most buyers/lessors, the four-door car likely makes more sense than selecting some two-door model. However, the head- and leg-room-deficient rear seat in the low-slung sedan — that Mercedes-Benz insists on calling it a coupe — isn’t suitable for taller occupants.

The new 12th-generation Corolla sedan, which joins the new-for-2019 Corolla Hatchback, might not be the sharpest-looking sled on the block, or the quickest, but it’s special for other reasons. The Corolla is ideal for people who don’t want to think about how the car works, but believe it will work faithfully and safely well past the powertrain warranty stage and/or the monthly loan or lease commitment.

From the front, the Gladiator looks like any other Jeep Wrangler, with a traditional slotted vertical grille, round headlights and a stout bumper. Behind the second-row seat is a five-foot-long box that’s capable of transporting up to 730 kilograms of ATV, dirt bikes, camping gear and/or just about anything else you can imagine. Trailering capacity with the proper tow package tops out at 3,480 kilograms.

Makerhaus specializes in various auto and electronic products and sells a 1:3 scale model of…