Ticked Off Swede

If the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R could speak, this is probably what it would say: "I'm ticked off. I'm tired of all of the automotive publications and web sites gushing over the latest M car from BMW, AMG car from Mercedes-Benz, or S car from Audi. Yes, those Euro rides are good machines, but I need some respect. Who else can give you 325 horsepower, 354 pound-feet of torque, all-wheel drive, and a top safety pick rating in insurance industry testing? Who? Only Volvo baby, and it's high time people recognize!"

Well big Swede, I hear you! After seven days of test driving the S60 T6 AWD R, I am sold. This car blends the perfect mix of performance and civility in a highly styled package that breaks new ground for Volvo. Always known for safety, the S60 strikes an edgy chord for the car company that rarely took styling risks. But this is not your dad's 240! It's swoopy, properly adorned with the right trim pieces and is utterly drivable. All sightlines front and rear are virtually unobstructed. So when you drive the S60 T6 AWD R fast -- and you'll want to do it often -- you can do it safely.

A civilized midsize family sedan with an all-wheel drive difference

For buyers seeking a competent, comfortable and conservatively styled midsized family sedan, there's certainly no shortage of choice out there, with the Toyota Camry, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord all springing immediately to mind (although technically speaking the Accord qualifies as a full-size car these days). But if you add a simple (and for some folks essential) qualifier - all-wheel drive - the list instantly becomes really rather short. There's the Infiniti G25x, but with a base price of over $40,000 it's really in entry-level luxury territory rather than the family sedan segment, while all-wheel drive versions of the Acura TL and Lexus GS are even pricier. There's also the Ford Fusion in AWD trim, which is priced right but these days sports a not-so-conservative Aston Martin style grille (you'll either love it, or...). Which leaves only the Subaru Legacy.

"But wait," I can hear you saying, "Subarus are quirky, not conservative." Well, that was then, and this is now. For better or worse, while Subarus continue to be mechanically unique due to their horizontally-opposed engines and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, their outward appearances and overall character have grown increasingly mainstream, perhaps none more so than the flagship Legacy sedan.

A sporty yet practical coupe with street-savvy good looks

It's amazing the perspective a couple of years can provide: When I first drove the Scion tC, which was introduced for the 2011 model year, I was favourably impressed by its combination of streetwise coupe style and almost hatchback-like practicality. But I still had a hard time truly liking the car, because as the most sports-oriented entry in Scion's youth-oriented lineup the front-wheel drive tC seemed like a bit of an impostor - an impression that was reinforced when motorsports teams built rear-wheel drive versions of the car for drift racing, gaining the tC international exposure by making it into something it wasn't.

Flash forward to the 2013 model year and Scion now has a genuine rear-wheel drive sports coupe in its lineup in the form of the FR-S, which is a phenomenal little machine and is already making its name in drift racing circles without major modifications to its fundamental layout. This leaves the tC free to stake out its real territory as a sporty yet useful coupe with street-savvy good looks and far more practicality than its FR-S sibling. And with the fully-caffeinated FR-S available on the menu the tC becomes much more likeable because sometimes, after all, a decaf is what you really want.

Technological tour de force

Easily the quietest pickup truck we've ever driven, the 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 is a technological tour de force, representing an outstanding achievement in improvement over an already fine product. As you may be aware, the Dodge name has been dropped from Chrysler group's pickups, so now Ram is a standalone brand. And, as the first all-new model to fly the Ram flag, this new 1500 series pickup bodes extremely well for the fledgling enterprise.

The Ram product team say they were after four key areas of improvement: design, technology, features, and fuel economy. During our day with the new truck, we can certainly confirm they nailed the first three. To quantify the last one, we'll have to spend a bit more time with the product. But until then, the EPA estimates the metric equivalent of 13.8 L/100km city/9.4 L/100km highway (Chrysler's Canadian division is claiming a Transport Canada-based rating of 7.8 L/100km on the highway, useful to know for comparative purposes). Which, for a vehicle the size of this new Ram, is quite remarkable. There is also a high fuel efficiency (HFE) version of the truck equipped with a stop-start function, in addition to other fuel saving measures. That version of the Ram 1500 returns a claimed 13.0-L/100km city and 9.4 on the highway.

A dynamic, sporty SUV with an unexpected difference

When Porsche first introduced the Cayenne for the 2004 model year, the five-passenger midsize SUV was a bit of an unexpected departure for the marque, which until then had built sports coupes and convertibles exclusively. Nine years later the Cayenne has been joined by the four-door Panamera sports sedan and has grown to become an accepted member of the Porsche family, but as the latest Cayenne model proves, it still has the ability to deliver the unexpected.

At first glance, there doesn't seem to be anything unusual about the newest flavour of Cayenne - it has the same familiar bodywork, and the same familiar interior. The only hint that this Cayenne represents another radical departure for Porsche is the unmistakable chrome script on the front fenders: "diesel".

