It wasn’t so long ago that options in the subcompact range were relegated to sedans and hatchbacks, with a smattering of two-door Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press coupes left to spice…

2014 Chevrolet Trax LS Road Test Review

It wasn't so long ago that options in the subcompact range were relegated to sedans and hatchbacks, with a smattering of two-door coupes left to spice things up in between. Today's small car market offers a lot more, from these mainstream mainstays to tiny two-seat misfits, tall and boxy whatchamacallits and sportier five-door crossover utilities like this wonderfully unique Chevrolet Trax.

One look will tell you the Trax is like no other CUV on the market. First off its subcompact city car proportions make it ultra-easy to slot in and out of busy urban traffic, let alone those tiny "Small Car" parking spots always placed closest to shopping mall entrances. Yet while small, its tall profile means that interior headroom is plentiful, allowing much more accommodating seating for taller folk than many midsize or large cars. Likewise the Trax' cargo hold is bigger than any vehicle so small should logically provide, measuring the size of a large sedan's trunk behind the 60/40-split Read Full Story
With a month to go before the Geneva International Motor Show, Honda has revealed its lineup of debuts, and there’s a little 2014 Honda Civic Type R Concept (Photo: Honda) bit of something for both…

Ultra-hot Honda Civic Type R Concept revealed ahead of Geneva show

With a month to go before the Geneva International Motor Show, Honda has revealed its lineup of debuts, and there's a little bit of something for both enthusiasts and greenies.

For the environmentally conscious, the big news will be the first European appearance of Honda's sleekly aerodynamic FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) Concept. Honda says its next-generation fuel cell vehicle will be launching in Japan and North America in 2015.

For enthusiast motorists, Honda had a longer lineup of introductions. These include the new livery for its 2014 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Civic, and the powertrain layout for the new NSX supercar. The latter will be a longitudinal twin-turbo V6 with an innovative three-motor hybrid SH-AWD (super-handling all wheel drive) system.

But perhaps the most important reveal is going to be the world debut of the Civic Type R Concept. Honda went so far as to release a single rear three-quarter teaser image of the car, and Read Full Story
Kia made a strong eco-friendly statement at the Chicago auto show, with a trio of show cars confirming the Korean automaker’s   commitment to hybrid and electric propulsion. In addition to…

Cool Kia Niro Concept makes North American debut

Kia made a strong eco-friendly statement at the Chicago auto show, with a trio of show cars confirming the Korean automaker's commitment to hybrid and electric propulsion. In addition to the refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid and the new 2015 Soul EV, which will be launched in select markets in 2014, Kia also showed the edgy, urban-oriented Niro Concept in the windy city. It marked the Niro Concept's U.S. debut, following up its initial appearance in Frankfurt last September.

According to Kia, the Niro Concept "hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the city environment with style and fun-to-drive attitude." With compact dimensions and intriguing design elements, the Niro Concept looks ready to give Nissan's Juke a run for its money, but with a hybrid twist: the Niro Concept expands on Kia's alternative propulsion development with a hybrid electric powertrain working through an advanced four-wheel drive system.

The Niro Concept's dark "Nightfall" Read Full Story
I’ve been a fan of the QX70 since it was dubbed FX, came in a slightly smaller package and was powered by 200 cubic centimeters Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press less displacement. Infiniti…

2014 Infiniti QX70 AWD V6 Road Test Review

I've been a fan of the QX70 since it was dubbed FX, came in a slightly smaller package and was powered by 200 cubic centimeters less displacement. Infiniti launched its Bionic Cheetah in the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona back in February of 2003, and I was there to test it out in the city's suburban sprawl as well as a wonderfully serpentine stretch of tarmac that wound its way up to the top of South Mountain Park's lofty summit. Never before had I driven such a nimble SUV, my review comparing it head-on with BMW X5s and Porsche Cayennes I'd tested previously, the FX35 (no V8-powered FX was available to test on the initial launch) much more sports car-like.

