by Chris Chase Mid-size family sedans and hybrid cars are among the fastest-fading segments in the auto industry. Sales of the former have fallen off in favour of crossovers and SUVs, while the latter represents yesterday’s technology as electric cars move into the mainstream. Honda and Toyota produced the industry’s first hybrids – the Insight
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2020 Toyota Yaris Review
by Chris Chase Shrinking demand for subcompact cars has seen many automakers cut their smallest models from their Canadian lineups, forcing fans of little vehicles to move up to pricier crossovers or SUVs. Toyota was not willing to do that when considering the future of its entry-level Yaris. It was, however, keen to find an
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Car Names Revived
by Chris Chase In a perfect world, every vehicle a car maker launched would be an overnight success and the name attached to it would become a cultural touchstone. That doesn’t happen often, but it does happen, and not just to rarefied performance or luxury models. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, for example, are
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Most Fuel Efficient Five Year Old Compact SUVs
by Chris Chase Crossovers and sport utility vehicles are no overnight sensation. Families have been flocking to this practical body style for about a decade now, thanks to the disappearance of station wagons and large sedans. That shift is no accident: Crossovers and SUVs command higher prices, making them more profitable for auto manufacturers. Compact
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2020 Toyota Tacoma Review
by Chris Chase In the last two years, the mid-size pickup segment has expanded to include the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator, the latter’s bold styling providing a dose of attitude in a segment geared toward mainstream truck buyers. This fast-growing class also encompasses the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Honda Ridgeline, and will soon
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Most Fuel Efficient 5 Year Old Cars
In the last decade, the auto industry has responded to consumer demands for more fuel-efficient vehicles with a variety of technological solutions. These have included innovations like direct fuel injection, turbocharging, and engines and transmissions with low-friction internal components. And then, of course, there are hybrid drive systems, which save fuel by relying partly on
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ALG 2020 Canadian Residual Value Awards
By Chris Chase Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) published its 2020 Canadian vehicle residual value awards in January, naming Toyota and Porsche its top brands for this model year. These annual awards recognize the vehicles that ALG’s industry watchers predict will hold their value best as they age; the company calculates residual value (also known as
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Same Car Different Name
by Chris Chase Using one vehicle platform to underpin different models is not a new practice in the auto industry. It gives a car maker a common starting point for a variety of vehicles and reduces R&D costs. A single platform might be used by different brands owned by the same parent company. Sometimes, companies
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2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review
by Chris Chase — Rating: 4.2/5 As I write this, rumours are circulating that Toyota will reveal an electric concept car, powered by a solid-state battery, at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The main advantage of solid-state batteries is that they can store more electricity in a smaller package. Toyota says it expects to be among
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2020 Toyota Corolla – Review
by Chris Chase — Rating: 4/5 Last year, Toyota kicked off an effort to sell its Corolla compact to drivers looking for something more than basic transportation. A redesigned hatchback introduced in the summer of 2018 was the first Corolla in a long time that looked anything like sporty. An all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan
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