Canadian Driver

New today on CanadianDriver: First Drive: 2010 Kia SoulWhat's New: 2009 Audi TTSteering You Right: Annoying consequencesDay-by-Day Review: 2010 Mazda3 GT sedan

This Week on CanadianDriver
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Day-by-Day Review: 2010 Mazda3 GT; Day 4
James enjoyed his week with the new Mazda3, praising it as fun to drive in all situations. The only exception to James' joy was the 2.5-litre engine's fuel consumption: his average of 10.5 L/100 km is quite high for an economy car - even one as entertaining as the new "3."

Read the article | View the photos | All the blogs

First Drive: 2010 Kia Soul
The new Kia Soul “is one of the freshest automotive designs in the past decade,” opines Senior Editor, Paul Williams. Ranging in price from $15,495 to $20,995, the Soul is available with two four-cylinder engines, and goes on sale this month.

Read the article | View the photos | All the First Drives

Steering You Right: Annoying consequences
When snow fell off Peter’s roof and damaged his new car, it set off of a chain of events that proved frustrating and annoying - but there was little Peter could do about it.

Read the article | All the Steering You Right
What’s New: 2009 Land Rover Range Rover
For 2009, changes to the Range Rover are minor: upgraded leather, new door seals, a dampened tailgate for smoother opening and closing, and new wheel designs. As well, a new Autobiography Package, available on the Supercharged model, upgrades its interior.
Read the article | View the photos | All the 2009 Models

Test Drive: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
More power and improved driveability are the major changes to the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, reports Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson. Fuel economy is “excellent for a compact SUV”.. “but there is a quite a price premium to be paid for the Hybrid.”

Read the article | View the photos | All the Test Drives

Motoring Memories: Chrysler K-cars, 1981-1989
Badged as the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, the basic but popular K-cars were popular enough to save the Chrysler Corporation from bankruptcy – with a little help from Lee Iacocca.

Read the article | All the Manufacturers
What’s New: 2009 Porsche 911
For 2009, the Porsche 911 series receives major updates. New direct injection improves engine horsepower ratings, and the optional automatic transmission is now a seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), or double-clutch, which replaces the Tiptronic S on all but the Turbo models.
Read the article | View the photos | All the 2009 Models

Used Vehicle Review: Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent, 2005-2008
Reliability-wise, the Equinox and Torrent suffered from various maladies, including manifold gasket leaks, fuel pump issues, creaking suspension and water leaks. Contributing Editor Chris Chase recommends looking for one “with some of the factory warranty intact.”

Read the article | View the photos | All the Used Vehicle Reviews
What’s New: 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander
For 2009, the Mitsubishi Outlander is unchanged, save for two new features: standard heated seats, and an optional rearview camera on the XLS. The Outlander comes with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with CVT or a 3.0-litre V6 with six-speed automatic.
Read the article | View the photos | All the 2009 Models

Inside Story: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara four-cylinder
“Suzuki continues to fall under the label 'Smart Cookie', with its uncanny ability to include the most sensible option packages, at pricing worthy of head scratch,” says contributor Michael Clark. “There’s an awful lot here for the bread.”

Read the article | View the photos | All the Inside Story

Bring It On! 2009 Jeep Compass, Part three
The Compass's all-wheel drive system and traction controls are plenty sufficient for urban duty in winter, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. But the Compass “is not an athlete,” he says. “It's more of a utilitarian conveyance.”

Read the article | View the photos | All the Winter Driving

Bring It On! 2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD, Part three
Managing Editor Grant Yoxon came away with a new appreciation of the Traverse’s safety benefits after he was rear-ended by a driver who was driving too fast to stop on a snow-covered road. The Traverse emerged virtually unscathed.

Read the article | View the photos | All the Winter Driving

Bring It On! 2009 Toyota Matrix AWD, Part three
While the Matrix AWD drives well in the snow, its ride is harsh and its rear pillars create blind spots, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. For about the same money, a base RAV4 might be a better choice, he says.

Read the article | View the photos | All the Winter Driving
What’s New: 2009 Saturn Vue
For 2009, the new Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid is capable of running entirely on electric power while the Vue Hybrid (formerly Green Line) cannot. Other changes for 2009 include the addition of brake assist and a DVD entertainment system.
Read the article | View the photos | All the 2009 Models

Auto Tech: Buying another vehicle: Part two
When shopping for a new vehicle, don’t buy the first one you test drive, warns Technical Editor Jim Kerr. “Any newer vehicle will feel far superior to your old worn out one.....test drive as many vehicles as possible.”

Read the article | All the Auto Tech

Test Drive: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
With its sophisticated two-mode hybrid system, the Escalade Hybrid gets better fuel economy than a regular Escalade - but with a base price of over $94,000, that’s probably not the main reason customers will buy it.