HR-V a strong contender in red-hot small CUV segment

 It’s no wonder that small SUVs and crossovers are such big business these days. Their larger siblings, which once crammed so many suburban driveways, were more vehicle than most of us truly needed. For a while, it seemed the idea that “less is more” was lost on our automakers. Even

The Importance of Your Vehicle’s VIN Number

 Your vehicle information number, more commonly known as the VIN number, can tell people a lot about your car. In fact, your VIN number is special, there isn’t another one out there like it. Today we are going to take a look at what your VIN is, where it’s located,

Top Toys This Holiday Season

 Welcome to Day 1 of the 25 Days of Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar. We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. If you were a young boy with a pulse in the mid-80s you probably had at least

All-new 5-Series bolsters BMW’s ‘driver’s car’ reputation

 Photos by Neil Moore / Feature image: BMW’s all-new seventh generation 5-Series may not look radically different than its predecessor, but it’s now lighter and more powerful, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six delivering 335 hp and 332 lb/ft of torque. It may be “all new,” but I’d be hard-pressed to

The best cars for your road trip

 If you’re planning an Ottawa road trip any time soon – or any road trip for that matter – we’ve got just the list of the best cars for you! From the trusty Range Rover to the stylish Alfa Romeo, finding the right car for your road trip can be just

Subaru Outback an SUV and crossover alternative

 Photos by Neil Moore / Feature image: Tall wagons like the Subaru Outback are an alternative to larger and taller SUVs and crossovers. Especially for those who prefer car-like driving dynamics. Since the extinction of the lumbering Country Squires and Roadmasters of yesteryear, I’ve developed a fondness for wagons. The European

Cars Are the Stars at This Year’s TestFest

 All photos except for Genesis on track and Mercedes/Subaru on off-road course were shot by Neil Moore. It’s late October and the local racing season is kaput. But despite the chill air, falling leaves and serene country roads on route to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, there’s a full tarmac here.

Slow Down and Stop the Killing

 Canadians are killing each other on our streets, even in broad daylight. The killers are usually known, but rarely prosecuted. Moreover, the killing could easily be prevented. Who are these people? The victims are people walking and the culprits are people driving. Ordinary, everyday people, like us. More than 300

Santa Fe XL Continues to Excel in Family Practicality

 “Not too shabby,” remarked a fellow car nut and good friend as we gave the Santa Fe XL’s exterior a quick once-over before peering into its open back hatch. Both rows of seating were folded flat – the 50/50 split bench in rear, and the two captain’s chairs in the

City Announces New Plan for Safer Streets

 Over are the days of cars ruling the roads, as the City of Ottawa has just put a red light on their 50 year-old practice of automotive domination. On October 7, the Transportation committee unanimously backed The Complete Streets Implementation Framework, keeping the interests of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users

Changing the Future: Moisture Vaporators

 The technology of science fiction is often flashy and impressive, but more mundane seeming inventions that make up the background of movie sets are equally likely to change the real world. The perfect example of this is the moisture vaporator, a device that is mentioned in passing in the original

Escape to Mont Tremblant

 If you ask me, January and February are the hardest months of the year to get through. Not only is all the hype from the holidays over, but the snow and slush on the roads make getting around town a huge headache! I have experienced my fair share of winters in

Requiem for a Clutch

 A sea change in automotive design is upon us. The systemic shift in engineering has led to the regrettable fact that most automobiles today come equipped with just two pedals; the clutch, that all-important third pedal, is missing. And, much to the dismay of driving enthusiasts, the automatic has overtaken

Not My Mother’s Corolla

 There has been a great deal of excitement since Ottawa Life Magazine tweeted from the launch party of the 2014 Toyota Corolla at the Museum of Science and Technology earlier in June. Just before the launch, OLM test drove the last of the 2013 models. It was great to discover

Top Marks for Mazda6

 First Impressions: The 2014 Mazda6 is a looker. With fine lines and a sexy front grill, the ‘6 draws attention from pedestrians and car enthusiasts alike. A stylish leather interior provides comfort and class to commuters who will enjoy a balance of low gas mileage, power and performance. This car

Putting the "Science" in "Science Fiction": Transformers 1 – Adjustable Vehicles

 Although they were made popular in the west by the Transformers television series that first aired in 1984, the idea of vehicles that could change into giant robots had already appeared in the Japanese Macross series, later be released in the United States as Robotech. Much of Robotech’s fame came

Mandating a Hidden Passenger in Your Automobile

 Most people know that any modern aircraft carries a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or Accident Data Recorder (ADR) as well as a Cockpit Voice Reorder (CVR) and that these two devices are consolidated into what is commonly referred to as a “black box” — despite the fact that it is

Performance, Style, Grit ~ The Audi A3 Enough Room for My Hockey Equipment and Stick

 If you want a car that combines style, grit, lively handling and performance while allowing for practical things like a hatchback/wagon design that provides ample cargo space, look no further than the Audi A3. Its classy interior retains the luxury and style that Audi is known for, but it does