Upcoming Cars 2015: 20

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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Top 20 Best Selling Cars In Canada November 2014

In November 2014, for the seventh consecutive month, the Honda Civic was Canadas best-selling car. The Civic leads the Hyundai Elantra by 14,247 units heading into December, which means the Honda has secured the title of Canadas best-selling car for the 17th consecutive year.

Civic sales plunged 27% in November, however, a loss of 1528 units during a month in which the CR-V (up by 1601 sales) was Hondas best-selling model.

• Canada Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - November 2014 YTD
• Canada Car Sales Rankings By Model - November 2014 YTD

Canadas best-selling subcompact was the seventh-ranked Honda Fit, 541 sales ahead of the typical leader, the 12th-ranked Hyundai Accent.

Meanwhile, Canadas best-selling midsize car, the Toyota Camry, ranked eighth overall, 170 sales ahead of this past summers dominant midsize car, the Hyundai Sonata, and 495 sales ahead of last months winner, the Chrysler 200. Year-to-date, the Ford Fusion is Canadas top midsize car, but its sales have declined rapidly in calendar year 2014.

The BMW 3-Series was the only premium brand car to crack the top 20. Incidentally, the 3-Series ranked just one spot back of the Nissan Micra, Canadas least expensive car.

Historical monthly and yearly sales figures for any of these best-selling cars can always be accessed through the dropdown menu at GCBCs Sales Stats page, and for those not viewing the mobile version of this site, near the top right of this page, as well. GoodCarBadCar has already published the list of Canadas best-selling trucks and best-selling SUVs in November 2014.

December 2014 • October 2014 • November 2013

Rank	Best-Selling Car	November 2014	November 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
#1	Honda Civic	4173	5701	-26.8%	62,026	60,651	2.3%
#2	Hyundai Elantra	3812	3605	5.7%	47,779	51,971	-8.1%
#3	Toyota Corolla	3370	3577	-5.8%	46,472	42,007	10.6%
#4	Chevrolet Cruze	2806	2211	26.9%	31,827	30,701	3.7%
#5	Mazda 3	2632	3679	-28.5%	38,817	37,703	3.0%
#6	Volkswagen Jetta	1874	2290	-18.2%	29,325	28,855	1.6%
#7	Honda Fit	1755	737	138%	10,834	7603	42.5%
#8	Toyota Camry	1631	1496	9.0%	14,870	16,871	-11.9%
#9	Hyundai Sonata	1461	1385	5.5%	13,095	13,908	-5.8%
#10	Ford Focus	1386	1962	-29.4%	20,966	24,738	-15.2%
#11	Volkswagen Golf	1334	714	86.8%	10,938	11,079	-1.3%
#12	Hyundai Accent	1214	1037	17.1%	21,774	18,223	19.5%
#13	Chrysler 200	1136	500	127%	10,800	11,334	-4.7%
#14	Ford Fusion	1106	1380	-19.9%	16,741	19,144	-12.6%
#15	Nissan Sentra	1104	872	26.6%	14,072	13,545	3.9%
#16	Honda Accord	1069	1319	-19.0%	15,931	13,876	-5.6%
#17	Subaru Outback	973	508	91.5%	7834	5650	38.7%
#18	Nissan Micra	924	---	---	6987	---	---
#19	BMW 3-Series	894	915	-2.3%	9302	11,849	-21.5%
#20	Kia Forte	880	899	-2.1%	11,279	10,874	3.7%

Source: Automakers & ANDC
Prefer to think of the Outback as an SUV? It would have ranked 14th in that group in November.
Combined sales of the 3-Series and 4-Series were up 3.7% to 1201 in November; up 1.2% to 12,436 YTD.

RECOMMENDED READING
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In Canada - December 2014
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In Canada - October 2014
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In Canada - November 2013
Canada Auto Sales Brand Rankings - November 2014 YTD
Top 20 Best-Selling SUVs In Canada - November 2014
Top 30 Best-Selling Vehicles In Canada - November 2014
Top 13 Best-Selling Trucks In Canada - November 2014 YTD

Top 20 Worst Selling Vehicles In America November 2014

What do the Jaguar XJ, Volkswagen CC, Chevrolet SS, Nissan Cube, Volkswagen Beetle, Hyundai Veloster, Nissan Juke, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru BRZ, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, Scion xD, and Lexus LFA have in common?

All posted November 2014 year-over-year U.S. sales declines of at least 40%, yet none of them ranked among the 20 worst-selling cars in America.

• U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - November 2014 YTD

From the Cadillac XTS, Nissan Maxima, and Mini Paceman to defunct machines like the Acura TL and TSX, Chevrolet Captiva Sport, Volvo C70, and Chevrolet Avalanche, the 20 worst-selling vehicles in America all saw their sales chopped in half compared with November 2013. At least.

Weve also measured vehicles by outright volume, a list which inevitably includes some very low-volume sporting machines. But how low? The Dodge Viper didnt sell as often as the Audi R8, the Porsche 918 Spyder had its best month yet, and in its first month, Alfa Romeos 4C finished eight sales ahead of the Audi TT, which is awaiting replacement.

You can always select a make and model at GCBCs Sales Stats page to find historical monthly and yearly sales figures from both Canada and the United States. Pertinent links are clickable at the bottom of this post, but you can also find related links at the Best Sellers page.

October 2014 • November 2013

Rank	Worst-Selling Vehicle By Percentage Decline	% Change	November 2014	November 2013
#1	Chevrolet Avalanche	-99.2%	2	255
#2	Volvo C70	-99.1%	2	213
#3	Chevrolet Captiva Sport	-98.3%	78	4476
#4	Acura TSX	-98.1%	20	1071
#5	Acura TL	-94.7%	78	1466
#6	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG	-92.7%	3	41
#7	Audi TT	-89.7%	16	155
#8	Dodge Avenger	-89.0%	540	4887
#9	Volvo XC90	-82.7%	87	504
#10	Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class	-70.3%	224	754
#11	Acura ZDX	-70.0%	3	10
#12	Mercedes-Benz CL-Class	-69.4%	11	36
#13	Acura RLX/RL	-66.7%	225	676
#14	Scion iQ	-65.0%	82	234
#15	Honda Ridgeline	-60.5%	535	1353
#16	Land Rover LR2	-60.2%	121	304
#17	Mazda 2	-58.3%	302	724
#18	Mini Paceman	-57.1%	271	631
#19	Nissan Maxima	-54.4%	3284	7208
#20	Cadillac XTS	-50.3%	1697	3417

Rank	Worst-Selling Vehicle By Volume	November 2014	November 2013	% Change
#1	Lexus LFA	1	2	-50.0%
T2	Chevrolet Avalanche	2	255	-99.2%
T2	Volvo C70	2	213	-99.1%
T4	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG	3	41	-92.7%
T4	Acura ZDX	3	10	-70.0%
#6	Mercedes-Benz CL-Class	11	36	-69.4%
#7	Audi TT	16	155	-89.7%
#8	Mitsubishi i MiEV	18	12	50.0%
T9	Acura TSX	20	1071	-98.1%
T9	Porsche 918 Spyder	20	---	---
#11	Lexus NX	22	---	---
#12	Alfa Romeo 4C	24	---	---
#13	Dodge Viper	45	41	9.8%
#14	Audi R8	51	78	-34.6%
#15	Kia K900	69	---	---
T16	Chevrolet Captiva Sport	78	4476	-98.3%
T16	Acura TL	78	1466	-94.7%
#18	Scion iQ	82	234	-65.0%
#19	Volvo XC90	87	504	-82.7%
#20	Jaguar XK	95	103	-7.8%

Source: Automakers & ANDC
Vehicles which sold at least once in November 2013 but not at all in November 2014: Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Volkswagen Routan, and Volvo C30.
Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Rolls-Royce do not release monthly sales data. Bentley and Maserati do not report model-specific sales data. We dont exhibit commercial van nameplates on worst seller lists, but Chevrolet did sell its first 24 City Express vans last month, which would have made it eligible. Likewise, the Ford E-Series was down 59.1%, a poor enough result to make the first list, and the GMCs Savana 53.3% drop would have landed it in the top 20, as well.

