Road Test: 2009 Acura TSX

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

Acura’s second generation TSX gains refinement at the expense of fun

To a certain degree, Acura’s TSX has always been in a class by itself.

Where other entry level compact luxury/sports sedans offer power to the rear or all four wheels, and engines with more than four cylinders, Acura continues to offer its TSX exclusively with a four-cylinder powering the front wheels only—a configuration that can only be found in rivals such as the Audi A4 or Saab 9-3. Read more

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Comparo: 2008 Cadillac CTS4 vs. Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC

Story and photos by John LeBLanc

Which of this pair of entry-level luxury sedans is the best all-weather road warrior?

At one point not too long ago, luxury sedan owners looking for all-season traction defaulted to Audi and its famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. But the safety and performance advantages of having traction at all four wheels has spread like a newfound religion. To the point where AWD is now expected, at least as an option, in almost every entry-level luxury sedan on the market from Acura to Volvo.

Which brings us to our two Faceoff competitors.

The redesigned-for-2008 Cadillac CTS can be arguably called the “best American” car ever made. With world class refinement inside and out, sophisticated engines, and a Nürburgring-tuned road manners—along with the Chevrolet’s Malibu—the five-passenger CTS sedan is seen as the type of competitive product General Motors can do when it puts its generous collective talents to work.

Lined up against the Caddy is the fourth generation of the so-called Baby Benz, better known as the C Class. “Baby,” though, is a relative term.

It may be the smallest of Mercedes-Benz’s full lineup of sedans—topping out at the luxobarge S Class—the new five-passenger sedan, however, is bigger in every dimension than its predecessor, and is within centimetres of the roomy CTS in interior space.

But which one is the better to drive specced out with AWD? Read more

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Road Test: 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Roadster

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

Ever since the first Mercedes-Benz SL was launched in 1954, its been considered the German automaker’s top dog two seater. The first iteration, the 300SL with its gull wing doors, has become one of the automotive world’s most iconic sports cars. A hard act to follow, nein? But each of the following four generations of SLs have gone on to become memorable in their own right.

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Comparo: 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 vs. Lexus ES 350

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First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

LAS VEGAS–The new-car market may be in the toilet. Everyone is still afraid of a return to high fuel prices. We probably all should be driving compact hybrid sedans. Yet automakers keep on rolling out rear-wheel-drive sporty cars.

In the past 12 months, we’ve seen debuts of the resurrected Dodge Challenger, updated versions of the Nissan 370Z and Ford Mustang, and the long-awaited return of Chevrolet’s Camaro.

Now here’s the latest: the rear-wheel-drive 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Hyundai? Competing against the Mustang, Camaro and Zed?

Yes, yes and maybe. Read more

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