His and Hers Take on the 2012 Vancouver Auto Show

Dan's Pick #1: The 2013 Ford Fusion

Yes, it's a mid-size family sedan. And yes, it's something that most people can probably afford.

So why does it rank amongst the most exciting vehicles under BC Place's new $550 million dollar roof? Well, because it's the only mid-size family sedan that actually looks good.

Up until now, I've always wondered why main stream manufacturers didn't borrow more heavily from the inspirational and universally appealing shapes of the motoring elite for their own designs, but in the Fusion I can see shades of Jaguar in the silhouette, Aston in the front end, and Maserati in the back. And you know what? It works.

Even better still, whilst the cars from which it borrows some design cues will cost you a small fortune, the Fusion's price tag is sure to be a pleasant surprise.

But perhaps most telling is this: looking at this particularly handsome car, does it even look like it's in the same class as the Accord and Camry? I didn't think so. 

Courtney's Take: I completely agree with Dan here. Although, I want to point out that based solely on price range, the Fusion is more in line with the Civic and the Corolla. That makes it all the more exciting that the Fusion is able to put both the Accord and the Camry to shame. 

Dan's Pick #2: The 2013 Jaguar XJ

 If the XKR-S mentioned a little later in this article demonstrates Jaguar moving back to their roots in exactly the  way you'd expect, the XJ demonstrates Jaguar moving back to their roots in exactly the way you don't.

Although I number myself amongst those that lament the departure of the old XJ's stately countenance, it's departure has taken with it the emotional and visual weight of the old cars', and really seems to be helping Jaguar re-invent their flagship sedan without the preconceived ills that have for too long been associated with the marque.

That its easily one of the most regal looking sedans in the world (second only, in my opinion, to the works of Rolls Royce) helps elevate it's status beyond a level that you'd expect of sedan as this price range (it definitely drew a lot more attention than a 7er, A8 or S Class, that's for sure), and it's got a beautifully sumptuous interior to match.

It's one of those rare semi-attainable cars that just leaves you wondering how you can swing the acquisition of one... especially in its supercharged, long wheelbase format. 

Courtney's Take: I joked about saying this, but now I feel I have to. The new XJ was chosen as the car to ferry important guests (such as UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the Middleton family) to the Royal Wedding. This is, without a doubt, a car for important people. Specifically, important people who don’t need a car that screams “Look at me!” because they know people will be gaping anyway.

Dan's Pick #3: The 2013 Range Rover Evoque

 I have just one word for those that complain that the Evoque is proof positive that Land Rover's forgotten their heritage: Cayenne.

Yes, that's right, the single best argument I can pose to prove the Evoque's viability is Porsche's equally disruptive and controversial SUV. Why? Because just like the Cayenne, the Evoque is poised to induce an entirely new and decidedly un-Land Rover-esque generation to the brand, at a time when Land Rover is desperately in need an infusion of fresh blood.

By diversifying the brand's automotive portfolio in an incredibly well-executed and particularly cool-looking way, I'm convinced that the well-timed Evoque will go down in history as the vehicle that saved Land Rover/Range Rover.

Small, lithe, economical, practical, unostentatious, and most importantly, affordable, the baby Range Rover is the perfect anti-recession weapon to bolster Land Rover's arsenal, and I truly believe that it, more than any other vehicle in their lineup, gives a glimpse into the iconic brand's future... and it looks very bright indeed.

Courtney's Take: I agree that the Evoque is a well-timed shot of adrenaline that will revive the Land Rover brand. I also think that the Evoque refreshes the image of Land Rover so that it is relatable to younger generations.

However, I don’t see it as capturing an “un-Land Rover-esque” market so much as providing a product that is aspirational but achievable at an earlier stage in life.

To me, the new line-up will create younger Land Rover Evoque-owners who eventually trade-in for a Range Rover, much like BMW creates lifelong customers by funneling consumers through their 3-, 5- and 7-series vehicles. 

Dan's Pick #4: The 2013 Jaguar XKR-S

Although it may still lack the manual gearbox any self-respecting sports car should have, the XKR-S is the closest Jaguar has come to recreating the exciting and enthusiasm its decades-old XKs generated.

Covered in what must by now be its signature hue, the blue example shown inside BC Place demonstrates exactly how far Ian Callum's graceful original design can go towards looking track-ready, and although the front end may look a wee bit too busy, it looks like a proper driver's car.

And of course, as a bit of a Jaguar enthusiast myself, the matter of loving the notion of a supercharged five litre V8 producing 550 horsepower and 680 foot pounds isn't one of choice.

But perhaps most intriguing to me is the notion that Jaguar's finally produced an English answer to the pairing of performance and practicality that the Germans have been providing driving enthusiasts for years.

Might be that its time for a second Battle of Britain...

