Vehicle: 2008 Jaguar XJ8 with DVD-based navigation system, front park control, climate front seats; heated and cooled front seats with perforated leather
Price as tested: CDN$90270
Performance: The XJ8, as its name implies, its powered by Jaguar’s normally aspirated V8 powertrain. The codenamed AJ33 4.2 liter DOHC V8 has 32 valves and variable valve control. With 300 [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Kia Amanti
Price as tested: CDN$37195
Performance: The Amanti only has one powertrain available and albeit, its a pretty good one. Although this 3.8 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 only makes 264hp, which is somewhat underwhelming consider its engine displacement, its the delivery process that is a real surprise. The level of refinement, quality, smoothness and [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Smart ForTwo Coupe Passion with leather seats, alarm, fog lamps, dashboard tachometer and clock
Price as tested: CDN$19515
Performance: The biggest difference between the new and original ForTwo is the engine. While the original version got a 40hp 800cc 3-cylinder diesel powerplant. The latest version receives a gasoline-powered 999cc 3-cylinder engine. This little mill has [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Buick Allure Super
Price as tested: CDN$38765
Performance: Unlike the standard Allure, the Super is powered by an OHV 16-valve 5.3 liter V8. This engine never fails to impress during take-off with its 323 lb/ft of torque. Drop the throttle and the Allure takes off with authority. When its time to push it through the [...]
Short review of 2008 VW City Jetta
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Price as tested: CDN$19925
A year after the reintroduction of Mk4 platform, as an entry-level model, for VW’s Canadian model range. VW Canada decided to have a minor revision for this proven model. Other than the cosmetic front and rear end changes, the single biggest improvement has to be its [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Saturn Vue XR with Premium Pkg, Leather Trim Pkg and Convenience Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$38730
Performance: The Vue is powered by 1 of 3 engines. The base 169hp 2.4 liter Ecotec in base XE FWD and hybrid, a 3.5L V6 High Output V6 VVT with 222 hp in XE AWD form. Or the uplevel [...]