3-day long-term test drive: Kia Spectra LX Convenience A/T Price as tested: CDN$19395 Total mileage through the test: 350km When Kia introduced the 2nd generation Spectra 3 years ago, it was a remarkable improvement over its original iteration. We had a chance to put the facelifted 2nd generation Spectra into a long-term test. Other than [...]
Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Elantra Comfort Plus Auto Price as tested: CDN$21740 Performance: The Elantra is powered by a single powertrain. This DOHC 16-valve 2.0 liter mill is good for 138 horses and 136 lb/ft of torque. While its not the best-in-class horsepower and torque, this engine certainly get its job done nicely. Hyundai’s latest engine [...]
Vehicle: 2007 Saturn Aura XR with Premium Trim Pkg and sunroof Price as tested: CDN$35600 Performance: The Aura is powered by 2 V6 engines. The XE is powered by a pushrod 224hp with 4-speed automatic. Our tester, XR, is powered by a 252hp with 6-speed automatic with Driver Shift Controls, or what the rest of [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Dodge Avenger R/T with Premium Convenience Pkg and ESP Price as tested: CDN$32525 Performance: The Avenger, just like its Sebring silibing, are powered for 3 engines. The legthegic 172 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC that is a collaboration between Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai standard on SE. A slightly better performing 186hp 2.7L 24-valve [...]
Vehicle: 2007 Hyundai Accent SR Price as tested: CDN$19795 Performance: Even though SR is Accent’s performance model, its more of a sporting pretentions because it doesn’t have any performance upgrades. It receives the same 110 horses and 106 lb/ft of torque as its more sedate silibings. This little engine’s refinement and smoothness, as we have [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5SE with Xtronic CVT pkg and Premium Pkg Price as tested: CDN$36698 Performance: The Altima Coupe, just like its popular sedan silibing, is available with 2 engines. The base engine is VQ25DE, which is good for 175 horses and 180 lb/ft of torque. This powerplant is more than enough for [...]