2013 Cadillac ATS Review

Posted on August 9, 2013 by northredline

Having been crowned several key industry accolades this year including North American Car of the Year we have been eager to experience the Cadillac ATS first hand. Over a week in July, we had the opportunity to test out Cadillac’s new ATS model and it made an excellent first impression.

Based on GM’s new Alpha platform, the 2013 ATS features a front-engine, rear-drive layout along with a newly designed exterior. Primarily marketed to compete with the successful BMW 3 series, the ATS provides Cadillac with some new ammunition. Offered with three engine and powertrain options, including a manual transmission, automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive configuration it provides customers with lots of choice, a key differentiator in the luxury sedan segment.

Sitting pretty

Our tester came equipped with the manual 2.0-liter turbocharged, four cylinder engine that includes 272 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. The best part of this configuration is the slick and sporty manual transmission. Since when was the last time you saw a Cadillac with a stick? Providing a manual transmission option is a testament to the renewed focus on making Cadillac products more sporty, which has been well received in the marketplace.

To experience the sportiness of the manual transmission we headed north to the beautiful four season resort town of Collingwood, Ontario. The Cadillac performed well on the winding backcountry roads and ate up the hills with its perfectly balanced sports suspension providing an authentic sports car feel but with all the creature comforts of a luxury sedan. The solid torque from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes the ATS a blast to drive as it is (0 to 60 times are in the high fives) well in the range of its rivals in terms of performance. As for stopping power, our Cadillac came equipped with race inspired Brembo front brakes, a real plus in reducing overall stopping distances.

The Cadillac ATS comes loaded with all the bells and whistles associated with GM’s top marquee. With a base price of $35,195 and a total price as tested of $43,935 our tester included the following options:

Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with Adaptive Forward Lighting and LED daytime running lights
Performance front bucket seats
10-way power front bucket seats with 2-way power lumbar support and a 4-way adjustable head restraint
Full-colour Head-Up Display (HUD)
Electronic parking brake
Illuminated exterior door handles
Dual exhaust with outlets integrated into rear fascia
Sport alloy pedals
Bose® 5.1 10-speaker Cabin Surround® audio system
Rear outboard seat-mounted side-impact airbags
Lane departure warning
Forward collision alert
Rear vision camera
CUE communications and entertainment system

Fuel economy:

The 2.0T with manual transmission is rated at:

City 10.6L/100 KM
Highway 6.7L/100 KM
Combined 8.8L/100 KM

Interior:

Our tester came equipped with the optional Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system which includes a 8-inch touch screen that operates like a smartphone or tablet. Although the touch screen did require some initial acclimation, we did like it overall but we could see how it could be difficult for more mature drivers who may not be as familiar with smartphone technology. As well, the climate controls are included in this system and for the older demographic not having physical buttons could be problematic.

Although not for everyone, we were partial to the sexy red interior and its plush leather bucket seats with lumbar support make you want to drive farther as you pull into your destination.

The back seat is best designed for two adults and legroom is about standard for any sport luxury sedan. Having hot and cold ventilation in the back seats is a great touch, especially during a July heatwave where temps reached the mid 40s with the humidex.

The ATS has 10.2 cubic feet of trunk space which is slightly less than some of its competitors, however, we found the space ample for our weekend cottage trip and really how much more space do you need in a luxury sports sedan?

Competition: These are some heavy hitters for sure.

Audi A4 sedan
Lexus IS sedan
BMW 3-series sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-class
Infiniti G37 sedan

Final thoughts:

With its sleek, sexy styling the Cadillac ATS is a real eye pleaser. So, it was no surprise throughout the week, people would come up and ask what Cadillac model it was – the ultimate compliment for any car owner. Having only the opportunity to test the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with the manual transmission we can only speak to the one model. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our time behind the wheel while experiencing first hand the fruits of Cadillac’s R&D labour to create this award winning new product.

Time will tell how overall sales do in comparison to its rivals as Cadillac has stiff competition with BMW, Audi and Mercedes as their brands are already entrenched and successful in this segment. Nevertheless, we are positive there is room for one more player in the segment and the 2013 Cadillac ATS should be able to hold its own among these German juggernauts.

2014 Subaru Forester Review

Posted on July 16, 2013 by northredline

RedlineNorth recently had a chance to review the all new 2014 Subaru Forester. We used this opportunity to take it on a spin up to beautiful Awenda Provincial Park, near Penetanguishene, Ontario for a weekend camping trip. It also allowed us to put the Forester through its paces, both in town and on the highway.

Subaru’s mid-sized crossover is now on its fourth generation, and comes in two main configurations for the 2014 model year – a 2.5L, 4 cylinder boxer engine, or a 2.0L turbo charged version. Within each configuration there are multiple trim packages, with the base Forester 2.5i starting at $25,995. RedlineNorth test drove the 2.5i Touring Package model with a six speed manual transmission ($29,995).

