Both the Mazda CX-3 and MINI Countryman are fun-to-drive small crossovers, but is one better than the other?
Well, that's up to you to decide by voting in our latest poll! Which of these versatile, efficient schleppers would you rather make monthly payments on? To get a better idea, you can compare them directly right here.
Starting with the Mazda, it features a 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine. All told, this unit delivers 146 horsepower and the same measure of torque. Power is routed to either the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
As for the MINI Countryman, it's motivated by a base 1.6-liter 'banger that's good for a rather dull 121 ponies and just 114 lb-ft of twist. Of course, if you want more you can always opt for the up-level, turbocharged version of this engine in the Countryman S. They churn out a much more livable 181 horses. A manual or automatic gearbox is available; both offer six forward ratios.
The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic sedan has begun testing on the streets of Detroit.
Even though compact car sales are declining with gas prices dropping and crossovers becoming more popular, the American automaker has no plans of leaving the segment. The next-generation Chevrolet Sonic will ride on a new version of GM's Gamma platform, which will help shed weight. The Gamma platform also underpins the new Chevrolet Bolt EV.
The prototype appears to be a similar size to the existing Chevrolet Sonic, meaning the new model will continue to compete with the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit in the affordable compact segment.
Don't expect powertrains to see a major change. The 2018 Chevrolet Sonic will probably continued to be powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged, small displacement powerplant. There's a possibility that Chevrolet will use the three-cylinder engine from the Fiesta.
What is unclear is whether Chevrolet will continue manufacturing the Sonic in the U.S. A deal with the UAW could move production of the next-generation model out of the Michigan plant to make room for a more profitable model. If that is the case, expect the 2018 Chevrolet Sonic to be produced in Mexico.
The model should make its debut late this year or early 2017.
The Pagani Huayra BC is more than just a stunning exotic sports car.
The Italian automaker has released a video detailing the Huayra BC as well as sharing more details on where its name comes from. The initials "BC" represents Benny Caiola, a person who greatly inspired Horacio Pagani over the years. Caiola was so impressed by the passion and technology of the cars Pagani was designing from the very beginning. He ultimately became the first customer of Pagani Automobili.
The company claims the Huayra BC is the most technologically advanced Huayra yet, and it's not just a "restyling" of the Huayra, as the BC is a product that includes changes on every part of the vehicle. Pagani goes so far as to say that the Huayra BC "has a completely different personality to that of the Huayra Coupe."
The Pagani Huayra BC will be limited to just 20 units and is powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine with 789 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque. The automaker says that it will go zero to 60 mph in about 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 220 mph.
The exotic will make its public debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next week where AutoGuide.com will be reporting live from Switzerland with coverage of the show.
Gumpert has been reborn as Apollo Automobil GmbH and it will bring what it calls the "fastest road car on the planet" to the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Dubbed the ApolloN, the German automaker is keeping things vague about its next debut but thankfully we only have less than a week to wait. "Today we are still building the fastest road car on the planet, we are and we will always be a force in the restive advance of performance, and for us as engineers, this is reason enough," Apollo Automobil said in a statement. "Here we present you ApolloN. ApolloN will mark the first milestone of Apollo Automobil. Stay tuned for the new chapter."
Gumpert was acquired by Chinese investor group TeamVenture earlier this year. The group also purchased De Tomaso and plans to manufacture cars for China under that brand. Gumpert filed for insolvency in 2012 after years of slow sales and its final debut happened at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with the Apollo S. The company officially filed bankruptcy in August 2013 and it is believed that the Apollo S never reached production.
We expect the ApolloN to be a spiritual successor to the Gumpert Apollo and will likely be built on the Apollo's platform. If it does want to live up to the claim of being the fastest road car on the planet however, it will need to best the 270.49 mph top speed record set by the Hennessey Venom GT in 2014.
Cadillac is working on a new three-row crossover that will compete with the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90.
Spy photographers have caught the 2018 Cadillac XT7 testing, serving as a complement to the two-row XT5 model.
The prototype was spotted testing alongside the new Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, sporting front and rear ends inspired by the CT6 sedan, as well as other recent Cadillac models. Expect power to come from the new 3.6-liter V6 found in the XT5, although a turbocharged variant with more performance is likely. The American automaker is also planning to add a plug-in hybrid variant for the XT5, but it's currently unknown if the seven-seater XT7 will benefit.
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 made its North American debut at the 2015 L.A. Auto Show and given how popular crossovers and SUVs have become in the U.S., don't be surprised if Cadillac debuts the XT7 before the year is over. Sales for the seven-seater should begin sometime next year. It will be produced at the Lansing Delta Township plant along with the Traverse and Enclave models.
Update: Our spy photographers are saying that this SUV could also be the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. The fog lights and rear tail lights are not typical Cadillac parts, but because this is a prototype, they could be using other elements as part of a disguise.
DS Automobiles is going all-electric for the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
The French automaker will debut the E-Tense in Switzerland next week, sporting an all-electric powertrain with 402 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque. Sporting the silhouette of a grand tourer coupe, the E-Tense is uniquely styled with flowing lines and attractive curves and looks like a serious supercar. The company paid close attention to the front and rear lights, with the DS LED Vision headlamps featuring a jewel-like design up front. At the rear are indicators integrated into the roof, inspired by the original DS from 1955.
The use of an all-electric powertrain is a perfect fit for DS, considering it competes in the Formula E World Championship. The company claims it has a range of around 193 miles with mixed driving or 224 miles in urban driving. The E-Tense rides on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis equipped with independent superimposed double-wishbone suspension. Total weight comes in at 3,600 pounds.
DS Automobiles also teamed up with numerous French luxury brands to "raise the interior to new heights of sophistication." A helmet harness has been developed by Moynat, while a one-off edition watch by BRM Chronographers can be worn on the wrist or set in the car's center console. The audio system comes from Focal with 9 Utopia high-fidelity speakers in the cabin to satisfy the most demanding listeners.
If you like what you see, there's a possibility that the DS E-Tense will eventually end up for sale in the U.S. As the luxury division of Citroen, DS Automobiles has plans of heading to the U.S. although there isn't a definitive time table, since it has only been a year since DS Automobiles' official launch.
The Nissan Leaf has been hacked through a smartphone app that many Leaf owners use.
The NissanConnect EV app, which is used by owners to control some of their cars' functions as well as get real-time status updates, has been temporarily disabled by the Japanese automaker after a vulnerability was found. Computer security researcher Troy Hunt has discovered that the app can be used to remotely hack and access a Leaf's temperature controls and review its driving record by just having the car's VIN.
Hunt had apparently reported the flaw to Nissan on January 23 and had contacted the Japanese automaker multiple times. He only posted a blog explaining the issue after people began discussing it on security forums online.
Nissan's Steve Yaeger released a statement to USA Today saying that the issues relating to the Nissan Leaf hack has "no effect whatsoever on the vehicle's operation or safety." The company plans to launch an updated version of the app "very soon," presumably with a fix in place.
In his post, Hunt does say that the vulnerability is trivial since it doesn't impact the driving controls of the vehicle. It is however, a cautionary tale for automakers that are trying to take advantage of smartphone apps to make lives easier for their owners.
Last year, hackers were able to control a Jeep Cherokee remotely, including its gas and brake pedal controls. The American automaker had to recall over 1.4 million vehicles after the hack was exposed.
The 2017 Audi Q7 has been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2016 Top Safety Pick+.
The all-new SUV earned good ratings in all five IIHS crashworthiness tests and a superior rating for front crash prevention. To determine crashworthiness, IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor, based on its performance in five crash tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints. In addition, IIHS also evaluates a vehicle's crash avoidance and mitigation technology that can help prevent a crash or lessen its severity. For those tests, IIHS assigns vehicles ratings of basic, advanced or superior, based on the type of system and its performance in track tests.
Powered by a 3.0-liter TFSI engine, the 2017 Audi Q7 features 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque with seating for up to seven standard. Standard on the model is Audi pre sense city with automatic emergency braking. The system can detect moving and stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians at speeds of up to 52 mph. When a potential collision is detected, the system will initiate braking automatically.
