2020 Nissan SentraNadine Filion / Los Angeles What is it?Nissans eighth-generation Sentra could become dare we say, after the somnolent designs of the past the sexiest almost-coupe-style compact sedan on the market. For this, we can thank the sharp design cues lifted from its big sister and indeed very sexy the Nissan Maxima. Starting with the floating roof, the muscular body sides and the signature V-motion front grille, the 2020 Nissan Sentra is truly alluring.Although assembled alongside the Kicks in Nissans Aguascalientes plant in Mexico, the next Sentra is built on a completely new platform. The new architecture should bring major driving dynamic improvements with its stance widened and lowered by five centimetres compared with the current car, and even more important, a new rear independent suspension replaces the archaic torsion-beam system of the past.Other improvements include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine not the exact one from Nissan Qashqai, but close, says the company thats good for 149 horsepower. But dont be fooled by Nissans claim of 20 per cent more performance versus the current Sentra; the latter was among the least powerful of its segment, so the new model will only be on par with the competition.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?The outgoing Sentra is not showing on most consumers radars, perhaps because its been with us since 2013, albeit with a minor 2016 refresh. The result has been that, for each Sentra sold in Canada this year (January to September), Hyundai has sold five Elantras, Toyota six Corollas, and Honda as many as eight Civics. The Sentra has not been a rip-roaring success. Even in Quebec, where compact sedans still account for one in every five new vehicles sold, the Nissan Sentra is simmering in mid-pack with a not-so-glamorous three per cent share of the segment.But to its credit, and contrary to some other manufacturers, Nissan is not abandoning cars. Certainly, the latest Sentra could well profit from the demise of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet’s Cruze.Nonetheless, theres a lot of pressure on the new Sentra. For 2020, Nissan is discontinuing both the Micra and Versa Note, leaving the Sentra will have to pick up the slack. On the other hand, the Sentra returns to its 1982 roots and will be the cheapest car in Nissans lineup.When is it coming?The 2020 Nissan Sentra will hit Canadian showrooms late February next year, with three trim levels: S, SV and SR. A CVT will be available across the board, but the base version will still offer a six-speed manual transmission something the U.S. wont get. Prices will be unveiled closer to the on-sale date, but expect something not too far removed from the current price tag. Should you buy it?Not if youre looking for AWD or a five-door version. Sadly, unlike the Mazda3 or even the Altima, the new Sentra doesnt add the AWD. Theres also no hatchback.That said, the Sentra has been known as very comfortable and spacious for a compact sedan, a rare compact that truly excels on the open road. And this latest generation definitely has looks going for it, not to mention Nissans Safety Shield 360, newfound power, and not to mention the Zero Gravity front seats that have proved so popular in other Nissan products.In other words, this new Sentra should break Nissan out of the compact car doldrums its been in for
Origin: Nissan Sentra 2020: Nissan isn’t giving up on (compact) sedans
sedans
Three family-oriented sedans with cash in the trunk
On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look a trio of affordable sedans. The hot deals are on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Luxury, Kia Forte EX Premium and Volkswagen Jetta Highline.2019 Hyundai Elantra Luxury 2019 Hyundai Elantra Handout / Hyundai Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $24,099 Hyundai Canada Incentive*: $3,000Unhaggle Savings: $250 Total Savings: $3,250 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,845Total Before Tax: $22,694The sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra gets a refresh for 2019. Along with sharper styling comes more standard equipment. The cabin has decent materials, leather seating, a lot of amenities and a straightforward layout with the buttons and controls being logically placed. The seven-inch infotainment touchscreen works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and displays the back-up camera with its dynamic parking guide.The rear seat has room for a pair of adults, although those pushing six feet will find headroom at a premium. Out back is a nicely squared-off trunk with 407 litres of cargo space.The Elantra Luxury arrives with forward collision warning with auto-braking; blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert; and lane-departure warning with keep assist as standard equipment.Elantra arrives with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 foot-pounds of torque. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine is civilized and works well with the automatic. Interestingly, the 2020 Elantra, which is on dealer lots now, replaces the automatic transmission with the intelligent variable transmission (IVT) found in the Kia Forte.The Luxurys powertrain combination delivers a run to 100 kilometres an hour of 10.4 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres.The Elantra has a smooth highway ride and it is comfortable about town as long as the road is reasonably smooththe rear suspension tends to protest a little if the road deteriorates mid-corner. The steering is pleasantly light at parking lot speeds and firms up nicely on the highway. For those that want a little performance, Sport mode not only ups the responsiveness of the engine and transmission, it puts some extra weight in the steering.The Hyundai Elantra Luxury arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $3,250 and a pre-tax sticker of $22,694.2019 Kia Forte 2.0 EX Premium IVT 2019 Kia Forte Handout / Kia Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $25,065Kia Canada Incentive*: $3,000Unhaggle Savings: $250Total Savings: $3,250Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,825Total Before Tax: $23,640The 2019 Kia Forte sedan has been fully reworked for 2019 and now features Stinger-influenced styling and a lot of new features. The cabin is classy and logical in its layouteverything above the steering wheels central cross-bar is about information; below is all about the control side. The format puts everything in the right place. The touch-sensitive eight-inch infotainment system follows this logical lead and it works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The rear seat is, for the compact class, generous in its accommodations. Theres good headroom and surprising legroom. Behind is a 434-litre trunk. The deck lid automatically pops open when the smart key is detected.The Kia Forte EX Premium arrives with advanced forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning with keep assist and a driver attention warning systemif it picks up on a drowsy/inattentive driver, it suggests they take a break.The Forte shares its engine with the Hyundai Elantra. The 2.0-litre four pushes 147 hp and 132-lb.-ft. for torque through the front wheels and an intelligent variable transmission. The latter differs from most continuously variable transmissions in that it uses pre-set ratios under both moderate and hard acceleration, which dispenses with the usual droning racket. Whenever possible, however, it adopts fully variable ratios to improve fuel economy.The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h of 9.8 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 6.9 L/100 km.The Forte holds a flat attitude through a corner and feels stable at highway speeds. It is also one of the quieter rides in the segment. As with Elantra, mid-corner bumps unsettle the rear suspension. The steering is nicely weighted across the operating range. If needed, Sport mode adds yet more weight and a sportier driving feel.The Kia Forte EX Premium has a sticker price of $23,640 after the combined Unhaggle discount of $3,250 is applied.2019 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI Highline 8 Tiptronic 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Derek McNaughton / Driving Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $25,495Volkswagen Canada Incentive*: $1,500Unhaggle Savings:
Origin: Three family-oriented sedans with cash in the trunk
Ford adds 270,000 Fusion sedans to recall for unintended rollaways
The first Ford Fusion built in the U.S. waits to be driven off the assembly line at Ford Motor Companys Flat Rock Assembly Plant August 29, 2013 in Flat Rock, Michigan.Bill Pugliano Ford is adding 270,000 vehicles to a recall in North America to fix a gearshift problem that could cause them roll away unexpectedly. The addition covers certain 2013 through 2016 Fusion midsize cars with 2.5-litre engines. It means another 10,282 cars are affected in Canada, on top of the original recall’s 36,887 total. The company is urging drivers to always use the parking brake until repairs are made. Ford says a bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission can degrade, causing the cable to detach. If that happens, a driver could shift into park but the car could be in another gear. Ford has one report of an injury and three property damage reports. Engineers are developing a fix. Last year Ford recalled 550,000 Fusions from 2013 through 2016 and Escape small SUVs from 2013 and 2014 for the same problem with a different cause. Ford says owners will be notified when repairs and parts are ready, and that owners of cars fixed in the previous recall are not affected. The 2018 recall covered cars with a number of different engines, including the
Origin: Ford adds 270,000 Fusion sedans to recall for unintended rollaways
Save up to $20,000 off these three luxury sedans
2019 BMW 7 SeriesHandout / BMW On the last three Fridays of every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at deeply discounted luxury sedans with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 BMW 750i xDrive and Mercedes-Bens S 450 along with the 2018 Lexus LS 500. BMW 7 Series 2019 BMW 7 Series Handout / BMW Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $117,750 Manufacturer Incentive*: $20,000 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $21,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $3,215 Total Before Tax: $99,465 — lick here for exclusive local pricing Seldom do you see a discount exceed $20,000, but that’s the case with the 2019 BMW 750i xDrive, as the revamped 2020 model is already sitting on dealer lots. As luxury cars go, the big 7 Series has always been one of the sharper — the secret is it blends a luxurious ride with some decidedly sportier undertones. As such, it can be almost anything to just about any prospective owner. The cabin is marked by its quality and lengthy amenity list. Key is the revamped iDrive infotainment system — it features a 10.2-inch touchscreen that recognizes hand gestures using a 3D camera. Twirling a finger counterclockwise reduces the audio volume; the opposite increases it. The driver can also accept or reject incoming calls with a hand swipe. It works with Apple CarPlay, but sadly not Android Auto. Once too complicated for its own good, iDrive is now much easier to use. The rear environment is as opulent as up front, boasting one of the largest back seats in the business with just about a metre of legroom. Behind is a 515-litre trunk. Blind-spot monitoring, front/rear sonar parking sensors and automatic high beams are standard. The Advanced Driver Assistance package ($2,200) adds lane-departure warning with keep assist, dynamic cruise control with stop/go functionality, park assist and forward cross-traffic alert. Given the 750i’s price tag, this should all be standard. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is good for 445 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The upshot is a broad power curve that never leaves the driver wanting. It works with an eight-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Under normal circumstances the systems sends 40 per cent of the power to the front wheels and 60 to the rear. The split varies according to road conditions, and also uses the stability control system to quell under- and oversteer. It’s one of the better systems around. The combination sees the 750i xDrive run from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, complete the 80-to-120 km/h passing move in 3.1 seconds, and it’s rated to deliver an average fuel economy of 11.5 L/100 kilometres. BMW’s self-leveling air suspension and adaptive dampers are standard. The air suspension adjusts the ride height to suit the drive, while the adaptive dampers control body roll and the steering obeys input with unerring accuracy. The result is a sharp-handling car that is not out of place on a racetrack, yet it is supremely comfortable when cruising the highway. The BMW 750i xDrive arrives with a staggering $21,500 combined Unhaggle discount and a sticker of $99,465. Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Handout / Mercedes-Benz Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $108,100 Manufacturer Incentive*: $10,000 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $11,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,810 Total Before Tax: $99,410 — lick here for exclusive local pricing After last year’s refresh and the introduction of the new S 450 model featured here, the 2019 S-Class remains unchanged. The cabin is slick with everything from heated 16-way front seats, and a choice of 64 colours for the cabin’s ambient lighting, to a 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester sound system. The highlights are two 12.3-inch screens for the instrumentation and infotainment system housed beneath a single pane of glass. The COMAND infotainment is operated through a central controller with a rotary knob and one-touch keys for major functions, including navigation. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Move rearward and the short-wheelbase S-Class has 947-millimetres of rear seat legroom and a 464-litre trunk. While blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high-beams and rain-sensing wipers, among other safety features, are standard, the S 450 requires the Intelligent Drive package ($2,300) to get adaptive cruise control, active/evasive steering assist, congestion emergency braking, active lane keep assist and active blind-spot monitoring among other things. The package gives the S 450 a Level 2 self-driving capability. Again, this should be standard fare considering the price tag. The S 450 is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that makes 362 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, anywhere between 1,600 and 4,000 rpm. The early entry of peak
Origin: Save up to $20,000 off these three luxury sedans
Three sporty sedans with up to $5000 off the bottom line
Unhaggle has the scoop on tempting deals on the Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Infiniti Q50.Handout / Lexus / Mercedes-Benz / Infiniti Every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at sports sedans with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 Infiniti Q50T Luxe, Lexus IS 300 and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. 2019 Infiniti Q50 2019 Infiniti Q50 Handout / Infiniti Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $44,995 Manufacturer Incentive*: $4,000 Unhaggle Savings: $500 Total Savings: $4,500 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,185 Total Before Tax: $42,680 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Infiniti Q50 model range has been streamlined — the 2.0L four-cylinder engine and hybrid model have been dropped. A well-equipped cabin supports the Q’s avant-garde looks with a dual-screen infotainment system dominating the centre stack. The eight-inch upper screen is accessed through steering wheel-mounted controls or central controller and looks after the driving information and navigation. The lower seven-inch screen is touch-sensitive and takes care of the infotainment and phone functions. It works nicely, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are conspicuous by their absence. The other letdown is the leatherette wrapping the power seats — it’s not great vinyl. The Q’s backseat has enough space for two adults to ride with headroom to spare and it has a roomy 382-litre trunk. While forward collision warning with auto braking is standard the rest of the desirable safety equipment is bundled up in the all-encompassing Sensory, ProAssist, ProActive package. It adds a whopping $7,800 to the Luxe’s sticker, which is regressive thinking and well behind the times. All Q50s get a derivative of Infiniti’s 3.0L twin-turbo V6. In the case of the Luxe it produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm (the same V6 produces 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque in the Red Sport 400!). The grunt reaches the road through a slick seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode and a good all-wheel-drive system. By monitoring an array of inputs the AWD system sends up to 50 percent of drive forward when needed. Once up to speed it reverts to rear-drive for fuel economy considerations. The combination delivers a 5.8 second run to 100 kilometres an hour and a posted average fuel economy of 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The Q50’s fun side is found in the quick steering, sporty suspension and P225/50R18 tires. The combination keeps the body flat through corners, which inspires driver confidence. It also hangs in well beyond expected limits. The Infiniti Q50T Luxe arrives with a generous combined Unhaggle discount of $4,500. It leaves a sticker of $42,680 after it’s applied. 2019 Lexus IS300 2019 Lexus IS 300 Handout / Lexus Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $43,550 Manufacturer Incentive*: $2,212 Unhaggle Savings: $1,500 Total Savings: $3,712 Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,215 Total Before Tax: $42,053 — lick here for exclusive local pricing The 2019 Lexus IS carries over. The confusion is found in the naming of the IS 300. The IS 300 rear drive model has a 2.0L turbo four while the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive featured here gets a 3.5L V6. The cabin is marked by its quality — the fit and finish is as good as anything offered. However, while IS 300 has many high-end amenities, including eight-way power front seats, a seven-inch infotainment system and an audio package with 10 speakers, many of the desirable features are missing. The notables include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a heated steering wheel. Finally, the NuLuxe vinyl upholstery is not up to much. Move rearward and there is room for two adults as long as the front seats are not moved all the way back and a 306L trunk. The IS 300 arrives with rain-sensing wipers and the Lexus Safety System+ as standard fare. The latter includes pre-collision with auto braking, dynamic cruise control, lane departure warning with keep assist and auto high beams. Unfortunately, to get blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert requires the $1,950 Premium package. As mentioned, the IS 300 with all-wheel-drive is powered by a 3.5L V6. It twists out 290 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. On dry roads the AWD system sends 30% of the power to the front wheels and 70% to the rear wheels. When the need arises it can send up to 50% of the power forward to help prevent wheelspin. It is seamless in operation under all driving conditions. The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 10.9 L/100 km. The IS 300 AWD blends ride comfort with agility nicely. The suspension cushions a rough road while keeping the body flat when pushed through a fast on-ramp. The steering
Origin: Three sporty sedans with up to $5000 off the bottom line
FCA recalling 300K Dodge Dart sedans due to rollaway risk
FCA is calling back roughly 20,000 Darts with automatic transmissions in Canada over rollaway risks.Handout / Dodge Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in North America because a transmission problem could cause them to roll away unexpectedly. The recall covers Dodge Dart compact cars from 2013 through 2016 with six-speed automatic transmissions. According to Transport Canada, just over 20,000 of the affected cars are in Canada. FCA says a bushing can fail, causing the shifter cable to come loose from the transmission. That means when a driver shifts into park or another gear, the gear may not change and the car could roll away. Fiat Chrysler says it doesn’t know of any related crashes or injuries. But it advises owners to shut off the engine and set the parking brake before leaving the cars. Dealers will replace the bushing at no cost to owners. The recall is expected to start May
Origin: FCA recalling 300K Dodge Dart sedans due to rollaway risk
All about car 