Nissan has discovered technology that stifles viruses, including coronavirus
Sounding like something out of Blade Runner or Star Wars, Nissan recently announced that it has helped develop technology that “inactivates viruses using catalyst active species for aerobic oxidation.” In a nutshell, Nissan has discovered technology that stifles viruses of various types – including, apparently, coronavirus – by hitting them with catalysts the company discovered…
Consumer Reports appreciated its affordability and “decent” performance
By 2013, the Kia Soul was firmly embedded in the North American market. It joined the new breed of stubby compact “urban crossover” wagons, such as the Nissan Cube, Scion xB, Honda Element, Ford Flex and so on, and was an instant success. Sometimes it seemed like every other vehicle on the road was a…
The Toyota Mirai feels like any other upscale electric car
Back in the ’80s and ’90s, when alternate fuel technology was at a fever pitch, one of the possibilities that seemed the most promising was hydrogen power. It’s clean burning, abundant, and fuel efficient, and a slew of manufacturers, including Mazda, BMW, and Toyota, spent enormous amounts of time and money pursuing the idea of…
Acceleration is adequate but not outstanding
The Volvo XC 90 shows that a large sport utility vehicle can be luxurious and get good fuel economy. This Recharge T8 AWD Extended Range model has a 2.0 litre supercharged and turbocharged engine and an electric motor, producing 455 combined horsepower. It’s all-wheel drive and has an eight-speed transmission. It’s rated at 9.2 litres…
A thumbs up from Consumer Reports, but mixed results for JD Power
Benefiting from an additional seven horsepower, the 2013 Mazda3 was still in its second generation and pretty much business as usual for the Japanese company. Most of the changes from the previous year were in the form of refinements and interior upgrades, and you could get Mazda’s new thrifty SkyActiv drivetrain for the first time.…
The high performance along with the luxury touches, safety features, and distinguished styling all make the Genesis G70 an attractive vehicle
The Genesis brand, the luxury division of Hyundai, offers a range of crossovers (GV60, GV70 and GV80) and sedans (G70, G80 and G90). I recently test-drove a Genesis G70 sedan, the smallest of the three sedans, sitting on a 2,832 mm (111.6 in) wheelbase and with an overall length of 4,685 mm (184.4 in). With…
It has the hauling capacity of an SUV
Mercedes-Benz, best known for high-end luxury cars and high-performance sports cars, also makes four-door crossovers and sport utility vehicles. I recently test-drove the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 35 4Matic SUV. Like other Mercedes-Benz models, this vehicle is luxurious and fast – but it also has the hauling capacity of an SUV. There are plenty of other…
The Venue offers great value in a very practical package
Hyundai’s entry-level model, a small crossover called the Venue, is the least-expensive crossover in Canada, with a starting price of $20,853. The Venue sits on a 2,520 mm (99 in) wheelbase and is 4,040 mm (159 in) long, making it slightly smaller than competitors, including the Honda HR-V, Kia Soul, Nissan Kicks and the Toyota…
If you want an upscale sedan that's easily on par with anything in market, start with the G80
One thing Hyundai has usually managed to get right throughout its travails and triumphs is styling and design. Going right back to the old 1980s-era Pony and Sonata, the Korean company’s products have been easy on the eyes. Some more than others, of course, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But I…
Will appeal to people looking for a hybrid with excellent fuel economy and luxury
The Lexus NX 350h AWD is a compact luxury hybrid crossover. Introduced for the 2015 model year, the NX series is one of the most popular Lexus models. For the 2022 model year, a completely new version was introduced. The NX line shares some components with the related Toyota RAV 4, although the Lexus versions…
The Kia EV6 will be popular as Canadian drivers make the move to all-electric vehicles
The first dedicated all-electric vehicle from Kia is the EV6. Designed from the ground up as an electric-only vehicle, the EV6 shares a platform with corporate relatives, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60. Although these three models have some related underpinnings, they each are distinctive. The Genesis GV60 is ultra-luxurious, the Ioniq 5…
Consumer Reports loved the Ridgeline
The adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies in spades to the Honda Ridgeline, which from 2010 up to at least 2014 was essentially unchanged in appearance, drivetrain layout, comfort level, and function. The Ridgeline was never intended to be a working truck in the same way as, oh, a Ford F-150 or…
The luxury, handling, and safety features make the G80 a great ride
If you’re looking for a large, luxury sedan that is all-electric, the Genesis Electrified G80 is the newest one on the market, introduced last June. I recently test drove two different Electrified G80s, and the more I drove them, the more impressed I was. They’re quiet, luxurious and fast. While some automakers have unique names…
The luxury, handling, and safety features make the G80 a great ride
If you’re looking for a large, luxury sedan that is all-electric, the Genesis Electrified G80 is the newest one on the market, introduced last June. I recently test drove two different Electrified G80s, and the more I drove them, the more impressed I was. They’re quiet, luxurious and fast. While some automakers have unique names…
A well-thought-out, highly-driveable two-door hatchback that, if you can find the scratch, goes like a bat out of hell
The British Columbia government just announced it’s increasing rebates to those who purchase electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. This is good news, as the biggest obstacle to electric car ownership is the high initial cost. At this point, all-electric cars are pretty much available to those with a few extra dollars to spend. But drivers…