A New Year, and New Cars!

2014 is over, but 2015 will bring new cars!

Thank you people of the world for taking a minute or two to read my car reviews. I hope I have made at least a few people make wiser car purchases and have maybe taught a thing or two to people that just wanted to learn something.

As 2014 comes to a close, I have seen my simple car review blog go from unknown to constantly in the top pages of Google. 

I started a new job, in a career that I hope to be in for a long time, and that also allows me the flexibility to still go out and do some reviews for you all. ( It would be a lot easier if car companies sent me cars to review or if a larger review site picked me up, but I'm doing what I can) 

With 2015 starting, many car companies have already come out with updated versions of cars that I have already reviewed so my list keeps on growing and I will try to stay up to date with it. 

The blog currently just covers relatively inexpensive economy cars. Luckily, there are so many of them that it has kept the review going, but I am thinking of expanding into mid-size sedan or "crossover" territory. If anyone would like to see simple, to the point reviews of those types of cars, please leave a comment saying what you would like to see.

If there are no comments on this I will assume that people just want it to stay economy cars.

Anyways, Happy New Year World!

J.K.

2014 - 15 Kia Soul Review

The "hamster car" is pretty good. It looks weird, but it's pretty good.

Its odd shape on the outside is compensated with a great interior and drive.

The Kia Soul has had to do some "soul searching" (pun very much intended) from its creation. It was designed to be different and "urban" looking, with short dimensions made for city life. These early models didn't fair too well on the highway due to the very boxy design.  The updated model for 2014 curves more of the edges and is slightly longer, allowing for a smoother drive. While the looks on the outside haven't changed much, the inside has grown up a lot and it's a big improvement.

Lets take a look:

Different Styles:

The Kia Soul only comes as a tall, 5 door hatchback. It comes with 2 engines choices: a 1.6L, 4 cylinder or a 2.0L, 4 cylinder. You can have either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with shift gates.

Styling and Comfort Impressions:

With the outside of the Kia Soul, you either love it or hate it. A good number of people hate it. It is very boxy looking. But the bright colours and large lights and wheels give it a modern look. While the windows are not super huge, they are square which gives the best overall size and space, especially for a boxy car like this. 

Going inside, the impression is both good and bad. The bad: it only comes in black. The good: there are 3 different types of black that you can get (cloth, sport cloth, and leather). 

The media and air controls are nothing special but they don't look ridiculously cheap either. It is well laid out and even with the touch screen there are enough buttons left to still allow easy use. The overall layout, design and material used make it look relatively sporty. The sound system is pretty good; it comes with 6 speakers standard and you can get 2 more.

The seats offer a high, upright sitting position, combined with the high roof-line means you have plenty of room for head, and legs in any spot. 

Take a look inside:

The seats themselves are quite comfortable and offer good support. You can get heated front seats, rear seats, and steering wheel. Heated steering wheels really should be a standard feature in Canada... You can also get a cooled drivers seat, which is fantastic. 

Visibility is very good in every direction, even out the back. 

Finally, the trunk. While it may not be very deep, it is decently wide and high. With the rear seats folded down flat, you have a very large and square cargo area. 

Driving Impressions:

While this is a boxy and tall hatchback, it drives like a smaller, sportier looking car. The driver's seat has a lot of different positions so you will always find a comfortable driving set up. The engine is relatively quiet when idling and cruising, and just a bit rough under hard acceleration. The 1.6L feels a bit under-powered but the 2.0L provides enough to zip you around the city and is enough for the highway as well. The overall sound level is quiet in the city and decently quiet on the highway. Unlike the tall Fiat 500L, the suspension on the Kia Soul is decently tight so it isn't too bouncy but not too rough on uneven roads, even on 17-inch wheels. It come with 4 disk breaks standard so stopping is quick. The turning is tight so parking and narrow streets are no problem. There is also an Eco setting that dumbs down the acceleration and shifts early to force you to drive more efficiently. It can be overridden by pressing hard enough on the gas pedal. It is a pretty fun car to drive and with the ground clearance you should have no problems with any sort of speed bumps. Heck, if you stick on a set of tires with big tread, you could also use it for some light off-roading with a confidence that you are not going to bottom out on a gravel road.

One strange feature: there is no spare tire....why Kia, why?

Overall:

This is an odd looking car, but the inside and the drive are quite nice. If you like the looks, that's even better for you. If you don't, think about how it is relatively inexpensive, has a nice spacious interior, and a fun drive. The Kia Soul would be a great first car for a single person, couple, or new family. It would also be a good "larger" car if the first one is a small 2 door, or if you are used to larger SUVs but understand that smaller can be better. 

Facts/ Figures:

Price (for mid trim level): was about $24,000+ 

FWD

Max HP: 130, 164

Max Torque lb/ft: 118, 151

MPG (approx*): 24, 23 city. 30, 30 highway.

