Test Drives

Test DrivesJekyll and Hyde Go German: The 2010 BMW M3 Coupe4.5/5
Historically, I’ve never been a fan of German vehicles. Call it a bias, call it favoritism, call it whatever you will, but the fact remains: I grew up in a household that held names like Jaguar, MG, and Land Rover sacred. And that meant I couldn’t like German cars. Because …
Test DrivesKia Magentis: Subdued but well equipped4.0/5
This year, with its pleasant shape and welcoming passenger compartment, the Soul is without a doubt the darling of the Kia line-up, and the Forte has been successful too. Don’t forget however, that the Magentis has undergone substantial changes in the past months and it offers excellent value standard equipment …
Test Drives2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, an inspired beauty!4.0/5
The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most spectacular cars for sale this year. In fact, GM has just revamped this legendary model, adapting it to modern preferences. And contrary to what some people say, this vehicle was not brought back to save what used to be the world’s number-one …
Test DrivesHigh Class Hybrid: 2010 Lexus HS250h3.0/5
When the Toyota Prius first debuted, its popularity with society’s rich and famous surprised many. Sparsely appointed, unassuming, and quite simply far too humble, it became the steed of choice for innumerable movie stars wishing to capture the moral high ground. But let’s face it, when a lifetime of struggling …
Test DrivesCubism: The 2009 Nissan Cube3.5/5
We writers are a finicky bunch. Given the right conditions, we can churn out text on command. Hell, sometimes it’s even half decent. But most have what some people would call an... erm... “issue.” Call it OCD. Call it picky. Call it ridiculous. Call it the boon of editors worldwide.
Test DrivesFord Fiesta: Pow! Right in the kisser!4.5/5
The older people out there will remember the Ford Fiesta, which was sold in North America from 1978 to 1980. This same Fiesta is being brought back after a 30 year absence, but with a wonderfully modern shape and offering such evolved handling that other sub-compacts are sure to turn …
Test Drives2010 Prius: Less Pump, More Pleasing3.5/5
As an automotive journalist, you have good times, and bad times. Good times usually encapsulate weeks and months filled with sporty coupes and capable four-wheel drives, while the bad times... well, those are the weeks and months spent driving the cars people actually buy. Which brings us to this: the …
Test DrivesA Little Insight Goes A Long Way: The 2010 Honda Insight2.5/5
Vancouverites, like the denizens of too many other major cities, have recently fallen victim to a gang of rogue cyclists using the charade of Critical Mass events to expound the virtues of unrealistic political and environmental idealism. Initially disrupting (read: bringing to a standstill) our already maniacal Friday afternoon traffic …
Test DrivesThe Best Family Sedan: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid5.0/5
I’ve been banging the Ford Fusion gong for a few years now, ever since Ford handed me the keys to an early model of the then-homely sedan at the automaker’s Dearborn facility. With a spacious interior, an excellent drivetrain, and a very attractive pricing schedule, the only drawback was the …
Test Drives2010 Jaguar XKR: it’s all style!
Some cars you just fall in love at first glance – and that’s certainly the case with the Jaguar XK, and especially the super-juiced R model. To truly appreciate its style, you have to see it in person, since photos don’t seem to do it justice. It really is one …
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