Road Test: 2013 Kia Sportage SX

Story and photos by John LeBlanc If evolution is supposed to improve the breed, how did we end up with the crossover-utility vehicle? Taller, heavier, thirstier and less cargo-accomodating than the station wagons they’ve essentially replaced, here we are 13 years into the 21st century and there are more crossovers on new car dealer lots […]

Road Test: 2012 Kia Rio EX Sedan

Story and photos by John LeBlanc If you’ve jumped into the new-car market for the first time in a few years, you’ll have discovered that small cars aren’t that small anymore. And a good example of this paradigm shift in tiny wheels is the new-for-2012 Kia Rio sedan. Unlike its bottom-of-the-class forebearer, though, the second-generation […]

Comparo: 2012 Ford Fiesta vs. Kia Rio 5 vs. Toyota Yaris

Story and photos by John LeBlanc Bottom feeders, tin cans, s—boxes — if you haven’t been in the market for a new small car lately, these are just some of the adjectives you may associate with subcompact cars. However, automakers are trying to lower their government-mandated corporate average fuel economy ratings, so to soften the […]

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 […]

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