CarTest! Reviews

FIRST LOOK

2012 BMW 3 Series adapts to keep up with the times

By Bill Roebuck

BMW's most important model, considered one of the best entry-level luxury cars on the market, has been revised to keep up with demands for better fuel economy, the latest technology, improved styling and more room for passengers. The new 2012 BMW 3 Series, to be available early in 2012, delivers all that, while maintaining the performance characteristics the car is traditionally known for. New are the eight-speed automatic transmission and a 240-hp, four-cylinder turbocharged engine. A six-speed stick is still available for those who prefer to do their own shifting. Also new in the 3 Series models is a horsepower-reducing economy mode that will tell you how much your driving range has been extended when you use it. 2012 BMW 3 Series.

FIRST LOOK

Pump-passing fuel economy comes to Subaru Impreza for 2012

By Bill Roebuck

The 2012 Impreza kicks up the styling with some clearly defined body creases and fender arches. The styling is not necessarily shared with the rally-inspired WRX model, which has been past practice.

Worried about gas prices. And worried about winter driving? Subaru has an answer to your worries in its new 2012 Impreza compact sedan. While it gets slightly updated sheet metal, the real Impreza story is that Subaru engineers eeked out 30% better fuel economy than the current model (abeit with an optional CVT transmission, although this does include paddle shifters). And yes, like all Subarus, it still has all-wheel-drive for stability in all kinds of nasty weather. Focus, Civic and Corolla better watch out for this newly agressive contender in the small-car market. 2012 Subaru Impreza

TEST DRIVE

2012 Hyundai Accent vies for status as most improved car

By Bill Roebuck

Yes, the new Accent from Hyundai is way better for 2012 than any of its predecessors. Offered in sedan and hatchback versions, Hyundai's subcompact contender finally adopts the wow-look-at-that styling of its bigger siblings, the Elantra and Sonata. Along with a slick new exterior comes enhanced interior space, good cargo room for a car this size, and more horsepower and torque than before. All this comes for under $15 grand. It's the ideal cheap date! 2012 Hyundai Accent

SAFETY

Safest small cars of 2011 and 2012

By Bill Roebuck

Almost half -- a total of six -- of 13 small cars recently evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have earned the organization's Top Safety Pick award. That means there are now 22 small cars that have received IIHS's Top Safety Pick award. But there's still a bunch of small models that don't make the grade, mainly because they still lack ultra-safe ESC technology. Safest small cars

FIRST LOOK

2012 Nissan Versa: Big space, small price

By Malcolm Gunn

The versatile Versa has hit its stride as the kind of car that even big and tall folks can ride in without having to be bent, folded or pretzeled. It's an approach that in the past five years has garnered a devoted following for Nissan's little runabout and should continue when the next-generation model makes its debut this summer. 2012 Nissan Versa

TEST DRIVE

2012 BMW X1: Can you finally own a bimmer?

By Bill Roebuck

How low can they go, you might ask of BMW. With its newly arrived X1 compact wagon looking much like a shrunken BMW X3, what are the compromises that have been made? Not much, it seems, as the X1 is a cargo-friendly four-door that comes with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive as standard. And get this -- it boasts slightly more horsepower and loads more torque than the bigger X3. Athough BMW Canada couldn't break the $40,000 price barrier with its newest model, its price should make entry into BMW territory easier for some families. 2012 BMW X1

TEST DRIVE

2012 Ford Focus: World class for North Americans

By Malcolm Gunn

The days of North Americans being one step behind the rest of the world seem to be coming to an end. It was assumed that we simply weren't interested in stylish, firm-riding hatchbacks that Europeans were driving, so they were seldom offered here. After all, we liked soft, pudgy cars with spoilers and plastic body cladding, right? We never did, really, but that's what we got. 2012 Ford Focus

TEST DRIVE

2012 Honda Civic: There's nothing else like it

By Bill Roebuck

Try as they might to be different and innovative, the Honda Civic's designers really are afraid of change. Having best-seller status creates a stifling effect on bending the rules, so the Civic gives us more of the same, albeit in a nicer, bigger package for 2012. Like its predecessors, the 2012 Civic is one of those compact cars that's a no-brainer decision. It runs really well, it looks nice, it's roomy inside, it's safe, it's got some cool technology -- even a hybrid version -- and it's fuel-friendly in all versions. We also think the interior design is innovative and interesting. What's not to like? 2012 Honda Civic

FIRST LOOK

2012 Hyundai Veloster: Tiburon's replacement aims at affordability and good looks

By Bill Roebuck

The stuff coming out of Hyundai's design studios just gets better and better. Not only are its newly skinned sedans sweet, the latest model, a three-door hatchback (yes, there's a 'real' third side door) makes it both an stylish oddity and yet a practical contender in the small car market. Unfortunately, there won't be a good supply of them till late summer 2011. 2012 Hyundai Veloster

TEST DRIVE

2012 Volkswagen Passat: Even more 'juice' than before

By Bill Roebuck

I've loved the Passat since the day Volkswagen brought it to Canada. Quiet, solid and uncannily swift, it's also one of those cars that's so smooth, it could take you up to law-breaking speeds without you noticing (I unfortunately report this fact based on a very expensive personal experience). And now it's bigger and classier than ever. 2012 Volkswagen Passat

DRIVING TIPS

Sorry signal aims to reduce road rage

Use this signal to say you're sorry when you make a mistake while driving.

By Bill Roebuck

The problem of road rage never seems to go away. Drivers make mistakes for various reasons, but what do you do if you want to apologize? In our culture, it's nearly impossible! A single hand gesture would do the trick. We have common hand gestures to tell people 'where to go', but what about one that would say 'Yes, I know I made a mistake, and I'm sorry'. Think of the possibilities if there was one. So CarTest.ca has come up with one. Try this next time you mess up behind the wheel. Hold up your right hand, flat, fingers apart. That's it. The idea is to have a very simple, easy-to-remember, easy-to-understand hand signal that says 'I'm sorry'. Sorry signal

CLASSIC AND COLLECTIBLE CARS

A guide to classic and collectible vehicles in Canada

By Bill Roebuck

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 collectibles

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