The automobile in question | The Press

Our collaborator answers questions from readers

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

Faithful to the end

I leased a Volvo XC40 in 2021 for four years and I would like to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle at the end of my lease. I have seen and read different reviews on the X40 Recharge and I am not convinced that it is a good choice, mainly because of its autonomy in winter and also the price. Would a hybrid model be a better choice while waiting for a more efficient electric model? I also want to stay with the Volvo brand.

D. Therriault

If my calculation is correct, your tenancy will end in 2025. You still have some time ahead of you. Volvo plans to bring five new electric vehicles to market over the next few years, starting with a new full-size SUV (inspired by the Recharge concept study) next year. The Sino-Swedish brand also plans to add a sedan, station wagons and two other SUVs to its catalog (one would be more compact than the current XC40 Recharge). All of these new models will embark on a showroom career by the end of your rental lease. There is no doubt that Volvo will communicate on a regular basis the arrival of these vehicles well before the market launch. So the best advice for you is to express your interest to your dealer by next year.

summer fun

I would like to get a 2023 Volkswagen GTi next summer. Are the first-gen issues behind us? Which version would be preferred? I would love a manual transmission (probably my last), but the DSG seems very efficient. In short, I’m a little annoyed. I’m only going to use my new vehicle in the summer since I’m going to keep my 2012 Civic for the winter and for my son, who will be learning to drive soon.

Vincent H.

Volkswagen, like all other manufacturers, makes changes (often invisible to the naked eye) during production. This does not mean that this vehicle will not, like others, be the subject of a recall along the way. This year, for example, the German manufacturer notably recalled a certain number of vehicles (GTi and R) to correct a risk of fire under the bonnet due to a poorly fixed engine cover. Moreover, an organization like Consumer Reports in the United States assumes that the reliability of this model is rather average (67%) compared to other vehicles in the same category. This rating is partly determined by the track record of this model. To answer your second question, the DSG is by far the most efficient, the fastest transmission offered. It is also the one that requires more follow-up maintenance. Therefore, also considering that this is the last GTi with a manual gearbox, why not favor this one?

“London calling”

I live in London and I go to Quebec for a month in the summer and at Christmas with my family. I need a seven-seater and the rental cost is going up a lot this year and it is impossible to find this kind of vehicle. I wonder if buying a second-hand car for these two occasions would be beneficial. Or if it would be more interesting to buy a new car that could last me more or less 10 years.

Francine Ferland

The cost of a short and medium term rental of a vehicle is indeed increasing, but remains the most logical option in your case. Just think of the cost of acquiring a used or new vehicle. Not to mention its maintenance, storage (where do you plan to park it in your absence?), registration, insurance, winter tires (you’re coming over Christmas, aren’t you?).

To finish with gasoline

I don’t understand how The Press continues to promote this type of vehicle with internal combustion engines [l’essai de la Lexus IS 500 la semaine dernière par exemple]. Automotive testing should take a completely different direction. The climate affects us all. There is an emergency!

CL Charron

Firstly, The Press does not promote gasoline-powered vehicles. It informs readers. The mandate incumbent on the columnists is to present all the products offered by the automobile industry. The objective is to allow all readers (those, you guessed it, have extremely varied tastes, means and criteria) to make a more informed choice. The electric vehicle occupies an increasingly large place in the street, as in our media. Some criticize us for over-representing it. In this regard, you should know that last year, when taking stock of the test benches published, more than a third were devoted to electric vehicles alone. And this trend continues this year.