vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Review”

• vLane reviews: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

  Banovsky on November 2, 2009

  Here at vLane, we've got the opportunity to sample some pretty amazing machinery. But none have been more polarizing in the last year than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. We've all driven both the V6 and V8-powered models…and our opinions couldn't be more split. Take a look at what I'm talking about…

  

  vLane's take on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

  Herman says: "Starting with the cashier at the airport Park-N-Fly where I was picking up the vehicle, everybody had something to say or ask about the Camaro. She had been looking at the car sitting on the lot all day, and had come up with a dozen questions to ask me. I hadn't driven nor even seen the Camaro yet, so I didn't have much to say about the car at that point. As the valet pulled the car up and handed me the keys, he immediately started asking about the car's performance, though he had driven the car more than I had (all the way across the parking lot). It had been a long time since I saw so much interest and curiosity about a new vehicle…I was excited." link

  Michael says: "And trunk space? Those sexy, sculpted, naughtier-than-Sasha Grey rear fenders come at a price: there isn’t much trunk space. The opening is too small, the trunk itself is too shallow, and — though the rear seats fold down — the pass-through isn’t American Tourister (let alone Parisian Tourister) worthy." link

  Stergios says: "Personally, I prefer the looks of the 1LT base model: understated, mild mannered, and polite, for the every day driving experience. The SS2 Bumble Bee paint schema was a bit much for me to handle on a day-to-day basis, but something that would have much more appeal if this were my weekend ride." link

  Fred says: "All-American car companies are looking for the way out of this mess they are in, and we think that developing modern, efficient cars with great performance, handling, and looks are the way to go." link

  Derek says: "The Camaro is a synecdoche, a symbol of the new, vastly improved GM. But like the GM of old, the Camaro engineers forgot to put in that last little bit of effort that would make the car great." link

  Want to read more? Click on the links above to read each review.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Review, Discussion, Chevrolet, Camaro, 2010, vLane, community, Community review

• Reviewed: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

  Banovsky on August 14, 2009

  A few weeks ago, I panned the Camaro. And that's fine, because in the Chevrolet lineup, it's the good-looking high school football all-star who will eventually Jäger away his scholarship, find the love of his life on a brass rail, experience 'roid rage, and live out his life in a trailer with five satellite dishes on top.

  

  2010 Chevrolet Equinox

  Maybe that's too harsh, but it's where all the real Camaros seem to end up. And if that was the company's great hope, we should turn off the RenCen's lights now. Thankfully, the Camaro has a slightly younger, chunkier, and far more intelligent younger brother, the Equinox crossover SUV.

  It's a significant vehicle for two reasons. First, it's the first modern General Motors product you can choose on merit over the competition in the most crowded vehicle segment (small crossover vehicles.) (The 2008– Malibu sedan, FYI, was almost there; but not quite.)

  Second, it's proof that the company is committed to producing products that are relevant to the average consumer. It's not puffed up on navel gazing market research (Malibu Maxx, anyone?) but fits the needs of a large portion of the population.

  Highlights:

  • Best-in-segment highway fuel economy of 32 mpg
  • Standard 6-speed automatic
  • Fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine available on every trim level
  • Prices start at just over $22,000

  Click through for the rest…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, SUV, Crossover, Review, Chevrolet, SUV, Photos, Detroit, 2010, vLane, Equinox

• Community review: 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  Banovsky on July 27, 2009

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our vehicle reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  

  Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  Reviewer Herman says of the 2009 Toyota Highlander that:

  I was immediately impressed with how logical and intuitive the layout of the car was. There was no fumbling around to figure out how to adjust the seats, turn on the headlights, change radio stations, turn on the air conditioning, etc. Everything was where I had expect it to be.

  From there, Herman enjoyed an often overlooked feature in more luxurious vehicles, the "smart key":

  I'm always fumbling around to find my keys, but with the smart key system, I was able to leave the keys in my pocket and when opening the door, making contact with the touch sensor in the door handle automatically unlocked the door for me. Once I was in the car, I just needed to depress the brake and push the power button and was ready to get rolling. It's a small convenience, but one that I got accustomed to having very quickly.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Green, SUV, Crossover, Technology, Toyota, Advice , Review, Discussion, Hybrid, SUV, 2009, US, vLane, Community review, Highlander

• Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS

  Banovsky on July 24, 2009

  This is serious business: Chevrolet just emerged from bankruptcy. Thanks to taxpayers having a share, I own part of the company. The Camaro coupe itself is built up the road from me, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. And people in the US love the Camaro like it’s the second coming of Confederacy or something.

  

  2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS. Photo: Michael Banovsky

  Here’s the thing about the Camaro: it’s not a car, it’s marketing.

  Do you really think Chevrolet, out of the goodness of their hearts, redefined what it means to produce a modern muscle car? Hell no. The Camaro is on the road to market the company.

  They just let you drive it around for them.

  More…

  Read full article | Comments (70) | Filed under Coupe, Review, Chevrolet, Camaro, 2010

• Ride and Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

  Banovsky on July 15, 2009

  GM has invited us to drive the all-new 2010 Equinox, so throughout the ride and drive event, we'll be on Twitter posting photos and comments from our drive.

  

  We're driving the Equinox…

  So why are we telling you? Well, it's not like you have to wait a month for your favourite car magazine to drop through the mail slot: if you're interested in the Equinox, talk to us! Ask us stuff! We'll have the might of the GM public relations team at our disposal to answer all of your questions.

  Click on to the discussion or engage us real-time on Twitter!

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Future, Crossover, Misc, Review, Discussion, Social Media, Chevrolet, Detroit, 2010, Twitter, vLane

• Community review: 1998 Toyota RAV4

  Banovsky on July 15, 2009

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our used car reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  Reviewer Leah Young-Chung says of her 1998 Toyota RAV4 that:

  I have learned to love my little SUV. It is nice and compact and a breeze to park. Being so small and light the gas mileage is pretty nice.

  Her RAV4 has even facilitated some interesting…um…situations:

  In Santa Cruz I would pick up hitch hikers (going to class) that were hesitant to catch a ride with me for fear that their bikes wouldn't fit but my little car fit their bikes perfectly fine even with the seats still up.

  But even though the vehicle was gifted by her grandmother, it sometimes feels unstable:

  The only complaint I have about this vehicle is the weight. It is very light and catches the wind very easily. Taking sharp freeway turns sometimes it feels like its going to tip over.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under SUV, Crossover, Toyota, Advice , Review, Discussion, Social Media, SUV, vLane, community, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System

• Community review: 2001 Kia Sephia

  Banovsky on July 8, 2009

  Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  Reviewer Tetra says of her 2001 Kia Sephia that:

  I’ve had this car for quite a long time and we’ve been through a lot of things together and I’ve always enjoyed myself.

  And goes on to say this about winter driving:

  I live where it gets crazy during the winter and this car doesn’t really have amazing winder handling. I would more like to say that you wouldn’t drive, but you would subtly slide your way to your destination.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Sedan, Link, Review, Kia, Discussion, vLane, Sephia, 2001

• Review: 2010 Mazda 3

  Banovsky on June 30, 2009

  I hate the term, “sporty.” It’s like saying something or someone is “sexy,” without any promise of the “sex” part. Sporty doesn’t mean sport, racing-ready, or track-honed. It just means the car looks like it’ll give you a good time.

  

  The 2010 Mazda 3 cuts a mean grin

  In Mazdaland, the 5-door Mazda 3 compact car is being pitched as the sportiest in its class…but does it deliver?

  I’ve driven both a pretty basic 2.0-litre Mazda 3 “i Touring” sedan equipped with a manual transmission, and a loaded-to-the-gills automatic-equipped 2.5-litre Mazda 3 “s Grand Touring” 5-door hatchback.

  Read more…

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under Hatchback, Mazda, Sedan, Review, 2010

• Review: Seven days with the 'Bu

  Derek Kreindler on April 28, 2009

  One of the great tragedies of the General Motors saga is that just as they have reached a financial and market share lowpoint, their products are at an all-time high. Enthusiasts may drool over the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac G8 and Cadillac CTS-V, but the real jewel of the company is their segment-beating mid-size sedan, the Chevrolet Malibu.

  

  Driving back from General Motors Canada headquarters, roughly 45 minutes outside of Toronto, I was immediately impressed with the Malibu. Here is a fairly large mid-size sedan, powered by a modest 4-cylinder that is a joy to drive in nearly any situation. It is smooth and relaxed during highway cruising, but hit an exit ramp and it corners almost...aggressively. I never thought that could be said for a mid-sized American car, but the Malibu proved me wrong.

  Click through for more on the Malibu.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, Sedan, Review, This week, Chevrolet

• News: The Ford Transit Connect Family One concept

  AshleyW on April 10, 2009

  I have to admit when I first laid eyes on this I was thinking, "What in the world…?" I really don't care for boxy looking cars, but once I discovered what the inside of this vehicle is like, I might be coming around.

  

  Designed with families in mind, I can only imagine what fun it would be to a four-year old to draw with water pens all over the inside door panels. With this car, he wouldn't worry about getting in trouble, because this car is made to do that — the panels can be wiped off. Click through for more on the Family One.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under multi-purpose, Future, News, Concept, Ford, Minivan, Review, Ford, lifestyle, family, van, kids, parents