In town with the 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i

The Details

With a MSRP of $29,995 the 2.5i Touring Package provides you with:

2.5L 4-cyclinder Subaru boxer engine
175 hp and 174 lb-ft torque
Six speed manual transmission with Hill Holder system
Subaru’s symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive system
Power liftgate with memory function
Large sunroof
17×7 aluminum alloy wheels
Premium cloth upholstery
10-way power-adjustable driver seat
Heated front seats
CD/MP3 system
Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls
Bluetooth streaming audio
Rear-view camera
Dual-zone climate control
36 month – 60,000 km New Vehicle Limited Warranty

At home in the woods

Exterior

The 2014 Subaru Forester has a more upright, boxy, and overall SUV type look compared to its crossover cousin, the Subaru Outback which can easily be mistaken for a large wagon. While the Forester styling is somewhat understated, to its credit it provides plenty of ground clearance, 8.7 inches to be exact. This is particularly nice to have when driving around the city, clearing speed bumps with ease. We also found the raised body made loading and unloading camping gear from the rear cargo space on our trip more convenient. Likewise, the raised profile of the Forester also translates into larger window space, giving the interior a very bright and airy feel. This is heightened by the extra large sunroof that comes standard in the Touring Package. The size and placement of the sunroof was one of our favourite features of the 2014 Forester and accentuated the open feeling of the whole interior cabin.

RedlineNorth appreciated the extra large sunroof which comes standard in the 2.5i Touring Edition

RedlineNorth appreciated the extra large sunroof which comes standard in the 2.5i Touring Package

Interior

Driver seating in the 2014 model is solid and at no point did we feel cramped. The placement of the climate and steering wheel mounted controls make vehicle operation a seamless experience. It enables the driver to concentrate on driving, rather than fiddling with buttons. The one exception is the menu navigation on the 4.3 inch multi-function display. The system isn’t as straight forward as it could be at the outset, however, we did get use to it after a short period of time. The rear view camera images on the 4.3 inch display are small in size and it would be nice to have a larger monitor. However, at the end of the day the monitor is still large enough to determine if there are any obstacles in the way, which is what it’s designed to do.

Interior cabin view

We were pleasantly surprised with the interior build quality and overall design of the Forester. The retractable rear cargo cover is a nice addition to keep valuables out of sight and its solid construction gave us confidence it would last the life of the vehicle. Similarly, the rear cargo and floor mats are made of a higher quality material and stood up well to the loading and unloading of camping gear.

There is decent interior storage space, with plenty of cargo room in the rear. The powered rear cargo liftgate is a nice touch and came in handy on our trip. With one touch open and close it makes accessing the interior storage space very easy. We should also note the location of the rear latch connection for the child safety seat was positioned in a very convenient location and made the placement and removal of the seat a breeze. It’s one of those little things that all add up to a big overall impression.

Rear cargo space in the Forester was plentiful and easily accessible

Performance

The six speed manual transmission found in the Forester feels smooth and responsive. Effortless shifting between gears and the full time All-Wheel drive Subaru is known for, make the Forester a pleasure to drive. Fully loaded with a weekend’s worth of gear the 2.5L engine wasn’t as spirited entering the highway as we would have liked so we would recommend an upgrade to the 2.0 L turbo engine with its 250 hp and 258 lbs-ft of torque if more powerful full time performance is required. Nevertheless, the 2.5i is fun to drive and provides more than acceptable power and performance for the vast majority of daily driving.

The 2.5i Touring Package comes standard with a 6 speed manual transmission

The 2.5i Touring Package with a six speed manual transmission

Fuel efficiency in the 2.5L version of the 2014 Forester is rated at 9.5L/100 km City and 7.0L/100 km Highway. While climate, driving style, maintenance and a number of other factors can influence fuel efficiency, we are happy to see the efficiency during our test period fell within the stated range.

Summary

The 2014 Subaru Forester is a bit of a sleeper hit for us. We are pleasantly surprised with its interior cargo space and convenience options such as the powered liftgate and rear car seat latch placement. The full time All-Wheel Drive and smooth six speed manual transmission made for a very good driving experience. As a result, families considering a small SUV or minivan should take notice of the 2014 Forester and we think they will be happily surprised both in terms of day to day performance, but also in value for money.

Key competitors to the 2014 Forester are the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 – 10th Anniversary Edition

Posted on July 8, 2013 by northredline

With the kids out of school and the pools all open, summer is now in full swing. And what is more representative of summer than a soft top Jeep?

Yes, the Jeep Wrangler is synonymous with summer so what better time to get behind the wheel of a beautiful Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 – 10th Anniversary Edition.

At home in the City

Whether it’s the charming Jeep wave, monster ride height, or the distinctive lines largely unchanged from its beginnings more than sixty years ago, one thing remains; everyone has an opinion about Jeeps. Although there is something very polarizing about the Jeep, it continues to be an endearing vehicle like no other. With its round curves and friendly grill, it truly is one of the most iconic brands within the automotive world. Market researchers routinely place Jeep a top of the list of the world’s most known brands. Still sold throughout the world it remains popular in many different locales resulting in top seller status globally for Chrysler.

In the country

Of course, what would a Jeep experience be without a little camping in the countryside. Our Wrangler Rubicon tester was totally at home cruising through the countryside northwest of Toronto searching for the perfect plot to pitch our tent. As well, with its large amount of rear cargo room it was very practical for heading out on a family camping trip.

The idea behind the Rubicon is to offer a model from the factory that includes a ton of off-road upgrades for the enthusiast. Beginning with Chrysler’s new 285-hp Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 the Rubicon is a treat to drive around town and the country. But the real goodies for the off-roader, lie in the guts of the vehicle with its 4.10:1 Dana 44 axles working through a Rock-Track part-time transfer case with a 4:1 low-range ratio and Tru-Lok locking differentials.

Perfect camping companion

Beginning with Chrysler’s competitive 5 Year /100,000 km powertrain limited warranty the Rubicon offers the outdoor enthusiast an unmatched unique vehicle experience.

With a base price of $36,045 CAD and a total price as tested coming in at $48,680 our tester included all the bells and whistles you would ever want, or need, on your Jeep.

In addition to its standard equipment, the following are just some of the extra tricked out options that are available with the 10th Anniversary Edition:

LT265/70R17E OWL On/Off Road Tires
Rock Rails by Mopar
Red Front and Rear Tow Hooks
Steel Front and Rear Bumpers
Radar Red Stitching Accents
Quick Silver Interior Accents
Chrome/Leather-Wrapped Shift Knob
Uconnect 730N with 6.5″ touch screen, navigation and 20GB Hard Drive
Integrated Voice Command with Bluetooth
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Trailer Tow with 4-Pin Connector Wiring

Our test vehicle came mated to a standard six speed manual transmission which was quite fun to drive in both city and highway environments. Although getting it into overdrive (sixth gear) was a little challenging initially, we got use to it quickly and found the transmission very smooth overall.

From the Jeep icon silhouette on the front windscreen to the simulated tread marks of the rear floor mats, to the red leather stitching on the armrest, Jeep brings a leading level of attention to detail to the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 10th Anniversary edition.

As for the Rubicon’s interior technology, Chrysler’s Uconnect system worked very well as it understood voice commands when spoken to the first time and navigation within the system was very intuitive overall. Our test vehicle came with a 6.5 inch touchscreen media centre with enhanced navigation and a solid stereo which included a subwoofer in the rear cargo area.

Additional Comments:

There was an acceptable amount of noise coming from the tires considering they are LT265/70R17E offroad/onroad tires.
Fuel economy is stated at 13.4 L/100 km (21 mi/gal) City 9.6 L/100 km (29 mi/gal) Highway. Considering its pedigree and what it’s built for this is solid fuel efficiency.
As expected there is some body roll when taking sharp corners, or going over contoured surfaces on the highway.
The split rear door was useful for passengers accessing the rear storage area easily.
Placement of standard equipment such as power window and power mirror adjustments were located in the centre console and not on the doors themselves, which took some getting used to but quickly became familiar.

As expected rear leg room was slightly limited, but seriously who buys a Jeep Rubicon for rear leg room?

Competitors:

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon really is in a segment of its own since there is nothing available here in Canada that truly parallels all its offerings for an apple to apple comparison. That being said the main general competition are the following models.

Toyota 4Runner
Land Rover LR2
Subaru Forester
Nissan Xterra
Ford Raptor * not in same class but target for off-road enthusiasts

Final Thoughts:

While the the Rubicon is not for everyone, for those looking for a vehicle with a little luxury for the city during the week and the capability to go hard core in the country during the weekend, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 – 10th Anniversary edition is for you. Chrysler has hit a home run within this specialized market by blending every day practicality with unparalleled off road abilities.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Review

Posted on June 4, 2013 by northredline

Over the May Victoria Day long weekend one of the RedlineNorth team members had the opportunity to test drive Hyundai’s 2013 Santa Fe Sport, sport utility vehicle. The test period included a road trip from Toronto to Ottawa, Ontario that included a toddler, pregnant wife and grandmother along with all the ‘stuff’ required for a long weekend road trip with the family. Well, how did the Santa Fe Sport perform battling long stretches of highway, long weekend traffic, while fully loaded with toddler in tow? Read on to find out.

2013 Santa Fe Sport SE

In the 2001 model year, the Santa Fe debuted in North America as Hyundai’s first SUV. Now in its third generation, Hyundai recently launched the redesigned 2013 Santa Fe. There are two variants of the Santa Fe, the five seater Sport along with the larger seven seater XL. The Santa Fe Sport comes in two engine configurations, a 2.4L normally aspirated engine and a 2.0 L turbo version. Both engines are also available in both Front Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive with prices starting at $28,388.70 including destination and delivery charges for the 2.4 FWD. The RedlineNorth test vehicle was the 2.0L Turbo AWD SE model which comes in at $37,188.70.

The 2013 model has been redesigned in a style Hyundai calls Storm Edge.

Interior

The interior of the Santa Fe felt roomy with high attention to detail. This included built-in sun shades for the rear windows which came in handy on the long car journey with sleeping kids. In addition, the sunroof is immense and fully opened it provides a pseudo convertible feel. This feature made up for the narrow rear windows provided with the redesigned styling, which didn’t allow in that much light.

The Santa Fe Sport SE comes with a panoramic sunroof

The ability of the rear seats to recline is a great feature and rear and front leg room was above average. In addition, the adjustable powered drivers seat with lumbar support fared well on the long trip and provided the right amount of firmness and comfort despite not having the cooling ability found in the Limited edition of the Sport.

The quality of the interior trim was better than average

Infotainment

The menu of the infotainment system in the Santa Fe, while not perfect, was above average in terms of ease of use. Pairing a phone through Bluetooth was straight forward and didn’t require breaking out the instruction manual. Similarly, changing input selections from radio, CD and Satellite radio and assigning them to the memory was done with ease. The down side to the system was the 4.3 inch screen size that comes standard in the SE and Luxury editions. While the lack of a navigation system in the SE certainly reduces the need for a larger screen one may find themselves squinting at screen when trying to discern images from the rear view camera system.

The SE version of the Sport comes standard with a LCD screen which is limited in size.

Driving

A handy feature in the 2013 Santa Fe is the adjustable steering control to adapt to personal driving styles and road conditions. Drivers can select from normal, sport or comfort mode. Sport mode noticeably tightened up the steering providing the driver with more responsiveness which is useful in city traffic. While out on the highway heading along Highway 401, comfort mode provided a more relaxed feel with more play in the steering wheel. Normal provided middle of the road feeling between the two and as a result wasn’t used a whole lot.

In terms of engine performance there was a slight lag with the Turbo in the 2.0L liter engine, however, overall the Sport felt very responsive. Entering the highway with a vehicle fully loaded for a long weekend the Santa Fe Sport got up to speed quickly and passed vehicles with ease. This is thanks to the 264 hp and 269 lbs of torque produced by the four cylinder engine. This performance does not have a dramatic impact on fuel efficiency either. With a posted rating of 11.0L/100 km city, 8.4L highway and 9.8L combined is an 8% improvement over the 2012 model year. During the test period we received a combined rating of 9.2L representing approximately 70% highway and 30% city driving.

The AWD versions of the Sport come with a system called Active Cornering Control which manages the vehicle acceleration by adjusting the inside rear wheel speed during a turn. The system does a good job as cornering felt tight with only a hint of body roll. A nice addition to the technology in the Sport would have been a blind spot warning system, or adaptive cruise control, both of which are becoming more and more standard in new vehicles and provide both added safety and convenience.

Exterior

With its curves and modern look, the Santa Fe’s design is very sleek overall. Beginning with its HID headlights the SUV brings a design synergy where aerodynamics meets utility in a way that really works. The 19 inch alloy wheels, twin chrome tipped tailpipes and the addition of the rear parking assist sensors round out some of the stand out features of the Santa Fe Sport styling. Hyundai calls the styling of the redesigned model Storm Edge which features “A striking hexagonal grille which flanks the front while smooth flowing sheet metal creates the impression of continuous motion.” While this description may have a healthy dose of marketing speak incorporated into it, the look of the new 2013 model certainly has appeal and turned a few heads in parking lots.

Conclusion

Hyundai has developed a winner in the 2013 Santa Fe which is pitted against competitors such as the Ford Edge, GMC Terrain and the Nissan Murano. The lack of a navigation system and the small LCD screen size in the SE version are the most significant detractors. However, with the refreshed styling, features such as; customizable steering and the panoramic sunroof, along with the responsive turbo charged engine we can easily recommend the SE Sport as a mid-size SUV ideal for families or those needing the additional space. In addition, the improved fuel efficiency over the 2012 model tips the scales bringing the Sport SE into the top 3 spot of this reviewer’s list for mid-size SUVs.

Masretta MXT

Posted on April 11, 2013 by northredline

Yes, that’s right it’s called the Masretta MXT, and it’s a new mid-engine/rear-drive two-seater sports coupe with loads to offer the track day enthusiast. If you are thinking it looks a lot like a Lotus Elise that’s not by accident because its shares the same lightweight fun theme.

And it’s from Mexico, home to many of the World’s manufacturers’ facilities but not necessarily the home of a national auto product. Designed and built entirely in Mexico, the Masretta MXT is Mexico’s first national car and has become a very cool story in itself.

Designed as a driver’s car, development primarily focused on optimizing acceleration, cornering and braking capabilities. While under the hood, the Masretta MXT has a turbocharged, Ford Duratec 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 250 HP and 250 lb ft. of torque. By using aluminum in the chassis and carbon fiber in the body, the MXT’s overall weight is only 2050 lbs creating a solid overall horsepower to weight ratio. As a result, it’s not only nimble but quick with acceleration numbers of 0-100 Km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 260 Km/h.

Along with reasonable sticker price of only $60,000 USD, the MXT has some great upside for the enthusiast community since it’s very good value overall for a premium level sports car. But don’t go getting too excited about picking up one of these cheap in a few years since sales estimates are only around 200 cars per year.

Personally, I’m still not 100% sold on the looks as I just can’t get beyond the thought of the bad marriage between a Toyota MR2 and Lotus Elise. Nevertheless, our job as journalists is to give the facts and be balanced so you can act as the judge at the end of the day.

This is a great video of the Masretta MXT in its natural environment on the racetrack.

As well, the boys from the UK’s Top Gear did a video feature on the MXT which provides some additional insights into the one and only 100% Mexican sports car.

Sources: Wikipedia and Masretta.com

2013 Dodge Charger SXT Review

Posted on April 7, 2013 by northredline

A true urban warrior

2013 Dodge Charger SXT AWD

Base Price: $35,395
Price as tested: $42,040
Engine: 3.6L V6 VVT Engine
Horsepower: 292 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 8 Speed Auto 8R45 Transmission
Fuel Efficiency Rating: 11.4L/100 KM City; 7.3L/100 KM HWY
Key Competitors: Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala

Although the industry as a whole is heading towards smaller vehicles there is still a significant market for large sedans however, the choice today for consumers is somewhat limited. We recently had the opportunity to test out one of these full-size contenders aiming to set itself apart from the rest of the large sedan crowd. Say hello to Chrysler’s 2013 Dodge Charger AWD SXT model.

Spring afternoon in Toronto

Upon first glance, the aggressive stance and styling remind you of the infamous Dodge Charger muscle cars of the 60s and early 70s. The combination of its mean grill, chiseled hood and doors and unique LED tail light make the Charger stand out from the crowd. Selfishly, we were very excited about our tester’s “Redline red” paint colour which works well visually with our site.

What are you looking at?

Upon a close up, you can really see why North American police departments are clamouring for the new Chargers for their fleets since it just looks ready to throw down for law enforcement at a moment’s notice.

Even looks mean from behind

In spite of its large size the 2013 Dodge Charger is surprisingly easy to drive around town, thanks to a very efficient turning radius and solid overall visibility. The steering felt great at both slower city speeds and highway speeds, while the suspension easily soaked up Toronto’s abundant spring potholes. The Charger’s AWD drivetrain provides the added confidence for any type of weather, a truly nice feature to have in Ontario in early Spring.

Luxurious interior

Our 2013 Dodge Charger’s interior came dressed in a sporty red leather upholstery with slick, roomy front bucket seats. One very cool interior feature in the Charger you don’t see everyday is the cooling and/or heating of the centre console cup holders. I mean seriously, how nice is it to keep your Timmy’s coffee warm on a long winter road trip.

The dashboard controls came in oversized, easy to adjust rubber-wrapped knobs situated well for both driver and passenger control. Our only criticism is the dashboard’s design and finish is not perfect, yet it does not look “rental” car either. Overall, Chrysler has done a tremendous job to reduce the number of interior assembly pieces, which results in a very quiet and luxurious interior.

As for technology, the heart of it all begins with Chrysler’s Uconnect Touch media centre which includes CD/DVD/MP3 capability and navigation. The Uconnect Touch system is well designed with its easy to use 8.4 inch touch screen display while the big icons and buttons make it a snap to use while driving. Compared to some of the other systems we have recently tested it is quite exceptional in both looks and functionality. In addition, our Charger SXT model included Bluetooth phone capability, SiriusXM satellite radio and a USB port.

The Charger includes all the latest safety features Chrysler offers and it’s a very safe car overall earning five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Our tester came with a rear back up camera, adaptive cruise control and a very slick blind spot detection system with alert lights inside the side mirrors. In downtown traffic this feature is a bit overwhelming but you get use to it quickly and we saw the real value when we did our highway tests. Since having a second set of eyes is always a good thing when going to pass on the highway.

Rear seats

The back seats are equally as plush and roomy as the front seats, however, the transmission hump does take some leg room away for the middle occupant.

Storage is key for a large sedan and the cavernous 467 liter trunk delivers superior cargo space and includes grocery bag hooks, a nice convenience feature. Along with the trunk the rear seats fold flat in a 60/40 style so there is more room than most will ever need for hauling stuff.

Cavernous trunk

Overall, we had an absolute blast reviewing the Charger and were actually quite sad to return it to Chrysler headquarters. The 2013 Dodge Charger AWD SXT provides consumers with a sporty AWD sedan that rivals luxury sedans priced well beyond its asking ” sticker” price. As well, in 25 years classic car collectors will not be bidding on today’s Accords and Camry’s but will be interested in these Chargers.

Of course, for those focused on performance and not on a budget, the top of the line 470-HP $48,845 SRT would be absolutely amazing to have parked in the driveway, however, for most situations the Charger SXT suits perfectly. The SXT’s V6 engine provides ample power and torque for everyday driving and is fun to drive for a family sedan. With a zero to 60 MPH time of approx 6.4 seconds range the SXT is one of the faster grocery getters available. Since it was not that long ago when a 290+ HP family sedan was unheard of in North America further reminding me of all the under powered sedans I grew up driving in the 1990s.

2013 Dodge Dart SXT Review

Posted on March 24, 2013 by northredline

2013 Dodge Dart

2013 Dodge Dart SXT

Base Price: $17,995
Price As Tested: $22,590
Engine: 2.0L I4 DOHC (also available 1.4L turbo)
Horse Power: 160 hp
Transmission: 6 speed automatic (6 speed dual clutch automatic and 6 speed manual also available)
Fuel Efficiency Rating: 8.6L/100 km City/5.8L/100 km Highway
Key Competitors: Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla.

Starting life as a full size vehicle in 1960, the Dodge Dart moved to a mid-size car in 1962 and finally became a “compact” in 1963 until 1976 when it was discontinued in the United States. In 2013, Chrysler resurrected the Dart into what we see today using a modified Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform (source). The new Dodge Dart made its debut at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show back in January 2012. The development and launch of the Dart is a significant milestone for Chrysler as it has been eight years since their last compact sedan the Dodge Neon was available to North American consumers.

