2023 Mercedes EQB 350 SUV

Mercedes EQB 350: Electrifying Luxury on the Roads.

The 2023 Mercedes EQB 350 SUV has rolled onto the Canadian electric vehicle scene, further expanding the brand’s electric offerings. This electric marvel, built on the GLB-class platform, offers a roomy and opulent interior, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, and a sleek design. But how does it stack up against other compact electric SUVs in Canada? Is the higher price tag justified?

Under the hood, the EQB 350 boasts two electric motors, one on each axle, churning out a combined 288 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Its 70.5 kWh battery pack promises a range of 227 miles on a single charge, and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 5.6 seconds. Notably, the EQB 350 also features a regenerative braking system that can be fine-tuned using paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The EQB 350’s exterior design sets it apart from the GLB-class. The front end showcases a black panel adorned with a star pattern and a luminous bar that connects the LED headlights. The rear end mirrors this luminous bar and features a redesigned bumper. Blue accents on the wheels and badges emphasize its electric identity. The EQB 350 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. The Premium trim includes features like dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and central display, MB Navigation with Electric Intelligence, and a virtual voice assistant. Stepping up to the Exclusive trim adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, wireless charging, and ambient lighting. The Pinnacle trim goes further with a panoramic sunroof, a Burmester surround sound system, and a head-up display.

Inside, the EQB 350 provides a spacious and comfortable cabin for up to five passengers. High-quality materials and finishes adorn the interior, and the seats are supportive and adjustable. The rear seats can be slid and reclined to create more legroom or cargo space. While an optional third row of seats is available, it’s best suited for children or short trips, given its limited space. The EQB 350’s cargo capacity is 495 liters with all seats in place, expanding to 1,710 liters with the second and third rows folded down, which is slightly less than the GLB-class.

The infotainment system in the EQB 350 is user-friendly, running on the latest MBUX software. It offers multiple control options, including touch, voice, and gestures. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity are all supported. The system also provides essential vehicle information like battery level, charging options, energy consumption, and driving modes. The EQB 350 offers four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, each affecting throttle response, steering feel, suspension settings, and regenerative braking intensity.

When it comes to the ride, the EQB 350 offers a smooth and refined experience, adept at absorbing road imperfections. The suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and handling. Precise and responsive steering and strong, progressive brakes enhance the driving experience. The all-wheel-drive system and Torque Shift feature lend the EQB 350 good stability and grip, adapting to various driving conditions. Additionally, its compact dimensions and good visibility make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

The EQB 350 prioritizes safety and convenience with an array of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist with a 360-degree camera, collision prevention assist with autonomous braking, attention assist, traffic sign assist, pre-safe plus with rear-end collision protection, and more.

The EQB 350’s luxury and performance come at a cost, with a starting price of $53,900 for the Premium trim. It surpasses some of its competitors such as the Tesla Model Y ($49,990), the Ford Mustang Mach-E ($42,895), or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($39,700).  Unless you are a Mercedes fanatic, I would shop around first.  

The 2023 Mercedes EQB 350 is a well-rounded electric SUV that excels in performance, comfort, style, and technology. It’s an excellent choice for Canadian buyers seeking a premium and practical electric vehicle that accommodates their family and lifestyle. Nonetheless, the higher price tag and limited driving range might discourage some buyers. The EQB 350 may not be a groundbreaking electric vehicle, but it stands as a solid and sensible choice.

Automotive Reviews SUV
2020-Lincoln-Aviator-Cover

2020 Lincoln Aviator – Automotive Review

2020-Lincoln-Aviator-Cover

2020 Lincoln Aviator – Automotive Review

Refined luxury and top performance elevate this SUV to new heights over the competition

Taking some styling cues from its big brother, this sibling is ready to impress. The three-row SUV has plenty of room inside and small enough to be agile in tight places.

Aviator grille has the Lincoln logo prominently in the center with a field of repeating Lincoln logo like shapes. Brilliant design and adds class to an already classy vehicle.

The Aviator is equipped with Co-Pilot360, which is a technology that has your back while driving. It includes evasive steering assist, reverse braking assist, active parking assist, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Pixel LED adaptive headlights to shine further while driving on the highway and at slower speeds the ability to cast a larger light pool helping to illuminate potential hazards. The adaptive dynamic bending lighting uses camera technology to read road signs and lane markings to pre-illuminate the direction the road is heading. I drove by a sign that said Cliff, and I was worried about what it might do! You can sync your smartphone with the Lincoln app and utilize your phone as a key. As you approach the vehicle, the headlights, taillights, and a welcome mat is projected under the doors, all done in sequence, gradually reaching full illumination. The interior is well laid out and very comfortable, typical of what you would expect from a high-end SUV, but wait, there is more. The warning chimes are musical notes by the Detroit Symphony orchestra. You can smell the luxury as you drive down the road. I was so wrapped up in it. I rolled down the window and asked the car next to me if he had any gray Poupon. Ok, maybe not. A lot of thought went into the design of the interior, excellent use of wood styling and easy to use buttons are well placed, except the touch screen. At first, I thought someone left their iPad in the dash, but no, it’s the infotainment system. That’s about the only thing that looked out of place. Everything else looked great.

