Vehicle: 2009 BMW 335d with 6-speed Steptronic, Sport Pkg and Executive Pkg Price as tested: CDN$58200 Performance: Unlike all the 3-Series we have driven before, the subject of our tester is the one powered by a clean diesel unit. Although its desingation is 335, its actually a 3.0 liter twin-turbo diesel engine with BMW’s legendary [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Cube 1.8SL with Technology Pkg Price as tested: CDN$22998 Performance: Given the fact that Cube shares the same platform as Versa, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they both share the same powertrain. Its the 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Nissan’s variable valve timing called CVVTCS. While this engine has [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring GL Sport – Automatic Price as tested: CDN$22395 Handling: Hyundai has been on a roll lately. Its not only their astonishing Genesis has won Directshift’s overall car of the year, it has also named as North American Car of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year. It really shows [...]
Vehicle: 2009 VW City Golf with 6-speed Tiptronic, air conditioning, comfort pkg and side curtain protection pkg Price as tested: CDN$20995 There are only 2 cars on the market that have lifespin last as long as a decade. First off, Saab 9-5, which have already gone through the third facelift, albeit a very bad one, [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Honda Element SC-2WD Price as tested: CDN$31690 Performance: When you first looked at the trim level “SC”, you would have thought this is the Element equips with a supercharge. Instead, this Element is only powered by Honda’s well-proven 2.4 DOHC i-VTEC normally aspirated motor. Even without the help of a supercharger, this Element [...]
If I am a betting man, I would bet every cents on all the best vehicles made from General are usually from the divisions which will be dropping soon. We have witnessed the excellent Intrigue, Aurora and Alero before GM dropped Oldsmoble a couple of years ago. When GM announced they are closing both Saturn [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE with Lighting Pkg Price as tested: CDN$47970 Performance: In the middle of our “premium compact SUV reniassance”, we are here to review a vehicle that lays claim to the start of the whole premium compact SUV craze. That is the Land Rover LR2, the updated version to the original [...]
Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Teana 2.5 Deluxe Price as tested: HK$309800 Performance: Unlike the Altima available on Stateside, which is motivated by a 4 and a V6. Teana, which only available in Asia, are available with V6s. You can opt for the optional VQ35DE in the flagship model. Or just stay with the VQ25DE as with [...]