Courtney's Take: Jaguar makes some fine looking sports cars. They’re undeniably British in all of the most flattering ways. Vancouver boasts a ridiculous number of expensive cars so I’m surprised that I don’t see many Jaguars.

I think that, sadly, Jaguar may still be plagued by a stereotype of unreliability. It takes years to build a reputation and only moments to ruin one.

Dan's Pick #5: The 2013 Lamborghini Aventador

 I've got to pick the Aventador as one of the most exciting cars here simply due to the shift it represents in Lamborghini's thinking.

After enduring what has been, to my mind, the homogenization of one of the world's most wonderfully brutal and extreme brands with the V10-powered blasphemy that is the Gallardo and the Audi-inspired, all-wheel drive door stop that was the Murcielago, the Aventador is the first Lamborghini since the Diablo GTR that really brings back the unbridled visual ridiculousness that began with the Miura and ended with Audi's takeover of the iconic marque.

Sure, it's still not nearly as dangerous as I'd like, and I'm sure it's altogether too reliable to really be counted as a proper old-school supercar, but maybe that's for the better after all. Anyway, Frank Sinatra said it best when it explained "You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody, you buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody."

I think Frank would agree that with the Aventador, Lamborghini's getting back on the right track towards making that statement true once again. 

Courtney's Take: It’s exciting in the way one expects a Lamborghini to excite you. I agree with Dan, the Aventador is a welcome step back in the right direction for Lamborghini. Yet, it seems like they’re fixing a mistake that should have never been made in the first place.

The colour is notably on-trend, one more win for Pantone’s colour of the year, “Tangerine Tango.” It’s a shame you don’t see more orange cars because the Aventador’s colour is gorgeous. 

Courtney's Pick #1: The 2013 Ford Fusion

 I remember being very impressed by the Fusion when I last drove the hybrid version of the Fusion in 2011. I didn’t know that driving an affordable family sedan could feel that good.

When the sheet was lifted off this new model, the very first thing I thought was “Jaguar XJ.” To me, the new design looks startlingly similar to the long, sleek lines of the XJ—actually, to be blunt, it looks like a rip-off of Jaguar’s design. That said, since I am a big fan of the XJ’s looks, I also love the way the new Fusion looks.

Ford is evolving the automotive market by being one of the first (if not the first) manufacturer to provide genuinely attractive vehicles with great features and functionality for the average (read: budget) consumer. They have done this with the new Fiesta, Focus and Taurus models; however, I think the Fusion is the superlative example of this.

With a price range of $16,000 to $30,000 (for the 2012 model), the Fusion “competes,” at least dollar-wise, with entry-level sedans like the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Sentra and the Chevy Cruze. Are you kidding me? Even comparing the Fusion to the mid-level sedans from these manufacturers doesn’t seem fair. In either case, I’d pick the Fusion, hands down.

Dan's Take: Obviously, having chosen the Fusion as well, I can't disagree. In fact, many of Courtney's reasons for selecting the new Fusion are the same ones I'd echo. And I think she hits the nail on head with the Fusion's pretty much unparalleled level of fitment flexibility, with the availability of everything from a basic, affordable example to a Hybrid, to the you-know-its-coming Sport.

Courtney's Pick #2: The 2013 Range Rover Evoque

 The Range Rover Evoque represents the first departure from the typical Land Rover since…well, ever. This radical break from tradition has generated much-needed buzz for Land Rover while simultaneously bifurcating the brand’s longstanding enthusiasts—they either love it or they hate it.

Land Rover has built their brand on just a few models and their product line has a sense of cohesion that is absent in the line-ups of many other manufacturers. I think the Evoque is a great addition because it makes sense within the family tree (just look at the Evoque next to a Range Rover Sport) and it fulfills a need in the market that is not currently being met.

Most importantly, the Evoque will attract new consumers, rather than cannibalizing sales from other Land Rover and Range Rover models.

Like the LR2, it appeals to younger consumers who want to buy into the Land Rover brand but aren’t ready for the top-tier models. However, the Evoque is an aspirational vehicle and will appeal specifically to active urban professionals.

These up-and-comers want a prestigious yet rugged vehicle that works within their lifestyle. They’re willing to make some compromises on space and power in exchange for a vehicle that manages the demands of city driving and parking.

The focus on fuel efficiency is another strong point for the Evoque and, ironically, an important strategy for making Land Rover more relevant and, thus, more sustainable in the future. 

Dan's Take: Although we might not entirely agree on the Evoque's intended market, that it's release opens up some incredible opportunities for the British marque is an unequivocal truth. And what gets me quite excited about that is the notion that the Evoque's aspirational status might free up the LR2 to move further towards the more traditional Land Rover model, with a bit more off-road capability, decreased complexity, and perhaps an even lower price tag. 