Mileage numbers are 13.7 L/100km City / 9.7 L/100km Highway

The Aviator comes standard with a Twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine that creates 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Touring model comes with the same twin-turbo 3.0L V6 but adds an advanced electric powertrain that combines to produce 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque.

If you are looking for luxury without sacrificing performance, then take a test flight; I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

2 models to choose from. Lincoln Aviator reserve with a starting price of $63,821 and the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring. $75,083.

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2019_Toyota_RAV4_Trail-Cover

2019 Toyota RAV4 – Automotive Review

2019_Toyota_RAV4_Trail-Cover

2019 Toyota RAV4 – Automotive Review

The 2019 Toyota Rav4 Trail AWD is ready to hit the dirt.

Looks:

The 2019 Toyota Rav4 is here in a fifth-generation model, with a bold new design, one that many people are happy to see. The Toyota RAV4 has been one of those vehicles that people see on the roads every day and it started to blend into the background. Over the past few years, the Canadian built Rav4 has kept the competition at bay and has been the best-selling vehicle in its class. This Rav4 is quite exciting, sleek body lines, lower, a little wider and longer making this more aerodynamic. Swept-back headlights and a more aggressive front end are just some of the changes made. The rear lift-gate features a one-touch operation that has selectable memory height settings, perfect for my family where my wife had it set so low I could barely get my arm in and I had it set so she would need a step ladder to close it.

The Trail edition takes the Rav4 a little further into the backcountry so the average outdoor enthusiast can enjoy what others have and still have a comfortable vehicle on the road.                                       

In The Cab:

Ample use of soft-touch materials used throughout the interior. Comfortable front seats and rear seats that take in to consideration the comfort of your passengers. 60/40 split fold-down with reclining seatbacks that are just as comfortable as the front seats and lots of legroom too. The driver’s seat is a six-way power-adjustable, and the cargo area has a capacity of 1.09m and 2.08m with the rear seats folded down.

Safety first:

Many safety items are standard in this Rav4. Dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, roll-sensing front, and rear head/ side curtain airbags. Star safety system includes vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. There are also lane departure alert, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert available as an option, which I think should be standard on all new models.

Roadworthy:

I am impressed with how comfortable the interior is. You can hold a conversation with your children in the back without having to yell over the road noise. I found the 4 cylinder engine to be smooth and responsive although when the Rav4 is called upon to pass or travel up a hill under load, the engine does make a whiney roar and is very noticeable in the cabin.

Verdict:

Improving upon a vehicle that has a proven track record, while keeping up with the latest technologies, one reason Toyota continues to be so popular today.

Power:

A 2.5 Litre, 4 cylinder gas engine with 203 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8 speed automatic electronically controlled transmission with sequential shift mode.

Pump frequency:

9.2/7.1 L/100 km (city/highway) 

Warranty support:

Basic 36 months/ 60,000 km

Powertrain 60 months/ 100,000 km

Corrosion peroration Unlimited km

Sticker price:

Trail Edition $38,960 CAD

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2019 Nissan Qashqai - Cover

2019 Nissan Qashqai – Automotive Review

2019 Nissan Qashqai - Cover

2019 Nissan Qashqai – Automotive Review

The Nissan Qashqai is Nissan's 2nd most popular model, behind the better-in-every-way Rogue.

With virtually identical safety features, front ends, and interiors, it would almost make more sense to go with the Rogue for the more appealing style, space, and engine. Pricing isn’t very far off from the two also. So, why did Nissan green light the mass production of a car that is virtually identical to a vehicle they’ve already perfected? An even better question is: Why are people buying it?


Coming in at a whole foot and an inch shorter than the Rogue, the Qashqai will fit five average-sized people very comfortably. The styling is best described as a “Toned down version of the Rogue.” How many times will I mention the Rogue in this article? Keep reading to find out. The front and rear end are very alike. The side profile is when you see the subtle difference in the shapes. The Qashqai takes a sloping roof design and the hood is noticeably shorter.

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 and the ProPILOT Assist keep you in your lane and away from the careless drivers out there. The Safety Shield 360 includes the Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist. On the inside, dead center between your RPMs and your speed, all of these safety features are displayed for your viewing pleasure (and safety of course). The 7.0” touch screen infotainment system is smooth and intuitive, and the nine-speaker Bose sound system is impressive. The Around View Cameras are displayed on this 7.0” screen but the resolution is a tad suspect. This isn’t just a Nissan issue, but a large group of cars and manufacturers in 2019 still have low-resolution cameras as back-up and around view cameras and its quite annoying. The dash and interior are identical to the Rogue with the glossy black accents and a nice, soft, and sporty designed steering wheel. And, the seats are comfortable as all get out. The leather is soft and whatever is under it is even softer.


The Qashqai runs a 2.0L 4-cylinder, 141hp engine. 4-wheel Independent strut suspension is the culprit of the smooth ride and somewhat “darty” steering. The CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) is rough. It works the way it should, but the drone of any CVT is something I don’t think I will get used to. Just like every other CVT, when slowly letting off the gas, the weird surge of power shows up. It sure is fuel efficient though, with fuel economy ratings estimated at 8.1 L/100 km highway and 10.0 L/100 km city. Better than the already very fuel-efficient Rogue. The Qashqai comes in an Xtronic Transmission or a six-speed manual in the FWD models. It’s a competent car for the weekend go-getters.

The Nissan Rogue and the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue Sport in the US) have many similarities. In every aspect of the car, you can find a handful and more similarities, but the Qashqai has its own personality. It seems to stray away from the “perfect family” vehicle and cruise in the lane of “adventure seeker.” It has more space in all the right places to hold your weekend activities, but it also brings you the convenience and modern styling of any new car on the market, all while not breaking the bank. It comes in 3 trims and there are plenty of balloon-like colors to choose from

Key Features:

  • 2.0L 4-cylinder
    • Horsepower 141 @ 6,000 rpm
    • Torque (lb-ft) 147 @ 4,400 rpm
  • Fuel Economy
    • Xtronic AWD City/highway/combined 9.1/7.6/8.4 L/100km
    • Xtronic FWD City/highway/combined 8.6/7.2/8.0 L/100km
    • 6 MT FWD City/highway/combined 10.1/8.1/9.2 L/100km
  • Available AWD
  • 5 passenger
    • Cargo w/2nd row seat folded down (S 61.1) (SV/SL 53.3) cubic feet
    • Cargo w/2nd row seat upright (S 22.9) (SV/SL 20) cubic feet
  • 7″ multi touch NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
    • Optional Bose® Audio System with 9 speaker
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Automotive Reviews SUV
2019 Honda Passport - Cover

2019 Honda Passport – Automotive Review

2019 Honda Passport - Cover

2019 Honda Passport – Automotive Review

Equipped with traveling appendages, I decided to put the Passport to the ultimate test. However, to really test this Passports limits, I figured I would get three friends to accompany me. Four grown size adults on a four-day road trip, let’s see how this goes.

Oddly enough, with a companion having an expired passport, our journey was going to be limited. We decided to head to the interior of beautiful British Columbia, with our stops being Logan Lake, Kamloops, Falkland, and Shuswap Lake as our final destination.

Not to be confused with the Honda Pilot, the Passport sits in that sweet spot between the sub-compact CRV and the Pilot. However inside you would never notice. It’s incredibly spacious; however, there is a big difference, not having that third row of seating.

Scrambling to pack my gear and items, I managed to include everything you can imagine to the very last tee. I brought games, I brought bug spray, and I even brought a roll of duct tape because- you just never know.

This Honda Passport Touring featured a Thule(R) ski-rack for extra storage capacity. While the trunk measured at 1,430 (L) cargo volume; this was more than efficient for our gear, the extra storage made it even more comfortable. We were able to utilize the over 1500 millimeter shoulder room in the rear seats and 1000 millimeter headroom in the front. With seating capacity at five grown adults, the comfortability was entirely optimal.

While we had a three-hour journey ahead of us before our first stop, equipped inside the Honda Passport Touring edition was WiFi capability thanks to HondaLink. Having WiFi is an excellent feature, especially on road trips.

Once we arrived at Logan Lake, we decide to go slightly off the beaten path. Taking a minor detour onto a dirt path demonstrated that the Passport handles it with ease. The tight wheel to body clearance navigates the rocks and body sway particularly well. The overall ride comfort is one of the best in the Honda Lineup. However taking the Passport on any more than dirt mixed with a couple rocks and you might be in for a rough ride due to the low clearance and sway. With a firm suspension I was pleasantly surprised by the control throughout nevertheless.

After spending the night lakeside, we quickly made our way toward Kamloops. Powering the drivetrain is a 3.5-litre V6 engine. The acceleration is smooth and quick. The Passport registers a 0-100 at 6.8 seconds. Accompanied with a nine-speed transmission the shifting is fast and seamless. There are also steering wheel paddles to offer that manual shift feel. With the 280 horsepower we made excellent time on our journey- not to insinuate that I was speeding. Once our brief stop at Kamloops was complete, we were off towards the small town of Falkland. Driving aids like the blind spot detection and lane-keeping assist were quite the assets on our trek. The multiple drivability technology was important when driving through some fog on the highways were visibility is limited. The adaptive cruise control worked well on lengthy straightaways in combination with blind-spot detection in limited visibility weather.

In Falkland, we optimized our fishing reels and only managed to catch a cold. Wasting 7 hours of casting and reeling, the scenery of the mountains was a nice consultation. We needed to fuel up for our second time here, which I must say wasn’t the most impressive fuel efficiency. At 11L/100km the Honda Passport is deemed average in comparison to its mid-size crossover competitors. At long last we reached our final destination of Shuswap.

While in Shuswap, we got to utilize the boat that we had been towing throughout the trip. Oh, did I not mention that we were pulling a small boat and trailer? Yes, that’s because with the towing rating at 5,000lbs our boat was weightless enough I barely would notice it.

We had a great trip, and we recommend the Honda Passport for those looking for that middle ground of size, comfortability, and utility. Equipped with a plethora of features and extras, the Passport is suitable for any family getaway. 

Key Features:

  • V6 24-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®
    • 280 hp @ 6000 rpm and 262 lb-ft torque @ 4700 rpm
    • City 12.5 L/100KM
    • Highway 9.85 L/100KM
  • Available Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4®) AWD System
  • Ground Clearance (2WD/AWD,) 7.5 in / 8.1 in
  • Towing Capacity (2WD/AWD) 3500 lbs / 5000lbs
  • Seating Capacity 5
    • Headroom (front/rear) 40.1 in / 40.1 in
    • Legroom (front/rear) 40.9 in / 39.6 in
  • Cargo Volume
    • behind 2nd-row 41.2 cu ft
    • behind 1st-row 77.9 cu ft
  • Apple CarPlay™/ Android Auto™
  • Available AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot
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Automotive Reviews SUV

2019 Ford Expedition – Automotive Review

2019 Ford Expedition – Automotive Review

First light on a sunny summer Saturday morning, a hint of smoke in the air from the wildfires burning in the North, We set out on our Expedition to Vancouver Island in the 2019 Ford Expedition.

Enough room for six of us to fit quite comfortably. I like the fact the second row had the optional bucket seats without a center console; third-row passengers can quickly get out without having to move the second seat. The seats did have the tilt and slide option, but it wasn’t required. Arrived at the Horseshoe bay terminal early and gave them our reservation number, I can’t imagine taking a chance without reservations especially these days with so much traffic coming and going from the island. A short wait, and we soon found ourselves on board the Coastal Renaissance ferry. After a few hours we had crossed the Straight Georgia and were ready to disembark. Using the Ford voice-activated navigation system, I entered our next destination, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville. Heading through Nanaimo and onto the island highway I noticed how smooth the acceleration was and how quick the ten-speed transmission shifted. Powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost engine the Expedition produces 400hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, which provides plenty of power for this vehicle. The Rathtrevor Park is 347 hectares in size, which includes 2 kilometers of coastline and a magnificent sandy beach.

We spent some time just walking along the shore and looking at all the views, but there was more to see, so off we went. Heading west we entered Cathedral Grove and were surrounded by 75m tall Douglas Fir trees. I could only imagine what the first explorers thought when they first came across these magnificent trees. The first Ford Expedition came out in 1997 to replace the full-size Bronco. The base model came with a 4.6L V8 that produced 215hp and fuel economy that would have you thinking twice before you drove it. Despite this the Expedition has been one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road. We were hiking along the trails through all the green moss and boston ferns with the towering trees going up what seems like forever. Nature gives us a sense of being at peace, and everybody was silent as we walked just taking in all the beauty. We passed a few people, and I don’t think they even noticed us as they too were in awe with the scenery.

We followed the trail back to our vehicle and continued with a quick stop in Port Alberni to get some supplies and then on to Tofino. Following the Pacific Rim Highway we made our way to Sprout Lake, which is home for the Martin Mars Water Bombers. If you find yourself with some time on your next trip to Tofino, stop at the visitor center on Bomber Base Road, and you will be amazed at how big these planes are. Just before Tofino you drive through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with great views of beaches and ocean waves. A few minutes later you enter Tofino. Lots to see and do here, walks along the beach, hiking trails through the forest and just hanging out with people that know how to take life more relaxed and enjoy, I wish we had planned for more time but our day has come to an end, so we headed back to the grind. The hustle and bustle of our daily lives, which is Vancouver, but we will never forget to reflect on our Expedition and look forward to our next.

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