New Cars for Christmas

Santa may come in a sleigh but Canadian vehicle owners would prefer that he bring them a new vehicle for the holidays.

A survey of 1,547 Canadian vehicle owners undertaken by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants indicated that a new SUV was the top choice of Canadians when asked what vehicle they would like the man in red to leave in their driveway.

Interestingly, regional disparities were as marked as ever. In Quebec the top request was for an electric vehicle (21.2 percent), while in the Atlantic Provinces a luxury sedan was the gift of choice (19.6 percent).

Albertans had the highest preference toward SUVs (27.7 percent) followed closely by those living in BC (26.1 percent).

DesRosiers also noted that just as many Canadians wanted Santa to bring them a minivan (6.6%) as an exotic dream car (6.7%).

To aid in the Christmas wave of vehicle purchases, the editors at AutoTrader.com surveyed a panel of experts to find out the top ten must-shop cars for families this year. They say a new vehicle should be a decision made by the whole family, and not left to surprise.

"The holiday season means lots of road trips, and without a doubt, families now have more choices than ever when shopping for a car that fits their lifestyle and budget," said AutoTrader.com site editor, Brian Moody. "It’s no longer just about cargo space, number of seats and safety – it’s also about value and practicality. Our list identifies the top ten cars that exceed our expectations and are definitely worth taking a test drive this winter."

Last year, more than 80 percent of AutoTrader.com site visitors planned to take a road trip over the winter holidays, and 25 percent of those polled drove more than 300 miles.

As dealerships prepare for 2015 and begin to clear their lots for incoming new models, shoppers can take advantage of year-end deals such as 0% financing and/or thousands in cash back on select vehicles.

"December can also be a good time to check out used or certified pre-owned options too, since most of those cars will be a year older and prices tend to go down slightly as newer or all-new models start showing up at the dealer," said Moody.

To help families narrow down their search for the perfect car, the expert editors at AutoTrader.com have named their picks for the top ten must-shop family cars, including six new models and four certified pre-owned options:

New Vehicles:

*2015 Chrysler 200

*2015 Ford Fusion

*2015 Honda Accord

*2015 Honda Fit

*2015 Subaru Outback

*2015 Toyota Camry

*2013 Ford Flex

*2013 Mazda5

*2012 Toyota Sienna

Moody encourages consumers to consider bringing the whole family on the test drive. "It’s important to know how your children feel riding in the third row, how your child safety restraint will fit in the rear seat, or even how your everyday items like groceries and sports equipment will fit in the cargo areas," said Moody. "Consider every aspect of your lifestyle before you sign on the dotted line."

Are you planning to gift a vehicle this holiday season? Leave a comment about your choice!