Many Canadians live a suburban lifestyle, commuting from their suburbs or bedroom communities into the city centre on a daily basis. When spending an hour or more in a vehicle every day, commuters need to be a bit more strategic with the vehicle they buy. Cars with good fuel efficiency, modern comforts, up-to-date technology, and top-of-the-line safety features are ideal for commuters who will inevitably spend a significant portion of their day rolling along in traffic.
Auto technicians are likely to see commuter vehicles coming into the shop a little more often than others. Cars that travel many kilometres every day in stop-and-go traffic require routine maintenance at more frequent intervals than cars that are just used for leisure.
If you’re considering becoming an auto technician, here are the top commuter cars of 2017 you could see rolling into your shop for regular upkeep.
The MAZDA3 Is a Great Commuter Vehicle for Drivers Looking for Get Up and Go
For commuters who like to have a little fun during their daily drive, the 2017 MAZDA3 can be a favourite commuter car. The car’s 2.0L 16-valve 4-cylinder SKYACTIV-G engine offers decent specs, with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque.
Because commuters spend quite a bit of time in their cars, safety is paramount. That’s why the MAZDA3’s Smart Brake Support, Forward Obstruction Warning, Lane-keep Assist Systems, and range of other modern safety features help make it an ideal commuter car. As a result, graduates of an auto mechanic apprenticeship might see plenty of MAZDA3s roll into the shop during their careers.
Students in Auto Technician Courses May Know the Toyota Prius Is a No-brainer for Commuting
As the 2017 Green Car of the Year, the Toyota Prius Hybrid is a top option for daily commuters who want to offset their mileage with an earth-friendly vehicle. With a combined highway and city fuel rating of 4.5 L/100 km, not only will this car help save the environment, it also helps save cash.
The base model Prius comes equipped with a 6.2” touchscreen display and heated seats, plus many other creature comforts individuals who spend hours in their car often appreciate. With eight airbags and a load of other safety features, the Prius is an economic, safe, and desirable choice that many commuters are opting for.
Grads of Auto Technician Courses Know the Chevy Cruze Is a Great Option for Commuters
The Chevy Cruze is a stand-out option for commuters because of its notable fuel economy. Drivers can get a not-too-shabby 5.9 L/100 km from its 1.4L turbo engine, which students in auto technician courses may know is impressive, even if it’s not quite as good as the Prius. With 153 horsepower, the car has enough power to merge onto fast-moving highways and make passes safely at high speeds.
The Cruze offers the modern amenities commuters would expect and more, including a bright 7” display, Apple Carplay and Andriod Auto capabilities, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The Cruze also has plenty of safety features, including a Rear Vision Camera, Lane Keep Assist, and Side Blind Zone Alert, just to name a few.
The Subaru Legacy Is a Reliable Mid-Size Sedan Commuter Vehicle
Having won the IIHS Top Safety Pick award 12 years in a row, the Subaru Legacy is a mid-size sedan that many commuters count on for both a safe and reliable ride. Its 2.5L 4-cyliner Subaru Boxer engine offers an impressive 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, and fuel efficiency to the tune of 10.7 city and 7.9 highway L/100 km. The Legacy also meets Low Emission Vehicle (LEV3) standards, making driving a fuel-powered vehicle everyday a little easier on the environment. For auto technicians who often work on commuter cars, working on the Subaru Legacy could be a regular occurrence.
Do you want a career that allows you to work on interesting cars like the ones mentioned in this blog?
Contact Automotive Training Centres to learn how to become a car mechanic in Cambridge.
