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2012 Nissan Murano SL Review
Thursday, February 09, 2012
The Murano is Nissan's mid-size SUV/crossover. It's too small for third-row seating but is otherwise spacious. In Canada, this polished performer is available only in an all-wheel-drive (AWD) format, which utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to connect smooth V6-produced power to all four wheels.
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2012 Acura MDX SH-AWD Review
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Premium crossover SUVs like the Acura MDX are big business. Virtually every automaker builds a machine like this one to sell to Canadians looking to blast through Mother Nature's frigid wintry depths, or escape in the lap of luxury to the cottage for a weekend.
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2013 Buick Encore Preview
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Suddenly we have another crossover catfight. The 2012 Detroit auto show is where Buick unveiled its new contender in a burgeoning segment: the compact, premium crossover.
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VIDEO: 2013 Infiniti JX at the Montreal Auto Show
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Infiniti's new seven-passenger crossover made its Canadian debut at the Montreal Auto Show. The 2013 Infiniti JX will join the Japanese luxury brand's lineup, slotting between the EX35 and FX35/FX50 crossovers.
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2012 Detroit Auto Show hits and misses
Friday, January 20, 2012
As any large and international auto show, Detroit 2012 featured a virtual smorgasbord of new production and concept vehicles to ponder.
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Heels And Wheels new vehicle reviews
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
We are in the midst of the ramping up process of our new website for women, by women. As we get closer to the launch date, we will continue to bring you interesting stories and reviews on a weekly basis.
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VIDEO: Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept in Detroit
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Presented at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept shows off its three-mode powertrain that consists of a turbocharged, 2.0L inline-four, an electric motor and an integrated starter/generator, all managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission.
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2012 Dodge Durango Citadel Review
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Generation three of Dodge's biggest family hauler, the Durango, is a real treat. Not only does it look more sophisticated and upscale than ever, but it offers up more power, content and capability than Durango models before it. It's an SUV that gets noticed and talked about by passers-by. It's big, handsome and powerful from a glance, and like most American SUVs these days, represents one of the best values in the segment.
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Chrysler extends roots in Detroit
Friday, January 06, 2012
Chrysler is adding a third crew and 1,100
new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly
Plant and reaffirming plans to reopen its
Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, both in
Detroit. The former will produce the new
diesel version of the 2013 Jeep Grand
Cherokee for North America.
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1997-2005 GMC Jimmy Pre-Owned
Saturday, January 07, 2012
The last-generation GMC Jimmy was a 4x4 SUV model available to Canadian shoppers from model years 1997 to 2005 inclusive. Built on a truck frame and featuring a transfer case-based four-wheel drive system, it offered family-ready functionality and actual off-road workability.
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2012 Buick Enclave CXL AWD Review
Friday, December 30, 2011
This is a tough crowd. The crossover segment as a whole is not only in constant expansion but it is evolving at a practically alarming rate. What were once crude station wagons, SUVs and other types of dedicated people and cargo movers, save for minivans, are now all found under the crossover moniker.
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2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Preview
Friday, December 23, 2011
We first drove the current-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara way back in February 2006, and it hasn't changed much since then. True, it received a couple of engine swaps during that time, but from an aesthetic standpoint, Suzuki left it virtually untouched.
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2011 Ford Flex Titanium AWD Review
Monday, January 02, 2012
When I first saw the Ford Flex in 2008, I have to say I was a bit bummed out. The design of the Flex is not about smooth lines and flowing curves, it's more of a suitcase on wheels. I've heard some compare it to the Mini Traveller (obviously, in a much, much bigger form), but at least the Mini was cute and bite-size. The Flex is big, boxy and brutish. It was then, and it is now.
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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.
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2012 Nissan Murano LE AWD Platinum Edition Review
Sunday, December 18, 2011
For the better part of a decade now, members of my family have been Nissan owners. As we entered the new millennium, my father decided to ditch our boat of a Plymouth Acclaim and invest in a brand new car: a 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE. At the time, I was still a student and had just gotten my driver's license. My vehicular obsession had begun and I was none too pleased when my parents came home with the beige (inside and out, to match the house so my mother claimed), automatic Sentra.
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2011 Acura ZDX SH-AWD TECH Review
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
History tells us that some car designs were great on paper, but turned out to be total flops once launched. There are many, many examples of bad ideas gone worse, and I've had the pleasure (or is that displeasure?) of driving a few in my short career. One such vehicle was the Pontiac Aztek, famous for being hideous. It was functional, but only the vision-impaired could fully appreciate its design.
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Electric Cars tested!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Although you may not be seeing many on the road as of yet, there are far more electric cars coming our way than you might imagine. What is especially interesting about EVs, other than the fact that they do not produce any emissions, is that they will come in all shapes, sizes, and vocations.
