First Drives

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The new, second-generation Audi A7 is still a paragon of elegance, but now also serves as a technological showcase for the German carmaker, as it incorporates many new technologies first introduced on the Audi A8 uber-luxury sedan. So, tech made sexy is the buzzword for …

IRVINE, California – With the new SKYACTIV-X engine, Mazda’s engineers have created a gas-powered internal combustion engine that is as dynamic and efficient as a diesel engine, minus the toxic emissions. Last year, The Car Guide went to the Mazda Research and Development Centre in Frankfurt, Germany, to get acquainted …

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – The Jeep brand has always taken on that rebel label. American-built and American-looking for that distinct, edgy design catered to a rugged, outdoorsy lifestyle. Back in 2014, the fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee drifted a bit away from that heritage mainly due to a makeover wanting to differentiate …

With very few new products and entirely deprived from development, Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors, now affiliated with the Nissan Renault group, is currently playing catch-up with its extremely aggressive competition. The Outlander, an SUV that sits between the compact and midsize category and currently being outranked by the Honda CR-V …

WHISTLER, British-Columbia – There exist different types of vehicles for different types of needs. If you’re looking for ultimate comfort and luxury, buy a luxury sedan. If you need a workhorse, buy a pickup truck. But what do you do when you don’t want to limit yourself to only one …

DUNCAN, British Columbia – Let’s settle this right off the bat. The Subaru BRZ tS’ engine isn’t more powerful than the one that has equipped the BRZ since it was first introduced in 2013. It’s the same 2.0-litre flat-four that has to reach 7000 rpm to deliver 205 horsepower and …

CHARLESTON, South Carolina – When a manufacturer invites a bunch of journalists to a press event in order to drive one of its vehicles, there’s usually a lot to talk about. The car or truck is redesigned from the ground up or at least boasts new sheetmetal, new powertrains and …

A new generation of the Nissan LEAF is coming our way for 2018. This is the second generation since the vehicle was introduced in 2011. The LEAF remains the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with more than 293,740 units sold. Interestingly, Quebec accounts for 48% of all LEAF sales in Canada …

TUCSON, Arizona – As the Wrangler Rubicon advanced at a snail's pace, all I could see through the windshield was the sky and the raised arms of my Jeep Jamboree guide. My task was to climb a rocky slope at Saguaro Ranch, not far from Tucson, Arizona. Here, the obstacles …

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave for the last few years, you’re surely aware that the drive towards electrification is well underway, with most automakers announcing plans to offer new hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles in the near future. In fact, the first company …