Dodge Dart debut at NAIAS 2013

The 2013 Dodge Dart is available in six different trim levels from the base SE model starting at $15,995, SXT ($17,995), RALLYE ($19,495), Aero ($19,795), Limited ($23,245) to finally the GT model of which Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.

RedlineNorth recently had an opportunity to review the SXT model, which sits just above the base SE model, and provides a number of features, including a 8.4 inch touch screen.

The first thing you notice about the Dodge Dart is the aggressive exterior styling. The split cross hairs at the nose of the vehicle show that it’s unmistakably a Dodge. The sweeping projector headlights, lower grill and positioning of the rear tail lights across the length of the body all add to its sporty look. In addition, our tester came in a Redline Red paint colour of which we were particularly partial to.

Upon sitting in the driver seat of the Dart SXT you immediately notice the 8.4 inch touch screen display system, which Dodge calls the Uconnect 8.4. It’s simply massive and makes good use of all the extra real estate as on-screen buttons were spaced apart and easy to select. Unlike other smaller screens which are forced to located everything in close making it more difficult to select the right button. Another pleasant feature is the vast amount of customizing options available through the touch screen menu including everything from headlight on/off as well as doors & lock timing to Auto-On Comfort & Remote Start. For the traditional audiophiles, the Dodge Dart does includes a CD player which is tucked away in the arm rest. While many have migrated to downloadable music it’s good to see Dodge recognizing that many folks still use compact discs and have provided that option.

Another feature within the interior of the Dart is the 12 volt power supply which illuminates at night and provides light to the in-dash storage compartment, making it easier to find items in the compartment without having to turn on the interior lights.

: Ample rear legroom

Rear legroom was plentiful and a rear centre arm rest with pass thru is provided, both features provide some extra comfort for those longer journeys. The cargo area in the trunk was cavernous providing loads of room for gear. The combination between rear cargo and interior passenger space places the Dart right up there in terms of available interior volume in its class.

The 2.0L I4 engine in the Dart SXT produces 160 horse power and 148 lbs of torque. Acceleration was generally good with the automatic transmission, although the 6 speed manual with the optional 1.4 L turbo engine (and 184 lbs of torque) would likely suit drivers looking for more power. The Dart will do 0-60 mph in 7.6 to 7.9 second

The Dodge Dart provides great value for someone looking for a compact sedan with all the functionality one would expect from a 2013 model. However, it also comes with an added bonus not available in all compact models and that is, “personality”. Whether it’s your daily commute or a road trip with family the Dart is always poised to please.

2013 Buick Verano Turbo Review

Posted on March 13, 2013 by northredline

2013 Buick Verano Turbo

2013 Buick Verano Turbo 1ST Package

Vehicle Type: Front wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Base Price: Starts at $30,900 (CAD)
Price as Tested: $33, 245 (CAD)
Transmission: 6 speed automatic (also available 6 speed manual)
Engine: Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel
Competitors: Acura ILX, the Audi A3, Ford Focus ST and the Mazdaspeed 3

The Buick Verano debuted in North America in 2012 as the first compact marketed by Buick since the 1997 Buick Skylark and has enjoyed good sales numbers to date. RedlineNorth had a chance to review the 2012 model and what stood out most to us then was its overall sportiness for a four door sedan and its superior level of fit and finish.

The 2013 Verano includes the release of a new turbocharged engine, borrowed from the Regal GS and offering increased power, as well as stiffer suspension and subtle exterior styling changes. With Canadian sales of Buick passenger cars up 23 per cent in 2012, the new turbocharged Verano adds another dimension for Buick to continue its stellar pace.

For the 2013 model year Buick offers two engines for the Verano; the standard 2.4L ECOTEC I-4 providing 180 hp and 171 lbs of torque and an optional 2.0L ECOTEC I-4 Turbo engine taken from the Regal GS. The turbocharged engine produces a whopping 250 hp and 260 lbs of torque and will do 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Despite this additional power there is very little reduction in fuel efficiency, thanks to GM’s innovative turbocharger technology. The 2.4L standard engine offers a combined fuel rating of 9.9L per 100 km which increases to only 10.1L with the turbocharged engine. It should be noted that premium fuel is recommended for the turbo engine.

Happily, the turbo version of the Verano is offered with both automatic transmission and a 6-speed manual. With the dramatic decline of manual transmissions offered these days in the North American market it’s nice to see General Motors still provides the manual offering.

During our test period we especially enjoyed the stiffer suspension the turbo model provides as it hugged the road in the corners and provided excellent stability when accelerating. The steering felt accurate, however, there was a bit of softness overall, the kind you would expect in a four door sedan as after all it’s not a sports car.

There are very few visual clues to distinguish the turbo model and these are limited to the dual exhaust, a small ‘T’ beside the model name and a rear deck spoiler. While the Verano shares a number of Buick styling cues from the waterfall grille, portholes and chrome accents, it does have a much sportier and more aggressive persona than your father’s Buick, but it’s still hard to shake that stately sedan look.

The interior of the Verano has a wealth of luxury features from beige leather seats, dual zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel to a more understated, but desirable feature which Buick calls QuietTuning. QuietTuning provides additional acoustic insulation, sound deadners, and triple-sealed doors all intended to provide a quieter ride. When driving at highway speeds the Verano did provide a noticeably quieter environment, which adds to an increased sense of luxury in the vehicle. While the interior won’t be mistaken for a Bentley, the car does offer some excellent features and an attention to detail to help make those daily drives that much more comfortable.

Leather wrapped heated steering wheel adds a touch of luxury

Storage in the Verano is more than adequate with 396 L of cargo room. The trunk space is very roomy, especially for this class of vehicle. However, it would have been nice to give up a bit of the space in the trunk for more in-cabin room. Depending on your stature, the Verano could feel a bit cramped around the driver’s seating area. Overall cabin ergonomics are good with an easy reach of stereo, climate control and navigation controls, although things still felt a bit too close at times. In addition, rear leg room felt quite limited and may be challenging on long journeys, especially with adult passengers.

Intelligent system comes standard in the Verano

IntelliLink system comes standard in the Verano

All Verano models except for the base model now come with a Side Blind Zone Alert feature. When overtaking, or being overtaken, a visual indicator appears in the side mirror alerting the driver to the presence of another vehicle. The Blind Zone Alert was used extensively throughout our test period with the Verano, so much so the reviewer was looking for the warning indicator light in their own vehicle afterwards. This feature should not be under rated and is a welcomed addition to the 2013 model. Other additional safety features included in the Verano are ten standard air bags, a collapsible pedal system, which allows the pedals to detach during a crash to reduce the risk of leg or ankle injuries and the inclusion of the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system to help reduce the risk of rollovers.

A serious competitor in its class

The refinements made to the 2013 Verano Turbo, including the advanced safety features and the addition of the 2.0L turbo charged engine are a welcome addition to an already well equipment compact sedan. As a result of the new engine, suspension and steering have been tweaked to support the extra ponies under the hood and Buick has done a good job here. The interior offers a number of luxury features, including Quitetuning providing a noticeably quieter ride as well as a leather wrapped heated steering wheel, a nice touch for those cold Canadian winters. There is plentiful trunk cargo space in the Verano, however, interior cabin space is a bit lacking with regards to rear leg room. Overall, Buick has done a great job with the Verano Turbo and it is a very worthy competitor in its class. Buyers in this market segment should seriously consider adding the turbocharged edition of the Verano to their short list.

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

Posted on February 24, 2013 by northredline

As promised earlier in our Elantra review, we said we would review more models in Hyundai Canada’s line up. Well, recently we had the chance to spend some time behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Elantra GT. Built as a replacement to Hyundai’s Elantra Touring model, this innovative hatchback designed GT targets the North American buyer who requires loads of space but also wants a sporty, compact car. As winner of AJAC’s (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) award for Best New Small car (over $21,000) we were looking forward to seeing what the Hyundai Elantra GT had to offer.

Our tester model came in the GLS Auto trim now listed at MSRP $22,599 CAD.

Performance Features

1.8L Dual CVVT DOHC 16V Engine with 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque
6-Speed Automatic Transmission with SHIFTRONIC®
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Driver Selectable Steering
*Manufacturer fuel economy ratings are – City (AT) 7.6L/100km, Hwy (AT) 5.3L/100km, Combined (AT) 6.6L/100km

Although frugal overall we did not quite match these figures on our test period as we obtained 7.5L/100 km (31MPG) in a combined city and highway environment. These numbers are still solid considering we were in all types of mixed terrain. Across the Elantra line-up, all automatic transmission models come standard with an optional active eco system that modifies the engine and transmission control to help increase overall fuel efficiency.

Safety Features

Advanced Front Airbags, Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags, Roof -mounted Side-curtain Airbags (6)
Driver Knee Airbag
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
Keyless Entry and Alarm System

Interior Features

AM/FM/XM®/CD/MP3 Player with 6 speakers
Manual Air Conditioning
Power Windows with Driver’s Auto Down
iPod®/USB/Auxiliary input jacks
Trip Computer
Driver’s Seat Height Adjuster
Rear Seat Centre Armrest with Cupholders
Power Door Locks
Steering Wheel-mounted Audio and Cruise Controls
Front Centre Console with Storage compartment and Fixed Armrest
Heated Front Seats
Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Cooled Glove Box
Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel and Gear Shift Knob
8-way Power Driver’s seat with Lumbar Support
Luggage Under Floor Box

Exterior features

Roof-mounted XM® Antenna
16” Alluminum Alloy Wheels
Front Fog Lights
Panoramic Sunroof

In comparison to the Hyundai Elantra Coupe reviewed recently the interior of the Elantra GT was not exactly the same since our Coupe tester was a higher trim model. Nevertheless, our tester came with a black interior with sporty cloth front seats with white stitching, a leather wrapped steering wheel with both cruise and audio controls. Along with a slick-looking trip computer screen located between the gauges, the interior feels fun and provides a sporty persona. In addition, the one unique feature our GT model came with not included in the Coupe is the panoramic sunroof providing a true cool factor for a car in this price range.