"This year's Top Safety Pick+ award for the 2017 Q7 represents our brand's longstanding commitment to bringing innovative technologies to the market," said Audi of America president, Scott Keogh. "The Q7 demonstrates our leadership in many of the advanced driver assistance systems today that will form the future of piloted driving tomorrow."
Lexus has filed to trademark three new names which will likely end up on a new seven-seat SUV from the brand.
The Japanese luxury brand has protected the names UX200, UX250 and UX250h, filed under 'automobiles.' While no hints came with the trademark filing, and it is true that some trademarks end up going nowhere, these new names seem like a perfect fit for a new seven-seat SUV that is rumored to arrive at Lexus sometime in late 2016.
The new model will likely be an elongated version of the smaller RX, though it will have its own unique naming structure. A previous trademark filing for TX suggested that name, but the fact that this new UX filing comes so close to model's launch makes it a more likely candidate.
A three-row SUV has been the top desire for Lexus dealers and the brand is finally giving it to them. It will compete with the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Buick Enclave and Infiniti QX60.
The Aston Martin DB11 has been teased ahead of its official debut.
Although a photo of the next-generation sports car has already leaked, the British automaker is getting ready to officially pull the cover off at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next week. In its latest video, the company takes a look back at the heritage of the Aston Martin DB nameplate that started 68 years ago with the 2-Liter Sports, also known as the DB1. The teaser video highlights all the iconic DB models since then, leading up to showing the DB11 shrouded in darkness.
Despite all the leaks and teasers for the Aston Martin DB11, the company is staying mum on its specifications until it is properly unveiled. It is believed that the model will feature a 5.2-liter turbocharged V12 engine, sending around 600 horsepower to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is rumored to be available, which was hinted at with the manual DB10 in the latest James Bond Spectre movie.
The official presentation for the Aston Martin DB11 debut is scheduled to take place on March 1 in Switzerland and AutoGuide.com will be reporting live from the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
General Motors is bringing hybrid power back to its pickup trucks, though for now the trucks are limited to buyers in California.
In a select number of 2016 Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras fitted with a 5.3-liter V8 and eight-speed transmission, GM will offer eAssist mild-hybrid technology, resulting in a boost of 2 mpg across the board. That brings overall ratings up to 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined.
Only two-wheel drive Silverado 1500 crew cabs in 1LT trim and Sierra SLT premium plus trucks can be fitted with eAssist, which will be a $500 premium over standard trucks.
The eAssist system is made up of three main components, starting with an on-board electric motor which boosts output by 13 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque, slightly offset by the package's extra 100 lbs of weight. The electric motor also helps the truck's cylinder deactivation system on the 5.3-liter V8 stay in four-cylinder mode more of the time.
The second part of eAssist is start/stop capability, while regenerative braking completes the package, enabling the truck to convert braking into electricity to recharge the onboard batteries.
Only 500 Silverado eAssist models and 200 Sierra eAssist trucks will be built in 2016, and all of those will be exclusively sold in California. GM says it will closely monitor sales and will adjust availability based on feedback.
Power for the system comes from a 0.45 kWh lithium-ion battery packed underneath the center console or font bench seat.
One of the most innovative and groundbreaking creations to come out of the Lamborghini think tank — the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento — has been delivered to its lucky owner in Hong Kong via Kingsway Cars Ltd.
When it comes to the Sesto Elemento – which gets its name from the periodic table – less is more. The feather-light super sports car utilizes advanced carbon-fiber technology, bringing the weight down to an impossible 999 kilograms (2,202 lbs). It's the first time a car has used carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) technology, a testament to the expertise of Automobili Lamborghini.
The performance numbers deliver exactly what the car's extreme look promises: it outputs 570 hp, its power-to-weight ratio is a sensational 3.9 pounds per hp, and the car accelerates from zero to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds. The top speed is well over 186 mph, and fuel consumption is improved thanks to the car's lighter weight, not that fuel economy is what Lamborghini buyers are looking for.
Add permanent all-wheel drive and the naturally aspirated V10 engine to the carbon-fiber tech upgrades, and you've got one seriously fun – and flashy – sports car to drive.
