compact car

Shifting Thru With a Hyundai Elantra GT

June 4, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The parade of cars is shrinking, but small cars remain in demand. Low prices. Smart styling. Fun driving. These are among the chief attributes you’ll find, at least in some models.

Once again, Hyundai proves its mettle by offering a full line of small cars, including sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. Gas and electrified vehicles are available, giving consumers ample choices. The Hyundai Elantra GT, a four-door hatchback, is named among them. This one recently made its way to us for a week of behind-the-wheel evaluation.

2020 Hyundai Elantra GT Review

Hyundai offers the 2020 Elantra GT in GT ($20,650) and N Line ($23,500) trims. Add $930 for the destination charge. The Elantra GT is a front-wheel-drive hatchback with room for five.

This model is the hatchback complement to the Elantra sedan. We’ll concentrate on the hatchback alone for this review.

Exterior

Small hatchbacks waste nothing. They feature pulled in corners, small hoods, and the briefest tails. Thus, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT finds itself in perfect company.

The Elantra GT has a gaping grille, large headlamps, and front skirting. A high beltline, short roofline, and body sculpting just above the rocker panels give this hatchback an added measure of sportiness. From the rear, the hatch features large wraparound lights, reflectors, and dual exhaust tips.

The list of standard features includes LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Choose the N Line and this trim includes front fascia embellishments, LED headlights and tail lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels shod within Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer tires. A panoramic sunroof is optional in both trims.

Interior

On paper, the Elantra GT seats five. But we think this car’s appeal is for the young driver who more than likely will tune it and drive it with perhaps one other person. We liked the sporty bucket seats as they’re comfortable and sufficiently bolstered.

The GT’s standard 24.9 cubic feet of storage space expands to 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That’s a lot of storage space and we think enthusiasts will use it for stuffing their gear. Otherwise, the cabin supplies excellent room up front for two and passable space for two in the rear (or three in a pinch).

There are some differences between the hatchback and sedan worth noting. In the sedan, the touch-screen display is integrated into the console display, while in the hatchback it is bolted on top of the dash. Both models offer a combination of soft-touch materials, hard plastics, and accent trim. The contrast stitching on the sport models looks great.

Among the standard features are full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, air conditioning, cloth seats, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. Choose the N Line and the features include leather seats, and heated front seats. The options list includes ventilated front seats and a power driver’s seat with lumbar support.

Safety

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic collision warning and lane change assist are optional with the base model, but standard with the N Line.

The N Line offers forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, and driver attention warning. It’s part of a wider Tech Package ($3,850) that brings in a host of technology upgrades.

Technology

Hyundai equips the Elantra GT with a standard 8-inch touch-screen display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility. Bluetooth, an auxiliary port, and USB connectivity are also standard.

The previously mentioned Tech Package upgrade brings in a navigation system, a 7-speaker premium Infinity audio system, BlueLink apps, and a wireless charging pad. We’re a big fan of the latter as it makes charging a breeze. That said, you’ll still need a cord if you want to access your playlist.

Performance

The number of small hatchbacks has dwindled in recent years and that’s a shame. These models are typically sporty, tossable, and simply fun to drive. They’re also affordable.

Fortunately, Hyundai has stayed the course and offers two engine choices with the Elantra GT. The first choice is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque found in the standard model. This one works with a six-speed automatic transmission only. Yes, it’s disappointing a manual gearbox isn’t offered with the base model. That said, you’ll find one if you upgrade to the N Line.

The second choice is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine powering the N Line. This one makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Our test model for the week was N Line with the manual gearbox. I was thrilled when it arrived and stayed happy throughout my time with it.

The engine-transmission combination is a solid one, offering enough potency to please a significant number of enthusiasts. Yes, there will be detractors, especially amongst those who look at the Veloster N and wonder why 275 horsepower isn’t available to them. If optimum performance is your thing, then move away from the Elantra GT N Line and consider the Veloster N. It’s that simple.

As for the model at hand, we were pleased by how easy it moves forward with quick shifts and clean clutch uptake at all times. The turbo spools on time or at least as fast as you need it to as you shift through the gears. We’ve driven other low-cost models with sloppy gearboxes. The N Line wasn’t one of those.

The N Line moves up to highway speeds quickly. We estimate a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds – that won’t win you many races, but it’s a decent number.

Where the Elantra GT N Line excels is on your favorite twisty roads. This hot hatch does an admirable job of holding the line as you navigate every twist and turn. Grippy tires, a compliant suspension system, and balanced weight are among its driving hallmarks. We found the steering light, but engaging with handling sufficiently weighted to supply a real connection to the road.

We’ve spun out of corners with some other models, but the N Line stayed poised throughout. You’ll still want to ease up on the gas pedal while performing your antics – the multi-link rear suspension can only do so much when pushed to its limits.

In all, if it came down to it, we’d spring for our test model. We know the take rate for manual gearboxes is very low, but if you place a premium on fun driving, it’s a combination worth considering.

Competitive Set

Hot hatches are still available, although the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are no longer around. Also, Dodge doesn’t have an answer to the Elantra GT.

Other models to consider include the Volkswagen GTI, Kia Forte, Mazda3, the Toyota Corolla hatchback, and the Subaru Impreza. Various Hyundai Civic models are also on the list.

Our Recommendation

Hyundai brings value and a decent measure of performance to the segment with the Elantra GT. That said, only the N Line will satisfy anyone with tuner aspirations, with the more devoted of them looking at the Veloster N instead.

We think the six-speed manual trumps the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for driving fun, although the latter includes a sport mode for extending shift points and adding handling weight. At least you have performance choices in a small, but still important segment.

2020 Hyundai Elantra GT Specifications

Hyundai	2020 Elantra GT
Segment	Compact Hatchback
Price Range	$20,650, $23,500, $24,600
Destination Charge	$930
Engine No. 2	1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower	161 @ 6,200
Torque (lb.-ft.)	150 @ 4,700
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Engine No. 2	1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower	201 @ 6,000
Torque (lb.-ft.)	195 @ 1,500~4,500
Transmission	6-speed manual; 7-speed DCT
Seating	5
Curb Weight (pounds)	2,943 to 3,155
Wheelbase (inches)	104.3
Length (inches)	170.9
Width (inches)	70.7
Height (inches)	57.7
Headroom (f,r…inches)	39.1; 38.5
Legroom (f,r…inches)	42.2; 34.8
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	56.2; 55.4
Hip room (f,r…inches)	TBD
Storage (cubic feet)	24.9; 55.1
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	NR
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	14.0
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined)	25/32/28
Manufacturing Plant	Montgomery, Alabama

History of the Honda Civic

July 5, 2019 by admin 6 Comments

The first-generation Honda Civic, a right-hand hatchback.
(Public domain photo via Wikimedia)

A casual look at the automotive landscape over the past half-century and you will see how the Japanese automakers have penetrated the US market to become the automotive powerhouses that they are known as today.

From humble beginnings in the late 1950s to its market strength today, companies such as Honda, Toyota and Nissan have introduced dozens of models, including some that are the industry’s best sellers. Honda itself has achieved great respect in America for introducing fuel-efficient and high-quality small cars including the Civic.

Originally a subcompact model, the Civic has grown into a compact line with near midsize interior room, a vehicle that is also built in America.

American Honda History

Years before Honda began selling automobiles in the United States, this Japanese manufacturer established a U.S. subsidiary, American Honda Motor Co. in 1959. The company established its headquarters in Los Angeles and immediately began to market its line of motorcycles. By the mid-1960s it was an established leader, adding trail bikes to reach a younger audience.

In 1969, Honda introduced its first car, the N600, to the Hawaiian market and then to three western states, including California. Originally sold through motorcycle dealerships, Honda realized that Americans preferred shopping for cars through car dealerships, something it began to do in 1973 as the Honda Civic went on sale.

The fourth-generation Civic was sold from 1987 to 1991.
(Public domain photo via Wikimedia)

First-Generation Honda Civic

Honda’s entrance into the US car market was perfect timing. When the Honda Civic, its first widely available model went on sale, America was experiencing the first of two gas shortages that sent up fuel prices and had consumers looking at smaller, fuel-efficient cars. The Honda Civic was an all-new model, replacing the Honda 1300 it had sold in Japan.

The original Honda Civic was introduced in 1972 as a 1973 model, that vehicle was available as a coupe, a three-door hatchback, and a five-door hatchback. The first-generation Honda Civic featured an 1169 cc engine and had power disc brakes, reclining front bucket seats, and an AM/FM radio, equipment not offered or costing customers extra in competing, mostly American models. Immediately, Honda established a reputation for providing value, laying the foundation for model and brand success.

Winning New Customers

Honda’s success with the Civic can be attributed to several things including delivering a high-quality vehicle at a competitive price. Three years after the Civic was introduced, Honda stretched the hatchback’s wheelbase and created the Accord. Both models fueled Honda’s ascendancy and enabled this Japanese automaker to conserve costs by interchanging many parts between the two models.

Honda’s strategy with the Civic also included updating this vehicle frequently with product cycles as short as four years where six years was the industry norm. This allowed Honda to set the pace among small car producers and win new customers to the brand.

The seventh-generation Civic was offered from 2000 to 2005.
(Public domain photo via Wikimedia)

The second-generation model was introduced in 1979, coming in larger and with a 1335 cc engine. It offered a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual transmission, something only its Japanese competitors offered.

Honda continued to build up and out the Civic line, through the 1980s and 1990s, adding different body styles including wagon and two-seat variants. In 1996 a natural gas model was introduced.

Modern Honda Civics

By 2000, the Honda Civic had completed its sixth generation, with a newly refreshed seventh=generation model released just before the turn of the millennium. That vehicle was sold in coupe and sedan configurations with a special Si three-door hatchback also available. It also marked the beginning of the Civic’s move from a subcompact to a compact model, following the Accord’s earlier move to a midsize model from a compact.

The seventh-generation Honda Civic also welcomed its first hybrid model, outfitted with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and paired with a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid was rated at 38 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

Honda began stretching out the model generations for the Civic beginning with the seventh-generation edition, taking five years before the eighth-generation model was introduced. By then, the Honda brand was adding new models including its first pickup truck and a midsize crossover model.