As a four door hatchback, the GT is ultra convenient for getting in and out as well as providing both driver and passengers with ample leg and headroom. During our test period, we headed north for some skiing/snowboarding and the GT was a perfect choice for the outing. The GT offers 651 liters of cargo room behind the rear seat versus the Elantra sedan’s 420 liter trunk and with the 60/40 split back seats folded down the total is a monstrous 1,444 liters of cargo room. As a result, the GT is very comfortable for taking three occupants along with all their ski gear out of the city for a day on the slopes.

Equipped with both traction control and Hankook snow tires, the GT handled the roads in ski country like a champ and was a real charm to drive in Ontario’s winter weather.

Competitors

The key players currently competing with the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT for Canadian buyers include the Mazda3 Sport, Ford Focus hatchback, Subaru Impreza hatchback, Toyota Matrix, Kia Forte hatchback and Volkswagen Golf hatchback. With so many strong competitors, Hyundai does have its work cut out for them however, the Hyundai Elantra GT offers great overall value. With its base trim levels starting at $19,149 through to $26,349 for the top of the line model its hard to beat the Elantra GT in dollar per dollar value comparisons. Therefore, if you are looking for a compact, sporty hatchback capable of tackling just about anything you give it make sure the Hyundai Elantra GT is on your shopping list.

2013 Chevrolet Trax

Posted on February 17, 2013 by northredline

Sold in over 140 markets around the world, the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is a smaller sized, five seat CUV/SUV. Powered by a 1.4L turbocharged engine paired to a FWD drivetrain or intelligent AWD system the Trax is well suited for both city and country terrain. Our tester came with the AWD system, an absolutely fantastic feature to have during the biggest snowstorm of the season here in Southern Ontario.

The Trax provides drivers with a unique combination of nimble, smaller sized CUV designed for the urban reality along with a hearty, adventurous core for when the going gets tough. During our test week, its smallish size made life easy for parking in various tight spots throughout the city.

The 1.4L turbocharged engine was quite peppy in both city and highway situations and provided a stellar level of overall power.

Fuel Economy

A very good fuel miser, our AWD Trax tester model delivered fuel economy numbers of 8.6 L/100 kms (27 mpg) in a combined highway and city environment.GM Canada’s fuel ratings are based on FWD model at 7.8 L/100 km city and 5.7 L/100 km highway ratings*.

One key interior feature making the Trax come to life was its premium Bose stereo with amplifier, a must have with SiriusXM Satellite Radio™. Having recently reviewed several other comparable vehicles, the stereo was quite exceptional for its overall price range.

Interior Space

The Trax provides a generous amount of interior and storage space as a result of its flexible design and roomy seats. With its 60/40 flip-and-fold rear seat and fold-flat front passenger seat the Trax is totally up for any challenge from drivers who travel with lots of gear. With the rear seats upright, cargo space is 530 litres and with the rear seats folded down it provides a spacious 1,371 L of cargo space*. Along with ample cargo space, the Trax provides a varied range of storage including; several cup holders, door and seat pockets and several hidden compartments.

*Based on GM Canada’s vehicle information

Our 2013 Chevrolet Trax review vehicle came in the 2LT trim package which includes the following features:

1.4L turbocharged ECOTEC^® I-4 with VVT
Horsepower – 138 @ 4900 rpm
Torque – 148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm
6-speed automatic with tap up/down shift control
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
StabiliTrak^® – electronic stability control system
Cloth/Leatherette Seat Trim
Wheels: 16″ x 6.5″ aluminum
10 airbags
Air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows, locks and mirrors and cruise control
Power sliding glass panel sunroof
Premium audio Bose^® 7-speaker system with amplifier and SiriusXM Satellite Radio™
Rear vision camera
Chevrolet MyLink Touch^TM – with 178mm (7-in.) colour touch-screen display, picture and movie viewer, AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and digital clock, includes auxiliary audio input jack and Stitcher SmartRadio™ compatibility
$25,500 MSRP* CAD from GM Canada’s website as of February 17, 2013

One thing we did dislike which was similar to some other GM models we have recently reviewed is the fact there was no armrest for the front passenger which is a real bummer on a long road trip.

Another interesting point for Canadians is the fact that the Trax is it is not sold in the United States. Apparently GM’s decision is based on American buyers tending to prefer larger vehicles and the availability in the US of the similar sized Buick Encore model.

Competition

The key competitors to the Chevrolet Trax in the smaller CUV/SUV segment are the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Soul, Nissan Juke and Suzuki SX-4. All of these competitors offer similar trim levels and sticker prices resulting in the segment being ultra competitive. Time will tell who comes out as the sales champ but the good news for GM now is its latest Chevrolet product can hold its own among the competition. The Chevrolet Trax is a solid vehicle providing great overall value and should be on all new car buyers’ lists looking in this segment.

RedlineNorth

Automobile Blog from North of the 49th

Category Archives: Review

2013 Cadillac ATS Review

2014 Subaru Forester Review

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 – 10th Anniversary Edition

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Review

Masretta MXT

2013 Dodge Charger SXT Review

2013 Dodge Dart SXT Review

2013 Buick Verano Turbo Review

2013 Buick Verano Turbo 1ST Package

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

2013 Chevrolet Trax

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2013 Buick Verano Turbo 1ST Package

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