What do the star ratings mean?

The About.com Cars test drive team rates each vehicle on a basis of 1 to 5 stars. Here's what the stars mean:

1 star: Bottom of the barrel
2 stars: Eclipsed by most other vehicles in its segment
3 stars: About average in its class
4 stars: Stands well above its rivals
5 stars: Blows away the competition and sets new standards for its segment

An additional half-star may be awarded at the writer's discretion.