5 Cool Vehicles from Mission Motors for a Hot Wawa Summer and Scenic Drives
Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC picks built for Northern Ontario roads and Lake Superior adventures
Summer in Wawa means longer days, warm weather, and easy access to some of the most striking scenery in the country. Whether the plan is a weekend at a nearby lake, an equipment haul for a work site, or a family run down Highway 17 along the Lake Superior shore, the vehicle under you shapes the trip.
As the local Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealership, Mission Motors sees what holds up here. A summer vehicle in the Algoma District needs more than good looks. It needs the durability, capability, and efficiency to move from smooth highway to gravel forest road without drama. The five picks below cover that range, from work-ready trucks to refined family haulers.
1. Chevrolet Colorado and Silverado: The Adventure Workhorses
For drivers who want capability without giving up everyday usability, the Chevrolet truck lineup is the obvious starting point. The midsize Colorado suits a smaller footprint and tighter budget, while the full-size Silverado steps up towing and payload for heavier work and bigger trailers.
Hauling gear and reaching the trail
Summer in Northern Ontario fills the calendar with fishing trips, camping, and ATV runs. The Colorado offers strong payload and available 4WD that makes short work of forest access roads and boat launches. The Silverado adds the towing and hauling headroom for larger trailers and equipment when the job is bigger.
Both trucks come with practical cargo features, bed tie-downs, available bed liners, and the available Multi-Flex tailgate on Silverado, which folds into multiple positions for loading and standing access. These details matter when the bed sees daily use rather than the occasional dump run.
Efficiency that suits long distances
Modern Chevrolet trucks return reasonable fuel economy for their size, and that matters here. On the routes north and south of Wawa, fuel stops can sit far apart, so range and efficiency are practical concerns rather than abstract figures.
2. GMC Sierra and Canyon: Premium Power for the North
The GMC trucks bring the same underlying capability as their Chevrolet counterparts wrapped in a more upscale package. The Sierra and Canyon are built for drivers who want refinement alongside the work ethic, and they hold their own on a long Highway 17 haul.
Comfort without losing capability
What sets GMC apart is interior refinement that does not come at the cost of toughness. Quality materials, added sound insulation, and available heated and ventilated seats make long drives easier on the body. The available MultiPro tailgate adds six functions in one, and the available CarbonPro composite bed resists dents and corrosion in a way steel does not.
The available AT4 trim layers in off-road hardware for drivers who regularly leave the pavement, from rocky shorelines to forest trails. It is the configuration to look at if access roads are part of your routine rather than the exception.
Built for cottage-country towing
Summer often means a boat or trailer behind the truck. GMC trucks tow with stability and control, and available trailering camera systems and assist features make backing down a boat launch or into a tight cottage driveway far less stressful, even for occasional towers.
Find Your Summer Vehicle in Wawa
Browse the current Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC lineup at Mission Motors and see what fits your summer plans.
Explore Inventory Book a Test Drive Apply for Financing3. Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer: Versatile Family SUVs
For families who want efficiency, space, and a manageable footprint, the Chevrolet SUV lineup hits the middle ground. The Equinox is the right-sized daily driver, and the Blazer adds road presence and a roomier cabin for households that need a bit more.
Family-ready by design
Summer trips ask a vehicle to carry sports gear one day and camping kit the next while keeping everyone comfortable. Both the Equinox and Blazer offer flexible cargo layouts, generous passenger space, and a deep set of driver-assist features that help on unfamiliar roads.
Multiple charging points keep devices alive on longer drives, and effective climate control holds the cabin comfortable through the hottest stretches of summer. These are the small things that decide whether a five-hour drive ends well.
All-wheel-drive confidence
Even in summer, the terrain around Wawa keeps you honest. Available AWD adds traction on gravel, wet pavement, and the gentle grades of a boat launch, which is exactly the reassurance you want when the destination is a quiet fishing spot off the main road.
4. Buick Enclave and Envision: Comfort for the Long Drive
When summer driving leans toward unhurried scenic tours and relaxed family trips, the Buick SUVs make a strong case. The Enclave offers three-row room and a quiet, settled ride, while the smaller Envision delivers the same refinement in a more efficient package.
Refined cabins and a smooth ride
Buick's focus on a quiet, comfortable cabin pays off on longer summer drives. Sound insulation, soft-touch materials, and supportive seating keep hours behind the wheel from wearing you down, and available features such as heated and ventilated front seats and tri-zone climate control raise the comfort further.
An available panoramic sunroof adds an open, airy feeling that suits summer motoring, turning a routine drive into something closer to part of the destination.
Discovering the area in comfort
Summer is the season for the short scenic drives around Wawa, and a Buick gives you the comfort to enjoy them. Whether the route runs to a lookout over Lake Superior or to a quiet inland lake, the cabin keeps the journey as pleasant as the arrival.
5. Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban: The Full-Size Road-Trip Machines
For families who refuse to choose between space, capability, and comfort, the full-size Chevrolet SUVs are the answer. The Tahoe and the longer Suburban move from daily family duty to extended wilderness trips without strain.
