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Best of Canadian Car of the Year 2018 program

Benjamin Yong on October 29, 2017

As is the case every October, writers and broadcasters from all over Canada gathered in Clarington, Ontario last week for one reason and one reason only: the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) program. This is where some of the newest vehicles from several manufacturers were made available in one place for thoughtful evaluation – on regular roads, highways and a high-speed test track — so that the 2018 CCOTY winners can be determined. These are five of the standout models in different categories from the event.

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Plus

Hyundai Ioniq Electric Plus (Small Car)

After a successful release of the Ioniq Hybrid and Electric, Hyundai is releasing the third and final electrified variant of the platform: the Electric Plus plug-in hybrid. Offering the best of both worlds, the PHEV allows up to 40 kilometres of pure electric driving and has an onboard 1.6-litre four-cylinder internal combustion engine ready to provide assistance for longer distance trips.

2018 Infiniti Q60 Sport

Infiniti Q60 Sport (Small Premium Car)

Beautifully sculpted and boasting a trio of powertrain options, the Infiniti Q60 is a worthy successor to the much-loved G37 Coupe. Positioned smack in the middle of the trim range is the Sport, packing a silky-smooth 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood generating 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Other highlights include standard Dynamic Digital (electronic) Suspension and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

2018 Toyota Camry XSE

Toyota Camry XSE (Large Car)

As good a car as the Camry is, excitement isn’t usually the word people think of when Toyota announces a new version. The 2018 is truly another story as it has experienced a full redesign. The XSE grade is styled the most excitingly of the bunch with large blacked out central mesh grille, body kit, 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and features an available 301-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 engine.

Porsche Panamera Turbo (Large Premium Car)

This second-generation luxury sports sedan from Porsche was made to form a closer link, both in appearance and performance, to the iconic 911. With a more coupe-like roofline and front/rear fascias, the twin-turbo V8 Panamera generates 550 horsepower that will take anyone’s breath away during full acceleration. The three-piece active rear spoiler is also a thing of beauty.

Honda Civic Type-R (Sports-Performance Car)

Believe they hype — the first Type-R to grace North American shores is the real deal. The 306-horsepower turbocharged i-VTEC mill, Brembo brake calipers and adaptive damping suspension system should be a clue as to how the CTR was able to achieve the title of world’s fastest production front-wheel drive car at Germany’s famed Nürburgring racetrack.

Best vehicles for Halloween candy runs

Benjamin Yong on October 4, 2017

Make trick or treating go smoother this year with one of these Halloween-approved vehicles.

Boo! It’s almost that time again to dig out the decorations and costumes for the scariest day of the year. And something else you may need is a proper vehicle for tasks such as shuttling kids to a trick or treating destination, or transporting friends and family to a Halloween party. We’ve put together a top three list of the perfect models to accompany All Hallow’s Eve.

lexus nx 200t lava orange

Lexus NX 200t F SPORT

This subcompact crossover by Lexus was built for Halloween: the gaping mesh grill, sharp headlights and metallic bumper spoiler all look like they were modelled after the alien from the Predator films. Oh, and it also comes in bright Lava Orange. Kidding aside, the NX 200t is great for candy runs since there are four compartments underneath the cargo floor to stash valuables out of sight, and lots of storage space up front in the large glove and console boxes, as well as the door pockets.

2017 hyundai elantra

Hyundai Elantra

The streets will be littered with kids and grownups alike on Oct. 31, making driving potentially more dangerous than usual. Being behind the wheel of a proven safe car — for example the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ 2017 Hyundai Elantra — would be a wise choice. In addition to performing well in crash tests, the compact car has hands-free technology for making and taking calls, and an optional automatic emergency braking system capable of detecting pedestrians.

2017 toyota sienna

Toyota Sienna

Kids can be messy — especially kids with a bag full of candy. But why wait to get home to tidying up crumbs and dirt when you can do it on the road? Toyota’s best-selling minivan now features an available on-board vacuum cleaner for on-the-go cleaning. Stowed neatly away in the rear of the vehicle, the hose can reach any part of the cabin, and the unit is operable whether the engine is on or off. Three attachments are included for getting into nooks and crannies.

Top three minivans for parents

Benjamin Yong on September 20, 2017

As September has rolled around, parents will once again be turning into a transportation service for their kids taking them to school, band practice and wherever else their extracurricular activities will take them. With their sliding doors and plethora of other modern conveniences, there is still no better vehicle to accomplish the task than the minivan. Below are three models that deserve some special attention.

2018 Toyota Sienna

A perennial favourite, the Toyota Sienna just received a brand new powertrain last year. It consists of a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, rated at 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which was an upgrade from the previous six-speed.

