Welcome to our round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam.
Here’s what you missed while you were away.
Driving By Numbers: Canada’s 10 best-selling vehicles In 2021
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Photo by Elliot Alder
All the supply chain issues in the world couldn’t stop automotive companies from making gobs of money in 2021, but there were 10 vehicles that topped the list of best-sellers in Canada — more specifically, there were four full-size pickups, four crossovers, and two compact cars. The Blue Oval was at the top of our list of the most-sold brands in 2021 for the 13th consecutive year, with the F-series trucks making up over half of the 235,915 units moved. The top crossover in Canada was the Toyota RAV4, but its sales fall behind the Ram pickup lineup, placing it in third spot. The Honda Civic was the No. 1 compact car sold in Canada for a 24th consecutive year, but places seventh on the overall list. For the full list of the top 10, click here .
Driver takes selfie atop Scion tC as car sinks into Rideau River
Scion tC sinks into Rideau River Photo by MammaMitch
The driver of a yellow Scion tC found herself at the centre of a public spectacle after her car, that she’d been dangerously driving down the frozen Rideau Canal in an Ottawa suburb, fell through the ice, leaving her standing stranded on the trunk of the car — the only part not submerged in ice-cold water. Video footage shot before the incident shows the car screaming down the frozen waterway, past a group of children playing on an ice rink. After her vehicle fell through the ice, the driver was able to climb out and stay safe and dry standing on the car’s rear, at which point she found time to take a selfie, until some bystanders came to her aid.
WATCH: Bronco vs. Wrangler crash test
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The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are close competitors, but the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found at least one measurable way in which the two off-roaders differ: their performance in the small-overlap front impact test. Designed to replicate a collision at the front and side of the vehicle, the test exposed the Wrangler’s “Marginal” performance while confirming the Bronco’s “Good” status. In the video comparison of the two tests , both vehicles take massive damage and are thrown away from the object, but the Bronco remains planted rightside up, whereas the Jeep is thrown onto its side.
Consumer Reports calls out GM for alleged engine reliability issues
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country Duramax Photo by Matthew Guy
Consumer Reports has identified an alleged issue chez GM, claiming that the manufacturer’s Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 pickup trucks suffer from ‘major’ engine issues at a rate of four per cent. CR classifies ‘major’ issues as those that may require an engine rebuild or replacement, such as problems with cylinder heads, head gaskets, turbocharger, etc., but has yet to classify the exact issue at hand. Worth noting: GM is currently facing a class-action lawsuit over allegedly defective fuel management systems in models tracing back to 2014.
Hyundai issues recall over potentially loose and leaky windshields
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Luxury Hybrid Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
“Loose” is not a term you want to hear used to describe any part of a vehicle you’re driving, especially those parts that serve to keep the elements in the air out of your eyes and teeth. But Hyundai is recalling nearly 1,900 newer vehicles — mostly 2021 Santa Fe and Sonata — in Canada due to windshields that may come loose and let in moisture and wind noise. The Korean brand says it has yet to receive reports of any issues from drivers, but is aware of a potential lack of adhesion that could lead to air and moisture leakage, and even detachment of the windshield in the event of a collision. Hyundai owners can check if they’re impacted by searching for the recall under number R0206 at Hyundai and 2021-791 within Transport Canada’s system.
Keyword: News Roundup: Canada's top 10 vehicles in 2021, Hyundai’s loose windshield recall, and more