Road Test: 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid

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Vanilla ice-cream, sans vanilla

Are the Camry Hybrid’s gains in fuel economy worth the loses in the wallet and driving experience?

By John LeBlanc

If you want to tell the world you’re driving a gasoline-electric hybrid – and all that it speaks to, good or bad – then buy a Toyota Prius, the poster child of hybrids. Or maybe the similarly distinctive Honda Insight. From blocks away, this pair’s egg-on-wheels body style clearly announces that their owners have been known to hug the occasional tree or save the odd whale. Read more

The Crank: Ford’s New Age 2011 Explorer not all that new

By John LeBlanc

After a series of unmitigated sales flops (2005 Freestyle; 2008 Taurus X; 2009 Flex,) the “all-new” 2011 Explorer will be Ford’s fourth crack in the last decade at a midsize crossover based on the old Volvo S80 chassis from the last millennium. Read more

The Crank: Honda ditches diesels for hybrids

By John LeBlanc

So much for going its own way. A report has Japan’s Honda canceling plans to build a new minicar and diesel engine plant north of Tokyo. Apparently, the dreaded new fuel economy and tailpipe emissions regs, that will peak in 2016, have scared the Honda folks enough to go over to the Dark Side: hybrids. Read more

Comparo: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour/Subaru Outback/Toyota Venza

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Crossover confusion

Are the new Accord Crosstour, Venza, and redesigned Outback cars or crossovers?

By John LeBlanc

Just as new-car buyers were getting used to the idea that crossovers were car-based sport-utility vehicles, automakers have started morphing vehicles from the opposite end of the evolution cycle — turning some of their cars into crossovers. Read more

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

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Finally Regal enough

Buick goes to Germany to deliver on its global aspirations

By John LeBlanc

OSOYOOS, B.C. – How many times have we seen this before – the folks running GM’s Buick brand going into near-catatonic shock when they realize the majority of their customers are approaching the age of their golf scores. The usual prescription? Try and attract younger buyers (i.e. non-pensioners) by turning conservative offerings into something a little less yawn-inducing. Read more

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