Price: £66,810 Top speed: 155mph 0-62mph: 4 seconds CO2 per km: 192g MPG: 34.5
Last month I went to a quiz night hosted by a motoring firm. It was quite intimidating brushing shoulders with some of the industry's biggest engineering brains. Over pints and pigs in blankets, we swapped tales of torque vectoring and towing capacities. The dress code was very Dad. The questions were of "niche interest" to say the least, but two rounds were hilarious: Guess the Headlamp (various lenses were passed round – one from a 1982 Ford Sierra was identified by a guy on my team) and Make Some Noise – 10 engines were revved over the speakers (it was music to our ears).
One of the most distinctive engine notes was made by the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The noise it pumps out of its quadruple sports exhaust is a rich, treacly, rumbling throb. It's magnificent. It is the Richard Burton of exhaust notes. It's a sound that makes you want to turn off the radio and open the window to hear it better. It makes you blip the throttle at the lights just to get passersby to look round.
A quick trawl on the internet yields dozens of YouTubes of parked C63s thrashing their engines with captions like: "Brutal Revs", "Pure Sound", "Loudest EVER ROARRRR!!!!"
Posh but low-key: inside the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
The strange thing is, however, the C63 looks perfectly average. It isn't some vented and winged hyper car. It's based on the C-Class compact saloon – Benz's bestseller – and it has four doors, a decent boot and five seats. Look closely and you'll see the signs: there's the gigantic air intakes hidden in the front valence; huge callipers cling to each brake disc; a brace of chrome-winged bucket seats glint from behind the smoked glass… And then, of course, there's that engine. The old C63 had a 6.2-litre engine (though why it wasn't called a C62 I don't know). This new model boasts a bi-turbo 4-litre V8. It's smaller, but it produces even more power than before and is more efficient at it, too.
It means this Merc is one of the fastest cars you can buy. The AMG-tuned V8 churns out 469bhp and reaches 62mph in 4 seconds – if you can control the wheel spin. I managed to slide the back out in a wet carpark doing less than 10mph. If there was a figure for expletives per mile (EPM?) this would have one of the highest. With each corner you oscillate between terror and near orgasm. You feel all its horse power. At slow speeds the car seems wild-eyed and twitchy: if it had nostrils they'd be snorting. But let it loose and it settles down. Ladle on the power and it gathers its skirts before hammering down the road. It's a total humdinger, a scorching drive. At speed it's rock solid and composed, the aerodynamics gluing it to the tarmac.
Inside, it is posh but fairly low key. There's a special AMG instrument cluster and thick three-spoke steering wheel to whiten your knuckles on, but in essence it's still a very usable five-seater. And that's quite clever, because to buy a car like this means you're probably rich. To be rich you're probably middle aged. To be middle aged you probably have a family – and they have to sit somewhere. Boom!
Blue streak: as with most Subarus, the Levorg gives few clues as to the performance concealed beneath that enormous hood
Price: £27,495 Top speed: 130mph 0-62mph: 8.9 seconds MPG: 39.8
Imagine two drivers standing proudly beside their new cars. One is next to a Mercedes, the other a Subaru. Now picture the same scene a few years down the road. Both have replaced their cars, but which of the two has bought the same brand again? The Benz, surely! In fact it's the Subaru that will be putting in another shift. The marque has phenomenal brand loyalty, higher than Mercedes, BMW and even Porsche. But why such fidelity? Subarus are certainly good cars, but they are not great cars.
One answer is that Subaru promotes its range as family oriented, safety minded, outdoorsy, sporty and, above all, dog friendly. (They even joke the 4x4s are "all-paw drive".) A few years ago it ran a whole series of ads featuring a motley crew of dogs using a Subaru to go camping, skiing or for a day at the beach. A drooling collie always drove while his furry mates piled into the back. The ads were funny and featured the tagline: "Dog Tested, Dog Approved". It seems we humans really do buy our cars because dogs rate them. Is that stupid or cute?
Inside story: the no-nonsense interior of the Levorg
Subaru likes to do things its own way. The cars feature patented "boxer" engines, while everyone else favours the more traditional V-Type or inline engines. The unusual set-up creates a wonderfully balanced car for improved handling. It also means the car boasts "symmetrical" four-wheel drive, which few others can.
