Five reasons for you and the family to go
From classics and concepts to everything on the market, show offers something for all
Whether you’re actively in the market for a new vehicle, an impassioned enthusiast, or simply curious to know what all the fuss is about, you’ll find something to love about the Canadian International AutoShow.
The show opens Friday and runs over two weekends (including Family Day) until it closes Feb. 26. It covers 650,000 square feet across the North and South buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Here are five reasons why you won’t want to miss it. 1. Shop the entire automotive market in one place A huge percentage of the cars available in Canada will be on the show floor, including some models that are so new they haven’t yet made it to dealers.
Some readers just rolled their eyes and thought, “Of course, that’s what a car show is.” But if you’ve never been to one before and you’re looking for new wheels, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whittle down and hone your shopping list in an afternoon of strolling.
Among the hottest new cars not to be missed: BMW will have the full lineup of its new 5 Series on display including the first 5 Series plug-in hybrid; Kia’s new Stinger grand touring sedan will make its Canadian debut after stealing the show in Detroit last month; Mazda fans can get a close look at the new MX-5 RF (retractable fastback) and Volvo’s betting on getting Canadian attention with its new V90 wagon in an R-Design performance package.
In Canada’s hottest segment, SUVs and CUVs, automakers are appealing to city-dwellers with their highlights: the new-to-us Nissan Qashqai subcompact crossover will be on display, as will Toyota’s answer to it, the new CH-R; and in compacts, brand-new versions of the Jeep Compass, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan will all be on the floor to explore.
If you’ve been waiting for the minivan market to settle down, you’re in luck. The new Honda Odyssey will be shown just a short walk away from the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid for easy cross-shopping. 2. Get an early peak at the future of the automobile Automakers love to show off their ideas and Toronto’s AutoShow will be no exception: 15 concepts will be on display, ranging from sedans and CUVs all the way to supercars.
Don’t miss the Aston Martin concept hypercar, the AM-RB 001, making its North American debut at the Toronto Star booth on level 300 in the North Building.
Others worth seeking out are Infiniti’s QX50 compact crossover concept, the Nissan VMotion 2.0 concept displaying the brand’s future sedan design direction, the prototype for Honda’s Civic Type R, the New York Concept from fledgling luxury brand Genesis, the grandiose and imaginative Lincoln Navigator con- cept and Mitsubishi’s GT-PHEV prototype for a plug-in hybrid crossover. 3. Revel in its glorious past Two important anniversaries have triggered two incredible exhibits at this year’s show celebrating the history of the automobile in markedly different ways.
The Art and the Automobile exhibit returns for 2017 and this year’s theme is the Canadian Story, in celebration of our country’s 150th anniversary.
Hosted by the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the display will highlight several historical Canadian-made cars, including the Seth Taylor Steam Buggy — which hit our roads in 1867, the same year as Confederation — and one of two original 1927 McLaughlin-Buicks hand-built at GM in Oshawa for use by the Royal Family during their visit that year.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Formula 1 racing in Canada, so a special exhibition has been prepared, sharing notable details of the sport’s history on our shores.
It also features an awe-inspiring collection of classic racing cars, including Gilles Villeneuve’s 1978 Ferrari 312T3, the car in which he won his first grand prix, alongside the 1997 Williams FW19 that his son Jacques drove to what remains Canada’s first and only world championship. 4. Test drive an electric car Have you considered buying an electric car but wondered exactly what it feels like to drive one?
Visitors can explore the many options at the show’s new Electric Avenue display on the 800 level of the South Building, then head to the North Building, level 200, to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle for a free test drive.
Among the EVs that will be on hand: Audi E3, BMW i3 and i8, Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid (but not the fully electric Bolt), Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf, Toyota COMS EV single-passenger vehicle and FCV Plus fuel-cell vehicle, Volkswagen e-Golf (new to Canada this spring) and the funky Rinspeed Oasis concept that debuted at this year’s CES in Las Vegas, with its augmented-reality windows, built-in keyboard with cup holders and on-board greenhouse. 5. Enjoy a day out with the family Yes, it is feasible, and affordable, to take the whole family to the AutoShow. Basic ticket prices are $23 for an adult, $16 for youths 13 to 16, $7 for kids 7 to 12 and free for kids 6 and under.
A $45 family pass will admit two adults and two kids aged 7 to 12, and there are also discounts for buying online or visiting on Tuesday.
Getting there is a snap by public transit. The show can be easily accessed by TTC or GO via an indoor walkway directly from Union Station. (There’s plenty of parking in the area, but pricing is at the whim of the individual lots and it can get very expensive.)
Once there, you’ll find two coat-check stations, one in the North Building and another in the South that, for $3, will save you from having to lug your bulky winter gear around on the show floor.
Although no outside food is permitted, there are vendors to be found in both halls and a restaurant on the 600 level in the South Building. If you prefer to eat elsewhere, you can have your hand stamped and return to the show later the same day.
The highlight of the show for parents of little ones returns for another year but in a new location.
The Volkswagen Children’s PlayCare Centre can now be found on the 600 level, near the restaurant and coat check, and provides professional child-minding free for up to three hours.
Be prepared to do plenty of walking — the show is expansive. Think of it as a great reason to strap on your step counter and some comfortable shoes. If you’re up for it, the automotive eye candy to be found here can keep you busy for hours.