For 2018, the seven seater (or eight, depending on configuration) receives Toyota Safety Sense P pre-collision safety system across all trims. The front grille and foglight recesses have been enlarged and side sill rockers added for extra swag points. There are now five USB ports in the cabin for charging electronics, and Limited grade owners enjoy a 360-degree Bird’s Eye View camera.

2017 Mazda5

This mini-minivan provides an option for those who would like a family vehicle with a slightly smaller footprint. Mazda calls the six-passenger Mazda5 a “Multi-Activity Vehicle” with lots of neat features not commonly found in the segment, like the availability of a six-speed manual transmission and fold-out storage trays inspired by bento boxes stashed underneath the second row sliding/reclining captain’s chairs.

2018 honda odyssey

2018 Honda Odyssey

It’s true, the redesigned 2018 Odyssey has been covered in a previous post, but we simply couldn’t leave out this modernized offering from Honda. Unique technologies make it easy for parents to keep tabs on their little passengers in the back.

For example, CabinWatch relays real-time images from an interior camera pointed at the rear seats to the eight-inch infotainment screen, and CabinTalk allows the driver to speak to people sitting in the second and third row through the stereo speaker system or rear entertainment headphones.

Top new cars for students going back to school

Benjamin Yong on September 9, 2017

The month of September can mean only one thing: back to school. That means many students (and parents) will be shopping for a set of wheels that is safe, economical and of course, looks fantastic. The news is that manufacturers have been busy putting the finishing touches on refreshing favourites like the Toyota Prius c and Honda Fit. These are our top picks for this year’s latest back-to-school rides.

2018 Toyota Prius c

The smallest hybrid in the Toyota lineup gets some fresh duds for the 2018 model year. The front and rear fascias have been facelifted leaving the hatchback looking the sportiest it’s been since being introduced in 2012. The headlamps are more contoured, and black aero strakes surround the foglamps. In addition, a new lower front spoiler and a hatch wing have been fitted for better airflow.

Interior pieces like the instrument panel, air conditioning controls and steering wheel have also been redesigned. A backup camera is now standard making entering and exiting parking spots a cinch. Under the hood, the familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive continues to provide a stellar 5.1 L/100 km fuel economy rating.

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

How do you make the already great VW Golf even greater? By turning it completely electric, that’s how. The EV version of the popular compact is finally available in Canada and boasts a 35.8 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery, which allows a maximum travel distance of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge. The e-Golf receives the same styling changes found on the gasoline models like LED lighting, revised bumpers and an upgraded infotainment system.

2018 Honda Fit Sport

2018 Honda Fit

Recently pulling in to showrooms this summer, Honda has added a Sport trim to the Fit family. The new addition adds some exterior garnishes such as an orange-frosted splitter underneath the nose of the car, side skirts and a rear bumper diffuser, as well as 16-inch gloss black wheels. The inside features an all-black interior with orange stitching.

Both manual and CVT (automatic) transmissions are offered, the latter includes the Honda Sensing suite of collision mitigation and driver assistance technologies.

OpenRoad gets personal with Todd Talbot, Co-host of Love It or List it Vancouver At OpenRoad Toyota Richmond

OpenRoad Auto Group on July 10, 2017

JULY 10, 2017 (RICHMOND, B.C.) – B.C.’s largest automotive retail group is getting personal with one of Canada’s hottest TV personalities – Todd Talbot, the co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver. OpenRoad Auto Group recently partnered with Talbot to produce a series of videos profiling Talbot and his new Toyota Tacoma from OpenRoad Toyota Richmond as part of a social media campaign being rolled out this week.

“You couldn’t get a better or more genuine spokesperson for your brand,” said Christian Chia, President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “Todd has been a long time customer of ours at MINI Yaletown, so we’re delighted to extend our relationship in this way to showcase his personal side and demonstrate how his OpenRoad vehicle fits into his lifestyle.”

The first video is titled “73 Questions with Todd Talbot” which features Talbot walking through OpenRoad Toyota Richmond while answering rapid fire questions and performing celebrity impressions and showing off his dance moves. OpenRoad will release a second video showcasing Talbot in the Toyota Tacoma later this month, followed by another series featuring another vehicle in early 2018.

The partnership between OpenRoad and Talbot also includes his work as an emcee at OpenRoad’s annual charity golf tournament and social media posts from Talbot directly which will highlight the diversity of his vehicle for his work and lifestyle as a TV host, a realtor, renovator and a family man.

“Like most people, I’m really busy between working, moving, renovating, and being a dad, so the Tacoma plays a big role in my daily routine,” said Talbot. “I look forward to sharing a glimpse behind-the-scenes, and I hope our friends on social media will come along for the ride!”

Interviews with OpenRoad spokespeople and high-resolution photos are available upon request.

ABOUT OPENROAD AUTO GROUP
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group with over 1,000 associates representing 18 quality automotive brands at 22 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. openroadautogroup.com

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Tanis Sullivan
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