The tenth-generation Civic includes a sporty coupe.

The eighth-generation model, introduced in 2005, assigned the coupe and sedan to one platform and the hatchback to a different platform. Throughout the 2000s the Honda Civic maintained its status as one of the top 10 best-selling cars in the country, typically competing with the Toyota Corolla as the top-selling compact.

In 2011, with the introduction of the ninth-generation model, Honda continued to offer gasoline and natural gas models, and also brought back the Civic Hybrid it had discontinued briefly a few years earlier. In 2015, Honda rolled out the tenth-generation Civic, available in sedan, coupe, five-door hatchback, Si trims, and Type-R models.

Tuners and Modifiers

Through the years, the Honda Civic has won numerous awards including Car of the Year recognition from Road & Track, Motor Trend and Automobile magazines. It has also been recognized as a top tuner car, a category that describes vehicles that are fun to drive and modify, according to Popular Mechanics.

Mugen Motorworks, a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary, has long been at the forefront of tuning Honda engines including those that power the Civic. Civic fans are known for swapping out their original engines for higher-displacement Honda engines in a bid to compete with the Volkswagen GTI, Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution, the Scion tC, and other models.

More than four decades have passed since the Honda Civic took to America’s roadways. This model has grown and evolved through the years, but it hasn’t lost its status as having one of the best resale values of any car on the road.

Hot Hatch: 2019 Mazda3

May 29, 2019 by admin 6 Comments

All-wheel drive comes to Mazda’s compact hatchback and sedan.

The Mazda3 hatchback adds available all-wheel drive, perhaps setting the framework for Mazdaspeed to return.

Mazda is a small player in a world of large car manufacturers, but its presence outstrips its size. The company is best known for mainstreaming the Wankel rotary engine and for giving the world the delicious MX-5 Miata roadster. We miss the enhanced Mazdaspeed line of performance models, although rumors persist that one or more models will return.

And that return may be based on the Mazda3 with its available all-wheel-drive system. Yes, all-wheel drive has come to Mazda’s compact model, joining the WRX and Impreza, which offer it as standard equipment and the Volkswagen Golf, where it is available. As for the Ford Focus, that model with its all-wheel-drive RS is no longer available in the U.S.

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for Mazda to jump in!

2019 Mazda Mazda3 Overview

You can purchase the Mazda3 as either a sedan or a hatchback. Both models share the same platform and wheelbase length, but the sedan is several inches longer overall. We’ll look at the hatchback primarily as that’s the model presented to us for review.

Mazda prices the 2019 Mazda3 hatchback from $23,600, which is $2,600 more than the sedan. Opting for all-wheel drive is a $1,400 upgrade available across the model line.

You’ll find one trim plus two packages with the 2019 Mazda3. Models with the Preferred Package (power side mirrors, 12-speaker Bose audio system. satellite radio, 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, and heated front seats) cost $25,200.

The Premium Package-equipped hatchback costs $27,500 and adds such features as LED headlights and taillights, adaptive front lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sliding moonroof, and radar cruise control on models equipped with the manual transmission. Yes, it is with this package only you can opt for a manual gearbox. Add $920 for the destination charge.

Highlights of the 2019 Mazda3

The following are the most noteworthy facts about the Mazda3:

1. Cutting edge styling all of its own.

Mazda uses the term “KODO” to describe its styling direction. This means “soul of motion,” which describes in part every model’s fluidic design. Here, you’ll find a gaping grille, raised flanks, a rising beltline, ample creases and body sculpting, and pulled in corners. On the hatchback, the look is all the more expressive as the rear quarter is high and short.

All models come with LED lights — headlights, combination lights, and daytime running lights. With the Premium Package, Mazda adds LED signature lighting front and back. Dual-folding side mirrors and a roofline spoiler are also included. Upgrades include designer wheels and a shark fin antenna. Overall, the look is sporty.

2. An interior on par with some premium models.

Just as the exterior has its styling credentials, the interior does likewise. In fact, Mazda pulled out all the stops when designing the cabin, amplified by the stacked and sculptured layout of the dashboard. The look is premium and rivals what we’ve seen on some costlier models, including the Audi A3.

The contrasting layered look on our fully loaded model was especially noteworthy. As shown, Mazda meticulously crafted every surface for maximum visual appeal. There’s plenty of storage compartments and pockets at the ready, and very little plastic. Again, the sophisticated design belies this model’s mainstream appeal. With the available leather seats, the look is truly luxurious.

3. Improved technologies for the taking.

One of the gripes we’ve had about Mazda is the small display screens in many of its models. The Mazda3 now features an 8.8-inch screen that’s wide and clear. On the other hand, it isn’t a touchscreen display and it does require using a Multifunction Commander control to manage. That’s unfortunate as the learning curve is long.

But we do like the standard Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone integration. You’ll also find HD Radio, Internet radio integration, connected apps, and USB ports. The Preferred Package brings in a lovely sounding 12-speaker Bose audio system and satellite radio. An “active driving display” or head-up display is included with the Premium Package.

