Everybody wants a good deal, but sometimes the “great” price paid at purchase, even after factoring in a deep discount, doesn’t seem as good later on. Kelley Blue Book tries to remedy this problem…

Acura has lowest cost of ownership over five years amongst luxury brands

Everybody wants a good deal, but sometimes the "great" price paid at purchase, even after factoring in a deep discount, doesn't seem as good later on. Kelley Blue Book tries to remedy this problem by educating consumers about the real cost of owning a vehicle, and then recommends models it believes drive real long-term value. As part of this exercise its 5-Year Cost to Own Awards program recognizes high achieving vehicles and brands. Acura earns KBB 5-Year Cost to Own Luxury Award two years straight For the second consecutive year Acura took home KBB's 5-Year Cost to Own Luxury Brand award thanks to its entire lineup placing either first or second in more than half of seven total 5-Year Cost to Own factors, which include the vehicle's upfront price, depreciation, finance and insurance fees, expected fuel costs, maintenance and repair costs, and jurisdictional fees. With all totals tallied up, KBB projects Acura models will incur the lowest ownership costs over the next five years. "This Read Full Story
When can a base model compete with competitors’ mid and even top-line trims? When it’s an Acura, the base RDX filled with standard features like V6 power, paddles, AWD, full LED headlamps, proximity…

2017 Acura RDX AWD Road Test

If you want to know what makes a brand tick, drive its most inexpensive models in their most basic trims. With respect to Acura's SUV lineup, that would be this RDX. The SUV you're looking at has zero options, which means it hits the road at just $42,190 plus freight and dealer fees yet comes packed full of high value features and is loads of fun to drive. A shortlist includes standard V6 power, AWD, Acura's Jewel Eye LED headlights, LED taillights, 18-inch alloys, proximity-sensing keyless entry, pushbutton ignition (that's made from anodized red metal for a sporty touch), ambient cabin lighting, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone auto climate control with large dials at each side for easy operation while wearing winter gloves, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, five-inch colour infotainment, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a 360-watt seven-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Siri Eyes Free, text messaging Read Full Story
Honda completely redesigned its innovative unibody pickup truck for the 2017 model year, and as a reward for a job well done is being named 2017 North American Truck of the Year. The Ridgeline has long…

Honda Ridgeline wins Truck of the Year

Honda completely redesigned its innovative unibody pickup truck for the 2017 model year, and as a reward for a job well done is being named 2017 North American Truck of the Year. The Ridgeline has long been lauded for providing crossover SUV-like handling, ride comfort, and fuel economy in a versatile pickup truck package, but the mid-size model goes much further to win over would-be buyers than that. Like its predecessor, which came on the scene in 2005, Honda has taken a very different tack with this mid-size entry. The new second-generation Ridgeline also features a crossover-SUV-like unibody design albeit with a closed-boxed frame integrated within, combining much of the towing and hauling strength of a rugged frame with the taut structure of a monocoque body shell. What's more, its industry-exclusive Dual Action Tailgate both lowers in the usual fashion and swings sideways so it doesn't need to be detached when clamping on ramps designed to work with ATVs, motorcycles, ride-on mowers, Read Full Story
Recently we reported on Porsche taking home Canadian Black Book’s 2017 Best Overall Brand Award in the Luxury category, as well as four individual model awards. These awards were handed out at the Canadian…

ALG forecasts two Porsche models for best future retained value

Recently we reported on Porsche taking home Canadian Black Book's 2017 Best Overall Brand Award in the Luxury category, as well as four individual model awards. These awards were handed out at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto last week, as were awards for the 2017 ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards. Why two residual value awards? The difference between the CBB awards program and ALG's is that CBB analyzes the past and ALG forecasts the future. On that note the two Porsches chosen to retain their values best after three years are the new 718 Boxster in the Premium Sportscar Segment and the Panamera in the Premium Executive Segment. "I am pleased to accept these two awards from ALG," said Alexander Pollich, President and CEO, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. "Our new 718 Boxster exemplifies the modern two- seat roadster and provides its occupants with an unrivaled driving and ownership experience. The Panamera underlines its appeal with its second consecutive ALG award with a whole Read Full Story
Earlier this month we reported on Subaru winning Canadian Black Book’s Best Retained Value for Overall Brand in the Car Category, as part of a larger CBB story covering all brands. The Japanese brand…

Subaru wins best Mainstream Brand in ALG Residual Value Awards

Earlier this month we reported on Subaru winning Canadian Black Book's Best Retained Value for Overall Brand in the Car Category, as part of a larger CBB story covering all brands. The Japanese brand received its award at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto last week, while also taking kudos for winning this year's top Mainstream Brand in ALG's 9th Annual 2017 Canadian Residual Value Awards (RVA).

The RVA forecasts which brand is more likely to retain the highest average Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) percentage of after four years.

"Residual values are a key indicator of the overall market success and health of a vehicle and brand," said Jim Nguyen, president of ALG. "And with vehicle leasing on the rise, resale values have never been more important to both consumers and automakers."

This is the second consecutive year Subaru has achieved the top Mainstream brand award, earning a total of four segment awards.

"Consistent Read Full Story
Love the recently redesigned 2017 Pathfinder but want a darker more aggressive look? Nissan has the answer in its all-new Platinum Midnight Edition that removes some of the bright silver and chrome exterior…

Nissan Canada offers Pathfinder Platinum Midnight Edition to celebrate 30 years

Love the recently redesigned 2017 Pathfinder but want a darker more aggressive look? Nissan has the answer in its all-new Platinum Midnight Edition that removes some of the bright silver and chrome exterior trim and replaces it with glossy black detailing.

Included are black mirror caps, a black rooftop spoiler, unique 20-inch black alloys, a chromed rear bumper protector, plus Canada-exclusive badges on the fenders and tailgate, while the cabin gets illuminated kick plates and LED lighting elements.

The Platinum Midnight Edition celebrates 30 years of Pathfinder availability in Canada, making the popular SUV one of the most enduring sport utility vehicles on today's market.

"The Nissan Pathfinder has a storied heritage as one of the modern pioneers in the SUV segment, with more than 30 years in Canada, yet we are always looking forward – staying true to the Pathfinder name," said Tomoyuki Matsumoto, Senior Chief Marketing Manager at Nissan Canada Inc. Read Full Story
Want a full-size SUV yet not happy with what’s on offer? Most are pickup-based models from the Big 3, but Nissan just arrived with an all-new Armada that’s really their legendary global Patrol. It…

2017 Nissan Armada Platinum Road Test Review

You may not realize, but Nissan's two northernmost North American markets just had a year worth celebrating. No, I'm not talking about Nissan Canada's best-ever sales of 122,059 units or the Japanese brand's US division that did likewise with 1,426,130 deliveries. Come to think of it, Nissan's bigwigs might not even be aware of the somewhat smaller party going on down the hall in the full-size truck-based SUV department, but 2016 was the first year the Armada SUV outsold Toyota's Sequoia.

The numbers won't likely get Nissan's bean counters jumping for joy, with 716 Armadas sold last year compared to 697 Sequoias in Canada, plus Nissan's US division managing to move 13,834 off dealer lots compared to just 12,771 of the big Toyota. After the first month of 2017 Nissan USA has kept up its momentum with 1,908 Armadas down the road compared to a mere 1,146 Sequoias, so Nissan Canada had better get its act together because Toyota is once again out in front with 65 Sequoias to 62 Armadas. Read Full Story
5,425 Canadian luxury SUV buyers can’t be wrong. Last year’s bestselling 7-passenger luxury SUV is a winner. To prove the point we test the Acura MDX in top-line Elite trim with its 6 Passenger layout,…

2017 Acura MDX Elite 6 Passenger Road Test Review

Now this is an MDX I can easily warm up to. Not that lesser trims leave me cold. It's just that a luxury SUV should make its owner feel rich, or at least richly pampered, and this top-line MDX Elite 6 Passenger is one nicely tailored ride.

After ogling the stunning open-pore hardwood trim and beautiful satin-finish aluminum across the Elite's instrument panel, doors, and centre console, take a closer look at its unique seat upholstery, complete with off-white piping and stitching on perforated Ebony Milano black hides. It's all a cut above. And the second-row would never have me calling shotgun if I weren't always in the driver's seat. It's as luxuriously appointed as the row up front, with individual captain's chairs to each side and a wonderfully detailed brushed metal, wood and leather trimmed centre console down the middle. The usual third row sits behind, giving this particular MDX six-occupant seating, so it's not quite as capable for family hauling, but those second-row Read Full Story