This model is a Levorg, which sounds like a French cyborg. The name, in fact, is a blend of the words "Legacy", "Revolution" and "Touring". The "Legacy" prefix refers to Subaru's retired but much missed performance estate. It was an anonymous-looking beast that wiped the smiles off the lairy faces of hot-hatch owners by blasting them off the road. This new Levorg takes up the mantle and is well up for that sort of fun. Fast, furious, and mundane, the only clue to its amazing thrust is the large air scoop on the bonnet. To drive, it's precise and snappy. Its combination of symmetrical 4x4 and individual suspension means it swallows corners, ruts and the toughest trails with zen-like unflappability.
Refreshingly, Subaru doesn't do options. The Levorg comes with just one engine choice (a 1.6-litre turbo), one trim level and one gearbox – an automatic. You can choose the colour: white, grey or blue. It's a godsend for the chronically indecisive.
It's also a car that grows on you. Each day I found something new to enjoy, from the onboard tech to the comfortable seats. Maybe in another few weeks I'd be hooked – for life.
Canine campers: one of Subaru's many dog and car adverts
The Citroën DS4 came in Tourmaline Orange. I'm just going to leave that there. I'm definitely not going to point out that tourmaline is a silicate mineral compound and could come in any colour. The DS has a lot of cute, pointless little innovations: the handles on the back doors are at the top of the window, not in the middle of the door; the front grate looks like the alien's smile in Home; there's a whole ton of chrome, which, let's face it, is more of a treat for the onlooker than the driver.
I certainly saw no lack of panache in this vehicle, though I struggled to place it between "family" and "fun" (Citroën frames it "for the nonconformist", which is sweet and quite, quite wrong: the last car a nonconformist would buy is a new one). In fact, this ambiguity is deliberate: it's called a Crossback, to mark it out as some advance on a hatchback – a little bit taller, a brawler, roof bars, slightly beefed-up ground clearance. Don't get me wrong; it's no SUV – I'm not sure what kind of ground it's trying to clear. I wouldn't drive it off-road. I think it's just trying to look kooky but grown up, like a woman in a French film who is really into walking on stilts yet still manages to be outrageously sexy.
So, when would you drive it? Stop-start keyless ignition, moderately responsive satnav; biddable, six-speed manual engine – city driving is all pretty painless and low maintenance. It doesn't have awesome acceleration, but it does have a top speed higher than it feels (117mph), and greater, too, than you would expect, given its modesty in other areas, such as emissions.
It doesn't feel superbly classy inside, however: nothing leaps out at you from the faceless, grey cabin. Nothing in the feel of the materials makes you want to stroke them, or stretch your legs as far as they will go, or shout, "Look at this, kids! Now we're motoring!" in a brittle, hysterical way that makes them worry for you, or twiddle with the dials, or turn up the stereo. Its sober gear changes and sedate steering encourage a kind of resigned maturity in one's driving.
And yet it certainly has power and poke, even if it understates them. It is a distinctive car, and not just for the colour, but for the shapely headlights and swooshy branding, too. It never makes you want to do an irresponsible thing, nor does it ever make you feel as though you're anything less than safe as houses, on a chic, incredibly thrifty and safe journey to a place that is just so.
The whole family missed the Audi Q7 when it was gone: not as a relative or a pet, more like a troubleshooter for your entire existence; Nanny McPhee, except sleek and attractive – wait, that's Mary Poppins.
Crikey Moses, it's expensive: at 63 grand, probably about as pricey as a family car could get. It is, for me, a borderline fictional car, one I could imagine buying only if all other cars were sold out. But in that fictional universe, I would have a blast.
It has quite an understated look, exec-y silver exterior, grey leather interior, the kind of car you might buy if you had a drug-dealing empire and wanted to splash some cash without getting stopped by the police the whole time. Headlamps and interior controls have the same slender, grown-up styling. It's never lumbering or clumsy, it has shaved a lot of weight off its previous incarnation, and yet it is massive: the option of seven seats, or a boot big enough to live in. The parking camera is the most accurate I've encountered, the satnav responds like it's on University Challenge.
