10 Good Vehicles Nobody Buys
There are many reasons why some cars and trucks are poor sellers. An uninspiring design, disappointing performance, and various quality and reliability issues are just a few examples.
Others are highly competent and widely praised by auto journalists, but they happen to cost too much money, lack brand power or not have an SUV body. The Car Guide has identified 10 of them in the next few pages, so check out the list.
Genesis G80
2020 sales: 178 units / 2021 H1 sales: 175 units
The refreshed-for-2021 G80 was a finalist for AJAC’s Car of the Year award. It’s a great car with many desirable attributes and surprising value, but the Genesis name doesn’t inspire many Canadians yet.
Honda Insight
2020 sales: 415 units / 2021 H1 sales: 193 units
They say third time’s the charm, but Honda’s third attempt at selling a hybrid by the name of Insight is not a success. It’s a comfortable, reliable and well-appointed car with much better looks than its predecessors, but somehow customers show little interest.
Subaru Legacy
2020 sales: 1 199 units / 2021 H1 sales: 437 units
Subaru’s midsize sedan has quickly faded following its 2020 makeover. In our opinion, the Legacy is still the No. 2 best buy in the segment (behind the Toyota Camry), but for Canadian drivers, it’s almost as if it didn’t exist.
Toyota Avalon
2020 sales: 209 units / 2021 H1 sales: 102 units
We could have included pretty much every large sedan on the market, but we’ll single out the Toyota Avalon, which is The Car Guide’s best buy in the segment. It’s a solid product overall with excellent reliability, yet nobody will shed a tear when the Avalon inevitably gets the axe.
Hyundai Veloster N
2020 sales: 950 units / 2021 H1 sales: 328 units
For the 2021 model year, Hyundai has eliminated nearly all Veloster models, retaining only the high-performance Veloster N. A fun and lively performer, this 275-horsepower hot hatch from Korea stands out with agile handling and punchy looks. It doesn’t have the appeal and following of a Golf GTI/R or WRX/STI, however.
Toyota GR Supra
2020 sales: 333 units / 2021 H1 sales: 244 units
The entry-level 86 coupe sells even fewer units, but remember there’s no 2021 model as a new generation arrives for 2022. When it comes to sports cars, the pricey GR Supra is a hidden gem. Many prefer muscle cars like the Ford Mustang or roadsters like the Mazda MX-5. At least Toyota was wise enough to add a much cheaper 2.0-litre model for 2021.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
2020 sales: 188 units / 2021 H1 sales: 115 units
Luxury compact car buyers largely gravitate towards the Germans, then the Japanese. The beautiful Italian known as Giulia proves shockingly unpopular in Canada, even with a 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio model. Blame Alfa Romeo’s poor reputation for dependability.
Lexus LS
2020 sales: 24 units / 2021 H1 sales: 23 units
Once again, the Germans are the kings. Well below the Panamera, 7 Series and S-Class on sales charts, you’ll find the Lexus LS. And yet this model boasts unique styling and impeccable road manners in a reliable and extremely safe package. It also offers two powerful variants including a hybrid.
Volvo XC60
2020 sales: 3,147 units / 2021 H1 sales: 1,225 units
The XC60 has gone from 2018 World Car of the Year to Volvo’s third-best-selling SUV in Canada so far in 2021. There’s no reason to panic, but this compact luxury SUV should normally sell in greater numbers. Right now it’s almost on par with the Lincoln Corsair.
Nissan TITAN
2020 sales: 1,217 units / 2021 H1 sales: 305 units
No surprises here. The Nissan Titan will in fact exit Canada after 2021, despite a promising update a year earlier. Consider this: for every Titan, 107 GMC Sierras and 195 Ford F-150s are sold in the country at the moment.