SUVs

The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Talking Jeep, Bentley, Sonata and more

Jeep’s future Recon mission The Stellantis brand has the plug-in hybrid Wrangler…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The RAV4 Prime makes 302 horsepower compared with the Outlander PHEV’s 248. In EV mode, the Prime is rated at 2.5 l/100 km equivalency versus the PHEV’s 3.6. That’s with full battery packs. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2023 Outlander PHEV + 2023 RAV4 Prime: Is it time to plug in?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) represent the midpoint between nonplug-in hybrids and…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The RAV4 Prime makes 302 horsepower compared with the Outlander PHEV’s 248. In EV mode, the Prime is rated at 2.5 l/100 km equivalency versus the PHEV’s 3.6. That’s with full battery packs. PHOTO: TOYOTA
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA

Kia’s 2024 EV9; Mercedes electric G-Class; Subaru Crosstrek updates + More

Kia reveals 2024 EV9 in final form The brand’s full-size electric utility…

  • Jun 7, 2023
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA
Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Vietnamese-made electric cars arrive at Port of Nanaimo for sale in Canada

More than 750 VinFast electric vehicles being processed at Nanaimo’s B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre

Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET

2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: representing performance progress more than change

The eighth-generation Corvette, launched for 2020, brought the biggest change in the…

  • May 21, 2023
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Ferrari’s crossover; An updated Encore + more

Buick updates the Encore GX The recent departure of the compact Encore…

  • May 6, 2023
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.

The value of local franchised New Car Dealerships

By Blair Qualey Across British Columbia, there are more than 400 franchised…

  • May 1, 2023
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.
The previous Mustang was a beautiful car, so it makes sense that the 2024 model is more about tweaking than making dramatic changes. The lower panel at the rear is more detailed and the top of the taillights integrate more with the duck-tail truck lid. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Mustang returns in all its heritage-driven glory

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • May 1, 2023
The previous Mustang was a beautiful car, so it makes sense that the 2024 model is more about tweaking than making dramatic changes. The lower panel at the rear is more detailed and the top of the taillights integrate more with the duck-tail truck lid. PHOTO: FORD
The Nissan Ariya represents a leading-edge EV that takes a something-for-everyone approach in content plus battery, power and range. PHOTO: NISSAN

2023 Nissan Ariya EV offers astonishing diversity and many modern conveniences

Supply chain issues have delayed numerous new vehicle models, including the electric…

  • Apr 25, 2023
The Nissan Ariya represents a leading-edge EV that takes a something-for-everyone approach in content plus battery, power and range. PHOTO: NISSAN
The Sequoia’s new bodywork is highlighted by a larger and aggressive-looking grille. It’s flanked by more prominent fenders with deep creases, which underscore the character-changing appearance. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2023 Toyota Sequoia: As tough as they come in this class, and now it’s a hybrid

With the price of fuel soaring dramatically, automobile owners are experiencing plenty…

  • Apr 18, 2023
The Sequoia’s new bodywork is highlighted by a larger and aggressive-looking grille. It’s flanked by more prominent fenders with deep creases, which underscore the character-changing appearance. PHOTO: TOYOTA
The REV Ram 1500 is introduced at the New York International Auto Show in New York April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New Ram electric pickup can go up to 500 miles on a charge

An electric Ram pickup truck with up to 500 miles of range…

The REV Ram 1500 is introduced at the New York International Auto Show in New York April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
For the 2023 Lexus RX redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus RX: The all-star in the Lexus stable keeps getting better with age

Through the past four generations spanning more than two decades, the Lexus…

  • Apr 5, 2023
For the 2023 Lexus RX redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. PHOTO: LEXUS
The GR Corolla’s special three-piece muffler with stainless-steel exhaust tips increases flow, which aids efficiency and performance of the 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. PHOTO: TOYOTA

All the Corolla hatchback needed was a bit more power + AWD, but Toyota went all-in

Small hatchbacks make affordable fuel-sipping commuters that can tote a good amount…

  • Mar 30, 2023
The GR Corolla’s special three-piece muffler with stainless-steel exhaust tips increases flow, which aids efficiency and performance of the 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. PHOTO: TOYOTA
The updated 2024 Cadillac XT4 gets new front styling and a 33-inch (84-centimetre) curved display to replace the current eight-inch screen. PHOTO: CADILLAC

The Auto Sleuth: New course for Cadillac; Updated Explorer + more

The Cadillac XT4 sets a course for modest changes For 2024, the…

  • Mar 27, 2023
The updated 2024 Cadillac XT4 gets new front styling and a 33-inch (84-centimetre) curved display to replace the current eight-inch screen. PHOTO: CADILLAC
The AWD SS is the first Blazer EV model to arrive. It’s also the most expensive, with loads of content, all-wheel-drive and 557 horsepower. The base 1LT is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2024. PHOTO: CHEVROLET

2024 Chevy Blazer EV: have-it-your-way trim levels, plus a variety of power + price points

The familiar Chevrolet Blazer name, which was revived for 2020, will soon…

  • Mar 27, 2023
The AWD SS is the first Blazer EV model to arrive. It’s also the most expensive, with loads of content, all-wheel-drive and 557 horsepower. The base 1LT is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2024. PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The Venue is 12.5 centimetres shorter than the next-up Hyundai Kona, although passenger room is similar. Where the Venue makes its sacrifice is total cargo room, lack of powertrain choice and it doesn’t offer all-wheel-drive. The Kona does. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

2023 Hyundai Venue: Introverted subcompact city runner is big on saving money

Big and brawny utility vehicles aren’t to everyone’s liking, or to their…

  • Mar 24, 2023
The Venue is 12.5 centimetres shorter than the next-up Hyundai Kona, although passenger room is similar. Where the Venue makes its sacrifice is total cargo room, lack of powertrain choice and it doesn’t offer all-wheel-drive. The Kona does. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Updated Encore GX; Ferrari crossover a hit + more

The recent departure of the compact Encore utility vehicle leaves the similarly…

  • Mar 20, 2023
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK
The Civic Type R has wider track – the distance between the left and right wheels — than the standard Civic, so the fenders are flared to cover the tires. The Type R is front-wheel-drive, but the Toyota GR Corolla, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Subaru WRX are all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: HONDA

Honda ‘hatches’ a new performance compact with more flair and finesse

From the bones of the latest Honda Civic comes a new powered-up…

  • Mar 17, 2023
The Civic Type R has wider track – the distance between the left and right wheels — than the standard Civic, so the fenders are flared to cover the tires. The Type R is front-wheel-drive, but the Toyota GR Corolla, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Subaru WRX are all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: HONDA
For the 2023 redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. The new RX is about the same length as before. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus RX: The all-star in the Lexus stable keeps getting better with age

Through the past four generations spanning more than two decades, the Lexus…

  • Mar 14, 2023
For the 2023 redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. The new RX is about the same length as before. PHOTO: LEXUS
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU

For urban or backwoods travel, the 2023 Subaru Outback is prepared to deliver

Since its mid-1990s introduction, the Subaru Outback has kept up with the…

  • Mar 12, 2023
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU