We’re pretty sure that before last week most Canadians hadn’t thought they’d ever again see the day that a new car could be   purchased for under $10,000, but Nissan shocked all…

New Nissan Micra hatchback to replace dated Versa Sedan

We're pretty sure that before last week most Canadians hadn't thought they'd ever again see the day that a new car could be purchased for under $10,000, but Nissan shocked all with the $9,998 base price of its new 2015 Micra hatchback.

Now we find out that the new Micra will effectively replace the Nissan Versa Sedan, a subcompact four-door that up until now has been the Japanese brand's cheapest model at $11,898.

The Versa Sedan has found new entry-level buyers for Nissan in Canada, but the model hasn't done as well as hoped for. In the U.S., however, it sells much better per capita, so the Versa Sedan will stay and the Micra, a hatchback designed for the European market and now Canada, will remain unavailable.

This isn't the first time Nissan has chosen a different tact for the Canadian market than its U.S. division. Ahead of the Rogue compact crossover, Nissan sold its X-Trail to Canadians from 2005 through 2007, a model unavailable in the U.S.

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The Lexus RX has been a marketplace winner since it was first introduced back in 1998. Its status as one of the earliest luxury Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press crossovers on the market allowed…

2014 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Road Test Review

The Lexus RX has been a marketplace winner since it was first introduced back in 1998. Its status as one of the earliest luxury crossovers on the market allowed it to quickly secure a position as the segment's top-selling vehicle, and it has held onto that spot ever since, even while facing an ever-growing roster of competitors such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti QX70, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, and Volvo XC90.

Based on the domestic market Toyota Harrier, the RX is now in its third generation, with the current version having arrived in early 2009 as a 2010 model. That's a long time ago in automotive years, and now that Toyota has launched the fourth generation Harrier (which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 2013), a new RX is expected for 2015.

In the meantime, while the Lexus faithful await their new prescription for luxurious utility, Lexus spiced up the RX lineup in 2013 with the RX 350 F Sport version. Read Full Story
Getting a jump on the upcoming International Geneva Motor Show, Ford chose the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to reveal   its updated 2015 Focus compact. The current third-generation Focus was…

Ford unveils 2015 Focus in Barcelona

Getting a jump on the upcoming International Geneva Motor Show, Ford chose the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to reveal its updated 2015 Focus compact. The current third-generation Focus was introduced in 2010 for the 2011 model year, and the revisions for 2015 represent a mid-cycle refresh.

The changes include a restyling that Ford says "reflects the One Ford global design language." In practice this means the Focus gets a new front fascia with the same Aston Martin inspired trapezoidal grille as the Fusion and Fiesta, as well as slimmer front headlights and more rectangular fog lights. The hood has also been restyled to offer a more sculpted look, while at the back the trunk lid and rear light clusters have been revised.

Under the hood, the 2015 Focus will be available with Ford's award-winning 1.0-litre Ecoboost three-cylinder engine, which is currently available in North America only in the Fiesta. The 1.0-litre engine will be offered alongside the base 2.0-litre Read Full Story
Most everybody agrees that Lexus makes good cars. Models like the midsize ES 350 luxury sedan and RX 350 luxury crossover Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press have helped to build the Japanese premium…

2014 Lexus IS 350 AWD F Sport Road Test Review

Most everybody agrees that Lexus makes good cars. Models like the midsize ES 350 luxury sedan and RX 350 luxury crossover have helped to build the Japanese premium brand's enviable reputation for refinement and quality over the last quarter century, and resultantly have become two of the best selling models in their respective segments.

Along the way Lexus has helped to redefine exactly what luxury is, making personal service and reliability as important to premium buyers as leather-lined opulence and technological leadership. The J. D. Power and Associates 2014 Vehicle Dependability Study, which examines reliability of three-year old models, names the 2011 Lexus ES 350 the most dependable Compact Premium Car, the 2011 Lexus RX the most dependable Midsize Premium CUV, the 2011 Lexus GS the most dependable Midsize Premium Car, and the 2011 Lexus LS the most dependable Large Premium Car. The only reason the sportier rear- and all-wheel drive Lexus IS isn't included on the list Read Full Story
It has long been acknowledged by Canada’s automotive press that the official fuel consumption ratings approved by Natural Resources New less optimistic rating system won’t mean your vehicle…

Government of Canada announces new fuel economy rating system

It has long been acknowledged by Canada's automotive press that the official fuel consumption ratings approved by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) are overly optimistic. It was also well known that the government intended to change its test procedures to more accurately measure real-world fuel consumption. Now, in a recent announcement NRC has confirmed that new improved testing procedures will be used on all 2015 light-duty cars and trucks, with 2014 models continuing to use the old test methods.

The new test methods will generate higher official fuel consumption numbers on vehicles' EnerGuide labels, so NRC is emphasizing the importance in knowing what the numbers on the label really mean, "The change will take place in 2014," NRC noted in its announcement.

"During this transition year, many dealerships will have 2014 model year vehicles alongside 2015 model year vehicles," said the NRC release. "For 2015 vehicles, the EnerGuide label will look the same but will provide Read Full Story
If you want a good example of automotive success you could do worse than point to the Toyota Camry, which has dominated Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press North America’s hard-fought midsize…

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE Road Test Review

If you want a good example of automotive success you could do worse than point to the Toyota Camry, which has dominated North America's hard-fought midsize sedan market pretty much since the day it entered the segment with the wide-body XV10 series back in 1991. Success doesn't always garner goodwill, however, and despite being the most popular car in North America for the past 11 years the Camry hasn't always been the best-loved, instead acquiring a reputation for being practical and reliable, but loathsomely bland; the minivan of family sedans, if you will.

That all changed in 2012 when Toyota introduced its current XV50 series Camry. It was a well-executed and well-received update that retained all the practicality and reliability expected of Camry, but ditched the smoothly forgettable lines of the previous car for a more angular and interesting chrome-accented look, jettisoned the dated, rubbery interior for something far more upscale, and tweaked the suspension for a more Read Full Story
Mazda will be providing a sneak peek of its next-generation Mazda2 subcompact when it premieres its Hazumi Concept at the International Geneva Motor Show in March. Hazumi   is a Japanese word meaning…
Mazda will be providing a sneak peek of its next-generation Mazda2 subcompact when it premieres its Hazumi Concept at the International Geneva Motor Show in March.

Hazumi is a Japanese word meaning to "bound or spring up", and according to Mazda the name was chosen to convey the image of an untamed animal leaping. "It is particularly fitting for a small car designed to look as if it is literally bursting with energy," explained the Japanese automaker in a press release accompanied by a single teaser image of the concept. "The Mazda Hazumi expresses the ideal form of the company's next-generation subcompact car."

Mazda will also debut its Skyactiv-D 1.5-litre diesel engine at in Geneva, leading to speculation that the new Mazda2 will be the first model to offer the newly developed small displacement clean diesel engine. Few details are currently known about the next Mazda2, but it is expected to be offered as both a hatch and sedan (although likely only as a hatchback Read Full Story
Over the past half decade BMW has been splicing its ever-growing model lineup into smaller more personalized segments, none Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press more fractionalized than its 5 and…

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe Road Test Review

Over the past half decade BMW has been splicing its ever-growing model lineup into smaller more personalized segments, none more fractionalized than its 5 and 6 Series lines that now include the 6 Series Gran Coupe, a car that divides traditional 5 Series sport sedan buyers from those who might normally opt for a performance-luxury two-door like the 6 Series Coupe. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is finding its own niche buyers, as is the niche within a niche M6 Gran Coupe.

Yes, just like the Bayerische bunch has done numerous times before, BMW's new four-door coupe has been given the full M treatment, and just like the M5 sedan and M6 Coupe and Convertible models, the M6 Gran Coupe gets the brand's all-new direct injection TwinPower Turbo-infused 4.4-litre V8 that's good for a staggering 560-horsepower at 5,750 to 7,000 rpm before redlining at 7,200, and an outrageously tractable 500 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm.

The full-throttle feeling off the line is shocking, Read Full Story