With 3 engines from 160- to 184-hp, 3 transmissions, a fully independent suspension, 4-wheel discs and more available, the Dodge Dart is an impressive compact American with a feisty Italian heart. Base…

2016 Dodge Dart SXT Blacktop Road Test Review

Performance car enthusiasts will attest that the cars they like most are often least appreciated by bread and butter car buyers, a scenario that's getting played out once again with the fun-loving Dodge Dart.

In case you weren't aware, the modern-day Dart, not the original circa '59-'76, is one of the best driver's cars in its class. It comes standard with a powerful four-cylinder engine that sounds as good as it goes and can be upgraded with two even zippier alternatives, gets a snappy six-speed manual gearbox, optional six-speed auto and even availability of an advanced six-speed dual dry clutch automated transmission, and agile fully independent suspension with struts up front and a multilink design in back, the entire car also benefiting from four-wheel disc brakes and all the usual active and passive safety gear. All this is gifted from a legendary Italian performance brand, Alfa Romeo, which kindly donates the compact Giulietta's revered underpinnings to the American model Read Full Story
The Rogue is in the 3rd year of its 2nd generation, but it still looks fresh. Today on CarCostCanada we review it in top-line SL Premium AWD trim complete with auto on/off LED headlights, 18-inch alloys,…

2016 Nissan Rogue SL Premium AWD Road Test Review

Hard to believe but the attractive Rogue is now the conservative one in the Nissan family, although it's easy to see why this compact SUV has become so popular. Ubiquity may have made it too common to turn heads, the Rogue's 35,841 Canadian unit sales during 2015 placing it fourth out of 13 compact SUVs on offer, and extremely close to stealing third from Honda's CR-V, but it's still especially sharp in my tester's optional Pearl White paint scheme, lighter hues making the sporty black body cladding stand out all the more.

My loaner came equipped in SL Premium AWD trim, which means that LED auto on/off headlights join the standard LED daytime running lights with fog lamps underneath pulled up from mid-grade trims, the otherwise white roof getting a shiny black patch across its mid-section that not so subtly hints at the panoramic glass sunroof appreciated from below, additional SL Premium exterior features including a few more chrome and aluminum-finish bits brightening key points Read Full Story
Chevy has given its popular Equinox a subtle refresh for 2016, but left the interior and powertrains unchanged. Still, the top-line LTZ AWD comes nicely equipped with perforated leather, powered heatable…

2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD Road Test Review

Good news, Equinox fans. No, don't get too excited, you'll still have to wait about a year or so for a completely redesigned version, but Chevy has given the current model a nice mid-cycle makeover.

The design team didn't stray too far from the second-generation model that's sold very well for the bowtie brand. I liked the styling of the first-gen version too, all 12 years of Equinox sales adding up to 193,730 in Canada as of February, and 1,929,897 sold over the same period in the U.S. That's more than 2 million Equinoxes delivered in both markets, and oddly a near even per capita take-rate (the two markets normally differ with respect to brand and model popularity). Even factoring in that Canadian sales have been sliding in recent years the Equinox remains an unequivocal success, although I'm sure those inside the hallowed halls of GM's Oshawa, ON HQ, the many more working across the country in the General's umpteen independent dealerships and you, a potential Equinox buyer, Read Full Story
Want the ultimate luxury pickup truck? Ram has a 1500 Laramie Limited with your name on it. Along with turbo-diesel power, an 8-speed auto, 20-inch alloys and an air suspension it comes with a full-leather…

2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Crew Cab Laramie Limited 4×4 Road Test Review

With the recent announcement that the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 will soon be eliminated from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' lineup, it appears the Italian-American automaker has little faith in its ability to make serious gains within the compact and mid-size car segments anytime soon, but due to a recent upsurge in crossover SUV and truck sales it hardly seems to matter overall.

Lower pump prices in Canada and the U.S. are spurring on sales of larger models, such as this Ram 1500, providing FCA Canada with record-setting 2015 calendar year sales that even resulted in bestselling automaker status. FCA's four-brand arsenal captured 15.4 percent of last year's new vehicle sales, outselling both Ford and General Motors' Canadian divisions for the first time ever, the latter automakers with 14.7 percent and 13.9 percent of market share respectively. While the mantra "timing is everything" seems to be part of the reason for FCA's success, with Ford F-150 production issues hurting sales Read Full Story
You can pay more for less if you want to, or you can opt for Lexus’ redesigned, more powerful and better-equipped GS 350 AWD. The GS gets sharper styling and a 311-hp V6 for 2016, plus standard AWD,…

2016 Lexus GS 350 AWD F Sport Road Test Review

If you're liking Lexus' progressive new design direction as much as I am, and sales numbers show that you are, you're going to be happy the Japanese premium brand has given its E-segment fighting GS sedan a stronger dose of spindle juice for 2016.

It's only a mid-cycle update, but the latest GS has certainly added swagger to its strut thanks to more complete adoption of the marque's L-finesse 2.0 design language that now includes a larger, deeper more eye-catching grille, an aggressively complicated lower fascia, vertically stacked LED headlamps, checkmark-shaped LED driving lights, more complex LED taillights and other visual refinements, the look especially pleasing in uprated F Sport trim. That's how Lexus shipped my latest tester, a car that had me at hello.

It's difficult to remain unbiased when a vehicle or brands' styling grabs your heart, mind and soul as effectively as Lexus' latest lineup of cars and SUVs has done with mine. Rather than my weeklong tester Read Full Story
BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupe may have been late to the 4-door party, but it was worth the wait. Based on the midsize 5 Series, even this base 640i version is a step above in style and luxury. Complete…

2016 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Coupe Road Test Review

Winter is undoubtedly my least favourite season. I live on the east coast and therefore get four true seasons each year. Note to Mother Nature: You can have winter back. This year's treacherous winter was epitomized by "Snowmageddon", a Nor'easter fired storm that dropped 36 inches of snow in my immediate area, and paralyzed the eastern seaboard from the Carolinas to Labrador.

Obviously overwhelmed, it took local authorities three days to even start clearing the roads in my small community, as major roads were the priority. Luckily, after my trusty snow blower cleared the driveway, my 2016 BMW 640i Gran Coupe tester was at the ready. I know, I know, BMW's are not normally known for snow and ice prowess, but this Bimmer was outfitted with xDrive, BMW's hi-tech all-wheel drive system.

I've never owned a BMW with xDrive, but I have owned several Audi quattros and currently own a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with 4MATIC AWD, so I have a good deal of experience with what works Read Full Story