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Isaac Bouchard This is my third taste of Lexus’ small sports sedan, built on a platform that also underpins the larger GS models. My initial experience of the Lexi was limited and left me underwhelmed; the IS250 was underpowered and not very frugal, the standard IS350 noisy and not that luxurious. A week in an … Read more

Isaac Bouchard Toyota’s fullsize truck has recently undergone its first major update, and it’s time to see how it fits into the truck landscape that is so defined by the Detroit 3. Outside we get a chiseled new aesthetic asked for by Toyota customers yet seemingly inspired by the Transformer’s Optimus Prime. That’s not necessarily … Read more

Isaac Bouchard Lexus’ IS250 can’t compete in our thin air. However, the IS350 and its spicier, big-engined “F Sport” upgrade—in both rear-wheel drive and AWD—blow through it. The big bold exterior polarizes bystanders. But inside the Lexus is defined by a compellingly contemporary architecture, made from top-flight materials. The F Sport has less rear room … Read more

Isaac Bouchard The Audi A8 comes in two lengths and is available (counting the sportier S8) with three V6s, two V8s and even a W12. So why would anyone spending sixfigures buy the TDI diesel, which has the lowest horsepower (240) of them all? The TDI cruises at extralegal speeds with ease, surfing its tidal … Read more

Isaac Bouchard Once upon a time BMW offered only three sizes of sedan and a couple of coupes. Now the 3-series alone comprises a sedan, wagon, two- and four-door coupes and a convertible (now dubbed 4-series). And there are the price- and size-comparable X3 and X4 crossovers, as well. So where does the new 328i … Read more

Isaac Bouchard As Acura reaches for the mainstream luxury relevance it ceded to Lexus a decade ago such vehicles as the new MDX come into sharper focus. Gone is the beaklike nose and muscular fender forms, replaced by sleek sides and ornate LED lighting. Inside quality improves at eye level (while degrading below hip point) … Read more

Isaac Bouchard The XV Crosstrek has been a hit for Subaru: jacking up an Impreza till it had 8.7 inches of ground clearance and adding some big wheels and fender flares gave it a welcome dose of attitude. All it lacked was a bit of polish and enough torque to feel zippy. Both of these … Read more

Isaac Bouchard The Highlander has more or less defined the heart of the evolving midsize crossover market. The last gen model, built from 2008 to 2013, remained a best seller right up until its last month of production. As the owner of a 2008 model with six-figure mileage, I was very intrigued as to what … Read more

Isaac Bouchard In Greek mythology, the Titans were the “elder gods” who ruled over a golden age until, led by Zeus, the younger deities overthrew them. In the evolution of the SUV, body on frame-based beasts ruled the roost during the era of cheap gas and lax EPA regulations. In the modern age, tight CAFE … Read more

Isaac Bouchard For those of us raised in the 1970s, the Super Friends were an integral part of our Saturday mornings, as was the brother-sister duo of Zan and Jayna’s refrain of “Wonder Twin powers, activate!”. Chrysler Corp’s use of ex-partner Mercedes’ structure means that sibling Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango are other endowed … Read more