Cargo room (approx*): 15 CuFt

Length: 163"

Width: 71"

Tank Size (gal): 14.2

Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 383, 369

Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $18,000+ 

* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic. 

**No pictures featured are my own, they have been taken either from Google images or the manufacturer's website and their rightful owners should get any credit for them. This review featured all pictures from the manufacturer's websites ( some through Edmunds.com).

Links:
Kia Canada

Kia USA

Enjoy!

Related Cars:
Fiat 500L
Toyota Matrix
Versa Note
09-14 Honda Fit

Happy Holidays everyone!

Please leave a comment or follow.

J.K.

2013-15 Nissan Sentra Review

It's like a scoop of Vanilla ice cream: a safe flavour choice, but nothing very special...

Its pretty nice, but overall, it's just a car.

It feels like Nissan has too many cars in its lineup. For North America, Nissan has 8 different cars in its lineup (not including sports cars, SUVs, crossovers, or trucks). With all of these different cars, some of the less exciting ones easily get lost and forgotten. The Sentra feels like one of those forgotten cars. It is Nissan's compact sedan that is stuck between the Altima and the Versa. The Sentra is not a bad car, but to make sure I don't say too many negative things about it, I will keep this review short and to the point.

Lets take a look:

Different Styles:

The Sentra is only available as a 4-door sedan. It only comes with a 1.8L, 4 cylinder engine and either a 6-speed manual or a CVT transmission. 

Styling and Comfort Impressions:

The pictures posted in this review are a bit misleading, but Nissan only has pictures of their highest trim level Sentras. Besides the highest trim level, the Sentra is a very plain looking car on the outside. It has decent proportions with large windows and tires that fit well. It at least doesn't really try to look like something that it is not (which is sporty). 

Going inside, it doesn't get much better or much worse. The base trim level is pretty much the definition of boring. Its all grey, and hard, cheap plastic is used everywhere. At least it comes with power windows and air-conditioning unlike the Versa. Going up to the mid and upper trims adds a bit of colour, a better media system, possibly fake wood trim, and leather heated seats. 

At least both the headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats is pretty good. The comfort of the seats in general are just ok; not enough side support though. The visibility is good in all directions.

The sound system isn't the best. It comes with only 4 speakers but can be upgraded to 6 or 8. Its not a super loud, clear or powerful system; a bit disappointing for a car in today's compact class. When upgraded to the top end Bose system it then sounds pretty good. Finally, the trunk. It's actually pretty large and has a nice large pass-through once the back seats are folded down. It is not a flat surface as the seat backs sit about 4 inches higher then the rest. It is a good size but other cars in its class are better. 

Driving Impressions:

The Nissan Sentra is the new Toyota Corolla in terms of how it drives, actually in most aspects. It works, but it is in no way fun or exciting. The engine feels under powered. It has "eco" and "sport" modes that do change the feel slightly in terms of the how it revs. But it doesn't matter if a car is willing to stay in a gear longer if it just doesn't have the power or torque to back it up. The engine is rough and a bit noisy under basically any type of acceleration. The overall sound level is ok in the city but it gets noisy on the highway. While the engine may be rough, the actual ride of the car is pretty smooth if not a bit too soft. 

Overall:

The Nissan Sentra is just a car. If you need a "car" to get you places then this one will do it. But it won't do it quickly, or with any flash, or any fun, or great music. It should provide reliable transport for about 4 adults. It would be good to provide as a starting car for a new driver or as a rental or if you just don't really care about cars and just need something that isn't super tiny to get you around. It also loses its value pretty quickly, bad news for current owners, but good news for people looking for a used car deal!

Facts/ Figures:

Price (for mid trim level): was about $22,000+ 

FWD

Max HP: 130

Max Torque lb/ft: 128

MPG (approx*): 29 city. 39 highway.

Cargo room (approx*): 15 CuFt

Length: 182"

Width: 69"

Tank Size (gal): 13.2

Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 435

Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $13 ,000+ 

* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic. 

**No pictures featured are my own, they have been taken either from Google images or the manufacturer's website and their rightful owners should get any credit for them. This review featured all pictures from the manufacturer's websites ( some through Edmunds.com).

Links:
Nissan Canada

Nissan USA

Enjoy!

Related Cars:
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Chevy Cruze
Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus
Kia Forte
Mazda 3

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Please leave a comment or follow me.

J.K.

Not done yet!

Hello, Internet! Im not done with reviews yet!

I know it may seem like I have forgotten about you, but I haven't. Im still trying to get used to a new work schedule that will constantly change a bit from each week. I will have to drop the reviews back to once a week, but Im not sure what day it will be, it will most likely be different every week. 

Iv tested a bunch of cars and I just need to write the reviews on them.

If there are any other car review websites that happen to glance through this, or if anyone that reads these posts works for a review company that need another contributor ( paid or at least let me have a car to review/ drive consistently) Im definitely willing to hear you out!

Thats all for now!

Merry Almost Christmas everyone!

J.K.

2014 - 2015 Mazda 3 Review

The rumors are true!

If you have heard that the new Mazda 3 is fantastic, well, it is.

The Mazda 3 is now in its 3rd generation and was introduced in North America late in 2013 as a 2014 model. Is has grown up quite a bit and its new looks are fantastic. This is Mazda's go-to car as over the generations it has provided customers with enough choice in styles and trim levels that basically cater to everyone. Its recent update now adds the word "luxurious" to the growing list that people can use to describe how it looks.

Take a look for yourself:

Different Styles:

The new Mazda 3 comes in 2 different styles. A 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback. It is available with either a 2.0L, 4-cylinder or a 2.5L, 4-cylinder engine. They are Mazda's new "SKYACTIV" technology engines with along with the frame and body, use light-weight but stronger materials. You can get either a 6-speed manual, a 6 speed automatic, or a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters. 

Styling and comfort Impressions:

I'm not going to hide it, these new Mazda 3's are glorious. The long front and the short back of the sedan brings images of the luxury cars of the 1920's and 30's to mind. Its probably the one time where I think the sedan looks better than the hatchback and that's saying a lot as the hatch looks fantastic as well. The curving lines, swept back lights and different styles of rims give these cars a very upscale look. The windows don't look too small and everything really seems to be in good proportion with everything else. Not much else to say. It's simple: the new Mazda 3 looks great on the outside.

However, once you go inside its a bit more of a mixed bag. 

While the inside still looks sporty and uses high quality materials, the layout of the dashboard is a bit odd. First, if you only get the base model, there is no touch screen, and all the radio controls are stuck on top of the dash. It is a bit of a reach from the wheel, especially if you like to drive with the seat pushed back and arms stretched out already. The optional 7-inch touch screen looks a bit better, but it still sits too far, and having no buttons doesn't help either.

Besides the odd placement of the radio and media controls, the air and heat controls are in a better spot and when you upgrade to the multimedia unit on top, the climate controls look much better.

On to the comfort aspect: Mazda has done a very good job all around. The seats are large and comfortable with good side support and enough firmness to make long trips comfy. They use a pretty nice sporty material and leather seats are optional. 

Take a look:

There is plenty of head and leg room up front but the rear seats are not as roomy as one would expect in a car this large. Head room is fine but legroom is just ok. Mazda also did a good job at making the rear seat head rests somewhat low profile when not in use meaning visibility is good in every direction but the rear diagonals due to wide support pillars. The rear window is somewhat small and if you have the hatchback the cargo cover rises up an unnecessary amount above the rear seats, cutting visibility. The sedan has ok rear visibility as well.  

The sound system is easy to describe; it's quite good. It's what one should expect with Mazda's sporty cars. 

Finally, the trunk space. Even though the trunk on the sedan looks tiny, it is surprisingly large and has a nice large, square, pass through the the rear seats when they are folded down. It is not as deep as others in the class due to the design of the car ( long front, short back). The hatchback obviously has more space but due to the extreme slope of the rear hatch it is not as big as it could be behind the rear seats.

Driving Impressions:

The moment everyone has been waiting for, how do the new Mazda 3's drive? In short, very nicely. It is no wonder why they have been winning awards in just about every category. It has plenty of power, in the city and on the highway. It has great acceleration. It makes some sound when pushing it hard, but it actually sounds great and makes you want to push it harder, like it was a larger engine. The engine is smooth, shifts are nice and quick, and overall it is a very fun drive. The handling and suspension are tuned to be sporty and stable but it is in no way rough. However, if you are looking for a very quiet ride this may not be the best choice for you as both in the city and on the highway it lets a good amount of sound in. It is not enough to be annoying, but its definitely more than other cars in the class. 

Overall:

The new Mazda 3 certainly is a big improvement over the previous generation, and that car wasn't bad at all. It has great looks, powerful engines and even though its not super quite, you want to hear these engines work. With its two different body styles and 2 different engine choices, there is most likely a Mazda 3 that will fit your lifestyle. It is large enough, but at the same time small enough to be a good first car for anyone ( single - couple - new family). The interior dash may not be up to par with some competitors but when you buy a Mazda, you buy mostly for the fun of driving, which the 3 can certainly give you.
(ed. note: the Mazda 3 seems to have a significant price difference between Canada and the US).

Facts/ Figures:

Price (for mid trim level): was about $21,000+ US. $26,000+ Canada.

FWD

Max HP: 155, 184

Max Torque lb/ft: 150, 185

MPG (approx*): 29, 27 city. 40, 38 highway.

Cargo room (approx*): (12),  20 / 47 CuFt

Length: 180", 176"

Width: 71", 71"

Tank Size (gal): 13.2

Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 448, 422

Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $18,000+ 

* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic. 

**No pictures featured are my own, they have been taken either from Google images or the manufacturer's website and their rightful owners should get any credit for them. This review featured all pictures from the manufacturer's websites ( some through Edmunds.com).

Links:
Mazda Canada

Mazda USA

Enjoy!

Please leave a comment or follow me.

J.K.

2013-2015 Fiat 500L Review

In some cases, Bigger is Better.

The Fiat 500's bigger brother is better in almost every way.

The Fiat 500 is a very small 2+2 seat 2 door car from Italy that is now available in North America. People loved the look but for many it was just too small. Fiat heard the people's pleas and in just a few short years they introduced the much larger Fiat 500L. Calling it a large car is a bit of a misnomer as its dimensions are still fairly small. It still has all the great looks and keeps some of the smaller car's personality and driving spirit. 

Let's take a look:

Different Styles:

The Fiat 500L only comes as a 5-door tall hatchback. The only engine available is a 1.4L, 4 cylinder turbo. Either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed "Twin Clutch" auto transmission are available. It comes with 5 seats. Each trim level offers different features but otherwise they are all the same mechanically. It does request premium fuel at all trim levels. 

Styling and Comfort Impressions:

In almost every way the Fiat 500L is the exact same as the normal 500. It's just taller, longer, and a bit wider. But as looks go it still looks just as cool as its smaller brother with lots of ovals and rounded squares outside and inside. The 500L looks more like an SUV than a normal hatchback due to its tall design but the overall dimensions keep it still in the Compact Car class. The outside has good proportions. The wheels aren't too large, the windows are nice and big and the chrome accents are just enough to keep the otherwise large body panels interesting. It also has considerable ground clearance (even though the official numbers don't show it).

Going inside, the size difference is greatly felt compared to the regular 500. The seats are very upright like an SUV and due to the high roof line, you now have tonnes of headroom. The legroom is great due to the increased length as well. In the driver's seat you have great visibility in all directions. Even the rear head restraints don't restrict view too much. The interior colour schemes are just as funky as the outside and the front dash is well put together and looks cool.

Take a look:

The seats are nice and comfortable with a firm padding that would be good for long trips. The rear seats are especially cool because if you need extra cargo room they fold down and tumble forward. The sound system is very good; clear and loud. Overall it has a very large and roomy feel to it. The rear seats had plenty of head and legroom due to the relatively flat roof line and the upright seats. It is obviously quite a bit easier to get into the back seats now that they have their doors as well. The trunk is also very large and square so you can fit a lot of stuff behind the rear seats.

Driving Impressions:

The 500L does drive quite differently than the regular 500. Firstly, it is much smoother feeling due to the longer wheelbase. However, they could have made the suspension a bit more sporty to compensate for the larger, heavier car as it is quite bouncy when going over uneven surfaces. The less supportive seats compared to the smaller 2-door don't help the situation either. But the ride is not really that bad; it turns quickly and tightly. Due to the very flat front and back, parking is pretty easy especially with the great visibility. Under hard acceleration the engine can be a bit loud and buzzy. It also has a bit of turbo lag if you punch the pedal hard. When driving on the optional larger 17-inch wheels, some road noise is heard on rougher surfaces and at highway speeds. Due to its more boxy design there can also be a bit of wind noise at higher speeds as well. However, none of these little faults makes this car a bad vehicle to be in when driving. The drive is actually pretty nice and sporty compared to other larger compact cars that would be competing against it.

Overall:

This is a fun car. The Fiat 500 was an entertaining car to drive but it just doesn't make sense for many people, especially if you need to drive more than 1 person around with you. The 500L, on the other hand, makes a tone of sense. It still looks good on the outside and the inside. It still keeps a spirited driving experience and may be a great alternative for people looking at crossovers. The Fiat 500L is definitely a good option for people downsizing from an SUV but are not comfortable yet with getting a "small" car. It would also be a great addition to any growing family that may only have a very small car like the 500 or a Mini Cooper but do not want an SUV or mini-van. This is a fun car to look at, be in and drive and it will work well in most households. 

Facts/ Figures:

Price (for mid trim level): was about $23,000+

FWD

Max HP: 160

Max Torque lb/ft: 184

MPG (approx*): 24 city. 33 highway.

Cargo room (approx*): 23 / 68 CuFt

Length: 167"

Width: 70"

Tank Size (gal): 13.2

Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 382

Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $19,000+ 

* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic. 

**No pictures featured are my own, they have been taken either from Google images or the manufacturer's website and their rightful owners should get any credit for them. This review featured all pictures from the manufacturer's websites ( some through Edmunds.com).

Links:
Fiat Canada

Fiat USA

Enjoy!

Please leave a comment or follow me.

J.K.