Canadians love their cars, and it shows in the stats — people bought nearly two million vehicles up here last year alone. The top dogs in the auto industry for 2018 were, according to data aggregator GoodCarBadCar.net, Ford, Toyota, and Honda, respectively. In today’s blog post, we take a look at the most popular models from each of the three brands.
2018 Ford F-150
(credit: Ford Canada)
Not only has this iconic marque enjoyed number one ranking in the country for a decade, its F-Series pickups have also been the best-selling vehicle in the nation for the same time period. The Built Ford Tough F-150 is in gen 13 and comes in a total of seven different trim levels with four powertrain options. New is the revised 2.7-litre EcoBoost motor making 325 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque and mated to a quick-shifting 10-speed transmission. And just because it’s a truck doesn’t mean occupants can’t enjoy premium features, like an available B&O PLAY stereo.
2018 Toyota RAV4
(credit: Toyota Canada)
Canada simply can’t seem to get enough of the Toyota RAV4, which first arrived on the scene in the 90s helping pioneer the compact crossover segment in North America. Sold in both pure gasoline and hybrid versions, the latter utilizes a 194 net horsepower Hybrid Synergy Drive setup built around a 2.5 four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine and continuously variable transmission. Even base models are well-equipped bundling 17-inch wheels, dual zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers and Toyota Safety Sense P that includes collision mitigation, radar cruise control and more.
2018 Honda Civic
(credit: Honda Canada)
What else can be said about the Civic, Honda’s bread-and-butter model for 21 consecutive years? In 2016 the 13th generation passenger car was released, first as a sedan variant, and then as a coupe and finally a five-door hatchback. Highlighted by the first turbocharged powerplant to be released for the local market, a 174-horsepower 1.5-litre four-cylinder, the fuel economy nearly overshadows performance with a Natural Resources Canada rating of a combined city and highway 6.9 L/100 km (CVT transmission).
