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CarTest!TM
Expert Car Reviews
"For grownups who still like to play with cars."
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Established: 2002
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SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE E-NEWSLETTER
 Vol. 8, Issue No. 244
ISSN 1703-535X
© 2002-2010
Editor-in-Chief:
Bill Roebuck
Assistant Editor
James Roebuck
Reviewers
Bill Roebuck
Kevin 'Crash' Corrigan
Contributors
Dennis DesRosiers
Mark Derry
Stephen Hess
Doug Neilson
Malcolm Gunn
Katie Roebuck
Travel Writers
Bill Roebuck
Roslyn Ralph
 CarTest! reviewers are members of AJAC, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. See the results of the annual TestFest of new cars by clicking on the AJAC logo.
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Buckle up! Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
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 TEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
One of the more muscular and longest-serving members of the Kia family is changing its stripes along with its country of origin. Yes, the Sorento, Kia's truckish sport utility vehicle that specialized in travelling well past the point where the pavement or the trail ends, has become a lot more civilized as it prepares to enter the 2011 model year in early 2010. 2011 Kia Sorento
TEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 You can't please all the people all of the time as Honda discovered after releasing pre-launch photos of its new Accord Crosstour. The entire Internet blogosphere seemed to erupt with armchair automotive stylists waxing non-poetic and generally not-fit-to-print criticisms concerning the Crosstour's looks. 2010 Honda Accord CrosstourNEWS
By Bill Roebuck
 On February 1, 2010, Ontario police will begin issuing tickets for using hand-held cell phones and communications and entertainment devices while driving in the province. Drivers caught using a hand-held device will be issued a $155 ticket. If a driver challenges the ticket in court, a judge has the discretion to adjust the fine anywhere in the range of $60 to $500. Read moreTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 If you can see yourself in an entry-luxury convertible, it might be time to scope out the C. The C - as in the IS 250C and IS 350C - is the latest drop-top to wear the Lexus badge and is part of the expanding IS lineup of rear- and all-wheel-drive products. 2010 Lexus IS 250/350CTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 Volkswagen has seemingly pulled a Rabbit out of its hat and turned it into a Golf. That bit of slight of hand has revealed an all new hatchback and at the same time restores the Golf (German for gulf) name as the company's cornerstone brand in North America. 2010 Volkswagen GolfTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 For big jobs that require brute strength along with equal measures of style and comfort, the tough new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty fits the bill in a very big way. The full-size Ram 2500 and 3500 models are truly imposing pickups that, with their abundance of firepower, appear ready and willing to devour every other pickup on the market. 2010 Dodge Ram HDTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 If you're looking for a dilettante-pretty sport ute for night-life cruising or for tripping to the mall, the Toyota 4Runner will likely do the trick, but you would really be missing out on what this vehicle is all about. Toyota 4RunnerGREEN VEHICLES
CarTest!
 Tesla Motors has built its 1,000th production vehicle -- a significant milestone for the only automaker worldwide producing and selling highway-capable electric cars.The car, which bears the unique Vehicle Identification No. 1,000, is a special-edition Roadster Sport in Millennial White, with a unique interior and carbon fibre accents. Tesla Roadster SportTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 To be a minivan these days could mean fading into the sunset with few people giving a second look. Or . . . this could happen. Rather than turning tail on the category, the new Toyota Sienna will show that, while wagons seem to be today's cool conveyance, minivans can still kick some tailgate. 2011 Toyota SiennaTEST DRIVE
By Malcolm Gunn
 The base Camaro's 3.6-litre V6 for 2010 delivers a gutsy 304 horsepower, which is 104 horses more than the previous-generation base 1993-'02 Camaro and only 21 fewer ponies than the 5.7-litre V8 in that year's SS model. Camero V6 vs. V8 Camero SSNEW AUTO CONTENT INTRODUCED
CarTest!
 Inspired by the thousands of readers who have an interest in old cars, classic cars, collectible cars and investment vehicles, CarTest! has launched a new section of descriptions of such vehicles, including their current Canadian prices at the time they were offered for sale. Our purpose is to provide a simple reference point to the value of a vehicle, as well as giving you a few interesting details in the descriptions of the models listed. Classics and collectiblesAUTO SHOWS
 CarTest!A variety of interesting concepts and upcoming production vehicles broke cover at this year's Detroit Auto Show, giving shape to the future into which the auto industry is headed. 2010 Detroit Auto Show
TEST DRIVE
 By Malcolm GunnYou probably haven't seen one yet, but the Fiesta is actually Ford's top-selling car in Europe. And it's coming here. Excited? You should be. The four-door hatchback and all-new four-door sedan versions arrive in Canada by summer 2010. 2011 Ford Fiesta review
PREVIEW
 CarTest!The BMW 550i Gran Turismo (GT) might look curious or even strange in pictures -- but standing next to it, it's much easier to see the point. BMW's designers intended to redefine the classic Italian two-door 'Gran Turismo' in a unique new four-door interpretation. In doing so, it hopes to attract a new customer that's looking for a modern design that resides somewhere between a sedan and the endlessly-common crossover SUV. BMW Grand Turismo
AUTO SHOWS
 CarTest!More than 40 new vehicles and concept unveilings, as well as technologies of the future, will be seen at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI. The show will be open to the public January 16-24, 2010. To date, it is anticipated there will be 30 worldwide and approximately 10 North American product unveilings at the show, along with displays from more than 50 automotive manufacturers and other companies. North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
 AUTO RACING
 By Michael Shumacher"I have decided to return to Formula One. Mercedes GP and I agreed on teaming up for the coming three seasons. And to be honest, I'm already super excited by the prospect to be back in a F1 cockpit. Shumacher to drive for Mercedes GP
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
 CarTest!Real-time traffic and voice recognition are becoming increasingly popular features among factory-installed navigation system owners, compared with 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study.
 AWARD WINNERS
By Bill Roebuck
Seven German models, four Japanese makes and one North American vehicle qualified as winners in the latest Canadian Car/Utility Vehicle of the Year awards competition, held Oct. 27-30, 2009, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Car of the Year Category Winners for 2010
WINTER DRIVING
 CarTest!With the launch of Winter Sports, a microsite appearing prominently on www.porsche.ca, Porsche Canada is launching a comprehensive campaign designed to encourage its customers to take full advantage of their vehicles' capabilities year-round. Winter driving
ROAD TEST
By Tom Mutchler
 Consumer Reports magazine thinks the refreshed 2010 Mustang is the best ever, especially when compared to other muscle cars such as the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camero or the Dodge Challenger. Mustang comparisonCARGO VANS
By Bill Roebuck
Not everyone can get away with using a minivan or large SUV for all their cargo-carrying needs. For those who need the higher capacity and more rugged capabilities, a review of what's new in full-size cargo vans for 2010 follows. Full-size cargo vans.
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