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Mission Motors in Wawa is the local Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealership serving the Algoma District. This guide covers five summer-ready vehicles built for Northern Ontario driving, from the Chevrolet Colorado and Silverado to the GMC Sierra and Canyon, the Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer, the Buick Enclave and Envision, and the full-size Tahoe and Suburban, plus scenic drives along Highway 17 and the Lake Superior coast.
A lineup of Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles ready for a summer drive along the Lake Superior coast near Wawa, Ontario

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

From trucks ready for Highway 17 hauls to roomy SUVs for family road trips, these are the vehicles that suit Wawa summers. Here is how each one earns its place, plus the scenic routes worth driving once you find the right fit.

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.

The Northern Ontario filter: These are not generic summer car picks. Each one is chosen for how it handles the realities around Wawa, long distances between fuel stops, variable road surfaces, and the need to carry people and gear in comfort across the Algoma District.

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.

A vehicle loaded with gear for a summer camping trip in warm evening light
Loaded and ready for a summer run to the lake. (Photo: Aysegul Aytoren / Pexels)

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.

Stay connected: Available Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wireless smartphone integration keep navigation and messaging working even when the trip pushes toward the edges of cell coverage.

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.

A pickup truck on an open scenic highway surrounded by forested hills
A Chevrolet Z71 pickup out fishing with the boys. (Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels)

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.

Long-haul confidence: GMC trucks are built to absorb years of work and recreation, the kind of dual duty that defines vehicle life in the Algoma District, where a single truck often covers the job site and the weekend at the lake.
6,032 kg Maximum towing for the GMC Sierra 1500 when properly equipped (about 13,300 lb)
~12.3 L/100km Approximate NRCan combined rating for the Chevrolet Colorado 4WD
~11 years Average lifespan of a vehicle on Canadian roads, with many well past 300,000 km
3 brands Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC sold and serviced under one roof at Mission Motors

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3. 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.

A scenic lakeside view with a vehicle parked nearby and people enjoying the outdoors
A lakeside stop on a summer drive through the Algoma District. (Photo: 401 Group)

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.

Year-round value: These SUVs are strong summer picks, but their all-season capability carries straight through to winter, which makes them sensible long-term choices for Wawa families rather than seasonal ones.

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.

The interior of a refined Buick SUV cabin during a summer scenic drive
Buick interiors are built around quiet comfort for longer journeys.

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.

Reputation for quality: Buick has earned a steady reputation for dependable, refined vehicles in independent owner studies, which translates to fewer surprises over the years of long-distance driving that Northern Ontario demands.

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.

A full-size SUV packed for a family summer road trip on a Northern Ontario highway
Full-size SUVs carry the people and the gear for a long summer trip.

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.

Match the vehicle to the need: Full-size SUVs deliver maximum capability, but their size and fuel use suit families who genuinely need the room and towing. If your usual trips are lighter, a midsize SUV will serve you better and cost less to run.

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.

About the Authors

The Product Specialists at Mission Motors serve drivers across Wawa and the Algoma District as the area's Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC dealership. They know that vehicles here have to earn their keep on Highway 17, on gravel access roads, and through long winters, and they help customers match the right vehicle to that reality. Visit Mission Motors to explore the lineup and plan your next Northern Ontario summer.

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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