Buyers Advice & Car Reviews

The orange 10th Anniversary Special Edition GR86 has dual exhaust outlets, exterior stripes, 18-inch forged alloy wheels and leather-trimmed seats with faux suede inserts. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2023 Toyota GR86: A rare find in a sea of practical transportation choices

Sports-car fans on a budget have few choices. Fortunately, the Toyota GR86…

  • Sep 24, 2023
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

The Auto Sleuth: Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric, Cadillac XT4 updates and more

Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5 gets the performance treatment The N designation has…

  • Sep 8, 2023
The Buick Envista is a great looking vehicle that’s both cheaper and larger than the Encore GX. The Envista does not offer all-wheel-drive, however. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Envista: Beautiful and affordable, but limited

It’s interesting that Buick, with a long history of producing mostly larger…

  • Aug 31, 2023
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

The Auto Sleuth: Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5; Cadillac updates the XT4 + more

Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5 gets the performance treatment: The N designation has…

  • Aug 31, 2023
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
The rugged and roomy 2023 Ascent should appeal to the brand’s existing fan base as well as new buyers.PHOTO: Subaru

2023 Subaru Ascent offers space for eight in an all-weather, all-road and trail package

For transporting families, on or off the main thoroughfares, the Ascent is…

  • Aug 24, 2023
The rugged and roomy 2023 Ascent should appeal to the brand’s existing fan base as well as new buyers.PHOTO: Subaru
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.

A road trip without the stress. Is that even possible?

By Blair Qualey As we enter the final weeks of summer, there’s…

  • Aug 21, 2023
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.
For 2023, the UX is a hybrid only — and is called the 250h — with three electric motors. The third one, used to drive the rear wheels, only works up to 80 km/h. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus UX 250h: Small, tall, sophisticated hatchback is a portal to Lexus luxury lineup

The entry-luxury utility bracket provides plenty of choices that are small in…

  • Aug 12, 2023
For 2023, the UX is a hybrid only — and is called the 250h — with three electric motors. The third one, used to drive the rear wheels, only works up to 80 km/h. PHOTO: LEXUS
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.

Preparing for a safe road trip

By Blair Qualey So many things can happen on a summer road…

  • Aug 9, 2023
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO

Compact 2025 Volvo EX30 is smooth, but the price might be its most interesting feature

Keeping pace with the competition in the premium class appears to be…

  • Aug 9, 2023
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.

Keep your pets safe for road trip season

By Blair Qualey As hot weather takes hold, many of us will…

  • Jul 31, 2023
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.
The redesigned Nissan Sentra gets a sharp looking front end and more standard active-safety technology. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine carries over. PHOTO: NISSAN

Auto Sleuth: Sentra returns for 2024; Toyota eyes solid-state batteries + more

The Nissan Sentra nameplate returns for 2024, looking better than ever Changes…

  • Jul 30, 2023
The redesigned Nissan Sentra gets a sharp looking front end and more standard active-safety technology. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine carries over. PHOTO: NISSAN
The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS

Lexus RZ 450e: Brand’s first electric vehicle lands in the crossover sweet spot

Toyota and its upscale Lexus division are leaders when it comes to…

  • Jul 27, 2023
The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.

Protecting your car from the summer heat

By Blair Qualey During the hot summer days, we take steps to…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS

The Auto Sleuth: 2 new Lexus models; Volvo goes small + more

Lexus introduces two new “X” models for 2024 Toyota’s upscale division has…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC

What would a $300,000-plus Cadillac EV look like? Time to find out…

Meet the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq

  • Jul 17, 2023
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock

Summer road trip season is here!

By Blair Qualey Children have celebrated the end of the school year…

  • Jul 9, 2023
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Encore GX: Affordable and stylish subcompact keeps performance on the down-low

With its days of producing cushy family sedans in the distant past,…

  • Jul 8, 2023
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Ford Mustang: A return to its heritage-driven glory and brash behaviour

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • Jun 24, 2023
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Wrangler updates; Hyundai eyes a new coupe + more

Enjoy a brief look at what’s making news in the auto world……

  • Jun 23, 2023
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale: An Italian compact utility vehicle for the masses?

Alfa Romeo is one of three Italy-based brands available in North America…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO