First on the Grid, Road Tests Comments (0) |

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport: not quite a Golf, but close

Consumer Reports now argues that the Hyundai brand is more reliable than Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Ford. If you trust the three-year dependability study from J.D. Power and Associates, then you believe that the Hyundai brand overall is more dependable than BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Jaguar and 21 other brands. If you believe in recalls …

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GM makes the case for diesel amid broad challenges

Until last year, diesel sales in Europe had exceeded 50 per cent of new car sales every year since 2005, save 2009. But in 2016, as The Financial Times reports, diesel sales slid 2.6 per cent, dropping European market share for diesels to 49.3 per cent. The Volkswagen Group’s Dieselgate scandal has put a damning …

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First on the Grid, Road Tests Comments (0) |

2017 Mitsubishi RVR: everything’s better in black

Labrador Black paint matched by black 18-inch “GT” wheels, black grille, black skid plate, black headliner and black roof pillar. Black, black, black, which in the cabin of the Mitsubishi RVR Black Edition compact SUV (sport-utility vehicle) is highlighted by ribbons of red stitching, chrome door handles and aluminum pedals. This limited edition starts at …

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2018 GMC Terrain: statement rig among pricier SUVs

LAC BEAUPORT, Quebec – GMC? Here’s what I see in General Motors’ truck brand: a mystery wrapped in ambition, infused with hope. Let me explain. Now at long last, with the launch of the revamped 2018 Terrain SUV (sport-utility vehicle), we have greater clarity about what GMC stands for, where this striving brand wants to …

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2017 Acura MDX hybrid: NSX engineering in a mediocre design

Acura now has a big MDX hybrid sport-utility/crossover and it’s fast. How fast? It bests a conventional (non-hybrid) Acura MDX, as well as Toyota’s Highlander hybrid. Here’s why: it has hybrid components similar to those in the NSX supercar. That despite the fact that the MDX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD — OMG, what a mouthful! — …

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