All Review Articles

Mercedes' three-pointed star has a therapeutic effect. It brings people together and help them share their opinions. One of my cousins, for instance, felt obligated to stop by my house (which he very seldom does despite living just two blocks away) when he spotted this little black car in my driveway.

To a certain extent, the new Ford Flex embodies today's Western society, personifying excess in one of its most pleasing forms. How has Ford managed this? Simply by offering a fundamentally useful and practical car wrapped in a cutting edge package. The Flex's aesthetical calling is clearly to inflame our passion. No one is left indifferent by it: either you love it or you hate it, but you definitely react to it.

A number of compact relatively inexpensive rockets have come to market lately, such as the Dodge SRT4 and the Mazdaspeed3. Chevrolet has launched the latest salvo in this thin-wallet performance war with the 2008 Cobalt SS. It's a front-wheel-drive coupe that for 2008 is fitted with a turbocharger rather than last year's supercharger.

This won't shock anyone, but the Mazda Tribute is just a re-badged version of the Ford Escape. It's got the same engines, same transmissions and same capabilities, and the only major difference is in regard to suspension tuning. The Tribute gets a stiffer ride than the Ford. Zoom-zoom, and all that. When it launched in 2001 alongside the Escape, it was bigger than a CRV or a Rav4, as well as somewhat more rugged looking as well.

Sumo wrestlers to introduce the new Subaru Forester? Makes sense. After all, these amusing characters (did you see the ads on television?) vividly embody the Japanese tradition, so it's likely that no one will mistake Subaru or the Forester for a Swedish product ever again. More realistically, though, the company wanted to make a strong statement to consumers and turn a big spotlight on a vehicle making its first-ever dramatic styling evolution.

The WRX STi is loosely based on the body of the Impreza, Subaru's most compact car. Other than that, they are totally different; and on top of that the STi is another step up from the regular WRX. Do you get the feeling that Subaru likes the sturdiness of the Impreza body style? I thought I knew about the STi and after the first day, I was starting to think that the performance side of things was a bit over rated.

The current-generation Legacy and Outback models were launched for the 2005 model year. But unlike some cars that go through a product cycle without any changes, Subaru is constantly improving its mid-size sedan and wagon offerings.

After Cadillac, it now looks like Ford's premium division is going through a rebirth. Similar to the mythical Phoenix, Lincoln seems to be rising from the ashes of the Continental and Town Car with a new flagship sedan that's more dynamic and especially more compact.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse gets a fresh new look for 2009. Well, kind of... You see, in order to bridge the gap between the latest-generation model (introduced back in 2006) and its eventual successor (expected by 2011 according to some sources), the sporty Japanese coupe benefits from various cosmetic changes that will put the car in line with the Lancer Evolution X.

When the Saturn brand was created at the end of the '80s, General Motors was convinced that its new division would steal sales from the emerging Japanese brands. Well, it didn't happen. Offered in coupe, sedan and wagon variations, the first Saturns were curious cars to say the least, with its plastic body panels and peculiar shape. But they were far from offering the refinement and quality that Honda and Toyota were already recognized for.

Canadian diesel enthusiasts are probably getting a bit tired of the seemingly endless taunting going on lately. On an almost weekly basis, press releases are sent our way by automakers boasting some new clean diesel engine that promises attractive performance and mileage. Then, the press release ends with a line like 'the model is not for sale in North America'- leaving readers only to guess why those in our marketplace aren't deserving.

XWD (short for Cross-Wheel-Drive, Saab's version of all-wheel-drive) is in my view the most significant technological advancement adopted by Saab in years. This sophisticated all-wheel-drive system is now available on the 9-3 sedan and Combi. The XWD option package added $2,340.00 to this week's tester however it also included a bump in horsepower, self-leveling rear shock absorbers and 17" x 7" alloy wheels shod in P225/50R17 all-season tires.

You may be wondering why a brand-new Fit is heading into showrooms at this very moment, when the old Fit has only been in Honda's line-up for two years. That's because the outgoing model was actually launched way back in 2001 in overseas markets. In Japan, the new-generation Fit has become the country's best-selling car in the last 10 months, which should've triggered many champagne-bottle uncorkings within the halls of Honda's headquarters.

Infiniti chose to pump the previous version of its SUV full of steroids. If massive is what you're going for, it's got it, but forget about practicality. Behind the wheel, every last point of reference for driving and parking your fat little car is lost. That's why it's equipped with a landslide of electronic gadgets to help you arrive safe and sound.

