Tests and Features

Every year, when possible, The Car Guide puts the Car of the Year through its paces in a long-term test drive. Since the Mazda3 is the reigning COTY, we got our hands on a Mazda3 Sport GT last fall and racked up the kilometres at a staggering rate. Indeed, by …

While the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the champion of this brand’s sports cars, the S-Class is king of the luxury cars. From the first, it just oozes comfort and luxury, mainly because of its generous size, but also because of its sophisticated and elegant style. That might lead you …

When it comes to pleasure purchases, people usually balk at the notion of buying something ugly. Avid sailors may be familiar with the phrase “why buy an ugly boat,” but it's a notion that escapes too many car buyers. Happily accepting visual compromise in the name of increased safety, efficiency …

When we went to Germany to try the new S-Class AMG, Mercedes-Benz decided to double our fun by taking us to the Düsseldorf region so that we could try out the new 2011 smart, which the manufacturer says represents a new generation. While it may be true that the European …

The amount of technology handed down by military applications is downright astonishing. Owing everything from the jet engine to atomic power to the internet to our own violent tendencies, it’s quite ironic to consider that one thing so often associated with suburban life could have come out of the fires …

Lincoln, Ford’s prestige brand, won’t pull off the score of the century with the marketing of its MKT. Many are even wondering why Lincoln created a vehicle mid-way between the mini-van and the wagon. The original idea was a good one since it appears that the mini-van in its current …

When General Motors underwent restructuring last year, many believed that the Buick division would be sacrificed. Not only did it have few models to offer, but its sales were less-than-stellar compared to the Pontiac division. Indeed, people were surprised when Pontiac was laid to rest while Buick was given the …

Here in British Columbia, one of the best things a Vancouverite can do is to get themselves out of Vancouver. Be it north or east, two hours time is all it really takes to remove yourself from the condensed urban sprawl, with another two hours being sufficient to remove yourself …

For years, the Toyota Avalon has been considered a fad car appealing only to those seeking comfort and reliability. Something of an overpriced Camry. Facing modest sales figures – fewer than 500 units a year in Canada – Toyota management decided to massage a little youth into this big sedan, …