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2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD Elite Review
Monday, December 12, 2011
For anyone who follows my reviews and articles (which, of course, you all do), you'll know I'm not a fan of bigger vehicles. SUVs, pickups, even some CUVs are usually lost on me. I like sedans, compacts and subcompacts: the more a manufacturer can cram into a small package, the better it is for me. Perhaps it's my lifestyle: I have no need for such a vehicle - at least, that used to be the case.
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2011 Mazda CX-7 GT AWD Review
Friday, December 09, 2011
The crossover category is in full effect. The 2011 and 2012 model years have seen numerous new additions and many existing players have been given the once-over. It's no secret: this is the segment of today and, more likely than not, the future.
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2011 Dodge Durango Citadel Review
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
The 2011 Durango is a somewhat jumbo midsize SUV in Dodge's vastly improved lineup of late. The Durango is completely new for 2011, and highly impressive. In Canada, all Durangos are configured with all-wheel drive, while in the US, rear-wheel-drive is available.
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2013 Infiniti JX Preview
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
When Infiniti pulled the covers from its latest offering at this year's L.A. Auto Show, the new 2013 Infiniti JX, the crowds flocked around the vehicle. Nothing unusual in that, I guess. After all, with the world's media in attendance, it's the journalists' job to snap a few photographs and then fire them off to their publications as quickly as possible.
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2011 Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Review
Friday, November 25, 2011
Most people think of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class as a minivan, but not Mercedes-Benz. The automaker calls it an SUV, but one that "defies the rigid definition of its category."
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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.
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2011 Lincoln MKX AWD Review
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
The MKX's job is to bring Lincoln's brand of American luxury and technology into the same premium crossover SUV segment that's occupied by Mercedes, BMW and Acura. And Lexus. Oh, and Infiniti and Cadillac and Audi. And Buick. And Porsche, and Volkswagen and GMC. Oh and uh, Volvo, too. Oh yea, and Jeep, of course.
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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 First Impressions
Monday, November 07, 2011
The online Urban Dictionary explains "hoonage" as: "Aggressively flogging a car, but in a manner that stops just short of reckless." Not all of us are gifted enough to fully exploit a car and earn points while putting a car slideways at an intersection. Fear not, Jeep has you covered.
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2011 Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Review
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Large, luxury SUVs are so good at radiating wealth and consuming petroleum, we sometime forget about their other attributes. Take the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class for example. With its imposing looks and size, three rows of seating and the Mercedes-Benz star on the hood, you wouldn't expect it to cost less than 70 grand -- and it doesn't.
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Top 5 winter tires for trucks/SUVs in 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
There are no new winter tire models for light-duty trucks and SUVs this year. Please note that we have also added Vredestein, a quality tire brand from the Netherlands which Canadian drivers have yet to become familiar with.
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2011 Mazda CX-7 GT Review
Monday, October 31, 2011
I've talked previously about the importance of first impressions and how significantly they influence whether the chequebook is pulled or the potential purchase is pulled. By "first impressions", I'm not talking about a salesman's penchant for polyester but rather what the vehicle in question communicates at first sight, followed by first drive.
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Range roving
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Here I am back on the Canadian West Coast, and loving it. Loving it because this is our Canadian California. Although it pains me to admit it, I must say that although the East Coast has more history, Vancouver and its surrounding areas are breathtaking and far more appealing.
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2012 Range Rover Evoque First Impressions
Monday, October 10, 2011
Luxury brands are moving down while regular brands are diversifying, and if the group in which your make belongs is doing neither you'll basically be left behind. Nothing is sacred anymore, and we need to thank the powers that be sitting high atop their world headquarters, wherever they may be. Do it! Thank them!
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Ford Explorer XLT V6 4WD review - 2011 SUV comparison test
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Alright, we've reached the No.2 spot and we think this entry fully deserves to be here. Newly redesigned inside and out, this latest reiteration of the much-loved Ford Explorer is all about attracting a young, active, vibrant crowd while still producing impressive performance and efficiency numbers.
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Honda Pilot Touring review - 2011 SUV comparison test
Saturday, September 24, 2011
It's known that Honda has some pretty great products. Throughout the decades, Honda has continued to impress on the road with smaller cars, especially with its Civic. However, when it comes to the Pilot, Honda hasn't quite perfected the mould just yet.
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2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX-L Review
Sunday, October 02, 2011
After spending a week behind the wheel of Toyota's RAV4 just a few short weeks prior to driving the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX-L, I was pleasantly surprised at how different the Suzuki actually was from the Toyota, despite my initial thought that I was going to get behind the wheel of the RAV4's twin.
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2011 Mitsubishi RVR GT 4WD Review (video)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Used to be that SUVs existed almost solely as big hulking monsters that flattened foliage, consumed multiple parking spaces and burned up fuel faster than a refinery fire.
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2012 Range Rover Evoque Preview
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Evoque invokes some pretty unique and interesting reactions in the general public. Since it was first released to the world just over a year ago, we've all been waiting with intrigued and baited breath for the baby Range Rover to hit the road.
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2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD Review
Friday, September 23, 2011
Cars are, generally, built with a purpose in mind. From econoboxes to off-road giants and supercars, they're all engineered and manufactured with a goal. That goal or purpose is usually glaringly evident and one that makes itself immediately known to the buyer. However, such is not always the case.
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Frankfurt 2011: Maserati jumps on SUV bandwagon with Kubang
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Maserati introduced its first-ever SUV at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The sporty and luxurious Kubang marks a natural evolution for the prestigious Italian car maker, expanding its portfolio and increasing its presence on the market by conquering a new segment.
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2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i Review
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sometimes, you can do no wrong. BMW seems to not be able to do any wrong at the moment, except maybe the 550i GT ... we'll call it a "near-miss". Otherwise, BMW is in full product attack-and-launch mode.
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SUVs and young families: A match made in heaven?
Thursday, September 08, 2011
A few weeks ago, I blogged about an introspective moment in which I pondered the kind of car I would buy next for my family. I mentioned that I would consider swallowing my ever-manly pride for the first time in my life and spring for a minivan, although I vastly prefer SUVs and crossovers.
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2012 BMW X1 xDrive28i Review
Monday, September 05, 2011
Since luxury brands are popular right now, is it safe to assume that any vehicle BMW slaps a propeller badge on will sell like hotcakes? No, it isn't. It all depends on how far you're willing to push the envelope in creating vehicle categories no one really asked for. Case in point: People are probably still scratching their heads trying to figure out what a 5 Series Gran Turismo is.
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2011 Toyota Venza AWD V6 Review
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Generally, large and sensible people movers don't exactly set my pulse racing, particularly when they're clad in "Refrigerator White" as my 2011 Toyota Venza AWD is. But there's something about the rakish roofline and 20" multi-spoke dubs that sets the Venza apart from its more generic brethren.
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2011 7-seater SUV comparo match
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
As spring rolled in, our editorial team at the office got some great news: three members of our gang were going to be new, first-time parents. That got us thinking about family vehicles as two of the three began to consider a new set of wheels. Anticipating more kids in the future, the guys and gal came to one unanimous conclusion: No minivans!
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2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost First Impressions
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I will go on record right now to say that I never truly liked the Ford Explorer. Now this could have something to do with the styling of previous models, or the fact that during my time managing detail shops, I had the distinct displeasure of preparing the first Eddie Bauer Edition for its debut at the Toronto Auto Show.
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2012 Ford Edge EcoBoost First Impressions
Monday, August 29, 2011
The crossover market has become a busy place over the past few years; with escalating fuel prices, drivers start to question their need for a honking great SUV. Of course, this has given rise to a number of manufacturers jumping onto the bandwagon, and there are now probably more crossover vehicles being produced than there ever were SUVs.
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2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i Review
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Manufacturers are constantly looking to fill the void. They are searching to satisfy every single customer out there, to create vehicles that will suit every need and specific budgets. If they feel a market hasn't been tapped, they come out with a new model. Enter the BMW X3.
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2012 Chevrolet Orlando First Impressions
Friday, August 12, 2011
Muskoka, Ontario--Kia Rondo, Scion xB and Mazda5 take note: Chevrolet is about to start cutting your grass. Thanks to wacky fuel prices, changing market conditions and smarter-than-ever shoppers, small crossover, compact car and small van sales in the Canadian market are heating up. So are sales of vehicles slotted loosely between these genres.
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2011 Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Sport Review
Thursday, August 18, 2011
There are some vehicles on the market that might be lacking in refinement, practicality and eco-friendliness, but their alluring shape and extroverted character make them hard to resist. On the other hand, it's exactly the opposite for certain other vehicles. Case in point: the Toyota Highlander.
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2012 Cadillac SRX First Impressions
Friday, July 29, 2011
SANTA BARBARA, California--There are some rough and hard-scrabble roads running through the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Too firm a suspension setup and the kidneys would be pummelled relentlessly; too soft, and there'd be grave danger of wallowing and rolling off one of the narrow corkscrew turns.
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Touch-screen madness
Friday, July 29, 2011
Geeks like gadgets and technological innovations. And we have to admit that many among us are geeks. But our desire to own the latest gizmos can sometimes lead to frustration, anger and flaming blog posts. Read about Justin's latest encounter with the MyLincoln Touch feature here.
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Buttons, please
Friday, July 29, 2011
"OOOH! A touch screen!" The first advertisements for the new touch-screen Blackberry Torch phone were appealing to my inner geek and Star Trek fanatic something fierce. Like a great big 28 year-old kid, I rushed out to get one.
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2006-2010 Jeep Commander Pre-Owned
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Taking a place above the Grand Cherokee in the Jeep brand's product line-up, the Commander was available from model years 2006 to 2010, inclusively. Based on the Grand Cherokee, it was blockier-looking, bigger, and boasted 3 rows of seating for 7-passenger capacity.
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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class First Impressions
Monday, July 25, 2011
Introduced in 1997, the first Mercedes-Benz M-Class was one of the first mid-size luxury SUVs on the market, a segment that has grown substantially since then and has become very competitive.
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The Resort at Paws Up in Montana: very classy
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I'm in Montana for the next couple of days to drive the redesigned, 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Quite frankly, I didn't know what to expect, besides the fact that my colleagues have been to much more glamorous places in recent months: Spain, Germany, France, California. Me? I decide to take the Montana press trip.
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Mercedes-Benz M-Class launch in Montana
Thursday, July 21, 2011
We're attending the world media launch of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Montana. It's the fourth-largest state by area, but with a population of less than a million residents, you can imagine how spread out everything is.
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2011 Land Rover LR4 HSE Review
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Combining a high-class luxury touring vehicle and a capable, turf-tossing off-roader seems about as logical as selling Gucci-branded rubber-boots--but at Land Rover, this combination has been a way of life for decades.
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Bentley to get an SUV
Monday, July 18, 2011
You might be asking yourself this question. We certainly are.
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2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Review
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Not only has Porsche overhauled their highly-popular Cayenne SUV for 2011, they developed a full-hybrid version that can quite effectively operate on electricity alone, within set parameters. And because it's a Porsche wearing an 'S' badge, the Cayenne Hybrid delivers un-hybrid-like performance.
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Next week on Auto123.com: 2012 Nissan Versa first drive
Friday, July 15, 2011
It's safe to say that summer has officially arrived. Pop open a cold one, relax by the pool, wax that fine piece of machinery that graces your driveway, and check out what Auto123.com has in store for your reading pleasure.
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2011 Mazda CX-9 GT Review
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sometimes family cars can be a bit blah. No offense to any automakers out there, of course, but when practical 2.45-children family vehicles are put on the road, they're usually on the more mundane side. From ho-hum designs to interiors that serve more purpose than pleasure, it's often hard to get excited about your people carrier.
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2011 Ford Edge Sport AWD Review
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Edge is Ford's mid-size crossover SUV that receives V6 power, which can be leveraged with the traction of all-wheel-drive. The vehicle seats five and is available in several trim levels, topped by the Sport configuration of this week's tester.
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2011 Kia Sportage SX Review
Thursday, August 04, 2011
"Turbo" is a word that has fascinated me from my earliest years as a young car-nut buying his first car magazines in the mid-eighties. By then, I was 8 or 9 years old and heavily favoured the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, the Nissan 300ZX Turbo and, by 1986, the Mazda 626 Turbo. The first car that I bought was a 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo and I loved it.
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2011 Lincoln MKX AWD Review
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Lincoln's MKX crossover SUV has been significantly redesigned for 2011. The revisions include the addition of Ford's highly-interactive MyLincoln Touch interface, a tour de force of electronic connectivity and technology that suits the avant-garde appearance of the latest MKX.
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2011 Ford Explorer Limited V6 4WD Review
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Modern American family SUVs are among the most impressive machines in their segments, and the Ford Explorer is one example of why. Automakers on our shores have realized, perhaps suddenly, that they've got to build the best machines they've ever made. They've quickly started doing just that in a big way.
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2008-2010 Nissan Rogue Pre-Owned
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Nissan Rogue has been enjoying a successful couple of years for sale at Canadian dealerships, and racking up numerous awards and accolades in the process. Nissan's replacement for the X-Trail, Rogue competes with machinery like the Ford Escape, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Honda CR-V with an eye for sportiness, unique style and technology.
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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.
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2011 Ford Flex Titanium AWD Review
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
In a world of computers, smartphones, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Viagra, technology and progress have created a rapid-paced lifestyle that we have no choice but to adapt to. Today, we're always looking to merge all our communication needs together in one small, handheld package.
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News & Events Multimedia
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The Murano is Nissan's mid-size SUV/crossover. It's too small for third-row seating but is otherwise spacious. In Canada, this polished performer is available only in an all-wheel-drive (AWD) format, which utilizes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to connect smooth V6-produced power to all four wheels.
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Auto123.com LIVE!
22 minutes ago:
[Auto123] RT @DerrickFiat: Did you know FIAT stands for "Fabrication Italiana Automobilia Torino." #yeg
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[Auto123] @aviator477 tough love? :-p
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