Consensus: we like.

Granted I’m not a car enthusiast to the extent of my journalist buddies in Montreal and Toronto. We bypassed all the oldies and “behind the glass” type of hot cars (with the exception of the Aston Martin section, which I completely drooled over), all to reach the main exhibition room on Level 2.

And then we went crazy.

My friend was in conversation with the representatives of Infiniti almost immediately while I was roaming around getting into every car I had ever wanted to sit in. What actually passed through my head was something like, “Oh what about this one? Oh no no no…this one!” I was surprised at how quickly my perception changed.

Prior to the show I was completely ga-ga over the new Range Rover Evoque, which in terms of design, is beautiful. Sitting in it however … I had the feeling that, although the car itself is high, I was still positioned too low. I also couldn’t see much of the back from my rear-view mirror, and although the front was spacious, the rear seats felt cramped.

Range Rover LR2

So I jumped into the next car, the Range Rover LR2, which I believe is an older model, but it was really comfortable. Turning a blind-eye to the design, the cabin was spacious and high enough for my comfort level, and I had better visibility. Now I only need to drive the beast. (I say beast since I nearly tripped on my way out. No worries though – there was only a couple hundred people around).

I also popped into the Audi Q5 (like!), Audi A4 (like!), the Volvo S60 (classy, though I felt a bit too young for this car), the Mini Cooper (cute), the Chevrolet Volt and Sonic, and several others. I did notice the Jaguar XKR-S, and just because it was a Jaguar (and it was behind two little posts), I felt the need to walk over to it and open the door (as if I had done this a million times before), and take a seat inside.

Of course that was the scenario in my head; the reality was something like this: I walked up to the Jag and opened the door with all the coolness in the world only to find that I couldn’t open it! So I got frustrated and tried again … and again, and again more forcefully until a few people around me started to notice my behaviour. That’s when I noticed the sign that said the car was locked. Yea…so I did the next best thing to snapping my fingers: I waved my hand at a representative to open the door, and eventually I got my chance to sit inside. Somehow it didn’t feel as cool as I thought (or maybe I didn’t feel very cool!).

BMW 3 Series

By the end of the day I ended up in the BMW section where after sitting in several models my friend fell in love with the new BMW 3 series – and I cannot deny that this car is stylistically beautiful inside and out. A deafening silence follows as you close the doors (remember, this is an auto show – so there is noise galore), while the vehicle is comfortable and is the definition of classy.

His decision rests between the new BMW 3 series and the Volvo S60. We will see what he decides.

In the end, I was surprised to see that my choice (budget included) fell with the Kia Soul. I like the feeling of sitting high, the visibility was great, it was comfortable and spacious, and I love the Jeep-like feeling. I also think it’s cute, but hey, I’m a girl.

Tags: 2012 Montreal International Auto Show, Aston Martin, Audi A4, Audi Q5, BMW 3 series, Infiniti, Jaguar XKR-S, Kia Soul, Mini Cooper, Old Montreal, Palais des Congrès, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover LR2, Sonic, Volt, Volvo S60