It’s a little twitchy at highway speed but around town it’s nimble, easy to manoeuvre and simple to park
Take a look at what’s filling up the highways and byways these days and you’ll come to the inescapable conclusion that the day of the traditional family sedan is over. The four-door people carrier with a trunk that many of us grew up with seems to be going the way of whitewall tires, bell-bottom pants…
Mid-size SUV offers high standard equipment level, driver-friendliness and a high degree of usability
Although it sometimes seems that every other vehicle on the road is a Hyundai Santa Fe, this mid-size SUV from Korea is actually not even in the best-selling top 10. The best-selling SUVs in Canada are the likes of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. According to the people who monitor these things,…
It gets average grades for performance and features, but users have had a variety of problems
Kia had a landmark year in 2010. As well as dramatically increasing its sales and becoming a legitimate contender in the marketplace, it opened a manufacturing plant in the U.S. – West Point, Ga. The debuting model was the mid-size 2011 Sorento SUV. There are two engine choices: a 2.4-litre four cylinder and 3.5-litre V6,…
Buying used: the 2010 version offers plenty of options, including some unusual features
With spring just around the corner, it’s top-down time. If you're in the market for a pre-owned model, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is a decent choice. After a major redesign, in 2009, Nissan lowered the price and reduced the size of its flagship roadster. Strictly a two-seater, it was now shorter and lighter, with…
The 2019 model can be plugged in overnight and then travel up to 40 km on battery power
The federal government recently announced funding in this year’s budget for incentives of up to $5,000 for Canadian buyers of zero-emissions vehicles. That’s good, but why not extend the funding to hybrid cars? Given the current technology, a hybrid car makes much more sense than a fully electric one. And if the hybrid is a…
According to Consumer Reports, there are plenty of good used cars out there from the last decade – and some models to avoid
Thinking of buying a used car that’s four years old? Well, every year, Consumer Reports publishes its “Best And Worst” automobile issue. This is arguably the most comprehensive and thorough automobile guide and takes a hard, cold look at new and used cars and SUVs. Consumer Reports accepts no advertising, so they have no axes…
This spectacular-looking automobile drives like a sports coupe and even plows through snow with ease
Ford announced a while ago that it would cease production of all its conventional passenger sedans starting in 2020. As well as being a potential game-changer for the company, this is also a huge mistake. Yes, people are buying SUVs and sport cutes in unprecedented numbers, but things change. And right now, Ford has never…
From the comfort of the ride to the quality of the mechanics to the utility of its design, this used minivan offers value
In 2010, Toyota was still grappling with its unintended acceleration/sticky floor mat/wonky gas pedal/ineffective brake pedal imbroglio. But one of the few models in the company’s stable not affected was the Sienna. If you liked minivans, the 2010 Sienna has all the necessary ingredients. It goes about its business efficiently and unobtrusively. At the time,…
The Toyota Prius C is small and basic, but it's also relatively cheap. However, it just may disappear from the market shortly
One the problems with being environmentally responsible is that, for carmakers and consumers, it doesn’t come cheap. Electric and hybrid cars, for the most part, are more expensive than their internal combustion-propelled counterparts. Mitsubishi and Nissan, for example, are both actively immersed in electric/hybrid vehicle technology. They also sell affordable, non-hybrid econoboxes priced in the…
Buying used: In virtually every area, this generation of the TSX receives top or near-the-top grades
Originally based on the European Honda Accord, the Acura TSX has always been an intriguing blend of performance and luxury. Not a hard-and-fast sport sedan along the lines of the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, it still holds its own under most circumstances. The 2010 version is powered by either a 3.5-litre V6 or…
Buying used: With its legendary liquid-cooled, six-cylinder powerplant, it remains one of the most enjoyable cars to drive
No car has a closer link to its past than the Porsche 911 series. It’s been front and centre, in one form or another, for 50 years. And despite numerous engineering updates and redesigns, it still has a horizontally-opposed engine hanging out the back for power. In 2009, the 911 was on the receiving end…
The 2019 model has great safety features, plenty of space, good performance – and it’s fun to drive
Honda’s 2019 Accord Hybrid is another example of the evolving gasoline/electric power vehicles that are changing the automotive scene for the better. It was a pleasure to drive, with plenty of power and roomy comfort inside. One of the surprising features I discovered in the Accord (and a few other test vehicles recently) is the…
Practicality and low fuel consumption make this SUV a good family choice
If you’re looking for a practical vehicle that has plenty of storage capacity, ample seating for four and is cheap on gas, the four-door Ford EcoSport may be the vehicle. There are four 2018 models offered: the S base, the SE, the SES and the Titanium, which I test-drove. The EcoSport also comes in front-wheel…
It may be a contradiction in terms, but this hybrid offers a certain value with its performance
The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is a four-wheeled contradiction in terms. Introduced in 2009 at a Florida auto show, appropriately enough, it was the only full-size luxury hybrid in General Motors’ stable. If ever there was a vehicle that demonstrated how going green is mainly for the rich, this is it. Still, if you can find…
If you’re in the market for a compact four-door at a reasonable price with exceptional performance, this is a good bet
Next to the Golf, the Jetta is Volkswagen’s longest-running model. Debuting in 1979, it’s been a mainstay for the company and has proven to be more than just a Golf with a trunk. For 2019, it’s on the receiving end of a variety of changes and improvements. And it’s still offered in three variations: Comfortline,…