Indeed, the entire driving experience is a little heightened and idealised, like living in an advert: the four-wheel drive traction is muscular and sure, the handling makes you feel like a pro, the ride is incredibly smooth over almost everything. The temptation to go too fast – you can get to 62mph from nothing in 6.5 seconds – down medieval city streets is ever-present, which is ironic when you are the person who stands on the road shaking her fist at people who go at 24mph, like Popeye. The gentle quiet of any journey, at any speed, is like a lullaby. The automatic eight-speed gearbox is more intelligent than I will ever be.
Yet in the real world, there are real-world downsides: the optional 21-inch wheels send the emissions up to 163g/km, which isn't grotesque in this 4x4 class and you wouldn't blink at it from a Range Rover, but nor is it necessary. Its charm is its plushness and only a hooligan would want to get mud on it. But that being the case, the towing capability is unnecessary, and fiddly details such as brushed aluminium inlays can land a grand on the price; maybe, when money is no object, that poses no objection, but I found it unseemly.
Yet returning to the world of make-believe, where you can jump into pavements and dance with penguins, it's just lovely.
Price £63,025 Top speed COMING FROM JESS Acceleration 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds Combined fuel consumption 48mpg Emissions 163g/km Eco rating 6/10 Cool rating 8/10
Cons SofTex faux leather, no blind spot monitoring
Value for money Good
What would I change? Offer a real leather option and add blind spot monitoring as standard equipment
The Toyota Prius was the first viable hybrid to hit Canadian roads back in 2000. Since then, the range has blossomed to include a number of different models including the Prius V. This model takes the hybrid basics and adds a healthy dose of versatility.
The key to the transformation from regular hatchback to station wagon is found in the roofline. Rather than plunging downward towards the rear bumper the instant it hits the back seat, it's taller and runs horizontally all the way to the near-vertical liftgate. This opens up a ton of interior space. With the 60/40 split/folding rear seats upright, the Prius V makes light work of 971 litres of cargo. Dropping the seats reveals a flat floor and a generous 1,906 litres of capacity.
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
2016 Toyota Prius V
Graeme Fletcher, Driving
Then there are the neat touches. Beyond the extra space, the Prius V's rear seats slide back and forth. This maximizes legroom – and there is a ton of it – or increases the seats-up cargo capacity by 167 litres when in the forward position. There is also underfloor storage, the cargo net, tie-downs and a proper place to store the privacy cover when it is not in use. The latter means it will not be left gathering dust in the garage on the very day it's needed.
The rest of the cabin's layout is very familiar — the instrumentation sits atop the centre stack rather than behind the steering wheel. The format is entirely logical, if unconventional, placing all of the required information and controls within easy reach. Adding the Technology package then brings a wealth of extra equipment, although it did add a significant $5,985 to the base price.
Along with active cruise control, Toyota's pre-collision system and lane departure warning comes everything from larger 17-inch wheels and LED headlights with automatic high beams, to an eight-way power driver's seat with four-way lumbar adjustment, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen that looks after the infotainment, phone and navigation functions. It also gives a detailed view of how the hybrid system is functioning. What's missing from the lengthy list of equipment is blind spot monitoring.
The cabin's lone letdown were some of the materials. They really weren't in keeping with the rest of the car. The plastics that ring the cabin were hard, but otherwise fine; it was the SofTex "leather" that disappointed. It was pretty obvious no bovine life was sacrificed to upholster the seats, steering wheel and lid of the central storage bin.
The fixed two-panel panoramic moonroof, which is part of the Tech package, is interesting as it is made from a lightweight polycarbonate material that's 40 per cent lighter than a glass panel. Aside from the obvious mass reduction, it serves to impart an airy feel to the cabin and lower centre of gravity, which helps handling.
Here, the Prius V remains very crossover-like in that the ride is favoured over outright handling. In this case, that's not such a bad thing. With five aboard – and it does accommodate five riders very nicely – the Prius V wafts over gnarly sections of pavement without the unseemly jostling found in many crossovers. Heading into a corner, the Prius V did begin to roll, but it held the driver's line commendably well, even when loaded. Likewise, the electrically assisted steering had some real feel, and the grip afforded by the upsized 17-inch wheel and tire package reined in understeer. In the end, the Prius V mirrors the class norm — it is not a sports wagon.
Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive powers the Prius V. Along with the nickel-metal hydrid battery and electric motor comes a 1.8-litre four-cylinder gas engine that operates on the Atkinson cycle. This cycle is more efficient, but delivers less output — 98 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft. of torque. The electric motor masks the lower numbers and with the two power sources working together, the Prius V has a net system output of 136 horsepower.
As with Toyota's other hybrids, the power is relayed to the front wheels through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. It features four drive modes — electric only EV, Eco, Normal and Power. The Eco mode tended to blunt the performance in the name of fuel economy; the Power mode did improve performance, but it held the engine at higher revs for longer periods of time (read: noisy).
This saw the bulk of the test conducted in Normal, as it delivered the best balance between economy and performance. On that note, the Prius V ran from zero to 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds while returning a test average of 5.7 L/100 km. The performance did not wow, although it was more than enough for everyday driving; the economy, given the space and flexibility at play, most certainly did.
The Toyota Prius V represents a viable alternative to the traditional crossover — it blends the fuel economy benefits of a hybrid miser with the practicality and flexibility of a station wagon or compact crossover nicely.
Type of vehicle
Hybrid compact station wagon
Engine
1.8L four-cylinder, Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor
Power
136 horsepower (net)
Transmission
Continuously variable automatic
Brakes
Four-wheel disc with ABS and regenerative braking
Tires
P215/50R17
Price: Base / As Tested
$28,415/$34,400
Destination Charge
$1,660
Natural Resources Canada Fuel Economy
(L/100km) 5.4 city; 5.8 highway
Standard Features
Automatic climate control with filtration, power locks, windows and heated mirrors, cruise control, tilt/telescopic steering, cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with USB input, six speakers, 6.1-inch display and steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth, smart key with push-button start, back-up camera, intermittent front and rear wiper/washer, outside temperature gauge, Eco drive monitor and more
Price: £19,970 Top speed: 130mph 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds MPG: up to 74.3
I mentioned the new Picasso to my wife over breakfast a few weeks ago and she thought I was talking about the painter rather than Citroën's latest MPV. That was her first reference point. Awkward! For a few moments we peered at each other across the table, and across the unfathomable cultural void, before she sighed and turned back to her paper.
I don't know why a French company would name its all-conquering people carrier after a Spanish painter, but Pablo is the godfather of cubism and the Picasso is the godfather of boxy cars. The Citroën also does what few other MPVs even get close to: it manages to be stylish yet spacious, and practical yet posh. That's a winning combo.
Before you hop in, take a moment to admire it and its eye-catching blend of flowing lines and curves. The double chevron of the grille spreads neatly into those sleek running lights, while two rails swirl up and over the roof before curling into a pair of large Cs around the back. Nice, isn't it?
Inside story: the C4 comes as both a five- and seven-seater
Right, in we get. The first thing that hits you is the amazing space available and the incredible amount of glass. Light streams through the panoramic roof which runs the whole length of the car. Coupled with the deep windows, on a hot day you'd soon start to feel like a tomato plant in a poorly ventilated greenhouse. The windscreen itself is one of the biggest fitted to any car on the road. The next size up is for lorries and buses. I sit inside and marvel at its scale. I then realise you can push back the sunblinds so they reach right over your head and join the panoramic roof. It feels more like sitting in a bubble than a car.
It comes as both a five- and seven-seater, but Citroën believes it will sell twice as many of the latter. This is, above everything, a car built for growing families. Up front the huge dash boasts both a 12in info screen and a smaller 7in one beneath it, for all your social connectivity "needs", apparently. But do you really need Tinder on the M4? In the back, the second and third rows have an easy one-touch folding mechanism which means you could pull over and create a dormitory in seconds. The top spec also comes with double glazing to hush all road noise. Inside, volume control is down to you.
At the wheel it's comfortable rather than racy. It wallows in the bends, but what did you expect? If you have five kids in the back you should have other things on your mind anyway.
Safe, comforting, reliable… You'll love this car, but I suspect Picasso would have hated it.
