Get Your Motor Runnin’
It seems to me, as we look at the evolution of personal transportation, that we are looking forward from the bridge of Captain Kirk’s Enterprise. New worlds await us. What will the future bring? What was cutting-edge technology just five years ago has become standard features on many models today.
I’m excited about the many alternatives that may be coming our way. Are electric vehicles the inevitable way of the future? What about fuel cell technologies? Hydrogen made by breaking down water molecules? Biodiesel? Propane? One hundred per cent ethanol fuel from corn? These are just a few ideas that manufacturers are currently spending millions of dollars on, to see which are the most practical to develop.
We can look forward to what is on the horizon and the possibilities make us (ok, maybe just me) giddy! But we need to get around TODAY. In a practical sense, if it’s time for a new vehicle, we must choose from what is currently available. We will continue to watch what the brainiacs and pointy heads come up with for us, but there’s no need to wait for an excellent vehicle that will satisfy both our needs and our desires.
So, what is a viable option to pick? It seems that EVs and hybrids offer lots of ready-to-go choices if we are ready to step away from pure gasoline fuel. Manufacturers are also developing and refining new and more energy efficient gas-powered vehicles for those not ready to make the switch. Consider your own environmental concerns, your budget and your actual usage needs. For those of us fortunate enough to consider the vehicle we drive is an important part of our lifestyle — how we want to live — dream a little too!
All these picks are either available in dealerships today or coming soon. Research is good and a website can provide excellent information, but visit a dealership, kick a few tires, hear an engine purr, roar or maybe just whisper. A test drive might seal the deal or keep you looking. The following pages will whet your appetite. Compacts, sports cars, sedans, SUVs large and small — there are so many exciting options. The choice is yours.
2025 Acura ADX
Sleek Design and Innovation
Acura stands behind these vehicles, offering a powertrain warranty of five years or 100,000 km.
The sleek new ADX model will be in Acura showrooms this spring. In addition to the AWD and turbocharged engine that many people demand in a premium compact SUV, the Acura ADX delivers many more features to enhance your driving experience.
The ADX comes with a turbocharged 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine, generating nearly 200 horsepower. This is very similar to the already proven Integra powerplant, designed for versatile performance and dynamic handling. There are standard features buyers have come to expect from Acura: wireless device charging, a panoramic moonroof, and a total of 10 airbags on board.
Also standard in the ADX is a package called Acura Watch, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and automatic braking assist, all designed to make your travels as safe as they are enjoyable.
Two more packages will help personalize the vehicle to your specs. The A-Spec trim will add ventilated front seats, LED fog lights, a cargo cover, 19-inch gloss black alloy rims, a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat and additional acoustical spray foam insulation for a more refined driving experience.
The ADX Platinum Elite A-Spec trim level also adds a Bang and Olufsen 15-speaker premium sound system, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, power folding side mirrors, and a power tailgate with Walk Away Close and hands-free access.
Acura stands behind these vehicles, offering a powertrain warranty of five years or 100,000 km. Reserve your 2025 Acura ADX at Acura West, 759 Wonderland Road.
2024 Fiat 500e
Uniquely Exhilarating
This car stands out with its Georgio Armani styling, unique wheel design and fashionable eye-catching colours.
2025 is the 68th anniversary of the Fiat 500. This year, the Fiat 500e proves itself once again as the perfect small electric commuter vehicle. While not a speed demon, this economical hatchback has a useful range of 227km of emission-free motoring, perfect for in-city trips. With a Level 2 home charger, it recharges from 40 to 100 per cent in just over two and a half hours.
This car stands out with its Georgio Armani styling, unique wheel design and is available in such fashionable colours as dark green and the striking greige (a blend of beige and grey). Even the front seat headrests are embossed with the 500 logo, to add to its chic styling.
