Vehicle: 2007 Lexus RX350 with Premium Package
Price as tested: CDN$56550
Performance: The biggest highlight for 07 RX is the engine. This 3.5L DOHC V6 with replaces the highly praised 3.3L. This 3.5L has horsepower and torque improvements over 3.3L, 47 hp and 13 lb/ft respectively. Although not a significant jump, it does give RX an even [...]
Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan with 4-speed automatic and Aero Package
Price as tested: CDN$18560
Performance: Just like its hatch silibing, Yaris sedan is powered by identical 1.5L DOHC VVT-i that is good for 106 hp and 103 lb/ft of torque. With maximum torque of 103 lb/ft available as low as 4200 rpm, with our tester’s optional [...]
Vehicle(s): 2006 Pontiac Solstice with Leather Pkg, Power Pkg and ABS
2006 Mazda MX-5 GT with Performance Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$30940 (Solstice) CDN$35350 (MX-5)
Introduction: Since the introduction of original MX-5 Miata in 1989, Mazda roadster has always been the benchmark in the affordable roadster segment. It was so fun-to-drive that many people have called it a [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Smart ForTwo Coupe Passion
Price as tested: CDN$19650
Performance: The Canadian-bound Smart ForTwo is powered by only one engine. The tiny rear-mounted 799cc 3-cylinder turbocharged diesel with common-rail technolog. Well, with less than 800 cc and 3 bangers. No one would expect lots of zips from this little Smart car. Not to mention 40hp and [...]
Long-term update #2: Audi A3 Sportback
=============================
The previous six months have been an enjoyment experience in the long-term A3. Its fuel economy keeps improving as run-in mileage completed, engine begins to loosen up. On our last update, we averaged 10.5L/100km. After the first oil change, the fuel economy has dropped to below 10L/100km.
On the other [...]
Vehicle(s): 2007 VW Rabbit 2.5 5-doors with heated seats, 16″ alloy wheel package, sunroof package and ESP
2007 VW Jetta GLI with DSG
Price as tested: CDN$23600 (Rabbit) Est. $34500 (GLI)
Performance: The Rabbit is powered by the DOHC 2.5L straight-5 that’s good for 150hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. This is an engine that replaced the [...]
Vehicle(s): 2007 Toyota Camry LE with Package C
Camry XLE V6
Price as tested: CDN$28510 (LE) CDN$37425 (XLE V6)
Performance: There are 3 engines available in the new Camry. A hybrid version that will be available latter on this year. Then there are the usual suspects which are the 2.4L 4-cylinder DOHC VVT-i that bumps out 158hp [...]
Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT with CVT, ABS, 9-speaker premium sound group and driver convenience package
Price as tested: CDN$20190
Performance: Caliber is powered by 3 engines. A sluggish 1.8L with 148hp and 152 lb/ft of torque in base model. A barely adequate 2.0L with 158hp and 141 lb/ft of torque in our SXT tester and somewhat [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Lexus IS350 with Sports Package
Price as tested: CDN$53700
Performance: The new Lexus IS is powered by 1 of 2 engines. A spicy 204 hp 2.5L or the very spicy 306 hp 3.5L. Both engines are DOHC V6 with 24-valves, dual variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. The subject of our tester is equipped [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro S-Line Sportback with Open Sky System, cold weather package and Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights
Price as tested: CDN$49990
Handling: Unlike the less expensive 2.0T, this 3.2 is standard with Quattro all-wheel drive system. This is a Haldex system which means its 100% front locked-up until it detects slippage, then the system begins [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Saab 9-5 sedan automatic with sports and visibility packages
Price as tested: CDN$47180
Performance: The facelifted 9-5 is only powered by one single engine. Gone are the assymetrical turbo V6 and 2.3L light-pressure turbocharged engines in outgoing Linear and Arc. There will be only one trim level with one powerplant to soldier on before the [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Hyundai Accent GLS sedan
Price as tested: CDN$18990
Performance: With 110 horses and 106 lb/ft of torque, Accent’s 1.6L DOHC 16-valver with variable valve timing provides surprising amount of oommph in a little package. Although the maximum torque of 106 pounds feet arrives at 4500 rpm, it feels quite torquery at the bottom end. On [...]
Vehicle: 2006 Acura MDX with Tech Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$58630
Performance: The MDX is powered by only one engine. A superb 3.5L SOHC VTEC V6 that is good for 253hp. Power is never an issue with this motor as it has equally impressive torque: 250 lb/ft of torque at 3500rpm. Since this engine is designed for [...]
Vehicle: 2007 VW GTI
Price as tested: CDN$29375
Performance: Mk5 GTI is powered by only one powerplant. This 2.0L DOHC turbocharged engine with FSI technology is good for 200 horses and 173 lb/ft of torque. While it “only” has 200hp on paper, it feels more than this figure in real life driving thanks to its torquery [...]