Buyers Advice & Car Reviews

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Parkland Corp. says it is doubling the size of its previously announced electric vehicle charging network in western Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. to benefit as Parkland doubles western Canada EV charging network

50 ultra-fast charging stations coming to highways and destinations from Vancouver Island to Calgary

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Parkland Corp. says it is doubling the size of its previously announced electric vehicle charging network in western Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

Hyundai’s cool Ioniq 5, Volvo + Lexus share EV news and more

Hot off the press news from the auto world

  • Nov 30, 2022
Hyundai will create a performance-oriented version of the Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, called the N. The Sleuth expects it will get the 576-horsepower system from the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
British Columbia leads the country and North America in per capita sales of ZEVs, with over 14 per cent of the light vehicle market represented during the first half of 2022.

The DOs and DON’Ts associated with zero-emission vehicles

By Blair Qualey Today, more than 80,000 zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) travel…

  • Nov 29, 2022
British Columbia leads the country and North America in per capita sales of ZEVs, with over 14 per cent of the light vehicle market represented during the first half of 2022.
The off-road community seems to love retro vehicles, whether it’s the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford Bronco. The Toyota 4Runner, having been around since the 2010 model year is, in a sense, already retro. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2022 Toyota 4Runner: Liking the off-roader for what it is, not what it will be next

With off-road capable vehicles currently in vogue, it might be easy to…

  • Nov 28, 2022
The off-road community seems to love retro vehicles, whether it’s the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford Bronco. The Toyota 4Runner, having been around since the 2010 model year is, in a sense, already retro. PHOTO: TOYOTA
What should you have in your vehicle for winter driving? Basics include first aid essentials, flares, a small tool kit, water and granola bars, a small shovel, along with windshield washer fluid, de-icers and gas-line antifreeze, not to mention an inflated spare tire.

No time like the present to equip your vehicle with an emergency kit

By Blair Qualey As the temperature starts to dip and the looming…

  • Nov 17, 2022
What should you have in your vehicle for winter driving? Basics include first aid essentials, flares, a small tool kit, water and granola bars, a small shovel, along with windshield washer fluid, de-icers and gas-line antifreeze, not to mention an inflated spare tire.
The Lincoln Aviator brings Lincoln’s design vision to life, elevating beauty and performance in the brand’s newest SUV. Photo: Lincoln

Lincoln flies high with its latest first-class utility vehicle

Lincoln has just four vehicle models to sell – all utility vehicles…

  • Nov 17, 2022
The Lincoln Aviator brings Lincoln’s design vision to life, elevating beauty and performance in the brand’s newest SUV. Photo: Lincoln
Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC, with B.C. Premier John Horgan. The NCDA is administers the electric vehicle rebate program on behalf of the provincial government. Photo courtesy NCDA

Budget wish list summarized

By Blair Qualey The provincial government recently published a report that summarizes…

  • Nov 4, 2022
Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC, with B.C. Premier John Horgan. The NCDA is administers the electric vehicle rebate program on behalf of the provincial government. Photo courtesy NCDA
The current Porsche Macan, pictured, will be replaced by a new model later in 2022 and there will also be an electric version, although on a dedicated EV platform. PHOTO: PORSCHE

Porsche’s electric Macan; A new Morgan 3 Wheeler + more news from the auto world

Porsche adds electric Macan for 2023 The automaker’s top-selling model globally will…

  • Nov 4, 2022
The current Porsche Macan, pictured, will be replaced by a new model later in 2022 and there will also be an electric version, although on a dedicated EV platform. PHOTO: PORSCHE
The Toyota Sequoia’s overall dimensions have increased for 2023, which translates into more passenger and cargo space. 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…

  • Nov 3, 2022
The Toyota Sequoia’s overall dimensions have increased for 2023, which translates into more passenger and cargo space. PHOTO: TOYOTA
In 2021, British Columbia continued to lead Canada in terms of ZEV share, which rose to 14.6 per cent of the market for the first half of 2022.

BC Continues to be a leader in the sale of zero emission vehicles

The Canadian new light vehicle market has faced serious challenges in 2022…

  • Oct 31, 2022
In 2021, British Columbia continued to lead Canada in terms of ZEV share, which rose to 14.6 per cent of the market for the first half of 2022.
The horsepower ranges from 167 to 576, with a couple of stops in the middle. Rear-wheel-drive models come with one motor, while all-wheel-drive models get front and rear motors and, of course, much more power. PHOTO: KIA

Automakers seeking to win over EV converts should use the 2022 Kia EV6 as their template

What began as a trickle of models with battery-electric propulsion is rapidly…

  • Oct 22, 2022
The horsepower ranges from 167 to 576, with a couple of stops in the middle. Rear-wheel-drive models come with one motor, while all-wheel-drive models get front and rear motors and, of course, much more power. PHOTO: KIA
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters at the Liberal summer caucus retreat in St. Andrews, N.B. on September 13, 2022. When Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne gets in front a microphone these days to talk about electrifying Canada’s auto industry, he has a favourite line to sum up his efforts to attract global investment. “Not everyone in the world wakes up thinking about Canada,” he says. His job, as he sees it, is to change that. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Innovation minister on road to making Canada a battery electric and EV powerhouse

Champagne sees the industry as key to Canada’s future

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters at the Liberal summer caucus retreat in St. Andrews, N.B. on September 13, 2022. When Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne gets in front a microphone these days to talk about electrifying Canada’s auto industry, he has a favourite line to sum up his efforts to attract global investment. “Not everyone in the world wakes up thinking about Canada,” he says. His job, as he sees it, is to change that. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The design of the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge models will derive inspiration from the concept Recharge, pictured, that Volvo debuted in 2021. PHOTO: VOLVO

The Auto Sleuth: Volvo adds electric Recharge versions; Lexus’ first EV + more

Hot off the press news from the auto world!

  • Oct 16, 2022
The design of the Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge models will derive inspiration from the concept Recharge, pictured, that Volvo debuted in 2021. PHOTO: VOLVO
All four winter tires need to match in size, tread type, and depth. File photo

Winter tires are required on many B.C. routes between Oct. 1 and March 31

While fall’s leisurely arrival has winter driving far from the minds of…

All four winter tires need to match in size, tread type, and depth. File photo
As before, the WRX has standard all-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT is optional, but standard with Sport and Sport-tech trims fitted with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of dynamic-safety technologies. PHOTO: SUBARU

Rally-inspired sedan keeps its performance creds on the front burner

Many automakers participate directly or indirectly in motorsports. For the past two…

  • Oct 6, 2022
As before, the WRX has standard all-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A CVT is optional, but standard with Sport and Sport-tech trims fitted with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of dynamic-safety technologies. PHOTO: SUBARU
The redesigned Honda HR-V is based on the Civic platform, which means it’s bigger and more powerful than before. PHOTO: DELOREAN MOTOR COMPANY

The Auto Sleuth: Honda’s updated HR-V, 2024 Blazer goes electric, and more

Honda’s updated HR-V small utility vehicle is bigger and stronger After an…

  • Sep 17, 2022
The redesigned Honda HR-V is based on the Civic platform, which means it’s bigger and more powerful than before. PHOTO: DELOREAN MOTOR COMPANY
All Outback models get the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. PHOTO: SUBARU

2022 Outback Wilderness: Tricked-out Subaru takes direct aim at growing outdoorsy market

There likely isn’t an automaker that’s better positioned than Subaru to confront…

  • Sep 12, 2022
All Outback models get the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. PHOTO: SUBARU
The roofline is similar to the Rogue’s, but the Rogue looks like a Nissan and the Outlander looks like a Mitsubishi. Which is better? PHOTO: MITSUBISHI

Alliance with Renault-Nissan bears fruit with 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

“I get by with a little help from my friends,” is a…

  • Sep 7, 2022
The roofline is similar to the Rogue’s, but the Rogue looks like a Nissan and the Outlander looks like a Mitsubishi. Which is better? PHOTO: MITSUBISHI
The 2022 Nissan Frontier uses the previous frame, but there are some updates. The handling and steering are also claimed to be more precise. Four-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: NISSAN

2022 Nissan Frontier: Not 100 per cent new, but new enough to matter

It’s been a long time coming — 18 model years to be…

  • Sep 1, 2022
The 2022 Nissan Frontier uses the previous frame, but there are some updates. The handling and steering are also claimed to be more precise. Four-wheel-drive is standard. PHOTO: NISSAN
B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).

New Car Dealers Association of BC applauds electric vehicle rebate increase

Rebate for EVs hiked to a maximum of $4K

B.C. is currently Canada’s leading province in overall percentage of zero emission vehicle adoption (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward).