First Drives

To say that Volvo sales in North America could be better would be an understatement. In fact, in recent years, sales have regressed quite simply because what the manufacturer was offering did not respond to major market trends. But with the new XC60, Volvo thinks it has hit the target …

As you probably already know, the RX-8 is not Mazda’s most popular vehicle. In fact, it’s now their least popular model, with only 659 units sold last year. While we obviously can’t expect to move as many RX-8s as the ever-popular Mazda3 or Tribute, in my humble opinion, sales of …

The Lancer and its sportier version the Ralliart have been Mitsubishi’s best sellers over the last few years, and now Mitsubishi is offering an all-new version of this compact sedan for 2008. The last car in class to hit me with such a great first impression was the Mazda3. The …

I remember back when you couldn’t buy the Eclipse in Canada. It was one of those mythical vehicles, to the extent that some sport coupe aficionados had practically created a sacred cult in its honour. Its equivalent here was a Chrysler import called the Eagle Talon. In those days, the …

The Audi A6, with us now for four years and counting, has undergone slight mechanical and aesthetic changes for 2009 in an effort to remain atop the European bestsellers list. At first glance you’ll notice the addition of LED lighting technology, which serves the dual purpose of acting as daytime …

We all remember the stir the Cayenne created when it was introduced in 2003. People wondered why Porsche, known for its sports cars, was getting into SUVs. But for Porsche, just like any other company, money speaks louder than ideals. And disappointed purists should know that thanks to the Cayenne, …

Nissan’s Revival Plan is still in full swing, as witnessed by the simultaneous launch of two key vehicles: the subcompact Sentra and the Altima in the midsize sedan category. The Altima has been Nissan’s top seller since its previous incarnation was introduced in 2002, carving out a niche for itself …