All 2009 Articles

The manufacturer has announced pricing on its Ram 1500 pickup, completely revamped for 2009. Good news for consumers, who will have to shell out $2,000 less compared to the 2008 model. The new generation of Rams will come in 23 different configurations.

Ralliart is to Mitsubishi what SRT is to the Chrysler Group. The only difference is that the latter is truly sporty while the former isn't. While the 2009 Galant Ralliart is more eye-catching than lesser models (ES and GT), the overall design is still fairly conservative. The thing is, almost all the ingredients are there to create an attractive visual package, but the lack of aggressiveness is kind of disappointing when you consider what the Japanese automaker is capable of in terms of styling (Eclipse and Lancer Evolution).

General Motors has presented the latest addition to the Chevrolet family, the Traverse. Like the Buick Enclave, the Saturn Outlook and the GMC Acadia, the Chevrolet Traverse is an SUV based on the Lambda platform. With a base price of $34,655, the Traverse will be the most affordable of the lot.

Another model year is coming to a close, and 2009 Volkswagens are starting to trickle into showrooms. First and foremost, let's start with the new models and see what's changed on the rest of the line-up.

The evolution of the utilitarian pickup truck has just leaped forward a millennium thanks to the boys at Dodge. The Ram pickup is completely new for 2009, and as the President of Chrysler Canada, Reid Bigland said, "it doesn't just raise the bar, it bends it in half and ties it in a knot." The newly-designed Ram body not only looks aggressive, it pierces the wind better than any other crew cab pickup shod in 20-inch rubber, thanks to a best-in-class co-efficient of drag of .419.

Making the most of the explosion of the Russian market, Lexus presented its fourth all-wheel-drive sedan at the Moscow Motor Show this week. Following the success of the IS 250 AWD, the GS 350 AWD and the LS 600h L, the introduction of the all-wheel-drive LS 460 and LS 460 L was the next step for the manufacturer.

A couple of months ago, I joined Acura and a gaggle of fellow journalists at the Canadian launch of the completely new Acura TSX. Branded as a 2009 model, I delivered my "first impressions" of this compact sport sedan on April 11th this year. I've now had the opportunity to live with the new TSX for a week, enabling me to conjure-up more in-depth thoughts and findings on Acura's latest pride and joy.

The award-winning Sonata is Hyundai's mid-size bread and butter sedan, which for 2009 just got a little sweeter. Warm out of the oven, the '09 Sonata exhibits revised front and rear fascias along with a revamped interior. The changes also include a little more yeast under the hood in both V6 and I4 configurations.The exterior redesign for 2009 has given the Sonata a slightly more refined, upscale appearance.

Volkswagen announced this morning that the Routan minivan will be available in Canada starting at $27,975. Like the Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town and Country, the Routan was designed around Chrysler's RT platform. It nevertheless distinguishes itself from its American cousins, thanks namely to a unique dashboard and front and rear fascia.

After the photos of the new 2009 Civic Sedan, Honda is at it again, this time presenting images of the revamped Civic Coupe. Like the Civic Sedan, the Coupe has inherited a new, angular nose. All in all, the design stays in tune, and no radical changes have been introduced for 2009.

Porsche's August 2008 sales have gone down 45% in North America compared to the same time last year. While this figure may seem alarming at first, it's explained by the imminent arrival of the 2009 Porsche 911. As the 2009 model year of the 911 has been upgraded, many buyers prefer to wait for its arrival, which is scheduled for September 20. The result: sales of the 911 alone fell 58%.

Honda has refreshed its popular line of Civic sedans and coupes, now in mid-life. Available since 2006, the current Civic is just as bold, so only minor exterior changes have been made. The main improvements include a redesigned front bumper, reconfigured headlight and taillight combinations, a chrome panel stretching between the taillights and a chrome exhaust finisher on the better-equipped versions. New colour combinations are also available.

For 2009, Lexus decided to make some changes to its entry-level sport sedan, the IS. Far from a revolution, they've simply touched-up certain features to make it more attractive. The 2009 IS will have a base price of $31,500, a $400 decrease compared to the 2008 model. To tell the 2009 and 2008 models apart, you'll have to have eagle eyes.

For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500-hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009.

As an XL sized person living in a mid-sized world, my first drive of the Fit put a grin on my face. Honda's slogan for this car should be (if it isn't already) "small on the outside and big on the inside". First impressions count for a lot and when I got into the driver's seat, I was comfortable.