For those of us who grew up when the air-cooled 911 ruled the Porsche roost and the water-cooled 944 seemed a bit of an interloper, the concept of a diesel Porsche may seem a bit of an abomination. But here's the thing: it's the perfect powerplant for the Cayenne. And nothing says "Porsche" like perfection.

Better in every way

When Mercedes-Benz launched the then new GLK in 2009, the auto industry was still in a bad way. Sales were down in every segment, and some questioned the sanity of Mercedes for launching a premium, small, SUV.

But hindsight is always 20/20 with unforeseen escalating fuel prices driving luxury buyers to more efficient vehicles like the GLK and its numerous competitors, most notably the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. Both are solid vehicles, but both need to be very afraid of the 2013 GLK350, which is better in every way than its predecessor.

Let's start with styling. Where the 2009 GLK looked like a mini G Wagen (which Mercedes says is the bloodline vehicle for the GLK), the 2013 model still has the G's rugged appeal, but also features the swoopy look that now adorns many Mercedes models, including the SL550 sports car. The front of the GLK features new headlights with LED daytime running lights, a new bumper and grille. Redesigned roof rails and sculpted door panels enhance the side profile. At the rear, LED taillights are now standard, and chrome plated tailpipe trim adds design flair. New 20-inch wheels are also standard, while 20-inch AMG wheels are standalone options.

A pleasure to drive at any pace

Perspective is everything when comparing cars, value for dollar and performance.

During a week of driving the Mazda2, this author's involvement with volunteer organizations led to several rides in older cars like the Toyota Echo, early Honda Fit and pint sized Kia Rio. The older wheels featured seats with the comfort of a park bench, levels of road noise that require powerful aftermarket stereos, shouted conversations, and the ride comfort of a dump truck. Crank windows and no air conditioning were also standard features. Yes, not that long ago.

The Mazda2 appears to be costly, but the standard five-speed manual, 15-inch alloy wheels, power locks and windows, keyless entry, nice cloth seats, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution (one of the FEW new features that is worth looking at as it works and is not expensive to implement). Dynamic Stability Control is another up and comer that is standard on the Mazda2, and it's so functional that it may become mandatory. These bits increase the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price to $15,590 including destination fees, but since most manufacturers include these features as standard anyway it behooves one to compare apples to apples, and competitor's cars match the price of the Mazda2. Utility is another matter, and this is where the 2 started to look quite appealing.

A winning combination of performance and fuel economy

There was a time when being hitched to Ford probably didn't seem like the best thing for Mazda. Certainly the larger automaker had a lot of platforms and powertrains to choose from when Mazda wanted to expand into a new segment, but some of those platforms and powertrains weren't exactly state of the art. How times have changed. Now Ford is a tech leader and Mazda is enjoying the fruits of its good associations, while delivering up some unique technologies all on its own.

The latest darling of the Hiroshima-Dearborn partnership is the CX-5, a compact crossover that replaces the old Escape-based Tribute. I was on the Tribute launch a dozen years ago and it was an impressive SUV back then, but it hadn't changed enough over the years to keep up with its many rivals, so once brisk sales eventually slid off the chart until the little SUV was discontinued last year. Now that the CX-5 has arrived, the Tribute is quickly becoming a distant memory.

The CX-5 is a very good compact crossover. In fact, it's one of the nicest I've tried. I normally have a fairly full garage of test vehicles, but despite a 300-plus horsepower sports coupe and a $70k luxury ute at my disposal, not to mention an ultra-frugal pint-sized city car that could have saved me a lot on gas, I kept hopping into the little Mazda to run errands. Even for the longer runs it was my vehicle of choice. It's just so comfortable, so easy to drive and so practical.

Breaking the crossover mould

There are crossovers that appear like traditional sport utility vehicles and there are crossovers that look more like tall wagons, and then there are some that can't be pigeonholed quite so easily. Lincoln's MKT fits into this latter category. It looks like no SUV ever created before and simultaneously can't be thrown into the tall wagon camp, yet it's obviously a crossover. So how does it fit in? Or does it even need to fit in?

Sometimes a vehicle comes along that's totally unique in the marketplace and for a number of reasons, whether it be styling, functionality, or some other appealing attribute, or most likely a combination of all of the above, it becomes an instant hit. A good example of this would be the Ford Flex, a large 7-passenger crossover that seems to strike a positive chord with most people who see it and makes a much more indelible impression on those who drive it, and therefore sales have naturally flourished. The Lincoln MKT is based on the Flex, so you'd think that adding Lincoln's premium design cues along with upscale luxury accouterments would make it an instant hit too, but, for one, the formula for success in one market doesn't necessarily work in another, and for two, neither car follows exactly the same formula.

Lincoln's flagship sedan improves style and ups power

Four years after it hit the market as a 2009 model, Lincoln's MKS still isn't an especially common sight on Canadian roads, but with an eye to improving its popularity Lincoln has refreshed the 2013 MKS inside and out, giving it more power, better brakes, a revised suspension, new front and rear fascias, and an improved interior with more available features than ever before.

It's technically what you'd call a mild update rather than a thorough reworking, but the changes do add up to surprisingly good effect, giving the MKS much more ammunition in its battle against a wide variety of competitors such as the new Cadillac XTS, Hyundai Genesis, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and even the Toyota Avalon and the Ford Taurus, the latter of which shares the same D3 platform as the MKS.

The styling changes for 2013 give the MKS a slightly more refined look, while also playing up Lincoln's distinctive corporate grille, which gets much finer slatting for 2013 and a greater emphasis on its upswept "eagle's wings" shape. At the back the trunk lid has been redesigned for a cleaner look, with the license plate moved down from the decklid to the rear bumper, and access to the positively enormous trunk has also been improved.

Luxury with a bad attitude

I've always liked Lexus products. They're safe, reliable, and luxurious. They also tend to be boring to drive, unless you are driving a specific, sport-designed model like the IS F or the world class, $400,000 LFA supercar.

But all of that is about to change. Straight from corporate headquarters in Japan, a new philosophy has emerged – keep the luxury and add European-style performance, so all future Lexus models can go head to head with the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

If the 2013 Lexus GS F Sport is any indication of the future, then Lexus is certainly on target.

Think of the GS F Sport as a car with a bad attitude, one you mistakenly awoke from winter's sleep, and it's mad as hell. We had the opportunity to drive the F Sport at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it is an absolute blast.

Still a stylish and practical alternative to an econobox

Five years ago when introduced, Kia's Soul was the latest auto show darling. I first saw it in Brazil at São Paulo's Salão International do Automóvel, although it was just introduced two months prior in Paris. What worked then continues to work today, and some would say it works even better after last year's subtle redesign. It had and still has funky yet great looking styling with a spicy colour palette and cool customizable graphic decals available, plus a well-built interior with lots of space, complete comfort and a superb optional audio system highlighted by front speakers rimmed with colour-changing light rings. Yes, it's still an attention grabber, but now we don't only know how cool it looks, we know just how well it drives.

The problem with most cubes on wheels is performance. Their boxiness, being sometimes taller than they're wide, results in instability through the curves, or at least a feeling that they'll tip over if pushed to their limits. Not so with the Soul. My first time behind the wheel impressed, followed up with a sport-tuned model I flung around California's Laguna Seca racetrack, and while its power wasn't quite where it needed to be to make short work of such a hilly course, it stayed glued to the tarmac even through some of the track's most unsettling off-camber corners.

Value and practicality in a stylish, fun-to-drive hatchback

It didn't take the all-new 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT more than about 10 minutes to almost completely win me over. Heck, even before I got within 15 feet of the car I was favourably impressed - the Elantra GT is a smart-looking car, with flowing lines similar to its sedan and coupe siblings, but a slightly different (and I think better-looking) grille treatment. My SE tester added to the overall appeal with a set of simply gorgeous 17-inch alloy-and-chrome wheels.

Opening the door and lowering myself into the driver's seat, I nodded happily at the sight of the stylish, functional dash, and noted with pleasure the SE test car's comfortable perforated leather seating and soft-touch door uppers. Within a few blocks, the well-controlled ride and peppy, fuel-efficient engine had won over both my inner driving enthusiast and my inner accountant. Yup, spending a week with the newest addition to Hyundai's Elantra line promised to be a genuine pleasure.

The Elantra GT replaces the outgoing Elantra Touring, and is based on a slightly different platform than the Elantra Coupe, with a shorter wheelbase and 230 mm (9 inches) less overall length (which is also about 150 mm shorter than the Elantra Touring). The hidden benefit to this is that it helps keep the Elantra GT light on its feet - with the automatic transmission the Elantra GT weighs about 68 kg (150 lbs) less than a comparably equipped Mazda3 and 100 kg (220 lbs) less than a Volkswagen Golf, and it feels quicker and more nimble than the Elantra Sedan.

A blue-oval sport sedan with street cred

There's something about sliding behind the wheel of a full-size car that brings back memories of my youth. I'm sure I'm not alone amongst boomers. Big American sedans were as common back in the '60s and '70s as compact and midsize models are today (and today's midsize cars were the size of domestic compacts in my day), so forgive me for feeling right at home in Ford's recently updated 2013 Taurus SHO.

Of course, while there were some brilliant examples of styling in the days of yore, nothing from by-gone Detroit ever looked as sophisticated on the inside as the SHO. This car has style galore backed up by a new level of quality equal to the flagship sedan that it professes to be. Soft-touch plastics join sumptuous leather and Miko Suede upholstery in my tester, with the regular Taurus' faux woodgrain giving way to nicely textured matte plastics, acres of treated aluminum, glossy full-colour displays, and thankfully no faux carbon fibre trim anywhere. It looks like a premium sport sedan through and through, and no surprise here, drives like one too.