The Mercedes Benz E-Class has always been the benchmark for premium brand midsize sedans, thanks to its reputation for comfort and prestige.  As a result – at least in Switzerland – it seems to be the default choice for many chauffeuring services, embassies, and even UberBLACK drivers.  But things aren’t easy for the E-Class; facing tough competition from the likes of Volvo, BMW, Audi and even Lexus.  So the E-Class always has to be that bit more appealing if it is to remain on top, and having spent a few hours with a new E300, I find out what makes it stand out over the rest.  

Kia have been having a good run over the past few years in terms of having a product line-up with good-looking models, however things seem to be changing especially when you look at the new Kia Niro. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it outright ugly, but it’s still not really a car that you would buy based on its looks alone.  So, with two weeks to use it as my daily runabout, I had more than enough time to find out what other good qualities it has, and if other well-established hybrids such as the Toyota Prius deserve to be overlooked in favour of this new offering.

When I finished my very short test drive in the new V90, I came out thinking that this is not your stereotypical Volvo.  Gone are the days of boring, square family station wagons, and in comes the elegant, exciting, and thoroughly modern way of getting around with your family. 

​I’ve wanted to buy an S197 Ford Mustang for the longest time, particularly the 2005 to 2009 version.  I always thought that the S197 Mustang looked good, but it wasn’t until the release of the 2008 Shelby GT500 KR that I decided I’d have to buy one.  The problem with the KR is that it was – and still is – a bit pricey for me. But the great thing about Mustangs is that you can get a regular GT and pretty much turn it into the car you want it to be, thanks to an endless supply of affordable aftermarket parts that you can add over the course of time.  Basically the Mustang GT’s potential for customization is one of the reasons I decided to buy one.  I also got one because Mustangs have always been special cars (safe maybe for the second generation one), being truly desirable yet attainable by the masses.  It has been eight months since I bought this 2005 Mustang GT but it still remains unmodified, which means it’s the perfect candidate for a review of a used stock 2005 Mustang GT.
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​I find myself yet again in Toronto, and this time I’ve decided not to get anything fancy and just get a cheap rental for the week.  I ended up getting a 2016 Hyundai Elantra, and if there’s a list of top inconspicuous cars, the Hyundai Elantra would probably be right up there with other cheap compact sedans and hatchbacks.  So why did I even bother to include it on a website called Standout Cars? Well, the truth is the Hyundai Elantra isn’t a standout car in the attention-grabbing sense.  But as far as buying a cheap, value for money type of car that promises decent fuel economy, low maintenance cost, and reasonable levels of equipment, the Elantra is a strong contender.

​Something became immediately apparent when I recently took a look at Lexus’s current model line-up, and that is they’re trying very hard to add some excitement to their brand. After Lexus released the fantastic LF-A supercar its image changed forever, the only problem is that the LF-A was made in limited numbers and was very expensive.  But armed with a new design language and some newfound mojo, Lexus have tried to include some of that magic to some of their more affordable models, and one of them happens to include this new IS 200t Sport. 

It’s hard to believe that it has already been two years since I reviewed the last Kia Sorento, but the new one is here now and is promising to be better than the car it replaces.  It looks like it’s off to a good start – it definitely looks good from the front, and its new grille is aggressive-yet-subtle, something even premium-brand SUVs have a hard time pulling off.  Its side profile is not bad either, with the roof sloping downwards at the rear to give a sportier look.  The rear lights did leave me scratching my head though, to my eyes they strongly resemble those of the 2011-2013 Dodge Durango.  It’s got less of a butch look than the previous Sorento but it’s still a well-executed design. 

Having been around since 2011, the biggest problem that the Lexus CT 200h had was that it was a bit too inconspicuous.  However, with black metallic paint, dark 17-inch wheels, and now carrying Lexus’s spindle grille, the CT 200h’s new look has brought it out from obscurity to decent-looking hatch.  So, if the CT 200h was so obscure, what compelled people to actually buy one?  To answer that you will have to look at the Toyota Prius.