Buyers Advice & Car Reviews

Indications are the production Volkswagen ID Buzz electric van will stay fairly true to the concept, pictured. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN

The Auto Sleuth: The buzz on the Buzz, Bentley adds a second hybrid and more

Hot off the press news from the auto world!

  • Jan 24, 2022
Indications are the production Volkswagen ID Buzz electric van will stay fairly true to the concept, pictured. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN
According to the Province, B.C. is leading the country in transitioning to EVs with more than 60,000 light-duty EVs on the road. Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror file photo

Funding helps promote electric vehicle uptake in B.C.

Community groups and local governments throughout B.C. can receive funding through the…

  • Jan 20, 2022
According to the Province, B.C. is leading the country in transitioning to EVs with more than 60,000 light-duty EVs on the road. Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror file photo
Lee Brandt, A Langley-based crane operator who grew up in Milner will make his television show debut with History TV Canada’s new series, Lost Car Rescue. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Crane, planes and automobiles star in History Network’s Lost Car Rescue

Rescuing classic cars requires more than a love for the classics and…

Lee Brandt, A Langley-based crane operator who grew up in Milner will make his television show debut with History TV Canada’s new series, Lost Car Rescue. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
The Taos is 24 centimetres shorter than the Tiguan and the distance between the front and rear wheels 10 centimetress less. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN

Meet the 2022 Volkswagen Taos

The newcomer to VW’s utility-vehicle lineup is small, but it has big boots to fill

  • Jan 14, 2022
The Taos is 24 centimetres shorter than the Tiguan and the distance between the front and rear wheels 10 centimetress less. PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN
A multi-vehicle collision involving trucks and cars killed one person and closed the Trans-Canada Highway between Salmon Arm and Sicamous Saturday, Jan. 8. The road remains closed in both directions Sunday. (@desiprotruckerpb09 photo)

UPDATE: One man killed in Trans-Canada Highway multi-vehicle collision in Shuswap

Highway 1 remains closed between Salmon Arm and Sicamous; detours available

A multi-vehicle collision involving trucks and cars killed one person and closed the Trans-Canada Highway between Salmon Arm and Sicamous Saturday, Jan. 8. The road remains closed in both directions Sunday. (@desiprotruckerpb09 photo)
The Corvette Z06 is wider than the standard Corvette, which makes room for wider tires while increasing the size of the side ducts that feed the engine. PHOTO: CHEVROLET

The Corvette Z06, a trio of new Mazdas, redesigned Tacoma + more

The Auto Sleuth: Hot off the press news from the auto world

  • Jan 6, 2022
The Corvette Z06 is wider than the standard Corvette, which makes room for wider tires while increasing the size of the side ducts that feed the engine. PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The new V-6 turbo-diesel option costs about $2,000 more than the base 5.3-litre gasoline V-8, a fee that can easily be recouped in fuel savings. PHOTO: GENERAL MOTORS

Chevy’s big-and-tall carryall rules the road like no other rig in its class

In need of big space? The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is impossible to ignore

  • Jan 1, 2022
The new V-6 turbo-diesel option costs about $2,000 more than the base 5.3-litre gasoline V-8, a fee that can easily be recouped in fuel savings. PHOTO: GENERAL MOTORS
An electric plug is connected to a BMW i8 vehicle during the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Thursday February 16, 2017. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the government is looking to overhaul the rebate program for electric vehicles to more closely align with the kinds of cars Canadians actually want to buy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch

Canada looks to retool EV rebate program to include more expensive SUVs, pickups

Program restricts rebates to new vehicles with a max base price of $45,000 and $55,000 for upgraded features

An electric plug is connected to a BMW i8 vehicle during the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Thursday February 16, 2017. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the government is looking to overhaul the rebate program for electric vehicles to more closely align with the kinds of cars Canadians actually want to buy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch
All-wheel-drive models get a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, and all models have a short 1.2-metre (four-foot) box. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Small-but-mighty hauler specializes in lighter duties

Meet Hyundai’s ‘Sport Adventure Vehicle’

  • Dec 20, 2021
All-wheel-drive models get a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, and all models have a short 1.2-metre (four-foot) box. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors make 219 net horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque for the Toyota Venza. What that tells us is that the electric motors are mostly used for low-speed acceleration until the gasoline engine begins making useful power.

The 2021 Toyota Venza is a big deal

Previously, the Prius was the only Toyota model available only as a hybrid

  • Dec 10, 2021
The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors make 219 net horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque for the Toyota Venza. What that tells us is that the electric motors are mostly used for low-speed acceleration until the gasoline engine begins making useful power.
By 2030, about 95 per cent of new vehicles sold globally will be connected, up from around 50 per cent today, according to McKinsey & Company, meaning connectivity is here to stay.

Cyber security in the age of connected cars

A multi-faceted approach will help maintain the safety and security of vehicles and occupants

  • Dec 9, 2021
By 2030, about 95 per cent of new vehicles sold globally will be connected, up from around 50 per cent today, according to McKinsey & Company, meaning connectivity is here to stay.
carq

1941 Cadillac hearse rolls through Burns Lake

The story behind a 25-year restoration of a rare vehicle

carq
The Aviator, which arrived for the 2020 model year, is built on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the Ford Explorer.

2021 Lincoln Aviator

Lincoln flies high with its latest first-class utility vehicle

  • Nov 27, 2021
The Aviator, which arrived for the 2020 model year, is built on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the Ford Explorer.
The 4 Series is first and foremost a two-door luxury cruiser. And with a base 255-horsepower four-cylinder engine, it is definitely a cruiser. The interior varies only slightly from that of the 3-Series sedan. PHOTO: BMW

2021 BMW 4 Series: Anonymity is definitely not one of its characteristics

BMW has thrown subtlety out the window with the next-generation 4-Series models…

  • Nov 19, 2021
The 4 Series is first and foremost a two-door luxury cruiser. And with a base 255-horsepower four-cylinder engine, it is definitely a cruiser. The interior varies only slightly from that of the 3-Series sedan. PHOTO: BMW
A new-design long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee appeared for 2021. The five-passenger model continued on and now the redesign has arrived. PHOTO: JEEP

The Auto Sleuth: The new Grand Cherokee, the return of the Integra name and more

Hot off the press news from the auto world!

  • Nov 15, 2021
A new-design long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee appeared for 2021. The five-passenger model continued on and now the redesign has arrived. PHOTO: JEEP
A 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe with an e-Crate powertrain. (canEV photo)

Vancouver Island company puts a unique jolt into classic car production

Electric engines can fit into standard engine mounts of popular hot rods

A 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe with an e-Crate powertrain. (canEV photo)
The wide rear pillar and the shorter section of side glass give the impression the Carnival is as much utility vehicle as minivan. That’s not the case, however, as the Carnival does not offer all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: KIA

Meet the 2022 Kia Carnival

Walking a fine line between minivan and utility vehicle

  • Nov 1, 2021
The wide rear pillar and the shorter section of side glass give the impression the Carnival is as much utility vehicle as minivan. That’s not the case, however, as the Carnival does not offer all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: KIA
Shawn Driver proudly stands next to his in Sooke shop. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)

Fast enough for you? Vancouver Island racer hits record speed of 468 km/h

High-speed driver Shawn Driver is breaking records, but still wants to go faster

Shawn Driver proudly stands next to his in Sooke shop. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)
Aside from some subtle exterior styling changes, the Legacy — redesigned for the 2020 model year — looks much like the previous model. Continuing with tradition, the base price includes all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: SUBARU

2021 Subaru Legacy: A four-sedan that out-Subarus other Subarus

Comfort, space and performance, with all-weather and all-road mastery

  • Oct 20, 2021
Aside from some subtle exterior styling changes, the Legacy — redesigned for the 2020 model year — looks much like the previous model. Continuing with tradition, the base price includes all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: SUBARU
Volvo’s wagon roots are showing in Concept Recharge, a battery-electric prototype that, for now, has no roots in reality. PHOTO: VOLVO

Volvo’s electric future, Nissan’s new QX60 and more

Hot off the press news from the auto world

  • Oct 14, 2021
Volvo’s wagon roots are showing in Concept Recharge, a battery-electric prototype that, for now, has no roots in reality. PHOTO: VOLVO