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.

Continue reading 2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Volvo, Reviews, Sedan, Performance

2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Subaru, Reviews, Sedan

2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Scion tC Road Test Review

Filed under: Coupe, Car Buying, Scion, Reviews

2013 Scion tC Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Ram 1500 Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Dodge, Reviews, Truck, Work

2013 Ram 1500 Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Road Test Review

Filed under: Luxury, Off-Road, Crossover, Car Buying, Porsche, Reviews, SUV

2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic Road Test Review

Filed under: Luxury, Car Buying, Mercedes-Benz, Reviews, SUV, Performance

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Mazda2 Road Test Review

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Car Buying, Mazda, Reviews

2013 Mazda2 Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Mazda CX-5 GT Road Test Review

Filed under: Crossover, Car Buying, Mazda, Reviews

2013 Mazda CX-5 GT Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Lincoln MKT Road Test Review

Filed under: Luxury, Crossover, Car Buying, Lincoln, Reviews, SUV

2013 Lincoln MKT Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Lincoln MKS Road Test Review

Filed under: Luxury, Car Buying, Lincoln, Reviews, Sedan

2013 Lincoln MKS Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus GS F Sport Road Test Review

Filed under: Luxury, Car Buying, Lexus, Reviews, Sedan

2013 Lexus GS F Sport Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Kia Soul 4u Luxury Road Test Review

Filed under: Crossover, Car Buying, Kia, Reviews

2013 Kia Soul 4u Luxury Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Hyundai, Reviews, Sedan

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus SHO Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Reviews, Sedan, Performance

2013 Ford Taurus SHO Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sum of the parts makes up for a few shortcomings

Acura was the first Japanese luxury car brand sold in North America, and while rear-drive V8-powered rivals from Lexus and Infiniti quickly rubbed some of the shine off the Honda subsidiary's self acclaimed Legend and Integra nameplates, the brand carried on building front-drive and eventually all-wheel drive four- and six-cylinder powered cars and SUVs. Now that fuel economy is a priority, it appears Acura's less-is-more engine philosophy is starting to make a lot of sense.

Take the MDX. There's no V8 option. Rather, it sports Acura's latest 3.7-litre V6. Fewer cylinders equal a lower initial cost and better fuel economy, at least theoretically. Mileage in mind, you'd think with Honda's early leadership in hybrid technology an HEV variant might exist, but no. They either missed that bandwagon (it's still rolling by the way, Acura, so you can still jump on) or chose not to take part. Just the same, the MDX has always been a culmination of the brand's highest tech offerings. It was first to incorporate Acura's oddly albeit appropriately named Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), and more recently the first to integrate a 6-speed automatic gearbox, and while this more advanced transmission is already overshadowed by premium rivals with 7- and 8-speed automatics, not to mention advanced all-wheel drive systems of their own that can transfer torque between the front and rear axles as well as from side to side, Acura has long been considered a quality and dependability leader.

The MDX was also the first amongst Acura models to sport the brand's current angular design language, loved by many and lumped by some as well. I happen to really like the way the MDX looks. Its styling somehow transforms what is a fairly large midsize crossover into a visibly smaller, sportier machine. The original, while a very good SUV, looks bland in comparison.

Click for more.

Continue reading 2012 Acura MDX Elite

Filed under: Acura, Car Buying, Reviews, SUV

2012 Acura MDX Elite originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New Decade, New Car

"Starting off on the right foot" is an expression I hear a lot. Whether it's in the context of business or personal relationships, or when it comes to a new year, I find people generally want to put their right foot forward! Mazda rings in the New Year and new decade putting their right wheels forward with the redesigned 2010 CX-7.

This popular-selling crossover SUV sports a fresh and athletic styling update on the inside and out, the latter showing a revised lower front grille, fog lamp bezels and rear fascia. The 2010 CX-7 has noticeably more "bling" than before, which makes it easily recognizable as the latest and greatest from Mazda. What I personally like the most about the new exterior styling, bling aside, are the prominent wheel arches that house new 17" alloy wheels wrapped in 215/70R17 all-season tires. I'm not entirely sure why I fancy them so much, but perhaps it's because they make the CX-7 look more sophisticated and grown up. Or because they just add to the overall exterior appeal. Regardless, I'm not going to rack my brain over why I developed a wheel-arch fetish with this Mazda!

Under the hood of the front-wheel drive CX-7 GX, the GX now being the new base trim as the GS and GT trims only come in the AWD configuration with turbocharged engine, is a new naturally aspirated 16-valve, DOHC, 2.5L I-4 engine that produces 161 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque. Having only offered a 2.3L turbocharged engine prior to the 2010 model year, the addition of this new entry-level powerplant gives Mazda an edge they didn't have before against their competition. Not only has the price dropped significantly to under $28,000, but the naturally aspirated engine also comes with better fuel economy. The GX uses an estimated 10.4L/100km in the city and 7.2L/100km on the highway in comparison to the 2.3L turbocharged counterpart that uses an estimated 12.2L/100km in the city and 8.7L/100km on the highway. More engine options? A high five to that.

Continue reading 2010 Mazda CX-7 GX Road Test Review

Filed under: Crossover, Car Buying, Mazda, Reviews

2010 Mazda CX-7 GX Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 23:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

American Luxury

Question: What's luxurious, spacious, quick, sophisticated and is built with American iron? Answer: the Lincoln MKZ.

The MKZ was initially unveiled as the Lincoln Zephyr for the 2005 model year. It's a front- or all-wheel drive midsize sedan designed to compete in the entry-level luxury category. The Zephyr's name was changed to MKZ in its second year of life, and for 2010 Lincoln has given the car its second refreshing. The MKZ starts under $37,000 in Canada, and our test vehicle came equipped with all options, including all-wheel-drive, bringing the price close to the $50,000 mark.

New for 2010 is a sportier suspension with stiffer springs and sway bars, darkened headlamps, a new front grille and available 18" polished aluminum wheels. The new MKZ also offers Lincoln's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which alerts drivers to cars in neighbouring lanes and about oncoming traffic when backing up out of a parking spot. This system, when combined with the rear view backup camera, makes it easy to reduce potential collisions with cars and objects around you.

That new grille at the front of the MKZ is distinctive and meaty looking. Unfortunately, from there the exterior styling becomes somewhat generic. Although certainly not ugly, the MKZ appears a little bit too much like every other four-door sedan out there. Perhaps this conservative approach to styling will appeal to an older target demographic than me.

Continue reading 2010 Lincoln MKZ Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Lincoln, Reviews, Sedan

2010 Lincoln MKZ Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tuxedo or Dockers?

Virtually unchanged for 2010, the Lincoln MKX is the near-luxury interpretation of Ford's Edge. The $39,898 MKX continues to represent great value by offering more standard content than its fraternal twin, the 2010 Edge Limited AWD, for only slightly more at $39,499. The $399 price disparity seems like a pittance to pay for the upgrades and premium badge, let alone all the extra chrome Lincoln throws into the package.

Although much of the sheetmetal is the same, the snouts and tails between the MKX and Edge represent some real differences. This is particularly true of the rear-end treatments. Here MKX with its taillight strip crossing the entire width of the tailgate certainly looks more upscale than Edge. Likewise a dollop of extra brightwork and some wood trim gives the MKX cabin a richer look than the interior of the Edge.

However, the result of this bit of badge engineering razzle dazzle is sister crossovers where similarities far outweigh differences. Under the hood of each, for example, labours a 265-horsepower 3.5-litre V6. The same six-speed automatic transmission hustles engine production to all four wheels in both vehicles, although the Edge can be had in front-wheel drive for less money.

Not surprising, using the same V6 and automatic tranny produces identical EPA-estimated fuel economy. For FWD versions the EPA numbers are the equivalent of 13.1 L/100km in the city and 9.4 on the highway. The Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX 350 post similar EPA mileage stats. Scrubbing off some the efficiency of an MKX so equipped, the added pounds of AWD reduce the EPA estimates to the equivalent of 13.8 L/100km in the city and 10.2 on the highway. All of these numbers are about five percent better than in 2009.

Continue reading 2010 Lincoln MKX AWD Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Lincoln, Reviews, SUV

2010 Lincoln MKX AWD Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lincoln Returns to Glory

Long ago, Lincoln represented the top-of-the-line vehicle lineup for the "Blue Oval" Motor Company (Ford). As time went on, the marque seemed to fade from glory as the company's benchmark luxury brand and its mainstay, the Continental, was relegated to serve primarily as a livery vehicle. On top of that, along came Ford models that were deemed just as luxurious, with some models surpassing the once mighty Lincoln.

Well, that was then, and this is now, as the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company has once again climbed back up onto the ladder's upper rungs in terms of luxury and performance.

The 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan is a perfect example of Lincoln's new excellence, and will reign as the division's flagship. The MKS comes with a choice of two powertrains: a base 3.7-litre, 273 horsepower V6, or an optional 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6, which is the first direct-injection, twin-turbocharged engine produced in North America. The 3.5-litre engine makes 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque over a very broad range, providing power equivalent to a V8, while delivering the fuel economy of a V6. Acceleration is brisk to say the least, and fuel economy estimates of 12.3L/100km city and 8.0 highway are good for a vehicle with such performance. The unique combination of power and efficiency makes the EcoBoost-enhanced MKS the most fuel-efficient Lincoln MKS available, topping the naturally aspirated AWD model by 0.5 city and 0.8 highway.

Both engine variants transfer power to the road via a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, while the EcoBoost version also features steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters when in manual mode -- a squeeze back on either paddle delivers an upshift, while a push forward on either paddle induces a matched-rev downshift.

Continue reading 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost Road Test Review

Filed under: Car Buying, Lincoln, Reviews, Sedan

2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Short on Performance but Long on Value!

'Luxury Low' should be an oxymoron, but we're talking automotive marketing speak here. This is what Lexus is aiming at with its lower priced 2010 IS 250 C and IS 350 C convertibles. The current SC, which has been around for the better part of the decade with some subtle revisions along the way, is still a scarce commodity on Canadian roads. You can't blame the looks, though some do. It's likely the $80,000-plus price tag that seems extravagant for Lexus buyers despite its Mercedes SL competitor starting at more than fifty-percent extra. Lexus' new take on the drop-top should nevertheless attract more buyers due to price alone.

My test unit was the IS 250 C variant, at $52,100, with the 2.5-litre, DOHC V6 boasting Dual Variable Valve Timing mated to a six-speed manual transmission that feels way too clunky for a car at this price. You can bump up into the six-speed automatic in the IS 250 C for $53,700 or, for a lot more excitement the 300hp 3.5-litre IS 350 C with the same six-speed automatic at $60,400, and then aforementioned SC with its V8. Yes, it might seem like a lot of topless platforms over a wide span of prices within one badge, but its German rivals even make more open-top derivatives. Just the same, luxury low to high luxury, Lexus has it covered here.

The IS 250 C is not a fast rear wheel drive sports car, but it is fun. The power plant kicks out a decent 204hp with torque of 185 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm, and the handling is crisp.

Continue reading 2010 Lexus IS 250 C Road Test Review

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Car Buying, Lexus, Reviews

2010 Lexus IS 250 C Road Test Review originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.