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Sporty cars that will give you a thrilling ride without breaking your budget

PERFORMANCE YOU CAN AFFORD

Cheap thrills

The taste for speedy thrills may be a bit juvenile, but these sporty, fast cars won't break the bank and all of them get decent fuel economy


Ford Escape Hybrid

The hockey mom

Why this hybrid is my MVP

The hybrid Escape outperforms, fuel-wise, any of the vehicles tested for this ultimate hockey vehicle experiment


Karen Cockburn

My Car

'I wanted a car that lasts forever'

Karen Cockburn is predictable and reliable — just like her wheels. That's why the Olympic gymnast still drives the first car she ever bought — a 2001 Honda Civic coupe.


Alternative powertrains

Unravelling the future

Auto makers believe electric cars have a shiny future. But there are still many obstacles to mass-market adoption; first among them is range and power, although reliability is also an issue.


Forbes.com

How smart is your car?

New technologies can help avoid accidents or even maximize fuel economy. But even the most advanced cars are only as smart as the driver.

Driving it Home

Jeremy Cato

Zero emission cars won't be cheap

Even the strongest auto makers fear the downturn could kill green cars, says Nissan CEO


TOYOTA VENZA

Toyota gets hip to what boomers want

Coming in January, this is a crossover that feels like a sedan


SUBARU FORESTER

Subaru Forester

Still has that distinctive growl

Just right for sensible and thrifty Canadians


FORD FLEX

Ford Flex

A 21st century station wagon

A tidy package and arguably the nicest SUV/CUV design Ford has ever put forward

 

 
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ICONS

Icons: Ford F-150

Tough guys

Dollar dealership

PT Cruiser

Buy a car, get another for $1

Feature Cars 

NISSAN MURANO: Solid crash-test performer

Tall wagon is clearly a leader in its class, but its price is a challenge for Nissan

CHRYSLER ASPEN HYBRID: Two-mode hybrid doesn't sacrifice power

Brawny, super-sized SUV handles well but is a chore to park

VW TIGUAN: Exemplary handling, with an upscale feel

Comes loaded with standard VW comforts such as sun roof and heated seats

VOLVO C30: Quick and nimble

In terms of novelty, this hatchback lies somewhere between the audacious Mini and the buttoned-down GTI

PONTIAC G8: Aussies add world-class touches

Large rear-wheel-drive sedan boasts tasteful, roomy interior

TOYOTA COROLLA CE: As exciting as your fridge

Nobody buys a Corolla as a guy or chick magnet.

HONDA FIT: Purely functional,completely affordable

This little hatchback is a smart and versatile econobox that redefines the segment


News 

U.S. Congress puts off auto aid package

Auto executives' use of corporate jets for cap-in-hand Washington meeting ‘doesn't send a good message'

Honda cuts more production

Fitch downgrades Nissan's credit ratings, citing dependence on U.S. market

GM to extend holiday shutdown

Automaker may cut production further

GM, Toyota to cut Thai output

Toyota also seeks early retirement for 340 of its 1,850 temporary workers amid weak auto sales

AUTO BUZZ: Nissan, Chrysler cut prices on models

Nissan says its new stripped-out version of the Versa sedan is the lowest-priced car in Canada; Porsche unveiling new Boxster and Cayman; Kia Borrego gets fuel cell; Bentley showing Azure T swan song

Keeping a foot in the car door

It is not only companies that need to be competitive, but also work forces. Canadian auto workers need to do their share in cutting costs.

World: GM faces its day of reckoning

Chapter 11 would actually allow GM and Ford to become leaner and healthier


One on One 

'We have an electric vehicle that's actually viable'

Michael Vaughan speaks to Doug Quigley, engineering executive director of Chrysler's Envi team, about building an electric minivan for now, and planning for the "Generation Two" model

Niche software tools for auto industry

Michael Vaughan speaks to a former 'high school hacker' who combined computer skills with years of showroom experience to create in-demand products


Driving Green 

YOU & YOUR CAR: Making big rigs run cleaner

QUESTION: Why are we are required to submit our personal vehicles for a smog check and all those big trucks are out there belching out copious amounts of obviously harmful black smoke and soot?

BEST NEW GREEN TECHNOLGY: In the running for the green ribbon

Canadian car journalists' choice of top new technology will be announced at Montreal Auto Show

Canadians still picking small cars

Toyota books 85 per cent September sales gain in its subcompact Yaris division; GM sales slide 7 per cent

Branding: Subaru looks to green for its identity

There are too many brands out there. I find it hard to tell the difference between a Subaru and a Saab or a Saturn and a Suzuki — and I'm supposed be paying attention to this stuff.

Parking: Cities rethink wisdom of 50s-era standards

Most U.S. cities have requirements for off-street parking. These regulations can throw a monkey wrench into planning for a vibrant, more walkable downtown

BETTER DRIVER: Choose the right tires, inflate them properly to improve fuel economy

Low noise levels may mean a tread design that does not provide as much grip; high-mileage ratings usually mean a sacrifice in both grip and comfort levels.

Alternative Fuels: BMW's cleanest, greenest machine

The Hydrogen 7's impressive technology lets it run on both hydrogen and gasoline


Motorsports 

Formula One: How a squabble over pocket change sank Montreal grand prix

The complete loss of profile on this side of the Atlantic won't make the sport's manufacturers happy as they battle to sell their cars during the downturn.

Montreal race cancelled

Financial demands by Formula One proved too steep for the three levels of government fighting to keep the