The new 2022 Toyota Venza Limited AWD is the mid-size crossover SUV class’ fuel-efficiency leader. It’s been about a year since I got back behind the wheel of Toyota’s completely rethought Venza, and I have to say its styling has grown on me. From seeming to pull inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4, at least to my mind’s eye, I now see it has having a unique, modern, advanced look all of its own. Funny how taste’s change with familiarity, as there are now plenty more on the road than when initially driven. It should be said that I normally prefer more truck-like crossover SUV designs ..read more

The new XC40 Recharge Pure Electric gets a fresh new face including a body-colour grille cover that adds to the model’s sporty demeanour. Volvo’s new XC40 Recharge is everything I already loved about this fabulous little luxury utility, and less! Less running costs, less emissions, and less of an impact on the local environment, but then again in contrast, the new XC40 Recharge’ 78-kWh lithium-ion, high-voltage battery and twin 150-kW electric motors provide even more get-up-and-go than the turbocharged 2.0-litre gasoline-powered variants last tested. And while we’re talking about more, you’ll ..read more

The new Porsche 963 LMDh-spec race car looks incredible, but alas it won’t be available for the street. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, based in Chichester, West Sussex, has become the U.K.’s must-go annual event for everything automotive. This year’s weekend extravaganza, held from June 23-26, provided the perfect opportunity for Porsche to release its sensational new LMDh class race car as well. The new LMDh class, which was co-created by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in the U.S., Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) in France, and the Paris-based motorsports regulating and s ..read more

Available early next year, the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale, shown here in European-spec Veloce trim, will add some serious performance spice to the Canadian market. Alfa Romeo will bring the all-new Tonale subcompact luxury crossover SUV to market later this year, providing a much more affordable entry-level gateway for the premium Italian brand. The Tonale looks like a modernized version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, albeit shrunken down to fit its more economical subcompact luxury crossover role. It builds on the Stelvio’s sleek lines with sharper cut LED headlamp clusters, a similarly shaped versio ..read more

The new 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition keeps its red, white and blue details subtle, making it fit ideally into the Canadian market. Only slightly ahead of the U.S.’ annual of 4th July 4th celebrations (not to mention our Canada Day on July 1), Porsche unveiled its new 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition. Of course, the new limited model also celebrates the red, white and blue market, with exclusive paint, badges, and interior detailing. Being that we’re talking Porsche, the current naming convention would be Guards Red with Pure White for the special 911’s exteri ..read more

The updated 2023 Toyota Highlander will receive a new turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 265-hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. Toyota’s Highlander will be saying sayonara to its V6 for 2023, and hello to the same 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder currently found in Lexus’ NX 350 and other performance-oriented compacts from the Japanese luxury brand. Lexus announced the same engine swap for its larger mid-size 2023 RX 350 as well, so it’s quite possible we’re witnessing the dying days of Toyota’s venerable 3.5-litre “GR” V6. In Lexus tune, the 2.4-litre puts out 275 horsepower and 31 ..read more

Other than more rugged looking fender flairs and new wheels, changes to the Outback’s rear are less noticeable than those up front, but its new bumper is visually cleaner. Amid the best month of Outback sales Subaru Canada has ever had, resulting in 3,455 units down the road in April for a 21.4-percent gain over the same month last year, the refreshed 2023 model was revealed at the New York International Auto Show. This mid-cycle update integrates the brand’s new WRX-inspired grille design, showing a wider, happier grin-like shape that should put a smile on the faces of brand loyalists, plus e ..read more

Hyundai has refreshed its Palisade for 2023, with a much tougher, more traditional SUV-like character. After three years in the Canadian auto market, the Hyundai Palisade will get a refresh for 2023, featuring a whole host of notable updates worthy of attention. First off, changes to frontal styling include a much chunkier chrome grille outline incorporating larger, rectangular chromed insert pieces that Hyundai refers to as “rugged parametric shield elements,” resulting in a bolder overall appearance that should appeal to more masculine tastes. Additionally, an updated lower front fascia mirr ..read more

The new 2023 Lexus RX 350, shown here in base Premium trim, will be available this coming fall. Seven years have passed since Lexus introduced its fourth-generation RX, and while a dramatic departure stylistically than the more conservative model it replaced, time always takes its toll. The RX’ continued success (it’s long been its mid-size luxury crossover SUV segment’s number-one seller, in both in Canada and the U.S.) means than even what once seemed daring and different can start to look commonplace and dated, but a fresh new RX will soon remedy any softening in the sales department. Evolu ..read more

The new Hockenheimring Edition should be as impressive on the track as any Taycan GTS. Everyone who follows the auto industry knew that Tesla’s Model S would eventually get knocked from its first-place sales pedestal in the mid-size electric luxury sedan segment (which is actually a thing now), but some might’ve expected the upstart EV replacing it at the top to be from some all-new brand like Lucid. As we all now know it was Porsche’s Taycan that took best-selling honours in this category last year, let alone every month since. To be fair to Tesla, its flagship four-door has been with us most ..read more