Vehicle: 2009 Toyota Corolla LE with Moonroof Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$21495
Performance: There are 2 powertrains available in the new Corolla. The garden-variety models are powered by its proven 1.8 liter 16-valve DOHC with dual VVT-i, while the sporting XRS is powered by a 2.4 liter with 156hp and 162 lb/ft of torque. Because our tester [...]
Mitsubishi Motors invited us to preview some of the models, which will probably have a chance to make it across the pond, after a thoroughout test drive of the awesome Lancer Evolution.
They brought us the Grandis mini-minivan, which is similar to execution to Mazda5. The “i” which is a Japanese K-Car, Colt 1.5 and [...]
Vehicle(s): 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR with Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$41498 (GSR) CDN$52993 (MR)
Performance: Even though there are 2 different trim levels available for the 1st Canadian-bound Evo, there is only 1 engine available. Due to emission regulations, Evo’s legendary 4G63 have been replaced by 4B11 motor. While the 4B11 [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ with power sunroof
Price as tested: CDN$36055
Performance: The new Malibu is powered by 1 of 3 engines. The base version is a 2.4 liter 16-valve Ecotec 4-cylinder with 169 hp and 160 lb/ft of torque. A level above is the Malibu Hybrid, which has 164 hp and 159 lb/ft of torque [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Cadillac CTS RWD with Performance Package
Price as tested: CDN$52820
Performance:There are 2 powertrains available on the new CTS. Both are 3.6 liters of displacement. The only difference is the uplevel 3.6 comes with direct fuel injection while the standard one doesn’t. Subject to our tester comes with latter, which is good for a whopping [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Volvo V50 2.4i with Sport Styling Pkg, Sport Pkg and Dynoaudio Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$43560
Performance: Instead of given us an uplevel T5, Volvo has provided us an entry-level motor for our compact wagon tester. This 2.4 liter 20-valve DOHC engine is certainly not a technological breakthrough even if its running on 5-cylinders. That’s [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Saturn Astra XR with Sport Handling Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$25360
Performance: About a year ago, we previewed the Astra with Opel badge in “test drive overseas” and came away impressively. In less than a year, we came away equally impressed with the Astra wearing the Saturn badge. As we have said before, Astra has [...]
Short review of 2008 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport 4-Matic
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Price as tested: CDN$42450
When Mercedes first introduced the C300 and C350, we were really impressed on how it combines pace, grace with the top-notch quality we once associated 3-pointed star. Its so good we awarded C350 Sport as our sports sedan of the year for 2008.
At the beginning [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Volvo XC70 with Premium Pkg, Luxury Pkg 2 and Convenience Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$55410
Performance: Volvo decided to replace XC70’s torquery light-pressure 2.5T with the normally aspirated 3.2 liter straight-6. Although 235hp and 236 lb/ft of torque sound like a healthy does of numbers, they don’t deliver in real life. When you consider its [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Murano LE AWD with Technology Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$50448
Performance: Underneath the Murano’s bonnet is a familiar face. Nissan’s tried-and-true, excellent VQ35DE continues to power this soft-roader with ease. With 265 ponies and 248 lb/ft of torque, power has never been an issue. Its also one of the world’s most refined and smoothest [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sedan Sport with 4-speed automatic transmission
Price as tested: CDN$21345
Performance: Suzuki econoboxes of yesterday have always been known for their unrefined performance. Beyond unrefined, underpowered is another issue with this company’s little motors. Since the introduction of the SX4, all those have become history. Like this SX4 sedan, even though its 143 [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Corolla 1.5GLi with Deluxe Pkg
Price as tested: HK$178200
Performance: When it comes to engineering breakthrough, this engine is never going to win any awards. Its not going to win any races with the same proven engine underneath a heavier body. With only 1 horses and 2 lb/ft of torque increase over its predecessor [...]
Vehicle: 2008 Peugeot 107 1.0 with 5-speed 2-Tronic transmission
Price as tested: HK$139900
Performance: The export spec of the 107 we examined is the 1.0 liter version. While no one would expect a supermini to have a Ferrari kind of performance, this little mill performs at a delightful manner. Given 107’s powertrain is co-developed with Toyota, so [...]