A question of age
We have a 2015 Kia Forte that is not aging well and will likely require significant expenses in the coming years if we want to keep it. We are therefore considering changing it next year, when it will have been in service for 10 years. The size of the car suits us very well. My partner is very tall (6’5″) and is not comfortable in many cars, but the Kia has always satisfied us. The trunk is tight, but just big enough for our family of four. We are a little lost in the current offer, since we do not want an SUV and that is practically all that is offered on the market at the moment. We are open to a new or used vehicle (recent). Our budget is $30,000. We are looking at the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic, but are they still good choices for the price that continues to rise? Should we spend to keep our Forte?
Elisabeth B.
First, it’s better to stop spending money on your current vehicle. Second, the Corolla and Civic are still safe choices, but they’re not the only ones you should consider. But first, since you’re keeping your vehicle for a long time, the Corolla has the advantage here over the Civic because of its less complex mechanics (no turbo). That said, we invite you to compare these two vehicles with the Subaru Impreza or the Mazda 3.
Bye
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAGUAR
The Jaguar i-Pace
I have a 2019 Jaguar I-Pace that I love with about 50,000 km on the odometer. The six-year warranty ends in July 2025. Since EVs are fairly new and battery aging is poorly documented, I am wondering if I should keep it or start shopping for a replacement EV. If so, which model do you recommend?
Martine V.
For once, we recommend that you say goodbye to it. This model will no longer be sold in Canada starting next year, and Jaguar’s recovery plan still raises many questions. The English brand is due to launch new electric vehicles next year, and they will be aimed at the very high end of luxury. In the same price range, we suggest you take a look at the Porsche Macan EV, which will go on sale in the fall, or the BMW iX.
Not only in Europe
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The automatic shutdown device when stationary can reduce a vehicle’s consumption by up to 8% in certain road conditions.
In Europe, it is common to see cars that turn off their engines at traffic lights. They are equipped with a system whose name I do not know. Why are cars here not equipped with this as standard? Does this thing really save energy and pollution?
Rosary C.
The system in question, commonly called an automatic shutdown device (Start and Stop in English), exists in North America. Several vehicles have been equipped with it for many years now. It first appeared on hybrid vehicles. It has since become widespread on other vehicles. This technology can indeed reduce fuel consumption in the same way as, for example, a cylinder deactivation system. It leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. In fact, this automatic cut-off device when stationary can reduce a vehicle’s consumption by up to 8% in certain road conditions, according to the latest study by the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE).
A decision to make
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
The Toyota RAV4
I have been driving a Nissan Rogue for several years. I will be changing my vehicle in the fall. I wanted to know if the Toyota RAV4 would be a better choice or if you have other models to suggest. What interests me most is consumption, comfort and price.
Francine O.
Toyota’s RAV4 is indeed a good choice, as is Honda’s CR-V, Subaru’s Forester and Mitsubishi’s Outlander. Of all these models, the Forester has the lowest fuel consumption (8.2 L/100 km), but in all fairness, the differences between these different models are very small. As for comfort, the RAV4 is probably, overall, the least comfortable of the three. As for price, the Outlander has an advantage over the others in addition to being the one that offers the best warranty.