RECOMMENDED READING
Top 20 Worst-Selling Vehicles In America - October 2014
Top 10 Worst-Selling Vehicles In America - November 2013
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - November 2014 YTD
Top 30 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - November 2014

Top 20 Best Selling Cars In America November 2014

For the second consecutive month after a brief layoff during which the Honda Accord took over, the Toyota Camry was Americas best-selling car in November 2014. The Camrys closest challenger last month was not the Accord, however, but Toyotas own Corolla, sales of which jumped 14%.

The Camry, third-ranked Honda Accord, fourth-ranked Honda Civic, sixth-ranked Nissan Altima, and seventh-ranked Ford Fusion all posted meaningful year-over-year sales declines.

• U.S. Vehicle Sales Rankings By Model - November 2014 YTD
• U.S. Car Sales Rankings By Model - November 2014 YTD

Two premium brand nameplates cracked the top 20 this month. German rivals from BMW (the 3-Series and 4-Series) and Mercedes-Benz (the C-Class) posted notable improvements. Narrowly missing the top 20 this month were the Kia Soul and Dodge Dart, the latter of which achieved its best ever U.S. sales total with more than 9000 sales.

The Camrys presence on top is more than secure for the year-end race, as well. The Accord is 40,203 sales back of the top-ranked Toyota. The small car race will almost undoubtedly be won by the Corolla, as the Civic trails the Toyota by nearly 9000 units. Subcompacts are led by the Nissan Versa, which ranked 19th overall in October. The 3-Series (4-Series-inclusive) lead over the C-Class is more than strong enough to carry the BMW to the top of yet another luxury car sales race podium.

Historical monthly and yearly sales figures for any of these best-selling cars can always be accessed through the dropdown menu at GCBCs Sales Stats page, and for those not viewing the mobile version of this site, near the top right of this page, as well. GoodCarBadCar has already published the list of Americas best-selling trucks and best-selling SUVs in November 2014.

December 2014 • October 2014 • November 2013

Rank	Best-Selling Car	November 2014	November 2013	% Change	2014 YTD	2013 YTD	% Change
#1	Toyota Camry	28,846	30,386	-5.1%	396,988	378,520	4.9%
#2	Toyota Corolla/Matrix	25,609	22,434	14.2%	309,373	279,618	10.6%
#3	Honda Accord	25,275	27,093	-6.7%	356,785	334,357	6.7%
#4	Honda Civic	23,060	26,291	-12.3%	300,644	307,180	-2.1%
#5	Chevrolet Cruze	22,857	18,200	25.6%	255,260	230,062	11.0%
#6	Nissan Altima	22,834	24,604	-7.2%	303,313	295,907	2.5%
#7	Ford Fusion	20,263	22,839	-11.3%	283,694	270,872	4.7%
#8	Hyundai Sonata	18,515	16,595	11.6%	199,012	189,169	5.2%
#9	Volkswagen Jetta	15,633	12,417	25.9%	145,295	148,400	-2.1%
#10	Ford Focus	14,862	15,239	-2.5%	204,751	219,001	-6.5%
#11	BMW 3-Series/4-Series	14,702	13,148	11.8%	122,768	102,784	19.4%
#12	Chrysler 200	14,317	5621	155%	101,134	116,828	-13.4%
#13	Subaru Outback	14,128	8852	59.6%	124,018	107,047	15.9%
#14	Hyundai Elantra	14,002	16,751	-16.4%	203,163	226,220	-10.2%
#15	Nissan Sentra	13,530	11,664	16.0%	167,875	118,344	41.9%
#16	Kia Optima	12,707	10,871	16.9%	147,193	146,419	0.5%
#17	Chevrolet Malibu	11,997	14,405	-16.7%	171,702	185,101	-7.2%
#18	Chevrolet Impala	9423	13,418	-29.8%	127,192	146,164	-13.0%
#19	Nissan Versa	9283	8327	11.5%	130,652	108,488	20.4%
#20	Mercedes-Benz C-Class	9259	7878	17.5%	66,841	81,022	-17.5%

Source: Automakers
* BMW USA, not GoodCarBadCar, chooses to combined sales of the 3-Series and 4-Series.
^ GCBC will be displaying the Outback with cars until at least the end of the year. As an SUV/crossover, it would have ranked ninth in November, just ahead of the Forester.

RECOMMENDED READING
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - December 2014
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - October 2014
Top 20 Best-Selling Cars In America - November 2013
U.S. Auto Sales Brand Rankings - November 2014 YTD
Top 20 Best-Selling SUVs In America - November 2014
Top 30 Best-Selling Vehicles In America - November 2014
Top 13 Best-Selling Trucks In America - November 2014 YTD

Of all the things that struck me during my week with the 2015 Subaru Outback at the end of August, it was the realization that this nameplate has been around for two decades which shocked me most.

Is this because I’m getting old, that when I think something occurred recently, I find out it actually happened 20 years ago? Subaru first showed North Americans a Legacy Outback at the New York Auto Show in 1994. In other words, there are people who have been driving for four years who never knew a world without the Subaru Outback.

THE GOOD
• Its the one and only
• Improved on and off-road behaviour
• Improved interior
• Improved exterior
• Improved CVT

THE BAD

• Little bit dowdy

• Could use more standard bhp
• Rear seat floor still too high
• Its ubiquitous
• Prefer the Forester?

Yet during this long period in which the Outback, and Subaru as a whole, became increasingly successful, there have never been any properly direct Outback rivals, at least none that have made real hay off the Outback’s format. And yes, by the Outback’s format, I really mean the AMC Eagle’s format.

True, you could argue that most modern crossovers have stolen their offense from the Outback’s playbook. But driving the Outback is different, and it continues to be perceived by the vast majority of actual Outback buyers as different, as a true crossover; a true mid-point, between car and SUV.

Audi’s A6 and A4 Allroads are all good and well, but they’re very rare cars. Volvo’s XC70 has lingered, but it too has become very uncommon in terms of new car sales. Don’t even say the words, “Honda Crosstour,” within range of my ears.

One then wonders what’s always been so different about the Outback.

To answer that question, we would need to examine multiple products from multiple periods over the the last two decades. So what about this new car? What makes this 2015 model great; what ensures further success for the fifth Outback?

2015 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5i TOURING
Base Price * (CDN): $30,055
As-Tested Price * (CDN): $34,555

Engine: 2.5L DOHC 16-valve H-4
Transmission: continuously variable

Horsepower: 175 @ 5800 rpm

Torque: 174 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3671 pounds
Drive Type: all-wheel-drive
Length: 189.6 inches
Width: 72.4 inches
Height: 66.1 inches
Wheelbase: 106.5 inches
Passenger Volume: 2959 litres
Cargo Volume: 1005 litres
Max. Cargo Volume: 2076 litres
EPA City: 25 mpg

EPA Highway: 33 mpg
NRCAN OEE City: 9.3 L/100km
NRCAN OEE Hwy: 7.1 L/100km
Observed: 24.2 mpg
Observed: 9.7 L/100km
* includes destination/delivery.
MPG fuel economy ratings from the
Environmental Protection Agency.
L/100km ratings from the Canadian
Office of Energy Efficiencys new 5-cycle
testing for MY2015 vehicles.
Base price for Outback CVT is $31,355.
Base price for Outback 2.5i Touring is $33,255.

Subjectively speaking, it looks better than the outgoing car. Though strikingly similar in most ways, perhaps too similar from some angles, its face is cleaner and classier. Unfortunately, this specific tester, a 2.5i Touring version on loan from Subaru Canada, features alloy wheels that do a really good impression of cheap wheel covers.

It’s better built than previous Outbacks were. There’s no hint of fragility to this car, no after-bump jiggles and rattles, no door-closing thwacks where there ought to be, and are, thunks. It is more than vaguely Toyota-like, and given the relationship between the two companies, we shouldn’t be surprised.

Interior quality and workmanship has taken a big leap forward, particularly where it matters around the driver. The infotainment unit is now modern, which is to say it meets our low expectations for in-car systems but doesn’t rise to the level of convenience you’d find in the new Mazda 3 or the depth of services in Chrysler’s UConnect.

With each new Outback iteration, there’s been a moderate increase in space and comfort, progressively less of the knees-to-chest awkwardness for rear passengers and arguably better seats for front passengers. This remains true, but I’d like the front seats to feature side bolstering that wasn’t quite so far away from my sides. The headrests feature a welcome range of adjustability.

Cargo capacity is up slightly from 971 litres to 1005; from 2019 to 2076 litres with the seats folded as overall length grew by six-tenths of an inch.

The Outback is still a smart car. The roof crossbars are embedded in the flush-mounted side rails until you need them. City fuel efficiency has improved from 9.9 L/100km to 9.3, 11% better than the basic AWD Ford Escape, Canadas best-selling SUV/crossover, is rated to achieve. Pressing Subaru’s X-Mode button turns the Outback, already a tall-riding car with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, into a very capable mud-runner by remapping the transmission and all-wheel-drive system and traction control. It’s not a joke.

The 2015 Outback’s on-road behaviour produces what may be the most convincing argument that the Outback has improved. Ride quality is superb, as the Outback isolates occupants from road imperfections while maintaining a nice amount of firmness. The Outback has become a very quiet highway cruiser, no vibration seeps through the pedals or wheel or shifter, and the boxer four-cylinder has been further refined to reduce unwanted boxer noises.

2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring Interior

Say what you will about the character of older H-4 Subarus, they weren’t the engines you strapped on if you were going to meet the queen. This 2.5L is now smoother, and there is still a hint of flat-four warble if you call upon it.

Subaru has also made a slight return to its more enjoyable driving roots after a fourth-gen car that was all too boring to drive. This new Outback doesn’t have the the same amount of athleticism enjoyed by the third-generation Outback; nor is there any real interactivity here. But body roll is kept to a minimum in comparison with most small crossovers and the steering is sufficiently quick to make me think I’d hustle this car whenever the opportunity presented itself. I wouldn’t have said that about the last Outback, and I certainly wouldn’t say the same for the Toyota RAV4 or Nissan Rogue.

Hustling is perhaps a stretch for the overburdened 175-horsepower powerplant, of course. There’s a great deal more cooperation now between the engine and the continuously variable transmission, so much so that the car no longer feels slow unless you’re accelerating from rest up a steep hill. The CVT is rarely annoying, offering a distinct stepping sensation and paddles if you want to exert some control. In Canada, consumers are still given the option of selecting a manual transmission. Oh joy, oh delight.

Yes, you’ll want the 256-horsepower six-cylinder, but you might not want its fuel bill, 12 L/100km in the city, or the $3000 premium you’ll pay on to get that boxer six. (We averaged a somewhat disappointing 9.7 L/100km in mostly urban driving in the four-cylinder.) But you won’t need the six-cylinder – base four-cylinder Outbacks weigh less than 3600 pounds. They can make do.

• Historical Monthly & Yearly Subaru Outback Sales Figures
• 2013 Subaru BRZ Driven Review
• 2014 Kia Sorento SX Driven Review
• 2014 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited Driven Review

Positivity aside, I’ll admit I grew somewhat bored of the Outback before the week was up. I blame the black paint for masking the more stylish look of the cladding – it looks great in lighter shades. We also have frequent access to more thrilling machines on a regular basis. The Outback doesn’t thrill, nor does it aim to.

No, the Outback really is just a new take on the old-fashioned station wagon. Rather, a 20-year-old take. But I realized when the Outback left our driveway that a rugged, roomy, affordable, surprisingly efficient, all-weather midsize wagon is basically the perfect car for almost everybody I know, in the same way flimsy, massive, affordable, inefficient, rear-wheel-drive full-size wagons were basically the perfect car for almost everybody I never knew 35 or 40 years ago.

There are things Subaru could do better, from re-injecting more fun back into the chassis, crafting less American-waistline-oriented seats, designing a faster power liftgate that doesn’t leave me standing impatiently in a parking lot with a 30-pound bag of dog food, reining in the aggressive throttle tip-in, and providing 200 standard horsepower.

Yet the 2015 version makes the Outback a better car than it’s ever been. Subaru has worked to make it better despite the lack of pressure from rival automakers; despite the security of Subaru’s steadily growing North American sales volume.

Upcoming Cars 2015

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Top 20 Best Selling Cars In Canada November 2014

Friday, March 20, 2015

Top 20 Worst Selling Vehicles In America November 2014

Monday, March 16, 2015

Top 20 Best Selling Cars In America November 2014

2015 Subaru Outback 2 5i Touring Review A New 20 Year Old Idea