Michael Bettencourt

Toronto

Automotive Journalist at Freelance

Dad, Canadian auto writer, EV owner and enthusiast, storyteller, reader, basketball and soccer junkie, basically in that order. Unrestricted free agent.

Articles

Audi’s top seller is all-new, except for the engine (for now)

2 weeks ago | wellandtribune.ca | Michael Bettencourt

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Audi’s top seller is all-new, except for the engine (for now)

2 weeks ago | thespec.com | Michael Bettencourt

MALAGA, SPAIN—As the all-new 2025 Audi Q5 glistens in the Andalusian sun, a passing beagle owner casts admiring glances at the compact SUV’s sharpened body. The wobbling but adorable beagle looks like it’s slowing down with age. Could that be true of this third generation Q5? The German automaker’s bestselling vehicle will arrive mid-year with an updated, but familiar design, all-new interiors, and two gas engine options. These stay largely the same for North America. For now.
Do EVs measure up? Winter testing by the CAA offers up some surprising results

1 month ago | thespec.com | Michael Bettencourt

MONT-TREMBLANT, QUE.—The last thing any automaker wants to see during EV testing is their vehicle needing a tow. Yet that’s exactly what the plan was for 14 battery electric vehicles gathered by the CAA: charge them up, run them in chilly, but common sub-zero Canadian winter conditions, then record exactly how far they travelled by the time they slowly expired by the side of the road.
We Drove 14 Popular EVs in the Canadian Cold – Until They Died | GreenCars

1 month ago | greencars.com | Michael Bettencourt

EV Winter Range Mega-TestIt was a tough time to visit Canada as an American for Greg Bannon. Greg is the AAA’s director of automotive research, who was in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, to participate in partner association CAA (Canadian Automobile Association)’s ambitious long-distance winter test drive of 14 different battery-electric vehicles in a chilly and snowy Canadian weather.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Road Test

2 months ago | greencars.com | Michael Bettencourt

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Road Test In the world of automotive redesigns, just about the only thing that didn’t change with the latest generation Hyundai Santa Fe was its name. Not only did it grow substantially for its extensive redesign in 2024, it sprouted a standard third row of seats, a much boxier yet more modern look, and a totally redone interior.
Did I wait too long to jump on a new EV?

2 months ago | mykawartha.com | Michael Bettencourt

It hurt personally and professionally to see the end of the federal EV rebate. Sure, I knew the end was coming early in 2025, but like many Canadians in the market for a new EV, I didn’t quite know how quickly the end would come. And, as a close EV industry watcher, and long-time EV owner, I kind of felt I should have.
Did I wait too long to jump on a new EV?

2 months ago | thespec.com | Michael Bettencourt

It hurt personally and professionally to see the end of the federal EV rebate. Sure, I knew the end was coming early in 2025, but like many Canadians in the market for a new EV, I didn’t quite know how quickly the end would come. And, as a close EV industry watcher, and long-time EV owner, I kind of felt I should have.
Volvo EX30 Road Test

Jan 23, 2025 | greencars.com | Michael Bettencourt

Volvo EX30 ReviewVolvo has somehow managed to turn the introduction of its innovative new subcompact EV into a roller-coaster of consumer-teasing and geopolitical marketing loops. When first announced in mid-2023, the EX30 was slated to arrive a year later, with an eye-popping starting MSRP of under US $35,000, a price closer to the Chevrolet Bolt EV than any luxury-brand EV at the time.
Mazda puts the brakes on its all-electric EV and brings out a hybrid, instead

Nov 22, 2024 | thespec.com | Michael Bettencourt

I noticed the woman with the rake eyeing me warily as I drove through Oakville, on a gloriously sunny and strangely warm November day. Perhaps checking out the all-new 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid I was sampling for the day, but more likely worried that a little too much ‘zoom zoom’ would whip around her carefully gathered piles of leaves. She needn’t have worried.
GMC Hummer EV SUV Road Test

Nov 18, 2024 | greencars.com | Michael Bettencourt

GMC Hummer EV SUV Review If any SUV could be a cartoon-ish WWE character brought to four-wheeled life, it would be the hulking GMC Hummer EV SUV. New for 2024, but with the same in-your-face attitude of the Hummer EV pickup, there’s not much the Hummer EV SUV doesn’t do well. Except be subtle. It’s mini-monster truck tall, exceptionally wide, and tire-meltingly fast.

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Michael Bettencourt @MCBet10court

17 Oct 24

A fine piece on #BYD’s rise, with many contributors, by the Bloomberg global team. And always notable @FlavioVolpe1 takes. But a looong read. Just wish I had seen this audio link before listening to 38 minutes of robot reading. The Battle for EV Dominance https://t.co/XO7YGl3bWV

Michael Bettencourt @MCBet10court

16 Sep 24

Hey ⁦⁦⁦@X⁩ , if I’ve blocked ⁦Whole Mars Blog⁩, why does my diverse Autos feed now predominantly feature him, including 6 posts in a row? ⁦ https://t.co/lsHUkxZMZ9

Michael Bettencourt @MCBet10court

20 Aug 24

Wow, interesting.