|
2012 Audi TT RS Review
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Porsche Carrera 4 has some serious German competition, for about $30K less. Audi's TT RS apportions 360 horsepower to all four corners while the Carrera 4 shares 345 horsepower among its four. Advantage: Audi.
|
|
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport 5-door Review
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Most cars can get through the harsh Canadian winter with a good set of snow tires. On the other hand, few cars enjoy winter as much as a Subaru and its competent all-wheel drivetrain.
|
|
2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L Sportline 5-Door Review
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The Volkswagen Golf has long been a favourite among frugal buyers with Euro-car tastes. In its five-door format, this German-engineered compact provides those enthusiasts with the driving dynamics they covet and the versatility they need.
|
|
2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 Review
Friday, May 11, 2012
In a market segment as lucrative as the full-size pickup category, we shouldn't be surprised to see manufacturers' strategies consisting of offering several trim lines to suit all tastes. At Chrysler, the multiplication of trims and special editions seems to work out for them, as sales are increasing.
|
|
TDI for me
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
I like hybrids. Hybrids work. They're good on gas and satisfy my occasional urges to reduce the atmospheric contamination caused by my driving.
|
|
2012 Mazda2 GS Review
Sunday, March 11, 2012
It's only the second year on the Canadian market for the Mazda2 subcompact, and somehow, it feels like it's been around for much longer. The fact that the latest generation of the 2 has been available overseas for a few years now probably has something to do with it. It got a lot of well-deserved attention, and rumours about its arrival in the US and Canada, which took three years to materialize, also contributed to building up our expectations.
|
|
2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2.0L Highline Review
Sunday, February 12, 2012
All the design quirks of previous-generation Jettas are gone, leaving behind the smoothly sculpted 2012 Jetta TDI Highline four-door sedan. Headlamps are integrated and help to blend the front fascia, hood and fenders into a smooth, pleasing shape. A side view turns up a generous greenhouse and then the design drops smoothly to the trunk, which does have a bit of an upturned lip if you look closely. Tail lights are large and placed high in the body so that they don't get covered in too much snow and grime when travelling about.
|
|
2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 Review
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 is a mouthful to say and leaves out one other important descriptor of the truck: it is also a long-box model rather than the short-box that seems so popular. Given the length of a 2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4, the short-box is what RV haulers and other city folk tend to buy because it is about a meter shorter. The long-box is more popular amongst those who actually use a truck for heavy duty work.
|
|
2012 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S Review
Sunday, January 08, 2012
A lot of people used to buy midsize coupes, but not anymore. Back in the '80s, virtually every manufacturer had at least one such coupe in their product lineup; today, only a handful are left, and a market segment that was once dominated by the domestic brands has been turned over to the Japanese and Korean manufacturers.
|
|
Car and trucks expected to pass in 2012-2013
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
We love to speculate as much as the next guy sitting in some fancy office on Wall Street. The big difference is that we tend to have a better idea of what we are doing, plus our guesses won't have you living in the street or working at McDonald's to make ends meet during your retirement.
|
|
2012 Chevrolet Traverse 2LT AWD Review
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
If you haven't yet set foot in a Chevrolet Traverse, or in a Buick Enclave, a GMC Acadia or a now-defunct Saturn Outlook for that matter, you probably don't realize just how spacious this SUV is. GM might prefer calling it a crossover, which sounds more environmentally friendly. Whatever.
|
|
2012 Subaru Impreza First Impressions
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It has already snowed in Vancouver this year, so regardless of the weatherman's lament, winter has arrived in Canada and so has winter's latest nemesis, the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza.
|
|
2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Review
Monday, November 28, 2011
Before I began this crazy journey as an automotive journalist, I was a regular, run-of-the-mill university student with lofty hopes and dreams of all kinds (oh, how things change). Back in those simplistic, daydreaming days of academia when my biggest concern was what flavour muffin to bring to my Writing & Reporting 101 class, I had a car.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible Review
Sunday, November 20, 2011
We are in the midst of resurgence. The uprising I refer to has nothing to do with occupying financial districts as a form of democratic expression or the increasing popularity of everything 1960s. No, the revival I refer to is that of the hardtop convertible car with seating for four.
|
|
2011 Chevrolet Equinox 2LT Review
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A year ago I was less than kind to the likes of the Equinox. I'm not going to lie, I didn't like it. Anyone who knows me, knows the story. Maybe it was circumstance, maybe I was just having a bad week, or maybe Chevy really did have an unsatisfactory product. Whatever the case, I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth while the rest of the automotive community sang the crossover's praises. I just couldn't bring myself to agree.
|
|
SEMA 2011: Mazda unveils explosive Turbo2
Thursday, November 03, 2011
The 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas provides a wonderful opportunity to admire existing vehicles from a different angle. Exhibit A: The harmless, fuel-efficient Mazda2 morphed into a pavement-searing little monster called the Mazda Turbo2.
|
|
2011 Kia Soul 4u Luxury Review
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Introduced in the summer of '09 as a 2010 model, the compact Soul cute-'ute seems to have struck a chord in the hearts of people looking for an affordable truck. Truthfully, there are about zero truck parts that make up the Soul, but it does offer a high riding position, a jacked-up stance and cheery good looks to complement the package.
|
|
2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Convertible Review
Sunday, September 25, 2011
When the Chevy Camaro first appeared in 1966 as direct competition for the Ford Mustang, it seemed that another automotive icon was born. GM's build-up to the unveiling of the Camaro was nothing short of epic, with the world's first ever real-time press conference in which 14 cities were hooked up. From cryptic telegrams to journalists to a surprise twist when they finally released the car's true name, Camaro, there was an air of mystery that surrounded the vehicle which made it that much more desirable.
|
|
2011 Ford Fusion SEL Review
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
The Fusion mid-size sedan has been around since the 2006 model year, and although it hasn't yet received a full redesign, Ford is constantly improving it every year. As a result, it doesn't seem to age as quickly as it should, and stays competitive against the likes of the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry and the Hyundai Sonata.
|
|
2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Review
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Fun fact: because of a number of commercials years back starring crocodile Dundee, and Subaru's past standing as a niche brand, many folks still believe the automaker is Australian and not Japanese.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 First Impressions
Friday, June 24, 2011
History tells us that 1976 was, as every year is, tumultuous, heart warming and exciting. That year, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X, a pair of coal mine explosions killed 26 in Kentucky, the Toronto Blue Jays were created, North and South Vietnam united to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Viking 1 lander successfully landed on Mars.
|
|
Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 to add dual-clutch transmission for 2012
Thursday, June 23, 2011
For the 2012 model year, Chrysler will start adding 6-speed, dual-clutch transmissions to its product line-up. The first vehicles to benefit from the Fiat-designed gearbox will be the mid-size Dodge Avenger sedan as well as the Chrysler 200 sedan and convertible.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Review
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
One in every four passenger cars sold in Canada is a midsize sedan. Buyers in this market are focused on purchasing a vehicle that is affordable, offers a lot of value and is, of course, very fuel efficient.
|
|
2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Convenience Package Review
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Subaru's Forester is available in six different trim levels that run the gamut from plain to deluxe, although Subaru would never describe the models that way. They would tell you that the entry-level 2.5X is well-equipped for its price class, with cloth seats and a manual or automatic transmission.
|
|
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited Review
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The affordable mid-size family sedan hasn't changed except for the fact that it has been completely reinvented. Consider for a moment the challenge that Hyundai faced a few years ago when they sat down planning the next Sonata. Not only had they become brand-conscious, but competition in the huge segment had never been so strong.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Review
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Perhaps not surprisingly, Chrysler press materials on the new 200 frequently reference a "previous" model, although the name Sebring doesn't appear. That's likely because the first thing Chrysler doesn't want you to think of when you look at the new 200 is the former Chrysler Sebring.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Review
Monday, May 16, 2011
In as much as renaissance can apply to a car company, Chrysler is amidst a modern day adaptation of such a revival. The resurrection of the Pentastar brand is underwritten by a broad array of new products that include the lovable Fiat 500, the formidable new Dodge Charger and the reworked Chrysler 300. Adding to the resuscitative collective is the Chrysler 200, which arises from the carcass of the mid-size Sebring sedan.
|
|
Chrysler announces Canadian pricing of 200 S sedan & convertible
Friday, April 29, 2011
Chrysler unveiled the S variants of the 200 at the latest NY auto show and has now announced pricing as well. A sedan will set you back $28,995 and a convertible model $39,495. That's just $1,000 more than the Limited versions and, according to the manufacturer, you get an extra $5,000 worth of goodies.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 Highline Review
Sunday, April 24, 2011
With models whose base price ranges from a little under $16,000 (2.0-litre Trendline) to a little over $27,000 (Jettla GLI), the Jetta lineup covers a lot of ground. The wide price spectrum puts the German Jetta on the same playing field as the Kia Rio Convenience and Chevrolet Malibu LS.
|
|
New Chrysler 200 S Sedan and Convertible all about attitude
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Chrysler will be using the 2011 New York Auto Show to unveil not only new products but also a new attitude. Cutting a different path through the Chrysler brand, the 2011 200 S Sedan and 200 S Convertible will offer customers distinctive styling without messing with the regular car's DNA.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L Trendline+ Review
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The German brand is getting a lot of flak these days regarding the new-generation Jetta. The automotive press has been unkind to VW's compact sedan, emphasizing its overall downgrade in finish quality, its return to old-school mechanical components and its more conventional styling. But for Volkswagen, up to now, it's mission accomplished.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen CC Highline Review
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Let me tell you a secret: when Volkswagen decided to launch the Passat CC a couple of years ago, I seriously doubted such a model could survive. And quite honestly, until I actually slipped behind the wheel, I still had doubts - and I'm not sure they've all been put to rest.
|
|
For Sale: 1967 TOYOTA 2000GT COUPE
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Holly Hell! Now this is a Toyota that I would proudly display in my living room. Better known as a common home appliance, Toyotas typically drive comfortably, maintain their value and are unremarkably reliable but are better suited to those not requiring the occasional adrenaline rush.
|
|
2011 Chevrolet Traverse 2LT Review
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Chevrolet Traverse is one big, and I mean big, SUV. In fact, from the outside it seems exceptionally large for its class. But when you examine it a little more closely, you realize that this Traverse putts its bulk to good use.
|
|
Toyota resumed production of three hybrids
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Toyota is slowly but surely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following the earthquake that suspended most of its operations in Japan. Today, the automaker resumed production of three hybrid models after a two-week hiatus.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comfortline Review
Sunday, April 10, 2011
When talking about the Volkswagen Jetta, in our collective consciousness we're on the verge of a luxury vehicle. The car that slotted in between the fuel-efficient Golf and the larger Passat played a key role in the automaker's ascension, offering a middle ground between the two. Which, sadly, was evidenced by a slightly exorbitant price tag.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Limited Review
Monday, March 28, 2011
The strategy isn't new. Breathing new life into a truly uncompetitive product, without starting from scratch, has been done before. Toss in a name change, and you can almost get away with convincing the average car shopper that your product is brand-new.
|
|
2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Convenience Review
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
If you've ever travelled to New England, Vermont specifically, during the winter time (or any time of the year really), you might notice that there are Subarus everywhere. In fact, Vermont's unofficial State Car is the Outback. Having been hit quite hard this winter with... winter, the east coasts of both the US and Canada have been digging through feet and metres of snow.
|
|
2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Convenience Review
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I like Subaru and I'm not afraid to admit it. If you've read my review on the 2011 WRX, you'll clearly notice that this is the case, with a catch. If you've ever owned or driven a Subaru, you will agree that these are special and even unique products. This is what sets them apart.
|
|
2011 Infiniti G25x Review (video)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The nutshell explanation of the new Infiniti G25x's raison d'être goes like this: it's a G37x-- but with the big V6 yanked in favour of a smaller one. Specifically, Infiniti's 3.7 litre, 328-horsepower mill gets a pink slip, and a new 2.5 litre mill is dropped in its place. The 1.2 litre reduction in displacement results in a drop of 110 horsepower to 218.
|
|
VW Jetta, Golf and Audi A3 TDI models under NHTSA investigation
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Several reports of engine stalls have led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to review model years 2009 and 2010 of the Volkswagen Jetta and Golf as well as the Audi A3 with TDI clean diesel engines for possible fuel pump failures.
|
|
2010 Nissan Altima SL Sedan Review
Monday, November 01, 2010
The Nissan Altima's sales figures aren't living up to expectations. That's why in 2010 Nissan decided to rethink a few elements, especially interior ones, to attract more buyers to this relatively pleasing family sedan.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible First Impressions
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
San Diego, California. I cannot imagine a better place than beautiful Southern California to test drive a convertible. I am here for the launch of some new products from Chrysler.
|
|
Chrysler 300/200 and Lancia Thema / Flavia: a family resemblance?
Friday, January 28, 2011
With Sergio Marchionne responsible of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia , it is expected that these brands of vehicles will somehow look alike. We were recently able to witness this with the Fiat Freemont, a Dodge Journey disguised for the European market.
|
|
A Mazda2 EV in Japan for 2012
Monday, January 24, 2011
Mazda announced the development of an electric vehicle to be offered for lease on the Japanese market by spring 2012.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen GTI 5-door Review
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
While road testing the 2011 VW GTI, I tweeted Auto123 followers, asking if the GTI could be the poor man's (or woman's) Panamera. They're both German performance machines available with dual-clutch automatic transmissions and four passenger-accommodating doors but they're miles apart in cost.
|
|
Chrysler introduces the 200 Convertible
Monday, January 17, 2011
We've been talking about the Chrysler 200 for a while now, set to replace the Sebring in the American automaker's portfolio. Today, Chrysler officially presented the convertible version of the car.
|
|
Detroit 2011: Mopar to reveal 2012 Fiat 500 and Chrysler 200 Super S
Friday, January 07, 2011
Fans of customized machines will get their fill at the North American International Auto show in Detroit this year, as Mopar has just announced the unveiling of a 2012 Fiat 500 and Chrysler 200 Super S featuring accessories from the high-performance division of the American automaker.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen CC 2.0 TSI Highline Review
Friday, February 04, 2011
Despite debuting in 2009, the Passat CC still catches my eye and commands my attention; it has yet to become a commonplace sighting on the automotive landscape. I applauded when VW found the spine to deliver such a highly stylized car to North American shores, and I'm still clapping.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen GTI Review
Thursday, January 13, 2011
In life, there are numerous indisputable truths: we will pay taxes, the sun will rise, we will die, and a week at the wheel of a GTI will be memorable. Ask anyone that has ever driven one.
|
|
2011 Infiniti G25x AWD Review
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Everyone sang the praises of the Infiniti G37 (well, the G35 when it came out). Every auto enthusiast saw in it the car of the year and the model that everyone would want to drive. And with reason: this baby is dynamic, fun and comfortable.
|
|
2011 Mazda2 GX Review
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
There may be nothing quite like horsepower (road test de la ZL585), but making use of all of it is another thing. Pirelli says that power is nothing without control. Although tires have much to do with managing HPs, a car's chassis and suspension setup have an equal if not greater amount of influence on the car's behaviour.
|
|
2011 Chrysler 200 First Impressions
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Replacing the Sebring, a mid-size sedan notable only for its mediocrity, the new Chrysler 200 will first have to overcome the dismal legacy left to it by its predecessor.
|
|
2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Review (video)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The last-generation Subaru Legacy was a car with plenty going for it--including a great safety story, reliable performance, good resale values and a celebrated AWD system as standard on every model. Thing was, too many shoppers found it a little too small, a little too stiff and a little too expensive.
|
|
2011 Subaru Legacy First Impressions
Friday, December 10, 2010
Lac St. Joseph, Quebec - In Canada, the Subaru Legacy is much more present in people's mind than on the road... although many still believe that it comes from Sweden, just like Volvo!
|
|
2011 Subaru Forester First Impressions
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Lac-Saint-Joseph, Quebec - The Subaru Forester is a vehicle for serious drivers. I'm thinking of people who are looking for a compact SUV - are real one. Not some exotically shaped machine (like the ZDX), one with visions of versatility that barely manages to accommodate your groceries.
|
|
Subcompact comparison test
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
When several major manufacturers unleash a brand-new model in the same category, it's obvious that a comparison test is in order. After all, we all want to know which one's the best, right? Just about every automotive media outlet has or will publish a subcompact showdown, and here's ours.
|
|
2011 Mazda2 Yozora Review (video)
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
The Mazda2 hit dealerships in the summer of 2010 with the goal of injecting Mazda's 'zoom-zoom' driving dynamics and a helping of youthful styling into the Canadian subcompact marketplace.
|
|
2010 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Premium Review
Sunday, November 21, 2010
To all you American movie buffs out there: what car did Lois Lane drive in 2006's Spiderman Returns? Three seconds, two, one... ding! Ten points to those who answered "an Audi A3," and 50 points to those who specified that we see Kate Bosworth's character behind the wheel of this German munchkin not once, but twice!
|
|
2010 LA Auto Show: 2011 Chrysler 200
Thursday, November 18, 2010
When I think about boring cars, the Chrysler Sebring comes on top of my list. Cars like this tarnished Chrysler's reputation, but the manufacturer is working hard to change this perception and aim for the top with the Sebring's replacement, the brand new Chrysler 200 Sedan that made its debut in Los Angeles.
|
|
2010 Subaru Forester 2.5X Sport-tech Review
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Subaru Forester is not a dramatic SUV. At all. It doesn't have the juggernaut thing going like the GMC Terrain, nor the shapely Zeppelin-like curves of the Nissan Rogue. And its lines weren't inspired by the Fluidic Sculpture design trend either. Nope. The Forester is a down-to-earth machine, a machine that puts the "utility" back in Sports Utility Vehicle.
|
|
2010 Nissan Sentra 2.5 SE-R Spec V Review (video)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My friend Dave is an avid drag-racer who tweaks his own engine and rocks a stripped out, strip-ready Sunfire. He was checking out your writer's borrowed Sentra SE-R Spec V tester at the local coffee shop one night not so long ago.
|
|
SEMA 2010: Mazda2 Evil Track; wicked and evil!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Designed with a racing series in mind (Mazda, are you getting this?), the Evil Track is shod in a Mazda Design body kit complete with side skirts, front and rear air-dam and an all-important carbon fibre rear deck spoiler.
|
|
2010 Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 TFSI Review
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Some may criticize the Audi TT for only being available with a 4-cylinder engine, while the BMW Z4, the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Porsche Boxster all boast at least 6 cylinders. Yes, a V6 used to be available in the TT, but not anymore.
|
|
2010 Chevrolet Malibu LT Platinum Edition Review
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Chevrolet Malibu is on its last kilometres. One of the top five best-selling mid-size sedans in Canada in 2009, alongside the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, it will soon be making way for its successor.
|
|
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo Limited First Impressions
Monday, October 18, 2010
TORRY PINES, CALIFORNIA -- Hyundai raised eyebrows when it announced that this new-generation Sonata would not be available with a V6. The three power options would be: 2.4-litre I4, 2.0-litre I4 with direct inject and turbocharging, and electric-gas hybrid.
|
|
2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L and 2.0 TDI First Impressions (video)
Friday, October 15, 2010
For years, and years, and years, the Jetta was marketed and considered as an upscale compact sedan. For quite a while, it has been sought after as a halfway step between the mainstream compact offerings and entry-level, premium-brand sedans.
|
|
Full Gallery : The New 2011 Chrysler 200
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Chrysler Group LLC today released additional photos of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-sized sedan. Offering consumers exceptional craftsmanship inside and out, a refined and spirited driving experience, innovative technology, an abundance of standard safety features and an extraordinary level of standard content, the 2011 Chrysler 200 is an exciting alternative for customers that want style and substance, all at a surprising value.
|
|
2010 Audi TTS Review
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
I have always loved an Audi. Everything about them: the way the steering wheel feels under my fingers, how they look from the outside, the upscale interior and, last but definitely not the least, the way they drive! Audi always manages to impress and inspire me.
|
|
2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Review
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Nissan presents the Sentra SE-R Spec V as an inexpensive, economical sports sedan targeted at those who are wise with their money yet yearning for a little performance when they turn the key. I suspect that there's a pretty significant market for this sort of vehicle. It bridges the gap between the performance desires of a young "tuner" and the realities that tuner will face upon starting a family.
|
|
News & Events Multimedia
|
|
Gone is the dash-mounted flower vase in the latest version of Volkswagen's Bug. Gone too is much of its cutesiness, replaced by a notable degree of sportiness intended to broaden the Beetle's target market by attracting male attention.
|
Car Reviews
Consumer Car Ratings
|