4. Ample storage room for short and long trips.

Mazda published storage measurement with the rear seat in place, measuring a respectable 20.1 cubic feet. What they didn’t reveal was how much space is available with the rear seat folded. We estimate about 40 cubic feet, which supplies even room to bring a week’s worth of gear for two with you on your next vacation.

5. Performance that has us wanting more.

We won’t mislead you by saying the Mazda3 is a performance maven. It is not. Instead, it offers decent off-the-mark acceleration and passing power.

Mazda could have gone with a smaller engine, deteriorating the power level (186 hp) with it, but happily, they did not. And yet, we think a turbocharged four-cylinder engine would suit this model perfectly, along the lines of Mazdaspeed.

Rumors that Mazdaspeed might return (last produced in 2013) should gladden the hearts of enthusiasts. It would give the brand the bona fides its needs as well as fill the product gaps left with Mitsubishi and Ford no longer competing. We’d change the suspension system though to conform to what drivers expect, even if it means a loss in storage space.

6. Crisp steering and adroit handling.

We give Mazda credit for this hatchback’s crisp stewing and competent handling, the latter ideal for pulling out of corners with ease. Still, the torsion-beam rear suspension could have been exchanged for a multi-link arrangement for improved handling. On the other hand, the torsion-beam arrangement sits lower and therefore doesn’t intrude on the storage compartment.

7. Efficiency we appreciate.

So-so performance notwithstanding, we were quite impressed by how efficient the Mazda3 is. We knew that 30 mpg was within reach, even with the added weight of the all-wheel drive.

To our surprise, the Mazda3 averaged closer to 35 mpg for the week we had it. Impressive? You bet! A quick survey of competing models show lower numbers. Then again, the tradeoff is a significant power edge over the Mazda.

Auto Trends Recommends

Yes, you can buy the Mazda3 with front-wheel drive. In fact, we recommend this option for most buyers. The all-wheel-drive system is an interesting component, useful for people who live where wintry climate prevails. There is a handling advantage, especially when cornering, but it isn’t as tossable as the Focus RS or Golf R.

The package upgrades are certainly worth considering. You’ll come away with a vehicle that’s stylish, well equipped, and offers good value. Your out-the-door price comes in just above $29,000 and that’s before discounts. In effect, the Mazda3 splits the difference between mainstream and luxury models, delivering a premium package for a competitive price.

2019 Mazda3 Hatchback Specifications

Mazda	2019 Mazda3
Segment	Compact Car
Base Sticker Price	$24,520 ( includes $920 destination charge)
Price as tested	$29,820
Standard Engine	2.5-liter inline-four
Horsepower	186 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	186 @ 4,000 RPMs
Transmission(s)	Six-speed manual or automatic
Seating	5
Curb Weight (pounds)	3,022 to 3,255
Wheelbase (inches)	107.3
Length (inches)	175.6
Width (inches)	70.7
Height (inches)	56.7
Headroom (f,r…inches)	38.0; 37.2
Legroom (f,r…inches)	42.3; 35.1
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	55.7; 53.4
Hip room (f,r…inches)	54.6; 50.9
Storage (cubic feet)	20.1
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	NR
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	13.2 (FWD), 12.7 (AWD)
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	26/35/30 (FWD); 24/32/27 (AWD) city/highway/combined
Manufacturing Plant	Hiroshima, Japan

See Also — Turbo Wonder: 2018 Mazda6

Delicious Design: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

June 19, 2018 by admin 11 Comments

The best-selling Corolla is the most attractive one yet.

When you have the world’s best-selling model and the market is shifting away from cars to crossovers, you have a bit of a dilemma on your hands. On the one hand, you can acknowledge the shift and reduce your investment in a new model, thereby effectively furthering its decline. On the other hand, you can always roll the dice and come up with a new plan to woo customers.

Fortunately, Toyota chose the latter, at least for the all all-new hatchback version of the compact Corolla. The 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback replaces the Corolla iM, a holdover model from the defunct Scion brand. The new model offers the sportiest design we have ever witnessed on a Corolla, which suggests that the new sedan bound to follow will receive a similar treatment.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Overview

The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a compact, front-wheel-drive model that seats five. Toyota offers this attractive hatch in four grades: SE MT ($19,990), SE CVT ($21,090), XSE MT ($22,990) and XSE CVT ($24,090). Add $920 for the destination charge.

Essentially, that makes for two trims along with your choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable automatic transmission. All models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

New Platform, New Possibilities

The 2019 Corolla Hatchback sits on an all-new platform, described internally as the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). We saw the first application of this architecture beginning with the fully redesigned 2016 Prius, Toyota’s hybrid.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Toyota followed with the midsize 2018 Camry sedan and the large 2019 Avalon sedan. Toyota’s utility vehicles and all Lexus models are undergoing a similar transformation.

The platform is designed to support front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Although Toyota has not said as much, various new all-wheel-drive models seem likely.

You can bet that Toyota is watching what Ford does as it exits most car segments — add a turbo and all-wheel drive and then a Corolla “RS” hatchback model seems logical.

A Matter of Style: Sharp Design

Never have we seen a more sculpted Corolla since this model was introduced in 1966. Toyota has long advanced a winning formula with its best-seller: a simple exterior, a modest interior, average power (at best) and unparalleled reliability.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Quite frankly, it is an approach that has successfully carried the Corolla ideology for decades, but now there is a need for a transformation.

The new design is so noticeably different that when I asked people what they thought it was, quite a few did not immediately recognize it as a Toyota.

Indeed, two thought that the new vehicle was a Mazda3, one of the most stylish models in the segment. That is how detached this hatchback is from the Corolla sedan as well as how much effort Toyota put into the new design.

The sportiness is evident up front with this model’s massive, gaping lower grille and sleek, constricted upper grille. The upper portion flows out to the headlights, which offer a vibrant design marked by pronounced LED lights. The hood eases down to the grille, taking styling cues from what we hope will someday be the next Supra sports car.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback This model’s profile has its share of character and cut lines. The rising beltline pulls up suddenly at the rear door handles just where another set of character lines begin and sweep to the rear.

A wing-like rear spoiler is one of the biggest surprises — it is neither small-scale nor is it overpowering. Sleek wraparound tail lamps, deep body sculpting and a diffuser-like finisher influence the rear.

Make Room for Everyone

On paper, the Corolla hatchback seats five. If your rear-seated passengers are diminutive or slender, then five is a possibility. Even so, this Corolla is ideal for seating four.

Just as Toyota devoted much attention to the exterior, the cabin is a significant improvement as well. Of course, my test model was the upper trim XSE with the automatic, but the conventional style is the same. The layered dashboard simply looks exceptional. For instance, the instrument panel hood is situated near to the surface. Then, as your eyes scan from left to right, you cannot help noticing how well everything progresses. Further, even something as simple as the split dashboard design imparts a level of elegance to cherish.

The front seats are comfortable and generally better than what you would expect in this segment. The rear 60/40 split fold-down bench seat supplies storage options as needed. Big pockets in the doors and a cleanly laid out center console are other important features. Yes, you are observing leather covering the seat or, rather, leather with a mélange-like fabric on the XSE.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Safety and Technology

You do not have to go back too many years to find cars that were sparsely equipped with tech and safety equipment.

2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback In the late 2000s, a four-speaker audio system with a CD player was commonplace. Bluetooth was just getting started and USB ports were still a few years away. Satellite radio was also not yet available.

Fast forward to today and most cars have at least six speakers as does the 2019 Corolla hatchback. And that is just on the base model. Toyota also includes an 8-inch color touchscreen, Wi-Fi Connect, USB and auxiliary audio ports and for the first time: Apple CarPlay. Sorry, no Android Auto yet. Toyota also includes its Entune 3.0 connectivity suite, Siri Eyes Free and Amazon Alexa.

Upgrades include HD Radio, weather and traffic reports, connected services and an eight-speaker JBL audio system. Thus, the key features once limited to luxury models are now available with the mainstream Corolla.

Among safety items, you will find the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense suite, dubbed 2.0. Specifically, you will discover as standard equipment, automatic high beams, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control. and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.

Notably, lane tracing assist is something new to Toyota, what keeps this hatchback centered in its lane when radar cruise control is on. It is doubtful you will find as comprehensive of a system as the one presented in this new Corolla.

Let’s Make it a Drive!

My Corolla hatchback test model arrived just two months removed from my California trip where I tested the new model (and the 2019 Avalon). Toyota supplied manual and CVT versions of this model — so kudos to this automaker for offering standard three-pedal foot action with both trims.

2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback Alas, the relatively smooth-shifting manual version was not my weekly driver, but the CVT should please the majority of people. And if you do have a hankering for shifting, you can place the transmission in sport mode and play with the paddle shifters. Those shifters mimic 10 forward gears.

The Corolla’s engine is matched well with this model, delivering 168 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. No, it is not particularly fast — it offers steady step-off acceleration and ample passing power. However, Toyota did gear this powertrain for optimum fuel economy — it delivers an excellent 42 mpg on the highway.

The steering offers satisfactory feedback. But the most enjoyment takes place on twisty roads where this model does a satisfactory job of hanging the curves.

2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback Size certainly makes a difference with any front-wheel-drive model and the new Corolla holds its own as it pulls out of corners.

That said, here is hoping Toyota will go beyond the base model and offer us more powerful versions. Perhaps add a turbo to give us something close to the 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque with the Focus ST?

Then use that as a prelude to a Focus RS fighter with all-wheel drive and 350 horsepower at the ready! One can imagine, right?

Parting Thoughts: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Once again, Toyota brings the appropriate product to the market.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Back around 2010, Chairman Akio Toyoda promised us that more exciting models were on the way, acknowledging that although vanilla is a dependable flavor, it does little to stir the imagination. The Corolla hatchback is the latest model to keep that pledge and we are happy to see the direction the brand has taken.

Beyond the sporty design and refined interior, the long list of standard driver-assist features makes this model a strong entrant in the shrinking, but still very competitive small car segment. Toyota’s advantage in having the newest model on the block should also serve itself well, especially as competitors leave the segment or slow their updates.

