First Drive: 2012 Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi

Story by John LeBlanc ZILINA, Slovakia – How serious is Korea’s Kia at taking on the more established European brands? Driving a diesel version of the automaker’s Sportage crossover in the country it was built should give us some clues.

First Drive & Video: 2012 Kia Cee’d

Story and photos by John LeBlanc KRAKOW, Poland – Compact cars are one the largest new vehicle segments in Canada. But if you think small cars are “big” back home, come over here to Europe. With seating for five-in-a-pinch, easy-to-park dimensions, and low operating costs, compact cars lead the best-seller lists overseas — trucks and […]

First Drive & Video: 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe HFP

Story and photos by John LeBlanc NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. –  Remember the days when you couldn’t walk into a Honda showroom without bumping into a fun-to-drive car? Cars like the Honda CR-X Si from the ’80s and ’90s and the S2000 roadster from the early 2000s, along with Acura-badged Hondas like the Integra Type-R and NSX […]

First Drive & Video: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

By John LeBlanc GENEVA – There are plenty of advantages when you arrive late to a party. Looking back now, Mercedes-Benz seems to have benefited from not being one of the first to crash the luxury compact crossover festivities started almost a decade ago.

First Drive: 2013 Lexus ES

By John LeBlanc NEWBERG, Oregon – Stop me if you’ve heard this story before: A once dominant Japanese luxury brand falls on hard times. Primarily due to decidedly conservative product development and a loyal-but-aging customer base. Said brand retrenches. Then comes back with a new, more aggressive design language (illustrated via a halo concept car), […]

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