Due to arrive in the spring of 2010, BMW’s ActiveHybrid 7 is a “mild” hybrid that delivers an average 2.0 L/100 km improvement in fuel economy over the BMW 750Li “with virtually no trade-offs”, reports contributor Brian Early.

In a back-to-back comparison test of the European Ford Fiesta and its major Japanese competitors, contributor Gerry Frechette was impressed with the Fiesta’s fun-to-drive nature, but wonders if the future North American model will keep its “European-ness.”

An all-new midsize sedan from Suzuki, the Kizashi is smaller than its competitors but offers terrific handling and stability and standard all-wheel drive, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams. It will go on sale in Canada in March or April of 2010.

The 2010 911 Turbo features an all-new 3.8-litre bi-turbo direct injection flat-six that makes 500 horsepower, 20 more than its predecessor, reports contributor, Peter Bleakney. “It shaves 10 seconds off the previous car’s Nurburgring lap time,” he says.

The 2010 Dodge Ram HD’s styling “turns heads” says contributor Howard Elmer, and its newly available crew cab bodystyle will appeal to RV and boat haulers, he says. Highlights include an 18,500 lb towing capacity and a much improved interior.

Based on the Accord sedan but sharing no body panels, the new Honda CrossTour “has all the benefits of a wagon…without the boxy profile,” says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. “…and it’s available with all-wheel drive,” he notes.

Redesigned for 2010, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan receives a new chassis, styling and safety features, but it’s really all about elegance, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh: “...fast, smooth and very comfortable elegance, in spades.”

Improved interior quality and design, a quieter cabin, a new diesel engine, a new wagon bodystyle, and newly available features are the major highlights of the redesigned Golf and GTI, says CarTalkCanada editor, James Bergeron.

A vehicle for the "passionate getaway," the new Acura ZDX is a four-door luxury vehicle with coupe-like styling that’s targeted at couples, empty nesters, and singles-on-the-go, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. It goes on sale this December.

The second generation LaCrosse (formerly Allure) is a completely new car jointly designed by GM’s European, North American and Chinese subsidiaries, reports Contributing Editor Chris Chase. It offers notably improved handling but the base V6 engine seems underpowered, he says.

With front-wheel drive and a less powerful four-cylinder engine, Mazda’s new entry-level CX-7 GX model is priced $2,000 less than its turbocharged AWD GS and GT siblings and gets better fuel economy, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

With room for four adults and a rear hatch for easy access to its roomy cargo area, the 2010 Porsche Panamera “brings four-door sedan practicality to a brand known almost exclusively for high-performance sports cars,” says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.

Expected to go on sale in Canada in the summer of 2010, the Ford Fiesta will be available as a subcompact four-door sedan and hatchback. It offers exceptional ride and handling, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams.

Priced $20,000 below the Lexus GS450h, the all-new Lexus HS250h “will appeal to a new category of entry luxury buyers...who want a comparatively affordable luxury car with a modern and proven hybrid drivetrain,” reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams.

The new SRX is so completely new that it is difficult to compare it to the outgoing model, say Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon. Now front-wheel drive with optional AWD, the 2010 SRX offers two smaller V6 engines with better fuel economy.

The convertible version of the new 370Z has a power folding cloth top that doesn’t intrude on trunk space like folding hardtops do, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. “Consequently, you can fit some luggage... and go for a weekend.”

The 2010 CTS Sport Wagon is Cadillac’s first North American factory-built wagon. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh drives it and says it’s gorgeous and a superb handler, but loses a bit of performance in the name of fuel economy.

While the R8’s new 525-hp V10 engine propels the car from 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, it’s surprisingly docile under mild acceleration, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. However, its optional R tronic transmission “lurches unpleasantly,” at times, he reports.

Prior to the introduction of the next generation Cayenne and a new Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche is showing off a current generation Cayenne S Hybrid prototype with the company’s all-new hybrid powertrain. Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson, reports from Los Angeles.

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pickup is as capable as many hand-built off-road race trucks, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, but it’s “tough below and tender above” on all types of roads, and “might be Ford’s best effort yet.”