An upcoming purchase
I own a 2016 Toyota Corolla sport. It has 80,000 km on the clock. I’m not considering buying an electric car. I plan to get a new vehicle next spring and I want to improve the comfort of the seats (preferably firm for my back pain), the soundproofing and the handling. The seat must be quite high. Should I consider a hybrid vehicle? I really liked the Jetta back then. Should I buy a Subaru, a Honda or another? I try to avoid the most stolen cars.
Andrée D.
You could indeed consider a hybrid vehicle, but the offer is rather limited. You could think of a Subaru Crosstrek in its Onyx version and not Wilderness, as is the case with our test bench, or the Mazda CX-30. These two vehicles are not offered with a hybrid engine, however.
Same genre, but hybrid
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HYUNDAI
Hyundai Santa Fe 2014
I have a Hyundai Santa Fe purchased new in 2012 and having traveled 172,000 km to date. I take great care of it. I would like the same type of vehicle, hybrid or electric, from 2016 to 2020. What do you recommend?
Mario F.
In the fully electric vehicle category, there were strictly speaking no alternatives to your current Santa Fe. On the hybrid side, on the other hand, you could consider the Toyota Highlander, a safe bet, but also the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (10-year warranty on the powertrain). This recharges at a terminal. Note that a hybrid engine has been integrated into the Santa Fe catalog in 2021.
Heartbreaking choice?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PORSCHE
Porsche Macan
I’m a performance car enthusiast, having driven several mid-engined cars (Porsche, Audi, Acura, Fiat) over time. I currently drive a Mercedes GLA 45 AMG (this is my third vehicle with the AMG badge) which I love. I am faced with a heartbreaking choice. I have a purchase reservation for the new electric Macan expected in spring 2024, but my heart tells me to wait for the arrival of the Mercedes EQA, especially in the AMG version. What would you do ?
Alain L.
The simple answer: the Porsche Macan EV. Indeed, the Canadian management of Mercedes-Benz confirms that the EQA will not cross the Atlantic and will remain exclusive to the European market.
The torture of hesitation
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LEXUS
Lexus NX 2022
We own a 2013 Mercedes ML350 with 215,000 km on the clock. We do around 20,000 km per year and plan to keep it for another four years and sell it before reaching 300,000 km. We keep our vehicles for a long time and travel long distances (stays in the United States twice a year). We will look for a vehicle with four years of wear and tear (probably a lease return). Here are the criteria in disorder: reliability, durability, plug-in hybrid or electric, quiet in the cabin, excellent visibility, ride comfort, heated steering wheel and seats, seat positioning with memory. We exclude Audi and Mercedes whose repairs and maintenance are overpriced. We are very upset with all the new models on the market. Normally we know what to buy, but not with everything that is teeming on the market and the state of the charging networks. Could it be a Volvo? A Tesla? A Mitsubishi Outlander or a Toyota Highlander? A Toyota RAV4 or Cross? We have a weakness for Honda SUVs and I’ve dreamed of a Subaru since I was young. We are used to owning a reliable car that has plenty of room.
Louise B.
Four more years? This means that the vehicle you want tomorrow is on sale today. Your current choices are very diverse and cover several categories (urban SUV, compact SUV, intermediate SUV). There is every reason to be confused. That said, of all your options, only the Tesla (Model Y?), Volvo (EX90 or XC90?), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Toyota RAV4 (Prime) most closely match your search criteria. Considering your current vehicle, we suggest you take a look at the Lexus RX and NX. Both are offered with a plug-in hybrid engine. We also invite you to discover Kia’s future electric crossover, the EV9. This will be marketed in the coming weeks.