The Crank: Ford’s New Age 2011 Explorer not all that new

By John LeBlanc After a series of unmitigated sales flops (2005 Freestyle; 2008 Taurus X; 2009 Flex,) the “all-new” 2011 Explorer will be Ford’s fourth crack in the last decade at a midsize crossover based on the old Volvo S80 chassis from the last millennium. Share:

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

[svgallery name=”2011_Buick_Regal_pics”] Finally Regal enough Buick goes to Germany to deliver on its global aspirations By John LeBlanc OSOYOOS, B.C. – How many times have we seen this before – the folks running GM’s Buick brand going into near-catatonic shock when they realize the majority of their customers are approaching the age of their golf […]

The Straight-GOODS/Sports Sedans

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD Base Price: $48,490 Driver Must Haves: The ability to ignore the non-German badge The addition of a new manual gearbox allows the TL into The Goods for the first time. Granted, you have to pony up for the loaded $48,490 SH-AWD Tech to get to the new six-speed stick, but it’s […]

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 […]

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