Road Test: 2013 Mazda CX-9 GT

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

It would be all too easy to call the CX-9 the black sheep of the Mazda family. As a large, tall and heavy three-row crossover, since its debut for 2008, the CX-9 has always challenged the Japanese automaker’s fun-to-drive brand ethos, best exemplified by its iconic MX-5 (née Miata) roadster. Read more

Toyota’s new chairman wants a Supra-type sports car

By John LeBlanc

Japan’s Toyota seems serious about changing its image as an appliance maker. After last year’s compact Toyota FT 86/Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ rear-wheel-drive triplets were so well received by driving enthusiasts and the media, a second, larger Toyota sports car now seems imminent. And the automaker’s incoming chairmen, Takeshi Uchiyamada, is pushing hard for that car to be reminiscent of Toyota’s iconic Supra from the 1990s. Read more

Slow sales causing electric vehicle makers to slash prices and add incentives

By John LeBlanc

With almost five months of inventory sitting on its U.S. dealer lots — more than double the supply analysts’ say is normal — General Motors’ Chevrolet brand has started offering up to $5,000 U.S. dollars (USD) in purchase incentives on its Volt plug-in electric gas electric hybrid. Read more

Ford continues to lead in automotive brand loyalty

By John LeBlanc

As the old marketing axiom goes, it costs a lot less to keep a customer than win a new one, and America’s Ford continues to lead in keeping its customers coming back to its showrooms. Read more

Comparo: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive vs. Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro

Story by John LeBlanc

It’s raining felines and canines. Or there’s mud clogging your lane to your favourite weekend getaway. And here you are with one of those fancy, German sports sedans you carve corners with during drier road conditions but are now faced with less-than-perfect pavement or grip. What’s a Canadian driving enthusiast to do? Read more

« go back — keep looking »