Expert advice | The automobile in question: the right choice

Q. We are looking for a pickup truck or SUV with good towing capacity (1500 lbs at least) with generous cargo space: we love home improvement and landscaping projects! Although we live in Montreal, we often visit family in Saguenay on weekends. It is therefore important that the car is well soundproofed and comfortable, with reduced fuel consumption. We have had bad experiences with Kia and want to avoid this brand. The Ford Maverick looks interesting. Other ideas?

—Laurie M.

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

R. Six hundred and eighty kilos. That’s a very modest towing capacity. Naturally, a Maverick will have no trouble performing this task. Ford’s van will also be able, in its hybrid version, to offer excellent fuel efficiency.

According to data from Canadian authorities, the Maverick consumes an average of 6.3 L/100 km. And good news, its hybrid engine is particularly economical in town (5.7 L/100 km, compared to 7.1 L/100 km on expressways). Good suspension travel makes the Maverick a comfortable and enjoyable everyday pickup. So, a very good choice, but it will take some patience to get it. Given the required towing capacity, you could also consider an urban utility like the Subaru Crosstrek (with the 2.5 L) or the Toyota Corolla Cross. The latter will be offered during the year with a hybrid engine, but its towing capacity has still not been formalized. As for the Subaru Crosstrek, its hybrid version limits its towing capacity to 480 kg.

WE PREPARE FOR SPRING

Q. I am going to buy a 3000 lb trailer in the spring. I hesitate between the Chevrolet Blazer with V6 or the Jeep Cherokee with V6. I keep my vehicles for at least eight years. In the long term, which of these two vehicles is more reliable? I travel an average of 14,000 km per year. I don’t want seven or eight places. We are only two.

— Peter C.

R. Based on your criteria, the Blazer is probably your best choice. You might also consider Honda’s Passport (a little more expensive, but with a higher residual value).

A LITTLE LUXURY

Q. I am interested in two hybrid vehicles: the Toyota Venza and the Lincoln Corsair. I’m looking for ride comfort, a bit of luxury […] as well as a respectable performance of the hybrid engine. And in your opinion, would it be better to rent or to buy?

— Jean-Pierre H.

R. There is quite a considerable price difference between the two. It’s also important to remember that the Venza, unlike the Corsair, offers an engine that you can’t plug in. Since you don’t mention the presence of a charging station at home, wisdom (and the wallet) dictates to choose the Venza since you are only looking for “a little luxury”. As for the Lincoln, it is better to rent it because of the often rapid depreciation of luxury vehicles. The Lincoln will retain 55% of its value after four years, compared to 65% for the Toyota, according to forecasts by specialized agencies.

RETURN OF RENTAL

Q. I’m returning my Audi Q3 in a year. Ideally, I’d like a smaller, electric, four-door, all-wheel-drive car. I would like your suggestions, please.

— Michael B.

R. As you probably know, Audi will offer the Q4 e-Tron, but this one isn’t more compact. It’s 4588mm long compared to 4488mm for your current Q3. And it’s more expensive ($59,950). Among the vehicles of a size comparable to that of the Q3, you could think of the C40 and XC40 Recharge from Volvo (more compact than your Q3) or even the Polestar 2 and the Model 3 from Tesla. All of these models, however, take up as much, if not more, space on the road than your current Q3. Even future EVs from Toyota and Subaru will be bigger than your Q3.