Comparo: 2010 Kia Forte SX/Mazda3 GT/Toyota Corolla XRS

[svgallery name=”2010_Sporty_Compact_Sedans”] A Trio of Semi-Poorman’s Sports Sedans Sporty editions of three popular compact four-doors vie for your enthusiast dollars By John LeBlanc New car buyers like compact sedans because they can carry a family of four comfortably, and are cheap-to-buy and cheap-to-run. But what if you are looking for a bit of driving fun […]

The Straight-GOODS/Hot Hatches

2010 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI quattro Base Price: $36,900 Driver Must Haves: Sport Package ($3,100) It’s not as sharp as a Subie WRX265. But think of this classy-looking A3 as the Golf R Volkswagen Canada (shy 80 hp) won’t bring here. The five-door A3 is chock-a-block with all-wheel drive, twin-clutch gearbox, a gutsy 200 hp […]

First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna

[svgallery name=”2011_Toyota_Sienna_hirez”] Story and photos by John LeBlanc VICTORIA–As the first new vehicle launched in Canada since the Toyota recall crisis started in January, let’s deal right away with the elephant in the room. Of the several 2011 Sienna minivans I drove during the course of a one-day media event this week, none accelerated unintentionally, […]

Comparo: 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring/Kia Soul/Nissan Cube

[svgallery name=”Comparo_Hyundai_Kia_Nissan”] Story and photos by John LeBlanc With seating for five and lower purchase and operating costs, small vehicles are where it’s at in the Canadian new-car market. Although already practical by nature, small sedans and hatchbacks may not offer enough space for some customers. So what if there was the added utility of […]

The Trouble with Toyotas: Has the hybrid halo been tarnished?

By John LeBlanc So, let’s see, what’s on Toyota president Akio Toyoda’s agenda today? Oh. Only recalling its “halo” Prius, the best-selling car in Japan, that’s all.

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