What do you get when you take Toyota’s sportiest Camry SE and mash it up with its most economical? Meet the 2014.5 Camry Hybrid SE, a new limited-run model that offers all of the fuel economy and environmental…

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE Road Test Review

Having successfully won over millions of green-minded consumers worldwide (and thousands of economy-minded taxi drivers) with its distinctive-looking Prius range of hybrid vehicles, it seems that Toyota is turning its attention to a new breed of hybrid buyer these days: the hybrid buyer who doesn't want to be seen as driving a hybrid.

The company took an initial step in this direction back in 2006 when it introduced the Camry Hybrid sedan, available in LE and XLE trim with a few subtle but distinctive hybrid styling details. Now, halfway through the 2014 model year, the company has introduced the limited edition 2014.5 Camry Hybrid SE, an environmentally friendly hybrid sheep in sporty-minded wolf's clothing.

Mechanically, the Camry Hybrid SE is identical to its Camry Hybrid siblings, with the same 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric traction motor and CVT transmission to produce a net total of 200 horsepower. This is actually significantly Read Full Story
C’mon, we know you want one. There’s something utterly virile about Mercedes’ G-Class, its G55 AMG being the most potent statement of masculinity yet, in North America at least. Now those on the…

Mercedes to bring G65 AMG to North American market for 2016

It would be an understatement to say that Mercedes-Benz has its crossover and SUV segments covered. In fact, it doesn't only cover the basics, with vehicles like the GLK in the compact segment, ML in the mid-size category and GL in the full-size seven-passenger arena, but on top of these more familiar sizes a new smaller compact GLA crossover is currently arriving at Canadian M-B dealers nationwide, plus, of course, it has long provided the iconic G-Class, one of the best off-roaders available anywhere.

Of course, Mercedes offers each model in a variety of trim levels, all of the above except for the GLK available in very sporting top-tier AMG guise. Prior to the 2013 model year the G55 AMG was the only Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach-tuned G-Class available, but that all changed when the Affalterbach, Baden-Württemberg-housed division replaced the 5.5-litre V8 in the G55 AMG with a ridiculously powerful V12 and dubbed it G65 AMG. So far Mercedes hasn't offered this Read Full Story
Today on CarCostCanada, auto journalist Trevor Hofmann reviews the 2014 Kia Sorento in just-above-mid-grade EX V6 trim. The current Sorento design won’t be with us much longer, with an all-new model…

2014 Kia Sorento EX V6 Road Test Review

Have you ever questioned what the word "new" means in the automotive marketing dictionary? Obviously if a vehicle has never been licensed before it's new, but that's not what I'm referring to. Rather, I'm talking about when some brands say a given model is new when in fact it's a "refresh", "facelift", or "mid-cycle update".

Kia could have quite reasonably called its 2014 Sorento all new, being that it rides on a new platform architecture design, incorporates a new direct-injection V6 engine, features new interior design with nicer materials, offers new telematics, and boasts a new infotainment system, but they didn't. They rightly stated that the updated Sorento was "significantly redesigned" and much more than a "freshening," being that 80-percent of the 2014 model is new, and factoring in that its arrival last year made it four years since this second-generation went from the original truck-like body-on-frame design to unibody, its styling has only been mildly refined, albeit Read Full Story
In past years, Jaguar hasn’t done very well in the compact sedan segment, but is it that the brand’s upscale cachet is overqualified for a compact model or the general opinion that its previous small…

Jaguar shows off gorgeous new XE compact sport sedan

Just because you've tried something once and it was a colossal failure, doesn't mean your next attempt won't be a major victory.

This is the type of mantra people who can afford premium vehicles such as those sold by Jaguar repeat to themselves as they're climbing their way up life's ladder to success, and no doubt something similar to what the top execs in Jaguar's boardroom kept reminding themselves of every time they contemplated their next compact model.

Then again, those now on Jaguar's board are a completely different set of suits than the team responsible for conjuring up the 2001 to 2009 X-Type, a car with handsome albeit somewhat staid and predictable shrunken XJ styling mixed with Ford running gear. It was based on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform that also underpinned the Ford Mondeo in Europe, Ford Contour, Mercury Mystique and Mercury Cougar in North America, and was related the Mazda6, while available in both four-door sedan and five-door Read Full Story
Can’t quite afford an Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz but want a sporty, luxuriously equipped compact that’s fun to drive? Kia has the answer: meet the Forte Sedan in top-tier SX trim. Auto journalist…

2014 Kia Forte Sedan SX Road Test Review

Kia is riding high in newfound popularity lately, for good reason. Its cars look better than most rivals' offerings, overall quality is good, standard and optional feature sets are more plentiful than the competition, and according to J.D. Power, dependability is at least mid-pack, while its five-year comprehensive warranty beats most peers as well. Today's consumers aren't stupid. We recognize good value when we see it, so it's no wonder the South Korean brand is enjoying sales success.

Nowhere is this more evident than with the sharp looking Forte Sedan. Redesigned for 2014, the Forte has gone from a sporty albeit cute little compact four-door to a sophisticated city slicker. Like its larger Optima sibling, you could put a premium badge on the hood and trunk lid and easily fool those unfamiliar with the car into thinking it's worth a lot more than its $15,995 base price suggests (plus $1,485 for freight and pre-delivery prep).

Maybe it's because the base car is so Read Full Story
Can you guess what Infiniti will debut at the upcoming Paris auto show? Thanks to a new teaser image, the Q80 Inspiration concept looks like a new full-size four-passenger sports coupe or maybe even a…

Infiniti reveals teaser of Q80 Inspiration concept before Paris show

It was only a couple of weeks ago that we reported on a new Infiniti prototype that would be heading to the Paris motor show next month, but all the Japanese luxury brand had to show at the time was part of the grille, leaving us with little to talk about than speculation. Now we get a much more revealing teaser photo that at least let's us know this won't be a new flagship luxury sedan, but rather a super coupe or, by the length of its greenhouse, more likely a long and lean four-door coupe, in concept form at least.

Infiniti has named this "low-slung, ingeniously aggressive four-passenger fastback" the Q80 Inspiration Concept, and as long as they follow through on their promise that it "foreshadows an audacious top-of-the-line model" they'll be able to truly stand behind additional words from their press release that say this "long-legged fastback proves that Infiniti intends to drive in and disturb the status quo."

We love the bold words, but as for what "intuitive Read Full Story
Is there still demand for a large Volvo SUV? If you looked at current sales number the XC90 is far from a hot seller, but 1,927 copies of a special First Edition version of the all-new 2016 XC90 sold…

Impressive new 2016 Volvo XC90 First Edition sells out in less than two days

Volvo started taking orders for its completely new 2016 XC90 crossover on September 3, and after a mere 47 hours all 1,927 First Edition models were sold out. According to the premium Scandinavian brand, most of these unique luxury SUVs were sold during the first hour of the online campaign.

Based on an all-new and totally revamped Volvo XC90, this special edition was oddly offered for sale ahead of the regular model, a smart idea to drum up attention as long as you're sure of success. Just how quickly the XC90 First Edition sold out clearly shows that there's pent-up demand for the mid-size Swede.

The First Edition gets exclusive Onyx Black exterior paint, Amber Nappa leather upholstery, a Charcoal leather dash-top, Linear Walnut inlays, unique eight-spoke 21-inch inscription alloy wheels, and special badging, on top of nearly every other feature available on the upcoming SUV - and that's a long and varied list.

Behind the XC90's larger, bolder new grille, Read Full Story
Are you starting to think that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle might be right for you in the near future? Many buyers are at least contemplating the thought, and cars like the new Ford C-Max Energi…

2014 Ford C-Max Energi SEL Road Test Review

Am I getting older or is there some other reason why I get just as excited about driving an innovative plug-in electric vehicle as I do when slipping behind the wheel of something ultimately sporty like the new Fiesta ST?

Don't answer that. As I recently passed the 50 yard line (a little over a year ago) I'm well aware of my aging body and even more fragile mind, yet while my reflexes might not be quite as quick as they used to be I still enjoy the occasional romp down a backcountry road in a performance car. All said there's something equally intriguing about silently going about my day's business without spending much more than a nickel on fuel, and then popping down to my local city hall to juice it up with electrons for free. I don't know how long such freebie plug-in programs will continue, but I for one will take full advantage of local politicians and their do-good green agendas as long as I have cars as efficient as Ford's new C-Max Energi to drive around in.

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