Expert advice | The automobile in question: and you?

Our collaborator answers questions from readers

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

Q. Is the Civic Si a car you would buy? […] I’m hesitating between this and the new Acura Integra, of which we are still waiting for the final version. What would be your choice? My current car is a 2018 Golf R (DSG), but I want to go back to a car with a great manual gearbox. Also, my son will start driving in 2023, yet another reason to reduce the horsepower. I think the Civic Si (in this version) is the most homogeneous. My second choice would be a new GTi. However, we hear many frustrations about an infotainment system.

— Eric C.

R. The manual transmission of the Civic Si is indeed a pure delight and everything suggests that this qualifier will also apply to that of the future Integra. This model, as you know, will have the same technical basis as the Civic Si, but Acura has not, at the time of this writing, confirmed any technical data.

That said, the Civic Si is indeed a very homogeneous vehicle, but so is the GTi. And the German offers as a bonus a more modular trunk (hatchback bodywork and larger loading surface), a better warranty (4 years/80,000 km compared to 3 years/60,000 km). As for the infotainment system, I grant you, it requires a certain period of adaptation. So to answer your question, this vehicle would be my top pick, even though the manual shift isn’t quite as silky smooth.

THE RIGHT TAKE?

Q. I am ending the lease of an Audi A3 in October 2022 and I want to make the jump to an electric vehicle. The Mini Cooper SE is the model that interests me, but its range of 183 km is disappointing. Is there any information that suggests that the range will be greater on the 2023 models? If so, is it realistic to believe that I could obtain this vehicle as early as October 2022?

— Michelin B.

R. There’s no reason to believe that the range of this vehicle — incidentally very fun to drive — will be enhanced in the months to come.

THE GOOD CHOICE ?

Q. We have a 2013 RAV4 Limited and are considering going electric. We want to take advantage of the good resale value of our vehicle as well as government incentives. We are tempted by the Ioniq 5 from Hyundai. We have two young children, enjoy biking, skiing and camping… which requires cargo space! The vehicle must also have all-wheel drive. Is this a good model for us?

— Isabelle St-L.

R. The reliability case for the Ioniq 5 is currently clean. Like many other electric vehicles that have appeared in recent weeks and months. That said, this vehicle offers several features that will meet your criteria, but we still suggest you take a look at the Volkswagen ID.4. The latter offers a larger utility volume and greater towing capacity.

DO WE TURN BACK THE KEYS?

Q. End of rental lease in April. Cadillac XT-5 with 36,000 km on the clock. The buyout would cost us more or less $20,000. Should we buy it and resell it for a profit and rent it again or buy it back and keep it for a few more years?

— Line F.

R. Right now, an XT-5 is trading well over $20,000. So, it would be in your interest to buy it, provided that this vehicle still meets your needs and expectations.