Buyers Advice & Car Reviews

The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Updated Encore GX; Ferrari crossover a hit + more

The recent departure of the compact Encore utility vehicle leaves the similarly…

  • Mar 20, 2023
The Civic Type R has wider track – the distance between the left and right wheels — than the standard Civic, so the fenders are flared to cover the tires. The Type R is front-wheel-drive, but the Toyota GR Corolla, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Subaru WRX are all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: HONDA

Honda ‘hatches’ a new performance compact with more flair and finesse

From the bones of the latest Honda Civic comes a new powered-up…

  • Mar 17, 2023
For the 2023 redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. The new RX is about the same length as before. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus RX: The all-star in the Lexus stable keeps getting better with age

Through the past four generations spanning more than two decades, the Lexus…

  • Mar 14, 2023
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU

For urban or backwoods travel, the 2023 Subaru Outback is prepared to deliver

Since its mid-1990s introduction, the Subaru Outback has kept up with the…

  • Mar 12, 2023
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU
The Silverado EV rides on GM’s Ultium battery platform, with front and rear electric motors driving all four wheels. Maximum range is estimated at 640 kilometres. PHOTO: CHEVROLET

Chevrolet’s Silverado EV: If an electric pickup can be popular, the EV movement has truly hit its stride

Electric cars are well and good, but with Dodge, Ford and General…

  • Mar 5, 2023
The Silverado EV rides on GM’s Ultium battery platform, with front and rear electric motors driving all four wheels. Maximum range is estimated at 640 kilometres. PHOTO: CHEVROLET
With a hiked up ride height, the Crown will have plenty of ground clearance to tackle the urban jungle.

The Auto Sleuth: A new Toyota nameplate; Rivian’s R1S heads to market + more

So long Avalon, hello Crown A Toyota nameplate that has existed in…

  • Feb 21, 2023
With a hiked up ride height, the Crown will have plenty of ground clearance to tackle the urban jungle.
The Polestar 3 will have front and rear electric motors and will be built alongside the Volvo XC90 in the United States. PHOTO: POLESTAR

The Auto Sleuth: New SUV for Polestar, Honda’s updated HR-V, Blazer goes electric + more

Enjoy this quick look at what’s happening in the auto world! Polestar…

  • Feb 11, 2023
The Polestar 3 will have front and rear electric motors and will be built alongside the Volvo XC90 in the United States. PHOTO: POLESTAR
All-wheel-drive bZ4X models get front and rear 80-kilowatt-hour motors that produce a net 214 horsepower. The drive system is supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack positioned in the floor. PHOTO: TOYOTA

Meet the 2023 Toyota bZ4X

Toyota’s expertise in hybrid systems makes going electric a natural next step

  • Feb 11, 2023
All-wheel-drive bZ4X models get front and rear 80-kilowatt-hour motors that produce a net 214 horsepower. The drive system is supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack positioned in the floor. PHOTO: TOYOTA
The Genesis GV60 uses the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, although the GV60 is shorter than both. PHOTO: GENESIS

The Auto Sleuth: EVs from Hyundai, Honda + Volvo; A longer Defender from Land Rover

Welcome to the Sleuth, a look at the hot-of-the-press news from the…

  • Jan 31, 2023
The Genesis GV60 uses the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, although the GV60 is shorter than both. PHOTO: GENESIS
Beautiful to look at and a pleasure to drive, all Electrified G80s use front and rear electric motors that deliver a net 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. PHOTO: GENESIS

2023 Genesis Electrified G80: Could this electric sedan be the benchmark to beat?

With each successive model, Hyundai’s premium Genesis division continues to challenge entrenched…

  • Jan 26, 2023
Beautiful to look at and a pleasure to drive, all Electrified G80s use front and rear electric motors that deliver a net 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. PHOTO: GENESIS
For its quicker reflexes, the Hornet R/T has Brembo-brand brake calipers, Koni-brand shocks, a dual exhaust system and 18-inch wheels (17s are installed for the GT). PHOTO: STELLANTIS

FIRST LOOK: 2023 Dodge Hornet

Dodge’s first new model in years is already creating plenty of buzz

  • Jan 26, 2023
For its quicker reflexes, the Hornet R/T has Brembo-brand brake calipers, Koni-brand shocks, a dual exhaust system and 18-inch wheels (17s are installed for the GT). PHOTO: STELLANTIS
Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm couple put their electric vehicle to the test in cross-Canada road trip

A Salmon Arm couple’s cross-Canada journey by electric vehicle had their EV…

Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)
The base Hornet GT, which has a base price of $40,200 including destination charges, comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

Dodge’s first new model in years is generating plenty of buzz

In North America, there are plenty of new and innovative models from…

  • Dec 29, 2022
The base Hornet GT, which has a base price of $40,200 including destination charges, comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on Dec. 5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

Canada moves to mandate electric vehicle sales starting in 2026

One-fifth of all passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on Dec. 5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
The Kia Telluride, and the Hyundai Palisade (below) are getting revised styling a new trims, but no changes to their powertrains. PHOTO: KIA

Changes coming for the Palisade and Telluride, updates for Leaf, Mustang + more

Changes coming for the full-size Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Both eight-passenger…

  • Dec 19, 2022
The Kia Telluride, and the Hyundai Palisade (below) are getting revised styling a new trims, but no changes to their powertrains. PHOTO: KIA
The electric motor of the Bolt EUV, left, drives the front wheels with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range is about 400 kilometres, which is just shy of the Bolt EV, above, which weighs 45 kilograms less.PHOTO: CHEVROLET

Chevrolet Bolt EUV brings space, range and practical design

There are actually very few electric vehicles on the market at the…

  • Dec 19, 2022
The electric motor of the Bolt EUV, left, drives the front wheels with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range is about 400 kilometres, which is just shy of the Bolt EV, above, which weighs 45 kilograms less.PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The Maserati Grecale, pictured, is based on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio platform. Both brands are owned by Stellantis. PHOTO: MASERATI

Maserati’s Grecale, A new-look Escape + more news from the auto world

Maserati officially unveils the Grecale The Italy-based automaker, part of Stellantis, will…

  • Dec 12, 2022
The Maserati Grecale, pictured, is based on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio platform. Both brands are owned by Stellantis. PHOTO: MASERATI
All 2022 NX models come with all-wheel-drive, and only the NX 350 gets a turbocharged four-cylinder, although it isn’t the quickest model. That’s the domain of the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: LEXUS

2022 Lexus NX: A little more style + a lot more powertrain choices

You might not be able to tell by looking at it, but…

  • Dec 10, 2022
All 2022 NX models come with all-wheel-drive, and only the NX 350 gets a turbocharged four-cylinder, although it isn’t the quickest model. That’s the domain of the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: LEXUS
An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Parkland Corp. says it is doubling the size of its previously announced electric vehicle charging network in western Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. to benefit as Parkland doubles western Canada EV charging network

50 ultra-fast charging stations coming to highways and destinations from Vancouver Island to Calgary

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Parkland Corp. says it is doubling the size of its previously announced electric vehicle charging network in western Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

Hyundai’s cool Ioniq 5, Volvo + Lexus share EV news and more

Hot off the press news from the auto world

  • Nov 30, 2022
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI