For a big car, the Taurus SHO feels small behind the wheel, says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. “It's nimble in corners…but it is a tall vehicle, and heavy, so don't expect an exotic sports car experience,” he says.

The 2010 Toyota Camry and 2010 Toyota Highlander offer new four-cylinder engines with the seemingly incompatible improvements of increased horsepower and better fuel economy, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. A new six-speed automatic transmission gets some of the credit, he says.

The redesigned 2010 Ford Taurus goes on sale this summer with a base price just under $30,000. “It’s a considerable advancement over the previous model,” says Senior Editor, Paul Williams. “It builds on the established Taurus platform... but with improvements...”

Bob McHugh drives a prototype of what may be the first fully electric, mass-produced electric car sold in Canada. Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV performs well in city traffic, but its 120-km range “is akin to a quarter-tank of gas,” he says.

A “clean sheet” design, the Honda FCX Clarity is a zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell car with a range of 385 kilometres, a refuelling time of five minutes, and performance comparable with a four-cylinder Honda Accord, reports Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.

Scheduled to arrive in Canada sometime in 2010 as a 2011 model, the new BMW X1 “combines the driveability and versatility of a car, along with the cargo space, safety and versatility of an SUV,” says reviewer, Dustin A Woods.

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models have been given a mild facelift and some new technology, but the big news is the all-new S 400 Hybrid model, the first hybrid to use a lithium-ion battery. Managing Editor Grant Yoxon reports from Stuttgart.

General Motors is not counting on V8s to drive the success of the new Camaro, says Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon. Camaros equipped with a new fuel-efficient 3.6-litre V6 engine are expected to account for about two thirds of Camaro sales.

“The Cube truly is a funky functional vehicle with its boxy shape and asymmetrical design, and the rear opening…would put many SUVs to shame,” says CarTalkCanada editor, James Bergeron. But not everyone will like its swing-out rear door.

A “significantly upgraded version of the 2008 GT3,” the $138,100 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 will arrive in Canada in July, reports contributor Peter Bleakney. “I have never driven a 911 that bites and digs in like this one,” he says.

Replacing the Spectra, the all-new 2010 Kia Forte is a “home run” by comparison, with better fuel economy and handling, and great value in all trims, says Contributing Editor Chris Chase. But it needs better-quality interior materials, he says.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé debuts for 2010, with V6 or V8 power, numerous new technologies, sporty image, “virtually silent” cabin and nimble steering, says Senior Editor Paul Williams. “It looks expensive, exclusive and capable, as it should.”

The redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion offers new engines and a hybrid version, reports Contributing Editor Chris Chase, with “far more visual presence,” smooth quiet ride and new technologies, but he notes some interior items that could be better.

The all-new 2009 diesel Volkswagen Touareg boasts a “truly fine engine,” reports Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh, with good performance and 1,200-plus km to a tank. It’s a new Clean Diesel, part of VW’s blanket BlueMotion Technologies that’s debuting in Canada.

“It’s brash, it’s brutally quick and it’s everything car haters love to hate,” says reviewer Peter Bleakney of the new 2010 Shelby GT500. “...a joyous distraction from all the doom and gloom consuming this industry,” he adds.

On sale in June, the all-new Infiniti G37 convertible offers terrific driving dynamics and modern-day creature comforts such as a dual-zone climate control that compensates for temperature and vehicle speed when the top is down, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams.