subcompact

Nissan’s all-new 2020 Versa Sedan

Nissan’s all-new 2020 Versa Sedan - "The sedan is the middle finger *" * The above ‘analysis’ is attributed to Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa, in an article by trade publication Automotive News By Dave Boldt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | November 2019 Although the sedan may be DOA in Detroit – and is most certainly dead in Lordstown, Ohio – there’s still a 4-door pulse in Asian boardrooms; of course, having charted their rise in the U.S. with a commitment to competent sedans, you can’t blame Honda, Toyota and Nissan for riding this horse for as long as its upright. Recent research from the folks at Nissan, however, suggest that the 4-door sedan, long ignored by Boomers and their offspring, might be enjoying a revival in the 18-34 age group. And as Mr. Albaisa suggests, the historically prosaic sedan might be evolving into a generational statement relative to the folks’ SUV, crossover or minivan. To underscore its commitment, Nissan has recently unveiled redesigns of its midsize Altima and compact Versa, with a new Sentra waiting – probably breathlessly – in the wings. The recently driven Altima might finally be a reasonable alternative to those that reflexively shop Accord or Camry. While its mix of style, accessibility and efficiency doesn’t necessarily beat the Honda or Toyota, it’s now a viable alternative to those hoping for an alternative. I wish its turbocharged engine could be had with [...]

2019-11-28T02:54:14-05:00Nov 2019|Car Reviews|

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD

2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD Hyundai puts other small crossovers on notice. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | August 2018 What is this vehicle? The Hyundai Kona is a new addition to the Hyundai lineup for 2018 and it quickly established itself as a leader in the subcompact SUV and crossover category. The Kona is available with a wide range of options, from reasonably affordable to relatively opulent, but at every step of the way, you get modern styling, a fun attitude, and Hyundai’s excellent warranty and reputation for reliability. The Kona succeeds in making a name for itself in the already hyper-competitive subcompact crossover market. Next year, Hyundai will introduce a fully electric version of the Kona. Who is this vehicle for? Take a look at the Kona if you’re shopping for an affordable small crossover, and even consider branching out if you are looking for a small car. The entry-level Kona great choice for buyers with tight budgets; though you’ll spend several thousand dollars more on a base Kona than you will on a bottom-of-the-barrel small car, Hyundai makes it worth your while by providing plenty of value. If you’re considering a mid-range or top-tier Kona trim, you’ll be right in line with its toughest competitors in the subcompact and compact SUV categories. Why is this vehicle important to you, the buyer? Hyundai is a disruptor when it comes [...]

2018-09-24T17:33:16-04:00Aug 2018|Car Reviews|

2018 Hyundai Accent Limited

2018 Hyundai Accent Limited First, take a look at the lower trim levels. By Cherise Threewitt, Contributor, Car-ED.com | July 2018 What is this vehicle? The Hyundai Accent lineup has been fully redesigned for the 2018 model year. In base form, the subcompact Hyundai Accent is one of the most affordable new cars you can buy, and it is a great choice for shoppers on a very tight budget because it has above-average reliability scores and is backed by Hyundai’s excellent warranty. It is a good car for a young or first-time buyer or a buyer on a tight budget. The Accent Limited, however, is a slightly different story. The Accent’s top-tier trim, which is the model supplied by Hyundai for this review, is something of a distraction to the Accent’s entire purpose. Keep reading to learn why. Who is this vehicle for? If you are looking for a cheap new car on a very tight budget (think $15,000) the Hyundai Accent sedan is a great choice for you. There are only a handful of brand new cars available in this price range or less, and the Accent is better than most of them, thanks in large part to its fresh redesign. It’s not particularly fun to drive, but it is new, it has a good predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power, and it carries the benefit of Hyundai’s solid reputation for vehicles [...]

2018-07-11T18:50:39-04:00Jul 2018|Car Reviews|

On Your Radar: Kia Rio

On Your Radar: Kia Rio Now That's What I Call Value! By Randy Lioz, Editor, Car-ED.com | January 2018 The Rio is one of the more underappreciated cars in the Subcompact Car segment, but with its mix of style, value and space, KIA’s most affordable model definitely warrants a look from buyers in the market for basic transportation, with a little flair. What is this vehicle? The Rio is the entry point for the KIA lineup, and while a few generations ago it matched its bargain basement price with a cellar-level reputation, over the past few years it’s gained an image of being one of the most spacious and powerful packages in the segment, offering ample feature content for not too much money. It’s a subcompact car that’s available as either a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatch, and while many people see the Rio nameplate as basic transportation, it can give you many of the features available in more upscale vehicles, but in a space- and fuel-efficient package that’s easy on the wallet. Who is this vehicle for? Young people—and older buyers—who otherwise might be considering a used car can look to a KIA Rio to get a car that not only doesn’t come with the potential pitfalls—and smells—of the previous owners, but also includes KIA’s highly competitive 10-year/100k-mile powertrain warranty—the rest of car has 5-year/60k-mile coverage. With the subcompact car segment [...]

2018-01-31T21:18:40-05:00Jan 2018|Car Reviews|