Mercedes’ commercial van division has a new midsize model dubbed Metris, available for 2016 in both panel and passenger van body styles. Larger than most rivals yet smaller than its full-size Sprinter…

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Road Test Review

The Metris is a commercial van, so someone please tell me where I can get a job driving one every day. I think my back felt better after getting out than it did going in.

I suppose Mercedes wouldn't turn you away if you wanted to buy one for shuttling around your large family, and I must say it would be a good choice, but I'm going to guess 630 out of the 635 sold across Canada over the first six months of 2016 were to companies ferrying passengers from hotel to airport, cargo from warehouse to retail outlet, and so on.

On that note Mercedes sells passenger and cargo variants of this uniquely intermediate-sized van, the former my transport du jour, and while we were tempted my photographic partner and I stayed the urge to round up eight of our friends for a rowdy commute to an afternoon ballgame. We would've all been quite comfortable, its six rear seats almost as roomy and supportive as the two up front, although after time well spent behind the wheel I've decided Read Full Story
The B-Class is well into its 2nd generation and selling well. It gets a standard 2.0L turbo four with 208-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, plus a 7-speed auto with standard paddles, and the choice of FWD or…

2016 Mercedes-Benz B250 4Matic Sports Tourer Road Test Review

I like cars that don't quite fit into the usual mould, and Mercedes' B-Class fitting that description perfectly. Call it a tall wagon, a crossover SUV, or an MPV as they like to in Europe, but just don't call it inflexible. It's one part style, one part sport, and at least two parts utility, our Canadian-spec B250 a fabulously functional compact that attracts busy families as easily as active empty nesters.

I have a confession. I didn't like the B-Class all that much the year it was introduced, but Mercedes addressed most of my complaints the following year and I soon began to appreciate its many merits. As for this latest iteration, it's so dramatically improved I've become an unabashed fan. From styling to interior quality, features to the way it drives, the second-generation B250 4Matic Sports Tourer I recently tested is a true testament to why Mercedes' is the auto industry's bestselling luxury marque.

You can tell a lot about a brand's core values when spending Read Full Story
The Smart car is new for 2016, with sportier styling, more power, better dynamics, a roomier cabin and improved refinement, and sales are notably up. Available in three trims, Pure, Passion and Prime,…

2016 Smart ForTwo Coupe Passion Twinamic DCT Road Test Review

The world's tiniest car company has big news for 2016, the introduction of the third generation Fortwo. Complete with new styling, a slightly larger footprint, an upgraded interior, more power, new and improved transmissions, and more, the reinvented Smart car hopes to woo Canadian buyers like the original version did in 2004, and after a first drive I must admit they've made a convincing argument for going small.

I've been fortunate enough to experience each Fortwo generation starting with a Euro-market version before the wee little car was officially launched here, at which point I tested the Canadian-spec 2005 Coupe and Cabriolet, then the completely redesigned second-gen 2008 model at its launch program in San Francisco, which was followed up by a 2009 Cabriolet on home soil, and now this entirely new 2016 Fortwo in mid-grade Passion trim.

Passion? Yes, Smart has always gone about things differently, including naming trim levels. Joining the Passion is the Pure Read Full Story
The Volvo XC60 can be had with 5 engine choices, 2 transmissions, FWD or AWD, numerous trims and options aplenty, today’s review covering the $56,450 T5 AWD SE Premier. It gets a 250-hp turbo I-5 mated…

2016 Volvo XC60 T5 AWD SE Premier Road Test Review

Only a year after the XC60 was introduced in 2009 it replaced the XC90 as Volvo Canada's bestselling model, and while this will change for 2016 thanks to the brilliant new XC90, the smaller compact utility remains a strong seller for the Swedish luxury brand.

Having been editor more often than writer when Volvo introduced the XC60 I had the pleasure of proofreading five XC60 reviews before getting my first weeklong tester, a pre-facelift 2012 T6 AWD R-Design, which after a couple of additional edits was followed up by a refreshed 2015 T6 AWD, both of which I heaped praises upon, so time recently spent with a 2016 T5 AWD in SE Premier trim was like being reacquainted with a favourite traveling companion.

A quick glance showed it was still stylish, although next to its totally redesigned bigger brother the XC60's gracefully sporty lines certainly look a generation behind. Granted my loaner was at the lower end of the "Editions" quad, the other three being the R-Design, Read Full Story
Subaru might be a niche player but its Outback does well in North America, and for good reason. It’s nicely equipped, priced well and in 2.5i Limited trim offers a near premium experience. Standard…

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Road Test Review

The Outback remains an anomaly, and that's probably just the way Subaru and its owners like it. It's the Seiko 5 of crossover SUVs. An honest car-based utility that's considerably more competent than its obviously wagon-derived outward appearances let on. It was initially created long before the term CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) was even coined, provides all the capability of most modern-day SUVs yet isn't trying to visually emulate a truck-based sport ute in the slightest, while it generally keeps on ticking accurately well past its prime.

I see older Outbacks everywhere. A gold first-generation drove past on the highway yesterday afternoon and I parked in front of a two-tone green third-gen example at the dollar store on the way back home that night (yes, Subaru owners are practical). The Outback has been with us since 1994, the first model described having made way for the second generation in 1998, so you can appreciate they have a habit of lasting for decades, like that Read Full Story