FAQs
Yes. Southbank Dodge offers subprime financing, and your credit score is not the only thing lenders weigh — your income, credit utilization, debt-to-income ratio and previous auto loan history all count. Our finance team works with you to find a loan that fits your budget, and keeping up with the payments can raise your score for next time. Read the full article
Three things move the rate most. Keep your credit score healthy — pay bills on time, stay under your credit limit and keep a long credit history, because score and rate move in opposite directions. Add a cosigner with strong credit if your own score is low. And put more money down, so you borrow less. Read the full article
Four factors set it: the amount financed, the interest rate, the loan term, and what you put against the price up front. A bigger down payment or a trade-in lowers the amount borrowed. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but costs more in interest overall. Southbank Dodge will appraise your trade-in so you know its value before you sign. Read the full article
A car loan builds payment history, which carries a lot of weight in your score, and it adds installment credit to a report that is usually all revolving credit from cards — lenders like that mix. The catch is that late payments undo the gain, so the loan has to fit your budget. Our finance team can help you find a package you can actually carry. Read the full article
Buy a 2026 if you want current incentives, strong financing offers, more inventory to choose from and immediate availability — today’s vehicles are already very well equipped. Wait for 2027 only if a significant redesign has been announced for the specific model you want and you are not in a hurry: newly redesigned vehicles launch with fewer incentives, limited supply and higher prices. Read the full article
It often makes sense. A pre-owned vehicle costs less up front and usually less in tax, insurance and registration, and it skips the steep first-years depreciation of a new one. Every pre-owned vehicle at Southbank is reconditioned to ministry standards and put through a 150-point inspection, with a full-disclosure vehicle history, a 48-hour money-back guarantee and a 30-day exchange policy. Read the full article
Watch for infotainment freezes or restarts, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connection problems, Bluetooth pairing issues, navigation errors, a slow touchscreen, driver-assistance warnings that appear for no reason, or a recall involving software. Some updates arrive over the air and many newer models let you check through Uconnect, but certain module updates need dealership diagnostic equipment. Read the full article
The package bundles an oil change, a tire rotation and a full inspection. The oil change keeps the engine healthy, the rotation gets you the full life out of your tires, and the inspection catches problems while they are still small — before they turn into a bigger repair or leave you stranded. You get a report card listing anything that needs attention. Read the full article
Get the vehicle as far off the road as you can, then call for help and contact roadside assistance through your insurer or your membership. Stay with your vehicle rather than walking for help, and use flares or reflective gear so you are visible. On a highway, move behind the barrier — except in winter, when you are safer inside the car with a blanket. Read the full article
If you want a quick compact crossover, yes. The Hornet GT runs a turbocharged engine with up to 268 hp and up to 295 lb-ft of torque — the torque is what you feel pulling away from a stop — and a top track speed of 225 km/h. For the 2026 model year All-Wheel Drive is standard on every trim, GT and GT Plus. Read the full article
Neither — for the 2026 model year the Canadian Hornet lineup is gas only. The confusion is fair, because earlier model years included a plug-in hybrid R/T trim. In 2026 both trims, GT and GT Plus, run the same turbocharged engine with up to 268 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive. No battery, no charging, no range anxiety. Read the full article
Both share the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and split on axles, lockers and price. The Willys adds 33-inch off-road tires, a locking rear differential, Off-Road Plus mode on the 4-door and heavy-duty Dana 44 axles on the 4-door — the same axle family as the Rubicon. For Gatineau-Hills weekends and Ottawa winters the Willys covers most of it; the Rubicon is for harder trail work. Read the full article
As of 2026 the Trailhawk is the only Compass trim with the Jeep Active Drive Low 4×4 system, Rock mode and full underbody skid plate protection. The Limited stays with Selec-Terrain traction management, which handles rain, light snow and packed gravel well. Both run the same 2.0L turbo with up to 200 hp and an 8-speed automatic. Read the full article
A 2.0L turbocharged engine with an 8-speed automatic, standard all-wheel drive and a refreshed design on an updated platform. That powertrain is shared across several Stellantis vehicles worldwide, which is why it gets refined quickly. Long-term reliability data for the refreshed generation is still building, but early owner sentiment has been positive. Read the full article
The 2026 Ram 1500 offers four engines and ten trims, all with an 8-speed automatic, so the powertrain you pick shapes the truck. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 48-volt eTorque is standard on Tradesman, Express, Big Horn and Warlock and suits commuting plus moderate towing; the heavier jobs move you up the engine range. Read the full article
It is a plug-in hybrid: a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with dual electric motors and a 16 kWh battery, 260 hp combined. Unlike a regular hybrid, you decide when to run on electricity — up to roughly 51 km on a full charge, enough to cover many daily Ottawa South commutes without burning fuel — then it switches to gas when the battery is low. Read the full article
Yes. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six was engineered for durability — forged steel internals, modern turbocharging, advanced cooling, high-strength aluminum and extensive factory testing — while making more horsepower and torque than the outgoing 5.7L HEMI in many applications. On 2026 Rams both engines are available on select models, so you can still choose. Read the full article
Yes. Jeeps are built for the worst road and weather conditions: tires made for uneven terrain, ride height that keeps snow off the underside while staying manoeuvrable, and 4-wheel drive that puts power where you need it in deep or packed snow. With the hardtop and doors on they are very well insulated and warm up quickly. Read the full article