First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo

[svgallery name=”2011_Chevrolet_Cruze_hirez”] Chevy’s crucial Cruze Is Chevrolet’s latest compact a serious threat to the leading imports? By John LeBlanc TORONTO, Ont. – Contrary to its laid-back name, the new Cruze is Chevrolet’s first serious challenger in Canada’s all-important compact car segment. After decades of disappointing Vegas, Cavaliers, and Cobalts, Chevrolet thinks it finally has the […]

First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6

[svgallery name=”2011_Volvo_S60_hirez”] Volvo tries to get its sexy back Does calling its new S60 a “sports sedan” make it so? By John LeBlanc PORTLAND, Oregon—You know the sexist stereotype. A supposedly shy, near-sighted librarian, who when given the chance, lets down the hair, doffs the glasses, and becomes the out-of-character “naughty” librarian. So by adding […]

First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

[svgallery name=”2011_Subaru_WRX_sedan_hirez”] The widebody of sports compacts Updated WRX styling goes straight to its hips By John LeBlanc CALABOGIE, ONT.—The Impreza WRX and WRX STI are the kinds of cars automakers build when the times are good. Low-volume cars that build a brand’s image, are fun to drive, and (hallelujah!) have nothing to do with […]

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: 2010 Acura RDX

[svgallery name=”2010 Acura RDX”] Story and photos by John LeBlanc PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – In a down-turned economy that’s created a drop in new car sales, one of the few segments to grow is the compact luxury crossover. The promise of car-like handling and interior features, the utility of a hatchback and a modicum of […]

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