Top 10s: Worst Best-selling New Cars

By John LeBlanc Fast food giant McDonald’s may have sold billions and billions of hamburgers. But does that make the Big Mac the best-tasting hamburger money can buy? Er, probably not. The Canadian new car market is much the same. Just because a model makes the best-sellers list, that doesn’t make it the “best” car you can buy. Alphabetically, here are the worst of this year’s best-selling vehicles:

Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan (as well as its Chrysler Town & Country and Volkswagen Routan mechanical minivan companions) doesn’t drive as nice as a Honda Odyssey, isn’t as luxurious on the inside as a Nissan Quest and has suffered in the past by inflicting reliability and quality woes on their unsuspecting customers, creating some of the worst depreciating vehicles you can buy new. Apparently though, that didn’t stop Canadian new car buyers from making the Dodge the second best-selling new vehicle in the country, only behind the also confoundingly popular (see below) Ford F Series pickup.

Ford Fusion

With 12,619* examples sold through the end of July, so far this year, the Fusion is the best-selling family sedan in Canada. Now perhaps it’s the seemingly endless purchase incentives that Ford Canada incessantly offers. Or the sheer number of Ford dealers across this country. But despite its popularity, the Fusion is outclassed by many of its rivals. For example: the dynamic Korean duo of the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima offer nicer interiors, more sophisticated drivetrains — and in the case of the Optima — much more athletic driving characteristics.

Ford F Series, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ram

This quartet of full-size pickup trucks represents four of the 10 best-selling new cars in Canada. Now, if you need such a device to make your living, say as a contractor, plumber or landscaper, you’re off the hook in my book. And from what pickup truck makers tell me, commercial sales are now the majority. But for the minority of pickup customers who buy these gas guzzling, ill-handling, Neolithic era-engineered dinosaurs as personal transportation, please, trade in the Stetson, shuck the cowboy boots, and make the leap into the 21st century — buy a “normal” car!

Honda Civic

For the past 13 years, the compact Honda Civic has been the best-selling car in Canada. It still is. But only by the slimmest of margins. So far in 2011, it’s hanging onto that crown by outselling the Hyundai Elantra by all of 923 units — 29,974 to 29,051. Now Honda can blame the natural disaster in Japan in March that created a crisis in car and parts manufacturing for the lack of Civic sales. But the reality is, the so-called “all-new” 2012 Civic does not move the engineering, styling or feature yardsticks far enough from essentially the same Civic that you could have bought in 2006. The Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Jetta are simply better cars in the Civic’s class. Go buy one, people.

Hyundai Accent

Now let’s be clear: I’m writing about the soon-to-depart third-generation Accent, the runt of Hyundai’s litter that’s been on sale since 2005. Not the all-new 2012 version that just went on sale, a car that in some ways is a better vehicle than its big brother Elantra. Like Mickey D’s Big Mac, the outgoing Accent has been sold mainly due to its lowball pricing. So while much more fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive and feature-laden subcompact rivals like the Honda Fit, Ford Focus and Mazda2 have been available, Hyundai has managed to move 13,638 Accents this year, making it the best seller in its class. Go figure.

Lexus RX

Without RX sales to bank on, Lexus Canada would be a mere blip on the sales charts. The Toyota Camry-based premium ute is consistently the brand’s number-one seller. So far this year, with sales of 3,761 units, the RX not only leads its class, it’s also the third best-selling luxury vehicle — period — only behind the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class. My only question is: Why? Like most Lexus models these days, the RX is a model of mediocrity. The vehicle’s been around since 1999, but its styling, drivetrain and overall demeanor haven’t really changed all that much. Refinement is warranted when you’re a class leader. Like a Porsche 911. But between the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, the RX remains a snooze in the styling department and even less exciting to drive.

Mercedes-Benz GLK

With 3,172 copies sold in 2011, the GLK outsells every other compact crossover rival in its class. But I really don’t have a clue why. The ‘Benz’s styling is as chunky as a piece of broken ice. There’s not much rear seat room. And amongst its peers, it drives most like a truck. So what’s there to love about the GLK? Low-ball pricing, mon ami. An aggressive base price has been the hallmark of the GLK ever since it was introduced a couple of years ago. But add features that would come standard on some of its competition, and the GLK’s advantage flies out the showroom door.

Nissan Sentra

With the Cube, Juke and Leaf electric vehicle — some of the most innovative products in the small car segment — it’s easy to forget Nissan still makes the somnambulant Sentra. It doesn’t help that there’s been few changes since the Nisan compact was introduced for 2007. And it’s such a milquetoast in all categories, I’d swear it could wear a Toyota badge. No matter. Through the end of July, 9,193 new Sentras were purchased, making it the 10th best-selling car in Canada.

Toyota Corolla

I recently compared the top six best-selling cars in Canada, where I put the Corolla behind the fifth-place Volkswagen Jetta, the 2011 Honda Civic, Mazda3, Chevrolet Cruze, and the class-leading Hyundai Elantra. And for good reason. Comparatively, Corolla’s rivals are offering more room, better looks, and a more dynamic driving experience. No matter. Loyal Corolla customers keep on storming Toyota showrooms. 21,574 Corollas have been bought up so far this year, putting the Toyota compact in fourth spot on the new car sales charts.

Toyota Matrix

Really? Are Toyota customers that ill-informed? If they continue to put both the Corolla and Matrix (with sales of 8,168 units through July, the Corolla station wagon is the 17th best-selling car in the country) my only conclusion is: Yes! Now, granted, the Matrix was a competitive product. When it was introduced 10 long years ago, that is. But its oddball styling makes Toyota’s aging Scion lineup look good in comparison. And the car’s unrefined driving experience raises the question of why anyone would take the Toyota compact over a better driving Mazda3 Sport, Ford focus hatchback, or Subaru Impreza. * Sales figures supplied by the Automotive News Data Center

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