The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2022
Gas prices have been through the roof lately! Now more than ever, fuel economy should be at the top of your list when car shopping. Here are the most fuel-efficient cars of 2022.
OpenRoad Opens Largest Hyundai Dealer in Western Canada
We’re pleased to announce the official opening of the new OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond, Western Canada’s largest new Hyundai facility! The expansive new state-of-the-art facility is located in the Richmond Auto Mall and replaces OpenRoad’s former Hyundai dealership which the company acquired in 2005.
Best of: 2019 Hatchbacks Compared
Sporty and practical, here are OpenRoad’s top three picks for 2019 model year hatchbacks.
Review: 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Move over Santa Fe, there’s a new flagship in town: the first ever 2020 Hyundai Palisade. This premium mid-size SUV offers distinct styling, some neat tech and seating for up to eight.
Most Exciting Car Technology in 2019
There’s a lot of innovation that goes into every facet of modern automobile design. Here are just a few standouts.
Hyundai debuts all-new fourth generation Hyundai Santa Fe
More room, more tech and three engines to choose from, including a diesel option.
AJAC EcoRun 2018 showcases latest green vehicles
This year’s EcoRun featured 19 green vehicles and several hundred kilometres of driving through New Brunswick. Photos by Benjamin Yong.
The wave of pure electric, hybrid and other fuel efficient vehicles continues to get bigger, as evidenced by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada seventh annual EcoRun event held in June.
Taking place for the first time in Atlantic Canada, the intention of EcoRun is to showcase the newest green wheels on sale in dealerships, as well as comparing real-world fuel consumption to statistics published by manufacturers and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
“It’s a true joy to be in Moncton today, as this event wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago. New Brunswick has obviously embraced eco-friendly vehicles with a lot of charging infrastructure throughout — it’s been the fastest growing electric vehicle market in the country, and one that’s fully connected,” says co-chair David Miller, referencing the availability of not only Level 2 but also Level 3 fast chargers capable of bringing battery energy level from zero to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.
“But this event isn’t just about pure electrics and plug in hybrids. Automakers are doing an admirable job in lowering fuel economy throughout their product lineups, and that’s despite a lot more SUVs and trucks.”
Indeed, the segments represented ran the gamut and included a total of 19 entries comprised of subcompacts, full-size sedans, crossovers and even a minivan. Journalists were assigned six models each, one for every leg of the 570-kilometre journey taking participants from the starting point in Moncton, through several cities, and eventually to Fredericton. Below are three standout examples I had a chance to drive over two days.
2018 Lexus LS 500h
Lexus’ flagship entered its fifth generation this year, more luxurious than any iteration previous. The hybrid version is especially cutting edge, using a powertrain derived from the LC 500h coupe combining a 3.5-litre V6 gasoline mill and two electric motors to produce a net 354 horsepower.
NRCan rates the LS 500h at 9.1 L/100 km in mixed city and highway conditions, and drivers cumulatively managed 8.0 L/100 km.
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Plus
The plug-in was the third and final piece to arrive in Hyundai’s trio of Ioniq cars that also feature standard hybrid and pure electric offerings. The 1.6-litre internal combustion engine and electric motor are mated to a sporty six-speed double-clutch transmission with optional paddle shifters, giving a bit of an extra kick to the combined 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque output. In zero emissions mode, this Ioniq can travel nearly 50 kilometres on a full charge.
NRCan rates the plug-in at 3.35 Le/100 km in mixed city and highway conditions, and drivers cumulatively managed 3.0 Le/100 km.
2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Transformed from sensibly styled to sexy new four-door for 2018, the Camry is lower and wider than before and highlighted by a fresh lower grille dominating most of the front fascia. The next-gen Toyota Hybrid System and 2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine work together to generate 208 total horsepower, and a continuously variable transmission boasts a sport setting that can use battery reserves to boost performance.
NRCan rates the Camry Hybrid at 5.1 L/100 km in mixed city and highway conditions, and drivers cumulatively managed 4.8 L/100 km.
Overall, among all the vehicles journalists managed to achieve an average of 1.59 L/100 km better than NRCan’s official numbers.
Hyundai Tucson receives significant refresh for 2019 model year
As part of Hyundai’s mandate to introduce eight new or significantly updated CUVs by 2020, the Tucson is the fifth example to debut following the recently announced Kona range of subcompacts. The popular small crossover receives a fresh face and rear fascia, lighting and numerous cabin upgrades.
“From a design perspective, onlookers will recognize a generational harmony between Hyundai’s new 2019 Santa Fe and the refreshed Tucson,” said Steve Flamand, director of product and corporate strategy at Hyundai Auto Canada.
“The signature elements of the Hyundai cascading grille and modern-day surfacing found in the rear view create shadowy, dramatic impressions and represent the Hyundai DNA.”
The cascading grille in question embodies the brand’s current signature styling featuring a hexagonal shape, outlined in chrome and reaching deep down into the front bumper. The headlights’ edges have been softened, and the tail lamps at the back slimmed and stretched for a more aerodynamic appearance.
Inside the vehicle, the remodelled centre stack layout has a seven-inch central display that is now a freestanding style, moved above the HVAC vents. Tech-saavy rear passengers should be happy to find the addition of USB inputs and wireless charging capability to the second row. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interfacing capability is standard.
The small SUV can be ordered housing one of two engine flavours: a 2.0-litre four cylinder producing 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both motors are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission offering a SHIFTRONIC manual-shifting mode.
Consumers may also bundle in a long list of available safety technologies such as forward collision mitigation, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, radar cruise control and more. Look for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson to arrive in stores soon.
OpenRoad's favourite reveals from Chicago Auto Show 2018
The largest auto show in North America is underway right now in the Windy City. The 2018 year marks the Chicago Auto Show’s 110th anniversary, and here is what’s in store for visitors this time around.
Toyota TRD Pro Series trucks
The next-generation 4Runner, Tacoma and Tundra Pro were revealed at CAS as 2019 models. The trio have been given new suspension featuring Fox aluminum Internal Bypass Shocks that resist bottoming out regardless of the driving environment, from pothole-ridden roads to off-road rock crawling. The 4Runner and Taco are each lifted one-inch higher on the front than before, the Tacoma two inches, to give additional clearance for more accessible adventuring.
Hyundai Sonata hybrids
The refreshed 2018 electrified Sonata siblings made their debut looking quite a bit more refined than the previous version. The LED headlight housings are reshaped, flanking a curvier front grille and more prominent corner air intakes. Under the skin, the suspension is slightly stiffer and, combined with retuned steering assistance, provide better road feel. The standard hybrid features a net 193 horsepower and 1046 kilometres of total driving range, while the plug-in has a total 202 horsepower and a range of 950 kilometres.
Volkswagen Arteon
People first got a glimpse of this premium mid-size sedan in Geneva back in March, and the Arteon now makes its North American introduction. The full spec sheet is out, and things are looking good: 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, generated by VW’s famous 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine; available 4Motion all-wheel drive; optional Digital Cockpit; and a standard Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping system that is capable of managing each corner individually, to respond to changing road conditions and offer the most dynamic ride possible.
Big model redesigns announced at 2018 Detroit Auto Show
There is nothing quite like auto show season. One of the industry’s biggest spectacles, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, starts up this week and manufacturers made headlines revealing some complete redesigns of staple models.
2019 Volkswagen Jetta
VW announced the arrival of the anticipated seventh-generation Jetta, built on the company’s proven Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform shared with products such as the current Golf, Tiguan and Atlas. Like the new Tiguan, the Mk7 Jetta is all grown up, literally, now longer, wider and taller than the outgoing car. Everything from the front fascia to interior looks and feels more premium than before, and all trim levels include Driver Personalization remembering up to four user settings for seat memory, radio presets and ambient lighting colour. Power is provided by the same 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI engine and buyers have a choice of either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
2019 Toyota Avalon
Toyota’s full-size flagship sedan undergoes a well-deserved makeover, and going against the common theme of growing larger, has actually slimmed down some in size. The North American-built vehicle is 25 millimetres lower in height with a 50 millimetre shorter wheelbase, although width increases slightly, by 20 millimetres, to give a planted, performance-oriented appearance. Two grades will be offered: the sporty XSE boasting a piano black mesh grille, 19-inch gloss black wheels and black side mirror housings; and a luxurious Limited wearing a chrome-trimmed grille, silver LED headlight bezels and a chrome-tipped dual exit exhaust system. A newly designed efficient 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson-cycle powerplant can be found beneath the hood, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
2019 Hyundai Veloster
The result of a partnership between Hyundai main headquarters and the U.S. design center in Irvine, California, the Veloster goes version 2.0 later this year. The quirky five-passenger hatch returns with an asymmetrical two-plus-one door configuration and shows off a bold 3-D interpretation of the Hyundai cascading grille, similar to the one seen on the 2018 Sonata. The A-pillar has been pushed further back, the roofline lowered and 18-inch alloy wheels made standard to emphasize an aggressive, coupe-like silhouette. The regular Veloster gets a 147-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine while the top-of-the-line Turbo receives a boosted 201-horsepower 1.6-litre mill.
