Aiieee Canada!

Kia Optima SX

Canada’s next car of the year will be Korean! And, my money is on this Kia.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) today announced the top three finalists in its 2012 Canadian Car of the Year competition at the Montreal International Auto Show.

The finalists in the three categories are [drum roll]: [...]

Four wheel drive makes Outlander Super

Outlander sits between the RVR compact crossover and Mitsubishi’s Endeavor full-size SUV. With a choice of four- or six-cylinder power, it’s suitable for just about anyone’s daily needs whether it’s in the city or out in the Styx.

A 168-hp 2.4-litre inline-four and front-wheel drive come on the $25,498 base ES model. All-wheel drive [...]

Fuel economy the new performance?

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Russ Bond’s calling and he wants me to explain how the Veloster won best new sports performance car under $50,000 in AJAC’s 2012 Car of the Year competition. As if I had something to do with it.

It’s not that the Hyundai isn’t a good choice. It has a fuel efficient engine and six-speed [...]

On Prius V, the V stands for versatility

The 2012 Prius V is the latest version of Toyota’s mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. It utilizes the latest Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which pairs a 1.8-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 60 kW electric motor and 27 kW battery to send 134 hp through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Toyota engineers have reduced smog-forming [...]

2012 Canadian Car of the Year Category Winners

Journauto recording his scores for the 2012 Kia Optima SX at TestFest.

Journauto recording his scores for the 2012 Kia Optima SX at TestFest.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – More than 70 of Canada’s top automotive journalists spent last week in the Niagara-on-the-Lake to determine the “Best New” cars and SUV/CUVs in 11 different vehicle categories, as part of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s (AJAC) annual Canadian [...]

Diesel wagon an ultimate road-tripper

Packing a vehicle tightly with gear and suitcases, filling it with people, pets and sustenance, and heading out onto the open road for hours at a time is as Canadian as the Loonie or the CN Tower.

Upon picking a 2011 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI, my wife and I jump on the 401 East [...]