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Autos

More than just a pretty face

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, May. 19, 2023

There are plenty of reasons to like the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid.

Fuel economy isn’t one of them.

Which is weird to say for a hybrid, given the formula has typically been to pay more for better fuel economy.

All of which is unfortunate, because for the most part, the 2023 CR-V is a wonderful compact crossover. It’s possibly the prettiest CR-V since the model began, with a cool interior design, great on-road driving characteristics, comfortable seating and a pleasant set of amenities.

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Clarification: Ford-Pickup Recall story

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Clarification: Ford-Pickup Recall story

The Associated Press 1 minute read Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — In a story published May 17, 2023, The Associated Press reported that Ford was recalling 310,000 trucks in the U.S. because the driver’s front air bag may not inflate in a crash. The NHTSA inadvertently reposted the recall on its site Wednesday, but it was originally announced on May 13, 2022. The trucks have been recalled and remain subject to that recall, but the AP recommends that editors not include the story in headlines packages.

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Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — In a story published May 17, 2023, The Associated Press reported that Ford was recalling 310,000 trucks in the U.S. because the driver’s front air bag may not inflate in a crash. The NHTSA inadvertently reposted the recall on its site Wednesday, but it was originally announced on May 13, 2022. The trucks have been recalled and remain subject to that recall, but the AP recommends that editors not include the story in headlines packages.

Ford recalls 310,000 trucks to fix problem with driver’s front air bag

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Ford recalls 310,000 trucks to fix problem with driver’s front air bag

The Associated Press 1 minute read Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 310,000 trucks in the U.S. because the driver’s front air bag may not inflate in a crash.

The recall covers certain F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks from the 2016 model year.

The company says dust can accumulate in a cable inside the steering wheel, interrupting the electrical connection. Ford says it's not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem.

Dealers will replace the steering wheel wiring assembly at no cost to owners, who will be notified starting July 5.

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Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

FILE - A Ford sign is shown at a dealership in Springfield, Pa., Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Ford Motor Co. is recalling certain 2004 to 2006 Ranger vehicles, Friday, May 5, 2023, because replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a letter that the recall includes 231,942 vehicles. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Why Hyundai and Kia have everyone else playing catch-up

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Why Hyundai and Kia have everyone else playing catch-up

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

In the past few years, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have skyrocketed to the top of Edmunds’ rankings in some of the most popular vehicle segments. For example, you’ll find a Hyundai or Kia in the top spots for three-row midsize SUVs, midsize sedans, and multiple categories of electric vehicles. This changing of the guard can come as a surprise for car shoppers expecting to see more familiar brands like Chevrolet, Ford, Honda and Toyota.

This success isn’t attributable to one single factor, such as short-lived marketing schemes like rock-bottom pricing or unsustainable rebates. Let’s take a closer look at what these sister South Korean automakers are doing well and where they’re still coming up short.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

First impressions matter, and this holds true when people are shopping for a new vehicle. Hyundai and Kia clearly recognize the importance of standing out in a crowd. Whether it’s a family-friendly SUV with three rows of seating or an electric SUV on the technological cutting edge, a bold exterior draws attention and holds interest.

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Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

This photo provided by Kia shows the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, which took the Edmunds Top Rated SUV award for 2023. (Courtesy of Kia America via AP)

Japan’s Honda records lower profit, projects recovery ahead on sales rebound

Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Japan’s Honda records lower profit, projects recovery ahead on sales rebound

Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

TOKYO (AP) — Honda’s profit for the fiscal year that ended in March dropped 1.7% as sales took a hit from a semiconductor shortage and restrictions in China related to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Japanese automaker said Thursday that recovery was on the way, forecasting record sales and operating profitability for the current fiscal year.

Net profit for the fiscal year that just ended totaled 695.2 billion yen ($5.2 billion), as declining auto sales and rising research costs offset the perks of a favorable currency exchange rate.

A cheap yen is a plus for Japanese exporters like Honda because it raises the value of overseas revenue when it is converted into yen.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

A woman walks past the logo of Honda Motor Co. in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Honda’s profit for the fiscal year that ended in March dropped 1.7% as sales took a hit from a semiconductor shortage and restrictions in China related to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Japanese automaker said Thursday, May 11, 2023, that recovery was on the way, forecasting record sales and operating profitability for the current fiscal year. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Edmunds compares: Honda Pilot vs. Hyundai Palisade

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Edmunds compares: Honda Pilot vs. Hyundai Palisade

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

The Honda Pilot first joined the automaker’s lineup for the 2003 model year and it’s been a popular choice for midsize crossover SUV shoppers ever since. Twenty years later, the 2023 Pilot enters its fourth generation with updated front and rear styling for a more truck-like shape than its predecessor. This more rugged design is highlighted by the new-for-2023 off-road-themed TrailSport trim.

In comparison, the Hyundai Palisade is a relative newcomer among midsize three-row SUVs. Introduced in 2020, the Palisade made a name for itself thanks to its spacious cabin and many standard features. For 2023, the Palisade gets an exterior makeover along with a tougher-looking trim called XRT, an upgraded touchscreen interface and more available features.

The experts at Edmunds put these practical three-row SUVs in a head-to-head comparison to see which is the better choice.

PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING The Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 delivers 285 horsepower to the wheels courtesy of a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Going by the numbers, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade’s 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic are a match for its Honda rival. During Edmunds’ testing, the Palisade needed 7.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph, compared to 7.8 seconds for the Pilot. Outright speed is not the Palisade’s or Pilot’s strongest selling point. If towing is important, know that both the Pilot and Palisade have identical max tow ratings of 5,000 pounds.

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Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

This photo provided by Hyundai shows the 2023 Hyundai Palisade, a midsize three-row SUV that received a cosmetic and feature refresh for the 2023 model year. (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America via AP)

Toyota’s profits rise as global chips supply crunch subsides

Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Toyota’s profits rise as global chips supply crunch subsides

Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota’s January-March profit edged up 3% from the previous year on robust sales as a chips supply crunch gradually eased.

Toyota Motor Corp. racked up 552.2 billion yen ($4 billion) in quarterly net profit, up from 533.8 billion yen ($3.9 billion), according to results released Wednesday. Quarterly sales soared nearly 20% to 9.69 trillion yen ($72 billion).

For the fiscal year ended in March, profit at Japan’s top automaker fell 14% on-year to 2.45 trillion yen ($18 billion). But it’s forecasting profit to rise 5.2% for the current fiscal year to 2.58 trillion yen ($19 billion).

Automakers worldwide have been hurt by a shortage of computer chips and other auto parts because of restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic that crimped production in various countries.

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Wednesday, May. 10, 2023

FILE - Shown is a Toyota logo at the Philadelphia Auto Show, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Philadelphia. Toyota released results Wednesday, May 10, 2023 showing its January-March profit edged up 3% from the previous year on robust sales as a chips supply crunch gradually eased. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Edmunds picks the top convertibles on the road in 2023

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Edmunds picks the top convertibles on the road in 2023

Nick Kurczewski, The Associated Press 5 minute read Monday, May. 1, 2023

The arrival of warmer weather across the U.S. will soon have a number of shoppers considering a wind-in-the-hair convertible. That’s because, for many people, having limitless headroom and a mobile means of sunbathing is automobile nirvana — though perhaps not for drivers who prefer loose-fitting hats.

There’s no shortage of makes and models available with a folding roof, and at prices on some models that won’t necessarily jeopardize a summer vacation fund. The automotive experts at Edmunds have helped refine these sun-loving car searches by choosing five of their top convertibles for 2023 based on their own testing and evaluations. The vehicles are listed in ascending order of price and include the destination fee.

2023 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA The Mazda MX-5 Miata is all about balance. While the Miata’s not the fastest small sports car by any stretch of the imagination, its affordable price and fun-to-drive nature make it one of Edmunds’ favorite convertibles. With sharp steering reflexes and tiny dimensions, the two-passenger Miata is a delight to drive on curvy roads. Its four-cylinder engine provides suitable acceleration, and it’ll go easy on your fuel budget.

The manually folding soft top can be quickly lowered from the driver’s seat. An available folding hardtop version, called the Miata RF, is also available. When raised, it provides added security and a handsome coupe-like profile. The bad news is that the Miata’s cockpit is quite snug and taller people might not fit. A tiny trunk is another drawback.

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Monday, May. 1, 2023

This photo provided by Ford shows the 2023 Ford Mustang Convertible, a classic American icon that provides plenty of power and style. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP)

No one is driving this taxi. What possibly could go wrong?

Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

No one is driving this taxi. What possibly could go wrong?

Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — I won't forget the first time I took a ride in a car without anyone sitting in the driver's seat.

It happened one night last September when a Chevy Bolt named Peaches picked me up outside a San Francisco bar. Our ensuing half-hour ride together produced, at first, a titillating display of technology's promise. Then an unexpected twist made me worry that the encounter had turned into a mistake I would regret.

Peaches and I were getting along great for most of our time together as the car deftly navigated through hilly San Francisco streets similar to those that Steve McQueen careened through during a famous chase scene in the 1968 film “Bullitt.” Unlike McQueen, Peaches never exceeded 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour) because of restrictions imposed by state regulators on a ride-hailing service operated by Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary, since it won approval to transport fare-paying passengers last June.

It was all going so smoothly that I was starting to buy into the vision of Cruise and Waymo, a self-driving car pioneer spun off from a Google project that is also trying launch a ride-hailing service in San Francisco.

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Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2023

The empty driver's seat is shown in a driverless Chevy Bolt car named Peaches carrying Associated Press reporter Michael Liedtke during a ride in San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept.13, 2022. The experience provided a snapshot of the artificial intelligence technology that is advancing toward a goal of improving the lives of humans while still malfunctioning in potentially alarming ways. (AP Photo/Michael Liedtke)

Last call: Dodge unveils last super-fast gasoline muscle car

Tom Krisher, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Last call: Dodge unveils last super-fast gasoline muscle car

Tom Krisher, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — The last gas-powered muscle car from Dodge isn't leaving the road without some squeals, thunder and crazy-fast speed.

The 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 will deliver 1,025 horsepower from its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, and the automaker says it will be the quickest production car made.

Stellantis, formed in 2021 by combining Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA Peugeot, says it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in a scary 1.66 seconds, making it faster than even electric supercars from Tesla and Lucid.

It's what the performance brand from Stellantis is calling the last of the rumbling cars that for decades were a fixture of American culture on Saturday night cruises all over the country.

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Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023

A helicopter transports the 2023 Challenger SRT Demon 170 during an event to unveil the car Monday, March 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Much progress made, more to go

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

Much progress made, more to go

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 4, 2023

The financial industry is no longer the old boys’ club it once was decades ago.

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Saturday, Mar. 4, 2023

Interested in Integra?

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Preview

Interested in Integra?

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, Dec. 16, 2022

There are times when I wistfully remember my 1990 Acura Integra, so imagine my excitement when news came the Integra was returning.

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Friday, Dec. 16, 2022

Supplied

The interior of the Integra follows Acura’s minimalist style, placing the luxury emphasis where it should be, performance.

Pathfinder back on track

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

Pathfinder back on track

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 9, 2022

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is a refreshing change for a vehicle that, ironically enough, had lost its way.

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Friday, Dec. 9, 2022

SUPPLIED

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder promises a ‘return to rugged,’ something that switching to an automatic transmission certainly speaks to.

Worth the wait

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

Worth the wait

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 25, 2022

Look up the 2022 Acura RDX on the company’s Canadian website and staring at you in big red letters are the words, “Go away!”

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Friday, Nov. 25, 2022

Look up the 2022 Acura RDX on the company’s Canadian website and staring at you in big red letters are the words, “Go away!”

Power out the gazoo

Kelly Taylor 7 minute read Preview

Power out the gazoo

Kelly Taylor 7 minute read Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

VANCOUVER ISLAND MOTORSPORTS CIRCUIT, DUNCAN, B.C. — Toyota is investing heavily in a market segment it said a dozen years ago had ceased to exist, hot hatchbacks and sports coupes. And it’s coming with a cool new — or at least new to Canada — name: Gazoo Racing.

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Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

Supplied

The 2022 Toyota GR86, nicknamed the Great Six by journalists on our trip: it’s finally the kind of sports car fans of the old Celica can appreciate.

The Jeep that isn’t

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Preview

The Jeep that isn’t

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

The 2022 Wagoneer isn’t the largest vehicle I’ve ever driven, but it certainly feels like it is.

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Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

Supplied

You won’t miss the name Wagoneer on this vehicle, but don’t strain your eyes looking for the word Jeep.

2023 Toyota Crown brings power, panache and parsimony to market

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

2023 Toyota Crown brings power, panache and parsimony to market

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORTS PARK — It’s big, it’s bold and it’s set to become the flagship for Toyota in Canada, a market it hasn’t been sold in since 1965.

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Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

Former Winnipegger has reunion with beloved GTO, 40 years after selling it

David Sanderson 7 minute read Preview

Former Winnipegger has reunion with beloved GTO, 40 years after selling it

David Sanderson 7 minute read Friday, Sep. 2, 2022

They say you never forget your first love, and it would seem that’s especially true if said sweetheart sported a 350-horsepower engine, sat four of your closest friends and went from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

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Friday, Sep. 2, 2022

BR-Zee? More like BR-Wheeee!

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

BR-Zee? More like BR-Wheeee!

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 26, 2022

NEW marketing slogan for the 2022 Subaru BRZ: you’ll be surprised by its usefulness!

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Friday, Aug. 26, 2022

EVs with a Vietnamese twist

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

EVs with a Vietnamese twist

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 26, 2022

NHA TRANG, Vietnam — This upstart automaker is only five years old yet is on the cusp of a massive global expansion driven by a jump into the electric vehicle market.

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Friday, Aug. 26, 2022

The VF 8 competes size wise with such vehicles as the Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V.

A ’ute that’s still cute after all these years

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Preview

A ’ute that’s still cute after all these years

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, Aug. 5, 2022

It’s been four years since we bought our 2018 Mazda CX-5, and while the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is, perhaps, the last refresh of this particular generation, no other affordable crossover quite ticks our boxes like our CX-5.

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Friday, Aug. 5, 2022

Supplied

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 hasn’t changed much since this generation debuted in 2018, but some clever upgrades should keep the model relevant for newcomers and returning customers alike.

Truck pretender, or contender?

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Preview

Truck pretender, or contender?

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, Jun. 3, 2022

Take even a cursory glance at online pickup truck forums and a fairly constant theme will emerge about the 2022 Honda Ridgeline and all its ancestors.

They’re not real trucks.

True. But who cares?

Those who don’t like the Ridge will fill their pockets with Coloradoes and Silveradoes and F-150s and Rangers. Fine. We didn’t ask you.

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Friday, Jun. 3, 2022

Supplied
The interior features a large, touchscreen display, while the transmission shifter uses Honda’s pushbutton/lever contraption.

Ford’s tiny pickup so popular, you’ll be lucky to find one

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Preview

Ford’s tiny pickup so popular, you’ll be lucky to find one

Kelly Taylor 5 minute read Friday, May. 13, 2022

SALT SPRING ISLAND, British Columbia — People wouldn’t like the 2022 Ford Maverick, they said. Too small, they said. Not trucklike enough, they said. Well, what do they know, anyway?

Ford in Canada is practically sold out — 4,116 sold so far and more on the way, all spoken for — and is not taking any orders until the order bank for 2023 models opens later this summer.

It’s easy to see why.

The Maverick is compact, fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive and much more handy than its small size might suggest.

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Friday, May. 13, 2022

Skyrocketing gas prices fuelling increased interest in electric vehicles

Kelly Taylor 9 minute read Preview

Skyrocketing gas prices fuelling increased interest in electric vehicles

Kelly Taylor 9 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022

When William York, an electrical engineer in Edmonton, took a 15-hour, 1,400-kilometre drive to Seattle, he planned the usual stops — bathroom breaks, meals, an overnight sleep — and arrived having taken roughly the same amount of time as most leisurely trips between the two cities.

The difference? York, 35, drives an electric vehicle.

At a time when gas prices are going crazy, it’s reasonable to expect more Canadian drivers will start to consider electric vehicles. As this story is being written, prices in Winnipeg are $1.739 per litre for regular gas. In Vancouver, $1.969. With only 13 years to go before the federal government’s target date for EVs to comprise all new vehicles sold, the pull towards electric is strong.

For York, dispelling the misconception that EVs aren’t suited for longer distances starts by retelling the story of his Seattle vacation. The limiting factor is urology, not technology.

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Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2022

General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra confirmed during her 2022 CES keynote address that Chevrolet will launch the Chevrolet Equinox EV in the 2024 model year.

Look past the me-too styling and the 2022 Forester has a lot to offer

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Preview

Look past the me-too styling and the 2022 Forester has a lot to offer

Kelly Taylor 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 8, 2022

When the Subaru Forester first arrived, a reasonable question was whether it was a low SUV or a tall station wagon. For 2022, that question is reasonable no more.

It’s grown considerably since its early days, to the point that size-wise, it’s nearly indistinguishable from its mid-size crossover competitors. It is taller and longer than my Mazda CX-5 and just a bit narrower, though that only translates into an extra litre of seats-up cargo space (817 for the CX-5 vs. 818 for the Subie). Seats down, however, the Subie’s extra length means the cargo volume beats the CX-5 by almost 500 litres.

While the Forester’s quirky, Goldilocks-approved size — not too big, not too small — is lost, what hasn’t been lost is the benefits to handling of its horizontally-opposed four-cylinder Boxer motor, which keeps the centre of gravity very low.

That motor, a 182-hp, 176 lb-ft non-turbo across the lineup, means reasonable if not stellar acceleration, which is more than compensated by outstanding fuel economy. For the tank I used during my test week, it averaged less than nine litres per 100 kilometres. By way of comparison, I thought our CX-5’s 9.9 l/100km average was pretty good.

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Friday, Apr. 8, 2022

Supplied
The Subaru Forester has an attractive interior that — unlike new offerings Outback and Legacy — doesn’t put every function possible into the infotainment menu system. There are still real buttons and knobs for heated seats, heating and ventilation and tuning the radio.

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