Thus, if you put this one on your short list, you will quickly learn what a strong contestant it is straight out of the gate.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Specifications

Toyota	2019 Corolla Hatchback
Segment	Compact car
Base Sticker Price	$20,910 (including a $920 destination charge)
Price as tested	$25,000 (est.)
Standard Engine	2.0-liter, inline-four
Horsepower	168 @ 6,600 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	151 @ 4,800 RPMs
Transmission	Continuously variable automatic
Seating	5
Curb Weight (pounds)	3,060
Wheelbase (inches)	103.9
Length (inches)	169.9
Width (inches)	69.9
Height (inches)	57.1
Head room (f,r…inches)	42.0; 38.0
Leg room (f,r…inches)	TBD
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	54.0; 54.4
Hip room (f,r…inches)	TBD
Storage (cubic feet)	18.0
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	NR
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	13.2
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	28/37 (SE MT); 32/42 SE CVT
Manufacturing Plant	Blue Springs, Mississippi

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

First Look: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

April 30, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

A summer arrival for the 2019 Corolla hatchback.

Updated May 25, 2018, to reflect prices and fuel economy ratings.

I’ve checked out new vehicles on showroom floors, at auto show exhibits and also upon various ballroom, convention center and theater stages. I’ve yet to find myself tired of the process, although some shows are overwhelming and that means missing a few releases or simply not having enough time to examine the latest offering.

In early Spring, Toyota invited journalists to San Diego County, California, to preview and drive two new vehicles: 2019 editions of the Toyota Avalon and Corolla Hatchback. The first model headlined the invite, the second model was kept under wraps until just a week before our arrival. Some of us had wondered if the future Supra would finally make its debut, but not this time. Instead, an all-new Corolla hatchback had its moment in the sun.

And sunshine we had in abundance as our first glimpse of the 2019 Corolla Hatchback was outside, on the lawn in front of the former Delmar train station. Just steps from active train tracks and yards from paths leading to the beach, a Blue Flame four-door hatchback offered a fitting contrast to the historic surroundings.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is not related to the current Toyota Corolla iM, a hatchback that got its start out at Scion before moving to Toyota. Scion, as you probably know, was decommissioned in 2016, with two models transitioned to Toyota and the remaining vehicles canceled.

2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback.

A Shared Architecture

The new model is just that — new. It has no relationship with any current model, except for those based on the Toyota’s new global architecture. That architecture supports the current Prius, Camry, C-HR and the 2019 Avalon. Eventually, all new Toyota models will share a common platform. Thus, Toyota is in the middle of an important transition and the 2019 Corolla hatchback is its latest model.

The starting price for the 2019 Corolla Hatchback is $20,910 (including a $920 destination charge) for the base SE model with the six-speed manual transmission. Other choices include the SE CVT ($22,010); XSE MT ($23,910) and XSE CVT ($25,010).

Prices for select upgrades include $395 for the Blizzard Pearl (white) paint. The SE Preferred Package ($1,400, Entune 3.0 Audio with app suite, Toyota Connected Services and blind spot monitor) and XSE Preferred Package ($1,600, Entune 3.0 Audio with app suite, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, Toyota Connected Services, navigation and Qi wireless charging) are the two package options. Separately, XSE shoppers can choose an adaptive lighting system ($415).

Exterior Highlights

If you like a sporty front fascia with a gaping grille, sleek headlamps and generous sculpting, the Corolla hatchback delivers. Further, beautiful character lines and sculpting dominate the profile, before pushing back to the rear fascia.

It makes for one of the most beautiful themes we have seen on a Toyota product since, well, the 2018 Camry. It seems Toyota’s design studio has been unleashed, to provide vehicles that are just as handsome as the best models out there. That is not something we could say as recently as the Corolla iM and it is a direction we like. Scan the photos carefully and you can see for yourself.

Standard equipment includes Bi-LED headlamps with automatic high beams, 16-inch aluminum wheels, LED fog lamps, aero stabilizing fins and a rear chrome diffuser. Available features include LED fog lamps, heated side mirrors and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Interior Highlights

Toyota has always offered cabins with ordered interiors and superb fit and finish. Trouble is, they have not always been the most exciting. The 2018 Camry shows us how Toyota dazzles and the Corolla hatchback offers its own take on style.

Regardless of the trim, you will find a layered dashboard with overlapping analog displays and a clean center console with the display fixed to the top, much like a tablet. The front seats are quite comfortable, better than what I have typically experienced in this segment. Sightlines are very good and the overall sporty feeling shines through.

Standard features include power windows, power door locks, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, automatic air conditioning and cloth seats. Choose the top trim and you will gain a power-operated driver’s seat, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control.

Safety & Technology

Toyota is rocking the driver-assist safety equipment with all its models. On the Corolla hatchback, you will find the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) group, which includes automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, low light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist protection, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist and lane tracing assist. Blind spot monitoring is optional with the base trim, but included with the top trim.

That tablet-like display on top of the center console measures 8 inches diagonally. It is part of Toyota’s Entune 3.0 audio package with six speakers, Bluetooth, an auxiliary audio port, USB ports and WiFi. You will also find Amazon Alexa, Siri Eyes Free and Apple CarPlay. Sorry, Android fans, but Android Auto is not ready yet. Toyota says that it has people embedded in Google and vice-versa to prepare Android — they want to ensure the proprietary information does not get into the wrong hands. Upgrades include satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation and an 8-speaker audio system.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Performance Matters

Let us stand and give Toyota a round of applause for keeping with a manual transmission. With manufacturers routinely ditching manual gearboxes because of low demand, Toyota is having none of that. Importantly, the manual gearbox is available with both Corolla hatchback trims.

And it is no long throw stick either. Indeed, while it may not shift as fast as a TREMEC, it does make quick work of each gear. Also importantly, rev-shift match downshift is present. This is a significant feature for anyone who places an emphasis on driving dynamics.

Under the hood, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine powers the Corolla hatchback. We first saw this engine at work in the Toyota C-HR and now it motivates the new Corolla.

Fortunately, the performance numbers are a bit more robust with the hatchback. Indeed, this model makes 168 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

On the other hand, Toyota’s subcompact crossover delivers 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Both sets of numbers are below what we would like, but we think higher output versions of these two vehicles are in the offing.

The Corolla hatchback offers decent step-off acceleration and good pick up as you move through the gears. Definitely, the manual is much more fun to work with. You may find yourself holding each gear as long as you can before upshifting, testing what this hatchback can do. Expect responsive steering, weighted handling and firm braking. This hatchback hangs well on twisty roads and does its best to carve corners.

All that said, we could not help but think about what might have been. Specifically, just how well this new Corolla would perform with more power under the hood. Again, we think this is only the first step from Toyota, with a hot hatchback in its future. We can wait. But not for long!

Toyota Corolla Hatchback Parting Thoughts

So, there you have it. If design, quality, reliability and amenities are any indication, the 2019 Corolla hatchback has the potential to win new customers.

That makes for a great start for a new model, but Toyota must not stop there. After all, the car market is shrinking. Also, the few strong players in this segment are certain to dominate.

That said, an opening for new customers has shown its face as competitor Ford says it will soon stop offering its subcompact Fiesta and compact Focus models in North America. Opportunity knocks; Toyota has the products in place to respond.

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Specifications

Toyota	2019 Corolla Hatchback
Segment	Compact car
Base Sticker Price	$19,990 (plus $920 destination)
Price as tested	N/A
Standard Engine	2.0-liter, inline-four
Horsepower	168 @ 6,600 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.)	151 @ 4,800 RPMs
Transmission	Six-speed manual or automatic
Seating	5
Curb Weight (pounds)	3,060
Wheelbase (inches)	103.9
Length (inches)	169.9
Width (inches)	69.9
Height (inches)	57.1
Head room (f,r…inches)	42.0; 38.0
Leg room (f,r…inches)	TBD
Shoulder room (f,r…inches)	54.0; 54.4
Hip room (f,r…inches)	TBD
Storage (cubic feet)	18.0
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	NR
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons)	13.2
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	32/42 SE CVT
Manufacturing Plant	Blue Springs, Mississippi

See Also — Toyota: 2019 Corolla Hatchback Returns

At a Glance: 2019 Kia Forte

January 23, 2018 by admin 7 Comments

Kia’s Forte compact sedan is big on style.

Son of a Stinger! At first glance, the 2019 Kia Forte looks a lot like the premium Kia Stinger performance sedan. Those ported design elements provide the Forte with perhaps the most handsome sheet metal amongst small cars, something certain to capture the attention of car shoppers.

Kia used the occasion of the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to debut the Forte sedan, now entering its third generation. As before, three trims are for the choosing: LX, S and EX. Pricing details will come later this year — likely closer to when the model goes on sale. In the interim, we should learn more about the Forte5 hatchback.

2019 Kia Forte

As for the model at hand, there’s plenty of details available front and center, including the following:

1. The Affordable Stinger

With a base price coming in at $32,800, the 2018 Stinger is beyond the reach of many mainstream car shoppers. The Stinger’s price, however, is very reasonable when stacking it against luxury models such as the BMW 3 Series or Cadillac ATS. But we’re talking about the 2019 Forte, a sedan that will cost half as much, while taking on such segment stalwarts as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. So, what you have here is a budget sedan with a premium look. My, look how far we come from the econoboxes prevalent in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s!

2. Longer, Taller and Wider

Today’s compact sedans rival the size of midsize models from about 15 years ago. All manufacturers, Kia included, have adopted longer platforms, while delivering more powerful and efficient models. Engineering changes and the expanded use of lightweight materials are behind the effort. Consumers are the winners because they get more car for the money.

3. Kia’s First CVT

We don’t have full information yet about the powertrains available with the 2019 Forte. What we do know is the base model comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. We also know the very first continuously variable automatic transmission offered by Kia sends power to the front wheels. This is an important move for the automaker as a CVT is more efficient than a cog-driven unit and should raise fuel economy by about 3 mpg to 35 mpg according to a Kia estimate.