The 2014 QX70's DNA continues to comprise cheetah genes, the new model a bit larger and heavier than the first-generation FX, yet the larger 3.7-litre engine capable of a lot more energy. The original 3.5-litre V6 put out 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque compared to the new model's 325 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Read Full Story
One of the big debuts at the Chicago Auto Show was Subaru’s next-generation Legacy sedan, and as promised by the teaser   images released last week and by the Legacy Concept displayed at the…

Subaru introduces 2015 Legacy in Chicago

One of the big debuts at the Chicago Auto Show was Subaru's next-generation Legacy sedan, and as promised by the teaser images released last week and by the Legacy Concept displayed at the 2013 Los Angles Auto Show, the new car features a sleek profile and a bold front fascia.

In addition to being modern looking, the new bodywork offers a 10-percent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency, aided by a standard active grille shutter system that further reduces wind resistance when closed.

Under the hood the 2015 Legacy continues to offer either a 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine or a 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer, but the manual transmission offering has been dropped from the lineup, with all cars now getting Subaru's Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Updates to the four-cylinder have improved power, refinement and efficiency, with a two-horsepower bump to 175 horsepower. Peak torque remains at 174 lb-ft but is spread over a broader rev Read Full Story
Between a growing charging infrastructure that’s making electric vehicle ownership easier, and strict new standards making zero-emissions   vehicle (ZEV) options increasingly necessary in California…

New Kia Soul EV hits Chicago auto show stage

Between a growing charging infrastructure that's making electric vehicle ownership easier, and strict new standards making zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) options increasingly necessary in California and a handful of other states, electric vehicles are really gaining traction these days.

The latest carmaker to plug in to the expanding EV market is Kia, which introduced its all-new 2015 Kia Soul EV at the Chicago Auto Show. Emphasizing the automaker's commitment to efficient, low emissions vehicles, Kia showed the Soul EV next to an updated version of the company's Optima Hybrid sedan and the funky crossover-style Niro Hybrid Concept. Unlike those hybrid models, however, the Soul EV is Kia's first completely battery-powered vehicle.

"The new Soul EV is at the forefront of Kia's 'Clean Mobility' program and will offer an even more environmentally friendly option to our customers when it goes on sale later this year," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning Read Full Story
Affordability can be measured in various ways, but what really matters to most long-term car owners are the overall costs of Lexus is one of the least expensive brands to own according to Kelly Blue Book.…

Least expensive ownership experience include Mazda and Lexus brands

Affordability can be measured in various ways, but what really matters to most long-term car owners are the overall costs of ownership beyond just the initial price, including depreciation, fuel costs, insurance, repairs, maintenance, and fees.

Every year Kelly Blue Book calculates the overall projected five-year ownership costs for a wide variety of vehicles, awarding Best in Class kudos to the least expensive to own in each segment. It recently announced the winners after tabulating the results for 2014, and coming out on top overall for the second consecutive year were Mazda and Lexus.

Mazda only got a single Best In Class result (the CX-9 in the full-size SUV category), but managed top-three results in a wide number of categories including compact car, midsize car, minivan/van, and sports car. Overall it won best brand thanks to Mazda vehicles' generally low insurance and fuel costs, as well as relatively modest depreciation.

Despite having higher initial Read Full Story
Diesels are becoming increasingly popular in Canada, and while European brands have led the way, the domestic marques are   starting to catch up. Chrysler, now known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles,…

Diesel powered Jeep Cherokee to debut at Geneva motor show

Diesels are becoming increasingly popular in Canada, and while European brands have led the way, the domestic marques are starting to catch up. Chrysler, now known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has already launched diesel versions of its Ram 1500 pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and now a new diesel-powered Jeep will be joining the lineup, sort of.

Unfortunately for Canadian diesel fans the 2014 Cherokee Diesel won't be debuting at the Chicago Auto Show for sale in North America, but will instead be debuting at Geneva Auto Show in March for sale - initially at least - only in Europe. It does, however, raise the possibility that a North American Cherokee Diesel might eventually be offered here to replace the old Liberty Diesel.

With the exception of a few minor tweaks to satisfy European regulatory requirements, the Cherokee offered across the Atlantic will be essentially identical to the version offered here.

Under the hood, however, overseas buyers will get Read Full Story