May I suggest the perfect ladies' accessory for winter: a passion-red XC90 V8 R-design from Volvo. The striking, elegantly styled SUV with colour-coordinated fender extensions in a popping cherry shade is the ideal complement to freshly fallen snow. Both commercial and conceptual inspirations were sourced from European markets and original vintage sources to bring this completely fashion-forward yet practical vehicle to Canada. The charm of this exquisite piece is in the embellishments. Feat...

The fully redesigned and re-engineered second generation Mazda6 arrived at Canadian dealerships in August. A real competitor, Mazda created the 2009 6 with the hope of kicking the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry out of the top sales spots in the mid-size family car market segment. If you’re in the market for a family car, the 2009 Mazda6 warrants your attention. The most distinctive differences between the new 6 and its predecessors are size and style: It’s bigger and more luxurious. In ev...

It would be a fable to say that I adore children and dream of having a family someday; it’s just not my reality. I can’t scrounge up an inkling of a maternal instinct. Yet there was something (almost) tempting about the idea when I drove the Volvo XC70 T6 AWD — it’s the perfect car for parents. The XC70 has always been a dedicated family vehicle, but the new 2009 model has become the ideal family crossover vehicle. Volvo is known for its safety record, but has gone the extra step wit...

Thirty years after the introduction of the Dodge Caravan, the idolatry associated with the minivan — that sacred family vehicle — is no more. Overweight and thirsty, the minivan has been eclipsed by its mini-me: the Mazda5. Always on the cutting edge, Mazda foresaw changing consumer needs when they replaced the aging MPV with the 5 in 2006. Since its introduction, the Mazda5 has managed to carve its own little niche as a “Multi-Activity Vehicle.” The 5 has a distinctive look (admi...

The day I picked up the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, I felt five years old again — with a brand new toy. The GTI has received phenomenal reviews within the past year and I couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about. I was not disappointed. Every time I got behind the wheel of the car, I had a maniacal grin on my face and found myself in blind ignorance of posted speed limits. At first glance, you could mistake the GTI for the re-styled VW Rabbit; the only obvious exterior difference is th...