by Chris Chase Electric vehicles are in vogue right now, with automakers and proponents of emissions-free driving touting them as the future of personal transportation. Right now, you can buy battery-powered models in the compact and mid-size car and crossover categories. Soon, however, pickup truck fans should also have a range of EV options to
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Most and Least Reliable Brands
by Chris Chase Mazda, Toyota and Lexus make today’s most reliable vehicles, according to the results of Consumer Reports’ (CR) latest predicted reliability ranking, published in late November. This annual evaluation is based on data that CR collects in its survey of owners. Those drivers are asked to rate how satisfied they are with 17
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Old Vs New
By Chris Chase Welcome to the latest in our series of “old versus new” used vehicle reviews, in which we compare the reliability of older and newer versions of popular vehicles. This time around, we’re looking at a trio of German models: BMW’s X1 subcompact luxury SUV, the Volkswagen Jetta economy car, and the Audi
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Most Stolen Vehicles
If you drive a late-model SUV from Honda, Lexus or Toyota, you’d better watch out. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has compiled its annual list of the most stolen vehicles in Ontario and determined that popular models from those brands are among the ones most often stolen. Car thieves adapt to changing market conditions
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2021 Toyota Venza Review
by Chris Chase The market for mid-size crossover SUVs with five seats is hit-or-miss, depending on which automaker you’ve got in mind. The Subaru Outback, Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Edge are lifers in this club, having arrived in a roughly 10-year period between the late ‘90s and late ‘00s. Other brands have been more
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How does a Transmission Work?
by Chris Chase The transmission is an integral part of any modern car. It provides low gear ratios that maximize power in acceleration and high gears that allow for efficient highway cruising. And if you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you know that the car decides which ratio is best for any situation.
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2020 Acura TLX Review
By Chris Chase Introduced in 2015, the Acura TLX is the brand’s mid-sized luxury sedan model. It replaced the TL, a car that spanned four generations between the mid-1990s and 2014. While this first-generation TLX looks plainer than its predecessor, its drivetrain promised better performance. A then-new four-cylinder option came with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission,
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Which Generation Should you Buy?
by Chris Chase Perhaps you’ve heard it suggested that you should never buy a car in its first year after a major redesign. This common maxim seems counterintuitive: A new design should be more reliable, thanks to the ever-improving precision that goes into the manufacturing process. It’s not a universal truth, but it is common
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Used Minivan Comparison
by Chris Chase If you’re looking for a way to move a family of five or six, no vehicle can beat a minivan’s practicality and interior space. And for family buyers on a budget, a minivan that’s about 10 years old could be an affordable way to meet your daily driving needs. However, as when
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2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review
by Chris Chase Toyota is an industry leader in gas-electric hybrid technology, and the Corolla is a household name known for its already impressive fuel economy. You’d think combining the two would be a no-brainer, and yet Toyota launched the first-ever Corolla Hybrid just last year as part of the compact sedan’s redesigned 12th generation.
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