Room for everyone and everything
Summer trips often mean more passengers and more gear than a midsize vehicle can swallow. The Tahoe and Suburban combine three rows of comfortable seating with large cargo areas, so you rarely have to leave something behind. The Suburban's extra length is the difference when both the third row and the trunk need to be full.
Available power-folding seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and well-placed storage make loading easier, and independent rear suspension keeps the ride composed even when the vehicle is fully loaded.
A gateway to remote exploration
The wilderness around Wawa rewards vehicles that can cover distance and handle varied surfaces. These full-size SUVs blend highway comfort with light off-road ability, opening up destinations that less capable vehicles would struggle to reach safely.
Short Scenic Drives Around Wawa to Try in Your New Vehicle
Once the right vehicle is in the driveway, Wawa's position on Highway 17 and at the edge of Lake Superior Provincial Park opens up a string of memorable drives. These local favourites show off both the scenery and what a capable vehicle adds to the experience.
The Lake Superior coast on Highway 17
The Trans-Canada Highway south of Wawa traces some of the most dramatic Lake Superior shoreline in Ontario. The route through Lake Superior Provincial Park passes lookouts, beaches, and the turnoff to Old Woman Bay, where the cliffs meet the water. It is an easy day trip that rewards a comfortable seat and an unhurried pace.
Magpie High Falls and the Michipicoten River
Just outside town, the falls on the Magpie River, locally known as High Falls, make a short and worthwhile stop. Forest access roads in the Michipicoten River area lead to quiet fishing spots and swimming holes that reward a vehicle with adequate ground clearance and confident traction, exactly what these Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC models provide.
Chippewa Falls, the halfway point
South toward Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa Falls marks the recognized halfway point of the Trans-Canada Highway. It is a natural place to stretch, take in the falls, and break up a longer drive. The cargo room in any of these vehicles makes packing a cooler and a picnic an afterthought rather than a puzzle.
The Wawa Goose and town stops
No drive around town is complete without the Wawa Goose, the landmark monument that has welcomed Highway 17 travellers for decades. It is a fitting start or finish to a scenic loop, and a reminder of why so many trips through Northern Ontario pass through Wawa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these five vehicles suited to summer driving around Wawa?
Each pick pairs effective climate control with engines that hold up in summer heat, plus the ground clearance and available all-wheel or four-wheel drive that gravel forest roads and boat launches call for. They are built to move from paved Highway 17 to rougher access roads without complaint, which is the daily reality of driving in the Algoma District.
Do I need AWD or 4WD for summer driving near Wawa?
Summer removes the snow, but the terrain around Wawa still includes loose gravel, soft boat-launch ramps, and washouts after heavy rain. All-wheel and four-wheel drive add traction and confidence in those conditions and are worth having if you plan to reach remote lakes and trailheads rather than staying on the highway.
Which of these offers the best fuel economy for long Highway 17 trips?
Among these picks the Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Envision are the most efficient on the highway thanks to their smaller turbocharged engines. The Colorado is surprisingly frugal for a midsize truck, with an NRCan combined rating of roughly 12.3 L/100 km on the 4WD model. Your load, speed, and terrain will shift real-world numbers.
Can these vehicles tow boats and trailers for summer recreation?
Yes. The GMC Sierra 1500 is rated to tow up to about 6,032 kg (13,300 lb) when properly equipped, and the Silverado 1500 is close behind. The midsize Colorado and Canyon handle smaller boats and utility trailers, while the SUVs cover lighter loads. The right choice depends on trailer weight, so confirm the configuration before you tow.
What should I check before a long summer road trip in Northern Ontario?
Have the cooling system, air conditioning, tires, brakes, and fluids inspected before you head out. Distances between services are long on the routes around Wawa, so preventive maintenance matters more here than in a city. The service team at Mission Motors can run a pre-trip inspection and flag anything that needs attention.
Are Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles reliable enough for remote trips?
These brands are engineered for long service lives, and many owners keep them well past 300,000 kilometres with regular maintenance. The average vehicle on Canadian roads now lasts around 11 years. Staying on top of scheduled service is the single biggest factor in reaching the high end of that range, especially on the demanding roads of the Algoma District.
Which vehicle is best for families planning camping trips?
For maximum space and towing, the full-size Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban or a Sierra or Silverado truck carry the most gear. Families who want comfort and efficiency with moderate hauling are usually better served by the Buick Enclave or the Chevrolet Blazer, which balance cargo room, features, and fuel use.
How do these vehicles handle the gravel and forest roads common around Wawa?
All of them offer enough ground clearance and available AWD or 4WD to manage gravel and packed forest roads. The trucks are the most capable on rough surfaces, while the SUVs keep a more car-like ride with enough traction for cottage-country roads and the access routes off Highway 17.
Start Your Summer Adventure at Mission Motors
Visit Mission Motors in Wawa to find the Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC that fits your summer, then keep it ready for the road with our service team.
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