“Best vehicle I ever had,” claimed one owner
In 2012, Subaru’s Forester was going into its 15th year. Based on the Impreza platform, and manufactured in Japan, it also received a bit of a redesign the year before, getting increased back seat elbow room and all-new rear suspension. Where the previous version featured strut suspension in back, this, the third-generation model, came with…
From a price of just under $22,000, the Ram 1500 has more than held its value
In 2012, the Dodge Ram 1500 was well into its fourth generation and offered plenty of choices. It had three engine choices: 3.7-litre V6, 4.7-litre V8, and 5.7-litre V8. You could get this full-size truck in two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, with a couple of automatic transmission choices and regular or extended cab body styles.…
Tasteful interior, available leather upholstery, heated seats, rearview camera, blind spot warning and more
In 2012, the Ford Fusion was two years into a mild makeover and a revised drivetrain. You could get it with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, plus a choice of two V6s and a hybrid. Ford also introduced a new six-speed transmission the year before and there was an all-wheel-drive version, so they were covering all…
What it lacks in beauty it makes up for with interior amenities and conveniences
There were few differences between the 2010 and 2012 Acura TL editions, aside from the addition of a six-speed automatic transmission, retuned suspension and a slight body refresh – mainly a new front-end treatment. Optional equipment includes Honda’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD), which gives the TL a leg up on much of the competition when…
An affordable, upscale driving experience without having to spend all your time at the pump
Nissan’s Infiniti G25 was meant to compete directly with Lexus’s IS 250 in its second – and, as it turned out, final – model year. The idea was to offer buyers an affordable and upscale driving experience without having to spend all their time at the pump and, hopefully, introduce them to the Infiniti lineup.…
From arrowhead front to evocative 50's-style back, this one's still a knockout
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was well into its fourth generation by 2012 and still represented the heart of the company’s lineup. Not as pricey or exclusive as the S-Class, it was a cut above the C-Class stable. Available as a four-door sedan, estate wagon, convertible or two-door coupe, it received a complete makeover in 2011 and…
The Crosstour has the attractive drivability that's been built into Accords since the beginning
Introduced in 2010 and based on the Accord platform, the Honda Crosstour wagon shares almost no body parts with its sedan counterpart, although it has the same V6 drivetrain. There’s no four-cylinder version. Displacing 3.5 litres, the V6 engine develops 271 horsepower and 254 foot-pounds of torque, which gives it lively performance. Comparatively, the Toyota…
The base model offers AC, power windows, tilt steering, cruise control and power door locks
In 2012, Honda’s popular Fit subcompact was well into its second generation and it was pretty much business as usual. Two trim levels are available: Base and Sport. Although they’re pretty much the same vehicle, the Sport features tuned suspension that gives it a stiffer ride. It handles the corners better but it’s at the…
Originally priced at under $22,000, the 2012 Insight now ranges between $8-15K
The 2012 Honda Insight was aimed squarely at first-timers and buyers under 35, since when new it was priced below the Civic Hybrid and popular Toyota Prius. In 2012, it was two years into a refit. With technology fundamentally similar to that found in the current Civic Hybrid, the 2012 Insight yields fuel consumption of…