With its sprawling roads and varied weather, Calgary is a driver's dream. But if you're looking for a daily driver that will keep your commute comfortable, we've got a few suggestions that are very popular among our customers here at Shaw GMC. These models are all about comfort, fuel efficiency, and safety. From sedans to SUVs, read on to discover the best options for your daily commute.
Key Takeaways
- Driving in Calgary requires preparation for winter weather and understanding lane reversals to avoid traffic jams.
- Top sedans for commuting include the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra, all focusing on safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
- For more cargo space, consider SUVs like the GMC Terrain and Honda CR-V, or the hybrid-friendly Toyota Sienna for family trips.
- Emphasizing features like adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert is crucial for navigating city driving and sudden dangerous situations.
- Hybrid and electric options like the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Bolt EV are ideal for environmentally conscious commuters looking to reduce emissions.
Essential Tips for Driving in Calgary
With its booming population and ever-expanding sprawl, Calgary is definitely a city that necessitates good commuter cars.
Nobody can deny that Calgary is a city made for drivers. With the average one-way commute lasting around 27 minutes, having car that focuses on comfort and efficiency is essential. In addition, as one of the largest cities in the Prairies, Calgary drivers also face some tricky weather conditions, particularly during the winter.
Navigating icy roads and heavy snowfalls requires some specific safety precautions, like getting a winter systems check, putting on winter tires, and keeping an emergency kit handy. Planning your commute and allowing extra time when it's snowing heavily can really enhance your driving experience.
Best Commuter Sedans
Sedans are a hit for city driving in Calgary thanks to their sleek size, impressive fuel efficiency, and top-notch safety features. These modern commuter cars are crafted for smooth driving and effortlessly maneuvering through bustling city streets.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevy Malibu is a sleek sedan that's tailor made for driving through Calgary's streets.
The Chevrolet Malibu is a standout when it comes to fuel efficiency, offering an impressive 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. It's a fantastic pick whether you're commuting to work or headed out for a weekend trip to the mountains. Each model comes packed with essential features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane keep assist systems.
Opt for the 2LT trim, and you'll enjoy a premium experience with perks like a Bose sound system, a wireless charging pad, and multiple USB ports. The Malibu’s 4-link rear suspension and rear stabilizer bar provide precise handling, making it perfect for city driving.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla shines with its user-friendly infotainment system, making navigating Calgary's streets a breeze. Equipped with adaptive cruise control, it ensures a safer journey through bustling urban traffic. Designed for city commutes, this car is packed with features that enhance everyday driving, making it not only more enjoyable but also more efficient.
Choosing the higher trims of the Corolla adds a touch of luxury, catering to various needs. Whether you're commuting solo or require a dependable ride for family outings, the Toyota Corolla fits the bill. Its combination of technology, safety, and comfort makes it a top choice.
Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra is often heralded as a pioneer in the world of compact sedans, and remains a solid choice for a daily driver.
Whether you're cruising down Deerfoot or getting out of town for the weekend, the Hyundai Elantra is ready to handle your daily drive with ease. The Elantra features a roomy interior that makes daily commutes comfortable.
With its fuel-efficient engine options, it offers a smooth ride, making it a popular choice for commuters. The Elantra also boasts ample trunk space, perfect for stashing groceries or luggage, adding to its practicality. Equipped with features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, the Elantra boosts driver confidence and enhances road safety, making it a dependable choice for getting around town.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte seamlessly combines style, technology, and safety, making it an excellent option for Calgary commuters. With forward collision avoidance assist, it can detect potential collisions and automatically apply brakes when needed. Driver assistance features like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking add extra confidence in daily traffic.
The Kia Forte's advanced safety features, dependable performance, and sleek design make it an appealing choice for daily commuting. Whether you're heading to work or running errands, the Forte delivers a smooth and secure driving experience.
Best Commuter SUVs
If you're looking for more space and comfort out of your daily driver, SUVs are a fantastic choice. These vehicles provide the flexibility and roominess that many Calgary commuters appreciate, especially when it comes to family travel. Larger options like SUVs and minivans offer ample cargo space and comfort, making long drives more enjoyable, particularly with their spacious cargo areas.
GMC Terrain
As the smallest option in the current GMC lineup, the Terrain is perfect for when you want a little more cargo capacity out of your daily driver without sacrificing convenience.
The GMC Terrain stands out as an excellent commuter car for Calgary drivers, thanks to its perfect blend of style, comfort, and advanced technology. With Calgary's diverse weather conditions and bustling city streets, the Terrain offers the reliability and adaptability needed for a smooth daily commute.
Its compact size makes it easy to navigate through narrow city lanes, while the spacious interior and flexible cargo space accommodate both passengers and gear effortlessly. Need more room? The Terrain's 60/40-folding rear seats provide great flexibility for extra cargo space, perfect for running errands.
The GMC Terrain is packed with advanced tech features like a 15-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. It also offers driver safety tools such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, making it a smart pick for daily commutes with a city driving fuel efficiency of 24 mpg.
For more information on this compact SUV, be sure to check out our review of the 2025 model!
Ford Escape
A popular pick among Calgary families, the Ford Escape offers a roomy interior and adaptable seating that make it perfect for both daily use and longer getaways. Its modern entertainment systems, including touchscreen interfaces and smartphone integration, help to keep everyone entertained during trips.
With a great balance of comfort for passengers as well as ample cargo space, the Escape lives up to its name, offering a welcome reprieve from the daily grind for those with more active lifestyles.
Honda CR-V
With its blend of comfort, tech, and safety, the Honda CR-V stands out as a top pick for Calgary commuting. Its adaptable design and modern features cater to a wide range of driving needs, perfect for both daily commutes and family trips due to its roomy interior.
If you're looking for a touch of luxury, the higher trims come with features like leather seats and upgraded sound systems, making your drive feel a bit more special. Plus, its adaptive cruise control uses radar tech to keep a safe distance from the car ahead, adding an extra layer of safety to your commute.
Buick Encore GX
The Encore GX's compact size makes it perfect for zipping through Calgary's winding city roads.
The Buick Encore GX is an excellent commuter car for Calgary drivers due to its compact yet spacious design, making it ideal for navigating the city's bustling streets and narrow lanes. Its agile handling and responsive steering ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, even in the most congested areas. The Encore GX's turbocharged engine options provide a perfect balance of power and efficiency, allowing drivers to confidently manage both daily commutes and longer journeys without frequent fuel stops.
Furthermore, the Buick Encore GX is equipped with a host of modern safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, which are essential for handling Calgary's unpredictable weather and sudden dangerous situations. The Encore GX's advanced infotainment system, complete with smartphone integration, ensures that drivers stay connected and entertained throughout their journey.
Best Eco-Friendly Picks
Choosing an eco-friendly vehicle for your daily commute in Calgary is a smart decision that benefits both you and the environment. With Calgary's expanding urban landscape and frequent traffic, hybrid and electric vehicles offer impressive fuel efficiency, reducing your carbon footprint while saving on fuel costs. These vehicles are equipped with modern technology and safety features, ensuring a smooth and secure driving experience even in Calgary's unpredictable weather conditions.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
The Chevy Equinox EV combines everything you've come to love about the traditional Equinox with an eco-friendly electric powertrain.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV is a rising star among Calgary drivers, offering an ideal mix of performance, comfort, and eco-friendly practicality. Its electric powertrain is perfect for navigating Calgary's bustling city streets and narrow lanes, delivering a smooth and quiet ride while reducing emissions. The Equinox EV's impressive range ensures you can cover more ground without frequent recharging, making it a convenient choice for daily commuting.
Inside, the Equinox EV provides a spacious cabin and ample cargo space, accommodating passengers and their belongings with ease. Equipped with standard safety tech such as forward collision alert, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, the Equinox EV enhances driver awareness and security in various driving conditions. These features are particularly valuable for handling Calgary's unpredictable weather and sudden dangerous situations, ensuring a safe and reliable commute.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The Chevy Bolt is the perfect option for our eco-conscious customers, boasting an impressive range and zero emissions.
For Calgary drivers who are environmentally conscious, electric vehicles offer a great way to cut down on carbon emissions. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a game-changer with its impressive range, letting you travel up to 259 miles on just one charge. Being an all-electric vehicle, it means zero emissions from the tailpipe, which is great for the environment.
Plus, with its roomy interior and large cargo capacity, the Bolt EUV is no slouch when it comes to Calgary commuting, offering just as many amenities as many of its gas-powered counterparts.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is famous for its outstanding fuel economy, often exceeding 50 miles per gallon. It uses hybrid technology, combining a traditional engine with an electric motor to boost fuel efficiency. Plus, regenerative braking helps save energy by converting movement into stored power while you drive.
Known for its cutting-edge technology and focus on fuel savings, the Prius stands out as a dependable and environmentally friendly choice for Calgarian commuters looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Summary
Visit Shaw GMC today to book a test drive in any of the cars on our list!
Picking the right commuter car can really make a difference in your Calgary driving experience. Whether you're drawn to the compact efficiency of the Chevrolet Malibu or the roomy versatility of the Toyota Sienna, there's a vehicle out there to meet every commuter's needs. Each car and SUV we've covered brings its own mix of efficiency, comfort, and cutting-edge tech, making them perfect for cruising Calgary's streets.
Whether your focus is on fuel economy, cargo room, or top-notch safety features, the options in this guide have something for everyone. To explore your options, contact our sales department or visit Shaw GMC on Blackfoot Trail today to browse our wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of city drive?
City drive means navigating through urban areas, usually at lower speeds with frequent stops due to traffic and stop signs. It's all about adapting to the hustle and bustle of city life!
What is the best commuter car under $15,000?
The Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Elantra are great commuter cars you can snag for under $15,000, offering reliability and efficiency. Check out our selection of used vehicles under $15,000 for a range of other options!
What is the most congested roadway in Calgary?
The most congested spot in Calgary is Deerfoot Trail, especially between Memorial Drive and 16 Avenue Northeast. Avoid it if you can!
How do snow removal operations work in Calgary during a big snowstorm?
Snow removal in Calgary kicks off within 36 hours of a big snowstorm, with parking bans on major roads to keep things moving. So, if you're out and about, keep an eye out for those signs!
