For those of us looking for inexpensive, comfortable, reliable, dutiful daily transportation, the pickings have never been better and build-quality, available features and just general niceness of the…

2014 Nissan Versa Note SV Road Test Review

In recent ads, Nissan is touting itself as Canada's fastest growing automotive brand, and with vehicles like the 2014 Versa Note it's easy to see why. Compared to the outgoing Versa Hatchback, also a strong seller, the new model is arguably more stylish and obviously more refined, yet while improved in just about every way it remains roomier inside than its subcompact peers, with more comfortable seating, better ride quality and impressive cargo space, is feature-filled for the class it competes in, and is just generally good value.

Those that might be lured in by the model's upscale styling should know first and foremost that the Versa Note is not a performance car in the slightest. Oh, don't worry, it'll accelerate away from a stoplight quickly enough and get you into plenty of trouble with the constabulary on the highway if you're not paying attention to the posted limit, but it'll take some time getting there. Of course, the Versa Note was never intended to compete in the Read Full Story
The new Mazda MX-5 has finally arrived, and it’s more of a change than you might have expected. Read Trevor Hofmann’s report and check out the photo gallery for everything we know about the iconic…

Hot looking new 2016 Mazda MX-5 roadster revealed

Yesterday, a full 25 years since the first generation model was introduced, Mazda unveiled the latest fourth-generation of its iconic MX-5 (Miata) roadster. By looks alone it appears to be worthy of the revered MX-5 nameplate, not to mention torchbearer status for the Japanese brand's performance image throughout the latter half of this decade.

The new 2016 model year design represents a bold departure from any previous MX-5, its cute and friendly persona replaced by a downright serious, purposeful and even slightly menacing look. The hood is long and low, not unlike the old Honda S2000's, ending with a deep and wide version of the brand's new trapezoidal grille design. Likewise the new headlight clusters are narrow as if the car is determinedly squinting, capping off a set of sculpted front fenders which follow a beltline that tapers inward as it passes by the doors and then bulges outward as it rounds over the rear wheels, forming a strong, planted appearance that will no doubt Read Full Story
Ford’s Focus Hatchback is hardly the latest compact model available, but it was so far advanced when it debuted that even this year’s model beats most competitors when it comes to performance, refinement…

2014 Ford Focus SE Hatchback Road Test Review

There's a reason why automakers give we journalists vehicles in different states of trim. If you hadn't already guessed, it's because the little badge on their backsides can make them look and feel very different from one another. The 2014 Ford Focus, for instance, comes in two different body styles, sedan and hatchback, while the latter gets three radically different grille designs depending on whether you choose SE or Titanium trim, the ultra-green Focus Electric, or performance-oriented Focus ST. But even when choosing between the base SE and near-premium Titanium, exterior trim, interior detailing and the quality of materials differ.

Rare for the mainstream compact class, the Focus Titanium not only features a luxurious soft-touch dash top, but also soft-touch door uppers. Normally it's one or the other, not both. The Focus SE follows the status quo instead, with Ford opting to upgrade its refinement levels by making the dash top soft to the touch and its door panels out Read Full Story
Next to Mercedes-Benz’ classic G-Class, Volvo’s XC90 might be the oldest SUV in the industry. Not for long, however, as the once-popular luxury crossover will get a complete overhaul for 2016, which…

Entirely new 2016 Volvo XC90 crossover revealed

Rarely has a new model introduction been more important for any automaker than this 2016 XC90 is for Volvo.

Volvo has recently been undergoing a metamorphosis with an all-new S60 sport sedan and V60 sport wagon plus relatively strong sales from its XC60 compact crossover, but its once top-selling XC90 has been languishing on the sales charts thanks to 12 years without a major overhaul. Production of the original began in August of 2002, which is a little more than twice as long as most luxury crossover SUVs go without a redesign. Those wondering when the next-generation of Volvo's mid-size seven-passenger ute would arrive and then what it would look like can finally see for themselves as the Swedish luxury brand has now released photos along with a fairly detailed press release of what we can expect under the skin.

Before delving into the details, a bit of a backgrounder is due as to why it's taken so long to get the new XC90 off the drawing board and onto the street. Read Full Story
Although there are a lot of hybrid electric vehicles now available, few have been on the market as long as Ford’s Fusion. Read Trevor Hofmann’s review of the latest Fusion Hybrid to see if it’s…

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE Road Test Review

What a difference a stylish new design can make to the sales success of any car. Such is the case with Ford's popular new Fusion, completely redesigned in 2012 for the 2013 model year, and physically identical for the 2014 model year.

Pulling inspiration from the beautiful and extremely expensive Aston Martin Rapide four-door super coupe, the Fusion's long, lean, elegant lines allow Joe and Jane average a little dignified air. And why not? After all, Ford once owned Aston and paid dearly for it in the form of annual and overall losses, therefore recouping some of the Fusion's development costs by lowering its design budget is only reasonable.

After initially reviewing a 2013 Fusion SE with its 1.6-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder last year, I had the pleasure of testing two 2014 iterations, the first also an SE model with the brand's 2.0-litre Ti-VCT GTDI Ecoboost four-cylinder, and the second the subject of this review, a regular non-plug-in Fusion Hybrid, boasting a 2.0-litre Read Full Story