You have to be a die-hard Porsche enthusiast to identify the many different 911 models. The key is to spot details like wheel designs and spoilers. Of course, you can cheat and look at the badge affixed to the rear trunk. The Carrera marks the entry point of the 911 lineup -- I won't use the term "base model" to describe any 911. After all, the 325-horsepower Carrera is a premium sports car through and through. It thrills the heck out of you all the way to your intended destination.

Nashville, Tennessee - The 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC has all the ingredients of a coupe: the aerodynamic styling, the swooping roofline and the aggressive character. Yet, it features not two but four doors. This nifty trick (like the one Mercedes-Benz pulled off with their CLS) is a reminder that this sedan is actually a sporty coupe.

For 55 years, the SL-Class has been one of the most beautiful automobiles in the Mercedes lineup. It might have lost its flagship status in the last few years since the SLR McLaren stormed onto the scene, but in many hearts, this car represents the symbol of wealth--a car to buy when we're financially successful.

HUNTSVILLE, Ontario- Suzuki Canada's president, Seiichi Maruyama, is a man with a lot to say. His company is growing notably faster than the rest of the auto industry, and they're gearing up to release an updated version of a staple SUV product: the Grand Vitara.

The Chevrolet Optra was available to Canadian shoppers as a wagon, hatchback or sedan model that promised a fun to drive character, flexibility and fuel efficiency on a budget. It was intended towards owners looking for a sensible family car or fuel-friendly second runabout that offered the adaptability required to help tackle day to day life.

I have always liked the look of this car. In fact, I find it hard not to stare at a Fusion when I see one on the road. I don't really know why that is, possibly that gorgeous 3-bar chromed grille, but perhaps it's because they just look so darn European! That is, until you open the door of one, and then you realize that Uncle Sam's lot have been busying themselves inside! The interior looks more Lincoln-like than anything produced on the banks of the Seine.

It seems BMW has fallen for the diet fad that has swept North America with a variety of novel weight-loss programs. I'm thinking it was the Atkins version that peeled away unnecessary mass from the 335i while retaining its core strength and increasing its formidable performance. Known as the 135i, this "protein only" four-seater is now available as a soft-top convertible.

On Saturday, August 2nd, I made a trip to our nation's capital. Soon after leaving our offices in Laval, I drove into a severe thunderstorm on Highway 417. The Kia Rondo EX-V6 never flinched and proved quite competent despite the elements. The wipers and ventilating system were both up to the task, keeping the windshield clear and the passengers comfortable.

Chevrolet engineers managed to create a sporty compact car that can rival the Mazdaspeed3 and Honda Civic Si. The Chevrolet Cobalt SS showcases a number of skills and sporty dynamics which the regular model had yet to achieve. This turbocharged Cobalt sure is a solid performer, but the biggest surprise comes from its handling and braking capabilities -- two key attributes for any aspiring sports car.

On the heels of the Subaru Outback of the late nineties, Volvo decided it was time to offer a utility-type vehicle. Designers of the Swedish automaker took inspiration from their large family wagon and concocted what is arguably the best of both worlds. Here we not only have a typical wagon offering plenty of room for everybody and their gear, but also one with an adventurer look and, more importantly, interesting off-road capabilities.

The fully-revamped 2009 Acura TSX is the first sedan to fall victim to the new design language of Honda's premium division. Not so long ago, Acura had arguably no specific identity in terms of styling. However, with the introduction of the second-generation MDX, not to mention some of its latest concepts, the brand's personality now carries a strong sense of purpose -- perhaps too strong. In my opinion, the new TSX looks more like a Grendizer caricature than a stylish automobile.

Toyota made a bold move a few years ago by introducing the first-generation Highlander Hybrid -- the pioneer of environmentally-friendly SUVs. Indeed, while this vehicle enjoyed relative success, it really opened the door to a new market segment. With the second generation, the Japanese automaker wanted to make its midsize SUV even greener.

The cheating's over. After selling a 2006 Jetta TDI well into 2008 because of federal emissions regulations in effect for 2007 models and up, Volkwagen has finally introduced the 2009 model with a brand-new turbo diesel engine. Better yet, the new car costs $2,475 less than the outgoing one. For 2009, the German automaker offers no less than 16 variations of the Jetta, including sedan and wagons models, the GLI, and excluding the old-school City Jetta.

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.

It's funny that one of the loudest cars on the road this year comes from a manufacturer that makes some of the quietest. Of course, when first entering a German-dominated market full of performance sedans, it is important to make some noise- both visually and aurally. It's called the Lexus IS-F, and it's the automakers most politically incorrect model badged by the dirtiest letter of the alphabet.

Some cars are really nothing more than giant toys. The best example is undoubtedly the Mazda MX-5 (I still prefer its old moniker, the Miata), a small, energetic roadster that's fun to drive but, mostly, incredibly impractical.