Buyers Advice & Car Reviews

The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Wrangler updates; Hyundai eyes a new coupe + more

Enjoy a brief look at what’s making news in the auto world……

  • Jun 23, 2023
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.

New Car Dealers make provincial pre-budget submission

By Blair Qualey An important part of the provincial budget process is…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale: An Italian compact utility vehicle for the masses?

Alfa Romeo is one of three Italy-based brands available in North America…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO
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
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.

New distance-based discount from ICBC may benefit remote workers

By Blair Qualey In a post-pandemic world in which many British Columbians…

  • Jun 19, 2023
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.
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)
ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)

ICBC rolls out new discount for vehicles driven under 10,000 km a year

Insurance corporation says savings could be between 10 and 15%

ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)
Bling Performance in Penticton did a vinyl wrap on a 1969 van which appears in episode 3 of Discovery Channel’s Bush Wreck Rescue, starring Okanagan custom car builder Bill Desrosier. (Still from Bush Wreck Rescue)

Photos: Penticton auto detailer featured in new TV series Bush Wreck Rescue

Bling Performance wraps a ‘hippie’ 1969 Chevy V10 van in the Discovery Channel show

Bling Performance in Penticton did a vinyl wrap on a 1969 van which appears in episode 3 of Discovery Channel’s Bush Wreck Rescue, starring Okanagan custom car builder Bill Desrosier. (Still from Bush Wreck Rescue)
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo

Celebrating progress in zero-emission vehicle adoption

By Blair Qualey The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) hosted…

  • May 29, 2023
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo
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
Matt Sager, bottom left, and his team of auto enthusiasts embarked on a 3,000-kilometre journey from their home in British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario for the second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’ which aired on the History channel on April 19, 2023. Jeff Topham photo

B.C. brothers uncovering rare auto gems in second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’

Watch Matt and Steve Sager of Mill Bay follow their passion for restoring vehicles

Matt Sager, bottom left, and his team of auto enthusiasts embarked on a 3,000-kilometre journey from their home in British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario for the second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’ which aired on the History channel on April 19, 2023. Jeff Topham photo
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
Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers love their EVs, but many worry about long road trips: BCAA survey

Survey notes 67% still own gas vehicles for longer journeys

Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)
The provincial government reports the number of registered ZEVs has skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2016 to more than 100,000 today.

Reflecting on EV progress this Earth Day

By Blair Qualey Earth Day is a great opportunity to recognize the…

  • Apr 22, 2023
The provincial government reports the number of registered ZEVs has skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2016 to more than 100,000 today.
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