This smart little commuter car is powered by a front wheel drive 117 hp electric motor. You can choose between three driving modes: Normal, Range and the amusingly named Sherpa, presumably not meant for scaling mountain faces or jungle off-roading. Its size and sure-footed handling will be a delight in the city and for getting in and out of parking spots.
Standard equipment on this fun-size runabout includes safety features like lane departure warning and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as a host of modern-day tech including a 10.3-inch infotainment display, wireless device charging, a digital gauge package and rain-sensing wipers. Also available from Fiat is adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
To add to the car’s efficiency, battery life is conserved with the one pedal regenerative braking system.
Test drive this cute and efficient compact today at Fiat of London in Oxford Dodge at 1249 Hyde Park Road.
2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV
Timeless Beauty
For 2025, the Tonale is available with a gas turbo engine or the nimble Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) powertrain.
If you pull in driving a 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale — named after one of Italy’s highest mountain passes — you may immediately hear cries of “Bellissimo” or “Lo adoro.” Whether you speak Italian or not, you’ll understand that observers are impressed.
The 2024 Tonale was offered in only a hybrid form. For 2025, you can choose between hybrid or gasoline power. The PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will go up to 53 KM on battery alone. Using a 110V home charger, it can be echarged in around 8 hours. Using a Level 2 charger can get it done in under three hours.
The gasoline engine component of the PHEV version is a 1.3 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which, combined with the electric motors develops 285 HP. It gets the power to the road through a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
When you slide behind the wheel, you immediately feel you are in an upscale interior. You’ll see the customizable 10.3-inch touchscreen which comes standard with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, wireless device charging, onboard Wi-Fi and a navigation system. You also get a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats.
Alfa Romeo also remains committed to driver safety, with features such as collision warning, auto braking, blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist.
The PHEV version of the Tonale retains the same classic lines the brand is known for. Alfa Romeo is confident that the Tonale is a winner. The powertrain warranty covers four years and 80,000 KM and they will also throw in the first year’s maintenance for free.
Check it out at Alfa Romeo of London, 980 Wharncliffe Road South.
2025 Maserati Grecale folgore
Top-class comfort
Imagine pulling up to your destination in this luxurious, emission-free head-turner.
The name of the 2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore translates from Italian as “lightning” or “thunderbolt,” immediately conjuring both speed and electricity. With a 550 hp dual electric motor powerplant, you can expect to flash from 0 to 100 kph in around four seconds.
This is Maserati’s first ever all-electric SUV. With an estimated range of around 500 km, you could drive from London to Niagara Falls and back on a single charge. Plus, Maserati suggests that on a Level 3 fast charger, the batteries can be recharged from 20 per cent to a full charge in under thirty minutes.
Imagine pulling up to your destination in this luxurious, emission-free head-turner. The premium finishes both inside and out show that you appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that can be seen in every inch of this SUV.
The soft leather upholstery is also ergonomically supportive for your back on long rides. The Grecale Folgore comes nearly fully loaded. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and a collision-avoidance system with automated emergency braking. Comfort is further ensured by additional sound deadening materials and acoustic window glass that will minimize road and wind noise. You’ll also notice Maserati’s signature round face dash clock front and centre on the dash.
The ultra-premium cabin can be enhanced with the Climate Comfort Package. This includes the tri-zone climate controls, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and a power liftgate.
Your peace of mind will be enhanced by the powertrain warranty, covering four years and 80,000 km. Battery components are covered for eight years or 160,000 km.
Schedule an appointment now to begin crafting your dream at Maserati of London, 980 Wharncliffe Road South.
2025 subaru crosstrek
Right-sized and Reliable
The best attributes of compact SUVs: comfortable commuting in the city, great gas mileage, effortless parking maneuverability, and enough cargo space for weekending or stowing hockey gear. The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek certainly checks those boxes and a few more. Subaru’s award-winning Symmetrical AWD system comes standard on the Crosstrek, so it is also at ease when you want to go a little off the beaten path. It offers a class-leading 8.7 inches of ground clearance and offers hill-descent and hill-start assist features.
The base model comes with a 2.0-litre Boxer engine and you can upgrade to a 2.5-litre 182 hp Boxer engine without sacrificing too much gas mileage. If your habits demand even more off-road and rough terrain capability, you can opt for the Wilderness package.
The instrumentation, layout and seating are efficient and comfortable without making you feel like you’re visiting a royal castle. The Crosstrek base model contains all the tech you need like Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beams, curve-adapting headlights, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and a seven-inch instrument cluster. You have the choice of upgrading to leather seats and more comfort features if desired.
Subaru’s versatile LATCH system is unique and easy to use if you plan to secure child safety seating. More important, the Crosstrek carries on Subaru’s tradition of overall safety and reliability.
The limited full vehicle warranty is three years or 60,000 km and the power train is warrantied for five years or 100,000 km. Plus you get a five-year corrosion warranty and three years of roadside assistance.
For more information on the 2025 Crosstrek and a look at the complete Subaru lineup, visit Subaru of London at 675 Wharncliffe Road South.
2025 Lexus NX 350h
Power and Performance
The 2025 Lexus NX 350h SUV represents what Lexus of London GM Chris Pinelli, calls “the best solution today,” combining fuel efficiency, performance and overall value in a new vehicle purchase. Add to that the fact that it’s built just down the highway in Cambridge, Ontario and Pinelli knows he has a winner.
Toyota Motor Corp holds far and away the most patents related to EVs. Toyota/Lexus has been in the hybrid business for over 25 years (the groundbreaking Prius was launched in 1997), making them a leader in hybrid design and engineering.
For starters, you get a 2.5 litre gas engine and a pair of high torque electric drive motors resulting in a respectable combined 239 hp. The combination boasts a miserly 6.0 L per 100 km combined city/highway mileage rating.
There are fewer choices you need to make with this model. Lexus equips every NX 350h with a generous array of standard equipment: a sunroof, a 10-speaker audio system, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED fog lamps, elevated safety technology, seamless wireless connectivity and a 9.8-inch Lexus Interface display. You can step things up even more with the optional Premium, Luxury and Executive packages.
Lexus self-charging hybrid electrics seamlessly combine the power of a gas engine with electric motors. The NX 350h recharges as it goes, meaning there’s no need to plug-in. Just get in and drive.
And hey! Did we mention it’s built around an hour away in Cambridge?Order your new driving experience at Lexus of London, 1065 Wharncliffe Road South.
2025 Audi Q5
Sophistication and Versatility
You’ll want to look closely when you see the all-new 2025 Audi Q5. Although the model has been around for a while, this version sits on a whole new platform. The third generation Q5 has some exterior styling changes and Audi is offering enhanced available trim levels and more standard equipment.
The new Q5 comes with standard all-wheel drive and is powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder gas motor mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The drive train produces a very respectable 268 horsepower.
On the outside, the Audi Q5 comes with 18-inch wheels, wrapped in all-weather tires. Available upgrades include 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages. A new grille and exterior lighting package also breathe more luxury into this model.
Inside, Audi engineers have complimented the clean exterior look of the vehicle with a tech array that they call the Digital Stage. It features up to three digital displays. There is an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit screen with the usual array of well sorted gauges. This blends into the 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment cluster. For passengers, there is an available 10.9-inch display screen for navigation or viewing videos. The tech in this model is Google’s Android automotive system. This enables real time driving updates and You Tube streaming without a cellphone. The brilliant Active Privacy Mode keeps the passenger entertained without interfering with the driver.
Vehicle tech that comes standard includes auto emergency braking, blind spot and cross traffic warnings, plus lane departure warning and a driver distraction monitor. Enhanced audio can be ordered with a 16-speaker, 685-watt Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. A four-year or 80,000 KM warranty is standard.
If you have questions and want a closer look at the all-new Q5, visit the Audi of London showroom at 481 Wharncliffe Road South.
