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Cruise control: Two cars, two systems, but which one's correct?

I had to return a vehicle today and needed a ride home, so I engaged the services of my husband. I drove a Subaru Impreza, while he followed along in a Mercedes-Benz M-Class, both of them new vehicles.

We got onto the highway, and I set the cruise control on my car to 105 km/h. All the way out - about a half-hour trip - the speedometer never varied from that.

But he certainly did. I'd look in my rearview mirror and he'd be way off in the distance; then he'd catch up and be right on my back bumper. After a while he'd fade off again.

When we finally got to our destination, I said, "Why did you keep falling back and then speeding up?" He said, "Me? I was trying to figure out why you were doing that. I kept saying, 'Why isn't she using the cruise control'?"

It turns out both of us had our vehicles on cruise, and both of us noted that our speedometers didn't vary from what we'd set. (My cruise was indicated by the speedometer; his had an electronic readout for the speed.) This is the second time this has happened, although I don't remember which cars we were driving then. Both cars set to the same speed, and yet they vary wildly. How many cruise control systems are out there that aren't maintaining the speed we think we've set?

Luxury cars: Where their technology is going

Most new technologies start at the top and eventually trickle down, primarily because they're expensive to develop. In the Toronto Star, I have a look at some of the things we can expect from luxury automakers and why they're going in the directions they're heading. Find it all by clicking here.

Mercedes-Benz design: It takes a village to raise a car

You might think of a car as coming from the hand of a single designer, but that's not the case. It's a complicated process that takes hundreds - even thousands - of people. I spoke with Hans-Dieter Futschik of Mercedes-Benz about the process for the Toronto Star. You can read all about it by clicking here.

A look at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL

I love convertibles, and I love Mercedes-Benz's newest one, the upcoming 2013 SL550. It has some faults - the steering could be tweaked a bit better, for example - but I thoroughly enjoyed the drive nevertheless. Read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

A look at the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

I love station wagons, but there aren't that many left to love anymore. One worthy of affection - providing you can afford the steep price tag - is the Mercedes-Benz E350 version. Read all about it in Autos.ca by clicking here.

Designing seats: There's more than meets the butt

Overall, a vehicle's seats are among the most important items in it - it's where you spend your time - and they have to be carefully engineered to provide support, keep the occupant safe, and look good. I spoke with a Mercedes-Benz engineer to find out how it's done. Read all about it in Metro by clicking here.

A first look at the 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

I had an opportunity to drive the upcoming Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which probably won't go on sale until about a year from now. The company was tight-lipped on the engine, fuel economy and pricing, but overall, the changes to this little B turn it into a pretty nice little runabout. You can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

When real isn't real enough: designing dashes at Mercedes-Benz

I visited Mercedes-Benz's technical centre in Germany and discovered something fascinating: the glossy finish on the real wood trim leads some people to think it's plastic. Find out what the company did about it in my story in Metro by clicking here.

Designing the M-Class: it all takes time

Ever wonder why it takes so long to bring a new model to market? I went to Mercedes-Benz's design centre in Stuttgart to see the new M-Class and find out why. You can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

A look at Mercedes-Benz's Magic Sky

Mercedes-Benz has a system it calls Magic Sky Control -- a sunroof that goes dark at the push of a button, eliminating the need for a sunshade. You can read all about it in my story in Metro by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo

I've always liked the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which is nicely sized and sweet to drive, if a little tougher on the wallet than other hatchbacks. Still, it does feel like it's worth the money if you want the prestige nameplate. You can read all about it by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK

On Canadian Driver, I have a look at the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, which you can find by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Open-air motoring is now just a memory at this time of year, but I have a story to remind me of how much fun it is. You can read all about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet by clicking here.

A look at Sprinter, back home with Mercedes-Benz

 A Sprinter on an obstacle course? It was fun tossing one around! You can read my story on this big work van, now back with Mercedes-Benz, by clicking here.

A look at the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

It starts, it stops, and it goes really, really fast. That's pretty much the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG in a nutshell. You can read my full report by clicking here.

Life is good ...

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG.

240 km/h on an Autobahn.

I don't think it gets much better than this.

In review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550

In Canadian Driver, I have a look at Mercedes-Benz's luxury S-Class model, which you can find by clicking here.

A day at Mercedes-Benz's performance driving school

I learned all sorts of good stuff at the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy; you can read all about it by clicking here.

Say that three times fast ...

This is a new racing variant from Mercedes-Benz, the SLS AMG GT3.

Never mind remembering where I parked it -- it would take me a week just to memorize the name!

In review: Mercedes-Benz GLK

 I have a review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK on Canadian Driver; you can access it by clicking here.

In review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

On Canadian Driver, I have a look at the all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, which you can read by clicking here.

In review: 2009 Ford F-150, Mercedes-Benz ML550

  I was on the launch of the 2009 Ford F-150, and have a report up on today's Canadian Driver; you can find it here.

I also have a review of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 on Luxury Car Canada, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Today's review: Smart Fortwo

On Canadian Driver today, I have a review of the Smart Fortwo. You can find it by clicking here.

Dodge, Mercedes and Mother's Day

I feel like I wrote half the Toronto Star's automotive section today. First up, because tomorrow is Mother's Day, I did a piece on my mother's love of cars. (She's the one sitting on the '51 Ford at left.) You can find it here.

I've got a review of the Mercedes-Benz C230, the entry-level C-Class sold only in Canada, which is here.

And finally, you can find my opinions on the Dodge Caliber by clicking here.

Up today: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Up on Canadian Driver today, I have a review of the Mercedes-Benz C230. You can find it here.