Considering an electrified SUV? Check out our 3-year EV vs hybrid vs gas cost comparison
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Welcome to our roundup of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.
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Here’s what you missed while you were away.
Toyota to bring Land Cruiser back to North America
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The Toyota Land Cruiser is an off-road icon that dates back to the 1950s, but since 1996, it hasn’t been available to everyday Canadian shoppers. In the U.S., the SUV bowed out in 2021 to make room for the Sequoia and 4Runner.
Perfect timing for a comeback, right? Its makers think so, especially since they just debuted the new Lexus GX (scroll down to see more about the GX), the Land Cruiser’s luxury twin. Toyota USA broke the news of the LC’s return in a video uploaded to Facebook along with the words “Did you think we’d be gone for long? The legend returns.”
But a return to the American market, legendary or not, doesn’t mean squat for Canadians who still won’t be able to get a new Land Cruiser. Our best option? Buy the Lexus version.
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EV vs Hybrid vs Gas: Three-year ownership costs
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, there’s a good chance you’re considering an electrified option. Chances are also high that you’re eying an SUV. (How’d we know, right? Creepy.) If this is the case, scope our new long-term comparison of similarly small-sized SUVs across the powertrain spectrum.
Driving’s Matthew Guy breaks down the three-year ownership costs of EV, hybrid, and gas SUVs, looking at fuel (or electricity) spend, government rebates, and ongoing maintenance costs. The models we slid under the microscope in this particular experiment include the Hyundai Kona, Toyota Rav4, Kia Niro, Chevy Trax and Bolt, and Hyundai Tucson. Dive into the details here.
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Tesla’s newest flash sale includes 3 years of fast charging
When inventory isn’t moving fast enough, nothing motivates buyers quite like the promise of “free stuff.” The latest giveaway from Tesla includes up to three years of free fast charging on some Canadian models.
According to a Tesla promo on its website, Canadians who buy new Teslas and aim to take delivery before June 30 will either get three months or three years of complimentary fast-charging. That’s up to three months on Model 3, or three years on the more premium Model S and Model X.
“Customers who order and take delivery of a new Model S or Model X vehicle between April 20, 2023 and June 30, 2023, are eligible for unlimited three years of free Supercharging on their new vehicle,” reads the website promo. “Free Supercharging is tied to your Tesla account and cannot be transferred to another vehicle or person in case of an ownership transfer.”
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Lexus debuts 2024 GX 550 and TX SUVs
Lexus took the sheets off a couple impressive SUVs this week, starting with the 2024 GX 550, which once again expertly marries luxury with off-road readiness. There’s a new Overtrail trim with knobby tires and extra off-road gear, and an overall more sculpted exterior style than the outgoing vintage. Powertrain options are temporarily limited to a V6 3.4L twin-turbo making 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, but there’s a hybrid on the way next year. More details on the 2024 GX 500 here.
The second drop involved an entirely new nameplate, the TX, which is Lexus’ take on the three-row Grand Highlander. It’s got plenty in common with the Toyota relation, including the base powertrain, but the hybrid model gets a bump in power that also comes with a mild collapse in the efficiency column (9.8 L/100 km). The PHEV TX 550h+ Direct4 AWD version tops it, however, with 406 horsepower and a fuel economy estimate of 7.8 L/100 km.
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Hurricane Ferrari: Storm reveals barn full of classics, now headed for auction
In 2004, Hurricane Charley devastated swaths of the U.S., including knocking down a barn that just happened to be holding 20 classic Ferraris. Fast forward to 2023 and, after another 20 years of inexplicably being locked away in a warehouse, the collection is heading to auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey, California event this August.
The cars’ origin stories are misty, but there is a clear picture of what’s on offer. The lot includes a 1954 Ferrari 500 Modial Spider Series I, at one point sold by Enzo himself; a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II, one of just 36 right-hand-drive models ever made; and a number of Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona models, among others.
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The auction is set to take place from August 17 to 19.
Will Audi give the RS 3 back to Canada?
It’s been a year since the Audi RS 3 was taken away from the Canadian markets and dangled just out of reach in the U.S..
The official missive was that the 2024 RS 3 would not be offered north of the border, but recent rumours have ignited hope for Canadian Audio-nados who appreciate the fast cars’ all-weather abilities. Motor Illustrated noticed how Natural Resources Canada’s online list briefly showed the stats for the 2024 RS3 (10.4 L/100 km, FYI) before pulling them down. Maybe Audi told them something it hasn’t told the rest of us and NRCan just failed to honour the embargo. Maybe.
Toyota and Tesla top Best Value in Canada awards
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This year’s Best Value in Canada awards are brought to you by the letter “T.” T is for Toyota. T is for Tesla. Vincentric has put together this list each year for the last dozen, and, for the sixth time, has named Toyota as Best Value Car Brand and SUV & Van Brand. It also gave six of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles titles in the individual Best Value model categories.
Tesla also fared well, earning two brand and four Best Value model awards. Ram, meanwhile, took the title for trucks for the third year.
The increased mention of electrified vehicles is also worth noting. “This year’s awards saw a 15-per-cent increase in electric, hybrid, and plug-in winners from last year, showing that alternative-fuel vehicles are a viable choice for Canadian consumers,” said David Wurster, president of Vincentric. “Not only do (they) reduce tailpipe emissions, but our awards demonstrate that, in many cases, these vehicles can be both a lower cost and better overall value than fully gasoline-powered options.”
Coleman Molnar
News Roundup: Toyota Land Cruiser returns, Tesla offers Canadians free fast charging, and lots more - Driving
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