Courtney's Pick #3: The 2013 Cadillac ATS

Seeing the new Cadillac ATS sitting on pristine dove grey carpeting, immaculately detailed with a mirror-like shine, I thought of the Mad Men episode where ad-exec Don Draper buys a 1962 Coup de Ville as a symbol that he has “arrived”.

For the first time I understood the caché that Cadillac once held. I didn’t think of my Grandpa’s boat-like car or of a rapper “rollin’ on dubs.” Instead I saw brute power perfectly bridled by elegance and refinement. I saw the Don Draper of the twenty-first century, and he still drives a Cadillac. 

The ATS is built on an all-new platform which has had a huge impact on taking the ATS from a run-of-the-mill entry-level sports sedan to a real innovation for Cadillac. It features a completely new suspension that is lighter than anything Cadillac has ever produced.

The interior is the epitome of Cadillac, luxurious leather and fine wood details. It radiates wealth, power, sophistication and class. 

The ATS competes with the BMW 3-series and the Audi A4. However, after only a brief introduction, I get the sense that it’s not really a car that lends itself to comparison. If you want a Cadillac ATS, then nothing else will do.

Dan's Take: I've always liked the newer Cadillacs, and I've been following the ATS' development since it was first spotted on the Nurburgring. I don't doubt that it'll prove to be a phenomenal car by any measure; when General Motors throws their weight behind the development of a car, like they did with the ATS, the end product is usually pretty good. The big news for me will come with the release of the (hopefully) pending V version, but in the mean time, I'm not going to discount the perennial Bavarian favourite in this particular class, especially given it's almost as new. 

Courtney's Pick #4: The 2013 Scion iQ

The Scon iQ first caught my eye because of its size. Although this pocket-sized vehicle took up just 55 square feet of real estate in the massive stadium, it stood out from the sea of vehicles precisely because its space economy is second to only one other vehicle present at the show, the Smart ForTwo.

I find the iQ very exciting because I believe it will be the first micro-car to penetrate the mass market. It will be more successful than the Smart ForTwo because its design has a tangible connection to the designs of the popular sub-compact cars so it will make sense to consumers as the evolutionary successor to these models.

The Smart ForTwo still strikes me as a vehicle for innovators and early adopters. While it has done a wonderful job of introducing people to the idea of a micro-car, its design and features haven’t changed enough since it was initially marketed to the early adopters. 

There is a large market of people who could take the step down (in size) to the iQ without sacrificing any of the functionality that they require from a daily driver. The interior is surprisingly roomy, reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ bag. It fits three average-sized people quite easily and will fit four in a pinch.

Overall, the car looks and feels remarkably like the average sub-compact car. I think it would be easy for someone who drives a compact or sub-compact car to look at the iQ and think “I could do that.”

Is the micro-car the new sub-compact?

Dan's Take: Well, I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised by the iQ. I'm generally not a big fan of the micro-compact, and although the iQ's exterior styling might be "controversial" to say the least, its interior is a real revelation. At least, it is so long as you ignore that back seat. The only question I've got is one of price: at a blistering $16,760 to start, Toyota seems to be pretty optimistic that people will pay a premium for the iQ's diminutive novelty. 

Courtney's Pick#5: The 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

Watch out Mini! The Abarth edition has arrived on the scene. 

The Abarth comes with a 1.4L Multi-air engine that puts out 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, which is 60% more horsepower and 70 lb-ft more torque than the basic 500. This little engine makes for some serious fun, due to the Abarth’s petite 2500 pound curb weight. And fun is what the Fiat 500 is all about.

The Fiat’s mouse-like form, smiling face and retro-inspired interior will get even the most dour commuter to crack a grin. Darting in and out of small gaps in everyday traffic makes city driving more of a game than a chore. Sadly, there are few cars on the market today that can accomplish this same feat.

On top of this, the 500 is a great looking vehicle. Its Italian flavour adds to its appeal in the same manner as Prada loafers, bought by North Americans who idolize the Italian “je ne sais quoi” that they can never quite replicate themselves. 

Unfortunately, here in North America, North Americans are marketing the Fiat. So J.Lo and Charlie Sheen were picked to sell us the Fiat (or not). At the Vancouver Auto Show, a model in a tight white mini-dress delivering a sales pitch overflowing with innuendos attempted to sell us this chic Italian car.

If Fiat can ever figure out how to properly market their vehicles in North America, Mini will have a real rival.

Dan's Take: Courtney's entirely right. If you look at their products, they're plenty competitive with the Mini lineup, but they just can't seem to figure out the marketing side of things. And the Abarth is yet another example of that. At just a tick under $24K, it's extremely well priced, and yet the average Canadian probably doesn't even know it exists. And that's a real shame, because it's every bit as deserving of attention as it's similarly miniature competition.