Category: New Cars

2017 Mazda MX-5 RF

If you like driving, and have never driven an old-school sports car – that is, a light, two-seat roadster of modest power – you owe it to yourself to take a Mazda MX-5 for a spin. It’s all about the driving dynamics: acceleration, cornering, stopping. Behind the wheel of the MX-5 that translates to fun, …

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Volkswagen Beetle “in the pink!”

“You’ve got to be a confident man to drive a car like that!” Hey, I didn’t say that. It was an opinion voiced by a customer at the local Volkswagen dealership as I parked and exited the $26,690 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Pink edition. And furthermore, I didn’t hear her say it; she was addressing another …

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2017 Subaru Crosstrek Limited

I’ve driven a few Crosstreks since the vehicle’s introduction in 2012 as the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek (Subaru eventually gave up on “XV” designation in Canada, as predicted by moi). Over the years, Crosstrek has been tweaked and refined, emerging as a complete package that emphasizes value, practicality and safety. Starting at $26,670 (including $1,675 …

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2017 Ridgeline – Honda’s “Alt” Pickup

Way back in 2006, Honda introduced its Ridgeline pickup truck to many a raised eyebrow. Sorry, Honda, it just looked weird! But this was nothing new for Honda which three years earlier brought the quirky Element to market, hot on the heels of its very weird Insight. Of course, Honda also made striking cars like …

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2017 Volkswagen SportWagen “Alltrack”

As new car prices seem to fall ever lower (for their base models, at least), my as-tested $38,215 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen “Alltrack” seems like something of an anomaly. Yes, it’s definitely a pricey VeeDub, with its MSRP including a couple of options nudging into the near-luxury segment. But if you simply like the look and …

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2017 Subaru Forester – Fuel sipping SUV

Still something of a niche brand, but trying hard not to be, Subaru is on something of a roll these days. The company is slowly making long-awaited changes to the drivetrains and platforms of its fleet, but the 2017 Forester, well equipped as it is, continues to feature familiar hardware. For instance, the 2.5L horizontally-opposed …

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2016 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid part of Porsche’s e-mobility programme

Porsche’s commitment to e-mobility extends well into the next decade and beyond, according to Porsche Canada President and CEO Alexander Pollich. At a recent information session in Ottawa, Mr. Pollich confirmed that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles (PHVs) will be available throughout the full Porsche model line by the mid-2020s. Currently touring …

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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander ES Touring

The Mitsubishi Outlander is bigger and better this year, I drove the Outlander ES Touring Edition, which, at $29,698, is the top-level four-cylinder Outlander. You get all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, premium audio with rear-view camera, fog lamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Sirius satellite radio, silver painted roof rails, leather upholstery and (new for 2016) …

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2014 Lexus CT200h: Looks fast, drives smart

The Lexus CT200h is a compact four-door sport wagon based on Toyota’s ultra-reliable Prius architecture. Lexus, is Toyota’s luxury brand, and the “h” in CT200h means “hybrid,” so this could be a good combination! The CT200h was introduced in 2010 as a 2011 model, and while it has been updated since then, it’s remained fundamentally …

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Beam me up, Subie! XV Crosstrek gets hybridized

So, are you Crosstrekker or Crosstrekkie? The thought occurred to me one morning in as I was boldly going. True, the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek does not possess warp drive, which would have come in handy while stuck in traffic. But it’s now available with hybrid drive, which could also be useful. So, you know….Engage! …

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