Comparo: 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Toyota Avalon

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

Over the past half-century, just as light hikers have replaced wingtip brogues as acceptable men’s office footwear and smartphones have replaced eight-millimetre movie cameras, the ubiquitous crossover-utility-vehicle has supplanted the full-size four-door sedan as the choice for family transportation. Read more

Road Test: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8 TSI Highline

Story and photo by John LeBlanc

While the basic engineering and styling hasn’t changed in the past four model years, Volkswagen has constantly been tweaking and upgrading the front-wheel-drive, five-passenger Jetta four-door along the way. Old school VW fans have whined about the new-age Jetta’s designed-to-cost strategy. The return of the sporty GLI model a couple of years ago helped, but for 2014, a new turbocharged mill and an independent rear suspension have replaced the funky five-cylinder gas engine and solid-axle rear suspension. Read more

First Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

MARSEILLE, France – Mercedes-Benz is quite happy if its latest generation of C-Class sedan garners a few knowing nods. As has been the case since the original arrived in 1993 as a replacement for the revolutionary compact 190 —known as the “Baby Benz” — from afar, the new 2015 C-Class has been designed to appear like a shrunken-down alternative to the German automaker’s flagship S-Class fullsize sedan. And the all-new, fourth-generation C-Class four-door sedan continues that tradition, only more so than ever. Read more

Comparo: 2014 Buick LaCrosse vs. 2014 Lexus ES

Story by John LeBlanc

Although it may seem like it, not all new vehicle buyers these days are looking for the utility of an SUV or crossover. Although they are becoming rarer by the hour, some customers still prefer the more gentle driving experience, conservative profile and better fuel economy offered by a good old-fashioned sedan.

In fact, in what is considered the most competitive car market ever, for the price of a mainstream mid-size crossover, you can easily get yourself into a mid-size luxury sedan — witness the 2014 Buick LaCrosse and the Lexus ES. But as we are wont to do, we asked which one is the better buy:

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2014 New York Auto Show Wrap-up

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

NEW YORK – The city that never sleeps is renowned for having some of the world’s best restaurants. But when it comes to its annual auto show, New York is strictly a meat and potatoes proposition. Read more

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