Road Test: 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Convertible

Story and photos by John LeBlanc Ever since the early ’70s, small cars have been seen as cheap and low quality — the bottom feeders of the market. The thinking was that small car buyers didn’t have the coin to buy the “whole” car. But that all changed in 2002, when Germany’s BMW launched the […]

First Drive: 2014 Buick Regal

Story by John LeBlanc CINCINNATI, OHIO — As image makeovers go, the 2011 Buick Regal was extreme. After generations of sedate sedans best suited for the old at heart, the fifth-generation Regal was targeted at younger buyers who would normally shop at import brand stores for their entry-level sports sedan needs.

First Drive: 2014 Volkswagen e-Up!

Story and photos by John LeBlanc FRANKFURT — Initially conceived as a rear-engine, rear-drive city car, the first production Volkswagen Up! went on sale in Europe as a front-drive, two-door, four-passenger hatch two years ago. But Volkswagen always had bigger plans for its smallest car.

Fuel Economy Comparo: Kia Optima Hybrid vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Story by John LeBlanc Feel free to thank the rising price of fuel and stricter government-mandated fuel economy ratings for today’s variety of new gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. Once limited to being quirky or small when they arrived in the late 1990s, hybrids now come in all shapes and sizes.

First Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta

Story and photos by John LeBlanc OTTAWA — After being re-introduced to Canada for 2011, the Ford Fiesta family of four-door subcompact hatchbacks and sedans is getting a mid-cycle refresh for 2014. As usual, you’ll find the typical exterior styling tweaks and interior refinements. The big news, however, for Ford’s smallest car is a pair […]

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