Short review of 2004 BMW X3 2.5i ======================== Price as tested: CDN$47585 The only differences between this 2.5i and last 3.0i I drove are mainly the 5-speed stick shift, standard suspension and without the premium package. Latter includes auto climate control, automatic dimming mirrors and memory power seats. While the 5-speed stick still a joy [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT1 with ABS, driver’s pkg and On-star pkg Price as tested: CDN$32425 Performance: Underneath the hood of our GT1 Grand Prix is GM’s bulletproof OHV 3800 Series 2 V6. With 200 horses and 230 lb/ft of torque, power is never an issue. The throttle response has the usual GM responsive [...]

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Short review of 2005 Toyota Camry LE =========================== Price as tested: CDN$24950 The biggest improvement to the Camry during this facelift is ABS becomes the standard feature across the board, including the entry-level LE which used to have this important feature optional. It makes Camry more attactive to buy given most buyers are looking for [...]

Short review of 2005 Mazda Tribute GX/Ford Escape XLS ======================================== Price as tested: CDN$28995 For 2005, both Mazda Escape and Ford Escape receive a base motor that it desperately needs since day 1. A 2.3L DOHC 16-valver 4 banger Duratec similar to one motivated the uplevel Mazda 3 and Ford Focus models. With 153 hp [...]

Short review of 2004 Infiniti I35 Sport =========================== Price as tested: CDN$42700 Before the advent of G35, I-series used to be the best-selling model in Infiniti’s product range. The I35 is powered by Nissan’s proven VQ35DE, in this case, 255 hp and 246 lb/ft of torque. This application doesn’t feel as powerful as G35 due [...]

Vehicle: 2004 BMW X5 4.4i with 6-speed Steptronic, activity and premium pkgs Price as tested: CDN$76500 Handling: X5 has to be one of the sportiest SUV I have ever driven, even if the tester doesn’t come with sports suspension. The beauty of X5′s chassis is its a vehicle with high center of gravity but engineered [...]

Vehicle: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i with sports and premium pkgs Price as tested: CDN$65100 Performance: Z4 is motivated by 1 of 2 engines. These straight 6s are either 2.5 and 3.0L. Our tester is latter with 225 hp and 214 lb/ft of torque, the same impressive engine found in 3 and 5-Series. The legendary turbine-like [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Audi allroad Quattro 2.7T Tiptronic with cold weather pkg, Bose sound system, tire pressure monitoring system, rear side airbags and Parktronic parking sensors Price as tested: CDN$67960 Handling: One of the most impressive features of the allroad is its adjustable suspension. There are 4 settings that are able to suit different driving situations. [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Acura EL Premium with 4-speed automatic Price as tested: CDN$24100 Performance: The EL is powered by a 1.7L SOHC VTEC 16-valve engine that bumps out 127 hp and 114 lb/ft of torque, the same engine that found in Civic Si sedan and coupe. This engine is adequate for daily driving but insufficient when [...]

Vehicle: 2004 vW Phaeton V8 with Technology Pkg, keyless access and upgrade 270 watt sound system Price as tested: CDN$109370 Performance: Phaeton is available with 1 of 2 engines. A 4.2L V8 that outsourced from Audi or the impressive 6.0L W12. The tester is equipped with the familiar “base” 4.2L V8 DOHC that bumps out [...]

Vehicle: 2004 VW R32 Price as tested: US$30652 Handling: R32 could well be the best handling Mk4 ever. VW has specially tuned the R with stiffer springs, suspension and shocks. It also rides lower than garden-variety GTI. The result is a dynamic package that truly impressed when getting behind the wheel. There is very little [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Audi S4 Avant with Premium Pkg, Bose sound system, heated rear seats, rear side airbags Price as tested: CDN75935 Performance: The new S4 is a departure of the outgoing model by abandoning the use of the 2.7L Biturbo in flavor of the 4.2L V8, the proven powerplant that’s been found in both A6 [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Honda S2000 Price as tested: CDN$50240 Performance: It doesn’t come as a surprise that S2k’s upgraded 2.2L high-revving DOHC 4 banger is a great engine, given its tuned by the same engineers who used to built Honda’s famous formula 1 powerplants. This high screaming DOHC VTEC engine works flawlessly at top end given [...]

Vehicle: 2004 Suzuki Verona GL Price as tested: CDN$22995 Performance: The Verona is the 2nd FWD vehicle that uses a straight 6 powerplant, other than Volvo S80. The 2 and a half liter straight 6 bumps out 155 horses and 177 lb/ft of torque. While its smoothness and refinement are enough to challenge BMW’s benchmark [...]