Autos

The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS

Lexus RZ 450e: Brand’s first electric vehicle lands in the crossover sweet spot

Toyota and its upscale Lexus division are leaders when it comes to…

  • Jul 27, 2023
The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.

Protecting your car from the summer heat

By Blair Qualey During the hot summer days, we take steps to…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS

The Auto Sleuth: 2 new Lexus models; Volvo goes small + more

Lexus introduces two new “X” models for 2024 Toyota’s upscale division has…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC

What would a $300,000-plus Cadillac EV look like? Time to find out…

Meet the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq

  • Jul 17, 2023
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock

Summer road trip season is here!

By Blair Qualey Children have celebrated the end of the school year…

  • Jul 9, 2023
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Encore GX: Affordable and stylish subcompact keeps performance on the down-low

With its days of producing cushy family sedans in the distant past,…

  • Jul 8, 2023
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Ford Mustang: A return to its heritage-driven glory and brash behaviour

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • Jun 24, 2023
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Wrangler updates; Hyundai eyes a new coupe + more

Enjoy a brief look at what’s making news in the auto world……

  • Jun 23, 2023
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale: An Italian compact utility vehicle for the masses?

Alfa Romeo is one of three Italy-based brands available in North America…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Talking Jeep, Bentley, Sonata and more

Jeep’s future Recon mission The Stellantis brand has the plug-in hybrid Wrangler…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.

New distance-based discount from ICBC may benefit remote workers

By Blair Qualey In a post-pandemic world in which many British Columbians…

  • Jun 19, 2023
For those who are driving less, ICBC has introduced a distance-based discount.
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA

Kia’s 2024 EV9; Mercedes electric G-Class; Subaru Crosstrek updates + More

Kia reveals 2024 EV9 in final form The brand’s full-size electric utility…

  • Jun 7, 2023
The coming EV9 electric vehicle has a blocky appearance that straddles the line between attractive and utilitarian. PHOTO: KIA
Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Vietnamese-made electric cars arrive at Port of Nanaimo for sale in Canada

More than 750 VinFast electric vehicles being processed at Nanaimo’s B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre

Hundreds of electric cars, built in Vietnam and newly certified for sale in Canada, arrived at the B.C. Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo on May 16 and will available to Canadian buyers this month. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)

ICBC rolls out new discount for vehicles driven under 10,000 km a year

Insurance corporation says savings could be between 10 and 15%

ICBC is implementing a new discount for vehicles driven less than 10,000 kilometres in a year. (ICBC)
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo

Celebrating progress in zero-emission vehicle adoption

By Blair Qualey The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) hosted…

  • May 29, 2023
Blair Qualey, from the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., and Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, marked EV Day at the Legislature in May. NCDA photo
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET

2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: representing performance progress more than change

The eighth-generation Corvette, launched for 2020, brought the biggest change in the…

  • May 21, 2023
Five years ago, who would have dreamed of a midengine all-wheel-drive hybrid Chevrolet Corvette that makes 655 horsepower? PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Ferrari’s crossover; An updated Encore + more

Buick updates the Encore GX The recent departure of the compact Encore…

  • May 6, 2023
The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.

The value of local franchised New Car Dealerships

By Blair Qualey Across British Columbia, there are more than 400 franchised…

  • May 1, 2023
Most new car dealers are classified as small businesses, meaning they employ fewer than 50 people, but combined, those members directly and indirectly employ more than 27,000 people in B.C. in a wide variety of jobs.
The previous Mustang was a beautiful car, so it makes sense that the 2024 model is more about tweaking than making dramatic changes. The lower panel at the rear is more detailed and the top of the taillights integrate more with the duck-tail truck lid. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Mustang returns in all its heritage-driven glory

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • May 1, 2023
The previous Mustang was a beautiful car, so it makes sense that the 2024 model is more about tweaking than making dramatic changes. The lower panel at the rear is more detailed and the top of the taillights integrate more with the duck-tail truck lid. PHOTO: FORD
Matt Sager, bottom left, and his team of auto enthusiasts embarked on a 3,000-kilometre journey from their home in British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario for the second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’ which aired on the History channel on April 19, 2023. Jeff Topham photo

B.C. brothers uncovering rare auto gems in second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’

Watch Matt and Steve Sager of Mill Bay follow their passion for restoring vehicles

Matt Sager, bottom left, and his team of auto enthusiasts embarked on a 3,000-kilometre journey from their home in British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario for the second season of ‘Lost Car Rescue’ which aired on the History channel on April 19, 2023. Jeff Topham photo