4. Standard and available technologies

Compact mainstream models include technologies luxury manufacturers were just beginning to offer five years ago. Besides that, some of the tech features such as smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are free. You can’t say that about BMW, which charges $300 for CarPlay. The 2019 Forte also presents an 8-inch color touchscreen and that’s quite a bit larger than what you’d find in this class, especially for standard equipment. An available wireless charging tray is compatible with Android devices and for Apple iPhones from the 8 Series on up.

2019 Kia Forte

5. Driver-Assist Technologies for the Masses

We’ve been seeing so-called driver-assist technologies moves down from more expensive models to mainstream vehicles and that’s always a good thing. The 2019 Forte delivers standard blind-spot collision warning and smart cruise control. Available features include forward collision-avoidance assist and smart cruise control, the latter useful for maintaining proper and safe distances between vehicles no matter the speed.

Kia Continues to Impress

From a journalist’s perspective, Kia has certainly impressed me with what it has done these past five to 10 years to its product line. Although tied in with Hyundai as part of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, Kia has its own take on the platforms it shares with some models unique to itself, including the Sedona minivan and Soul multi-purpose vehicle.

2019 Kia Forte

Compact Delight: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

September 14, 2017 by admin 6 Comments

Hyundai breathes fresh life into its little sport hatchback.

—Updated Dec. 10, 2017, to reflect this model’s safety score.—

Automakers are responding to a wholesale shift in consumer demand by building more SUVs and fewer car models. This unprecedented shift means some manufacturers are catching up, including Hyundai which will release its small Kona SUV early in 2018, giving it four lines of crossovers.

At the same time, while brands such as Mitsubishi, Dodge, and Chrysler have abandoned certain small car segments, you’ll learn that not all manufacturers plan to do likewise. Indeed, Hyundai is redoubling its efforts, having already updated its Elantra sedan and following that with an all-new Elantra GT hatchback for 2018. The next-generation subcompact Accent arrives this fall and early next year the Veloster hatchback returns as a 2019 model following a one-year hiatus. Oh, and don’t forget the Ioniq line of electrified vehicles — hybrid, electric, and PHEV.

Who said manufacturers are abandoning small cars? Certainly not Hyundai.

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Hyundai offers the 2018 Elantra GT in two grades GT ($19,350) and GT Sport ($23,250). Add $885 for the destination charge.

The Hyundai Elantra GT is a compact five-door front-wheel drive hatchback with room for five. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four cylinder generating 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai pairs this engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Customers can also opt for a 6-speed automatic transmission, raising the base price by $1,000.

The Elantra GT Sport comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Making 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, this engine is also paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is a $1,100 option.

Package options are available, except on the base model with the manual transmission. You’ll find two choices here: an $1,800 Style Package and a $4,300 Tech Package. A separate Tech Package comes with the GT Sport with automatic transmission — more on that below.

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT The Style Package brings in a proximity key with push-button start; blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist; side-mirror turn signal indicators; an instrument panel display with sharper graphics; dual-zone climate control; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; a power-controlled driver seat with lumbar support; heated front seats, a driver’s automatic up/down window; and a sliding armrest.

Opting for the Tech Package requires purchasing the Style Package. This package adds full LED headlights, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, leather seating surfaces, and an electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold. Hyundai also adds a larger rear disc brake, rear console vent, an 8-inch navigation system, Blue Link telematics, a 7-speaker Infinity audio system with subwoofer, and a wireless charging pad. Ventilated seats, an automatic dimming rear view mirror, a covered cup holder, and a front storage lid cover round out the package.

My 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT test model with the automatic transmission had both packages and added carpeted floor mats ($125) for a grand total of $27,460.

Exterior Highlights

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT I like the shape of the Elantra GT with its long hood and short rear quarter, giving this wedge-shaped vehicle a shoe-like appearance. Or should I say running shoe?

Up front you’ll find a honeycomb grille, supplying a look that is at once upscale and sporty. Upswept headlamps, distinct pockets for the fog lamps, and a small lower grille opening contributes to the GT’s sporty persona. A slightly rising beltline, the falling roofline and dramatic profile sculpting and signature lines add to the distinctiveness. Alloy wheels, wraparound tail lamps, a rear spoiler and reflector lights complete the look.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels set within all-season tires. You’ll also find automatic headlight control, a chrome/gloss black grille, and power-heated side mirrors. The Elantra GT brings in 18-inch wheels, full LED headlights, LED taillights, and side-mirror turn signal indicators.

Interior Highlights

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT The Elantra GT seats five, although the best number is four. Up front are comfortable and supportive bucket seats. The rear 60:40 split-bench seat holds two comfortably, especially with the middle arm rest folded down revealing a pair of cup holders. The only caution here is that a tall driver or front passenger demanding maximum legroom may put a crimp on your personal space if you sit on the rear seat.

If you’re expecting a budget look and feel in the Elantra GT, I’m happy to disappoint you. The interior is stylish and offers soft touch materials across the dashboard, on the door inlays and in other places where you might expect plastics. The texturized plastics are actually quite pleasing — there’s no sense of cheapness here or feeling as if you’re settling for something less than what you really want. I found all controls are sensibly placed and easy to decipher. You’ll find multiple in-door beverage holders as well as cup holders. I appreciated the deep storage pocket at the base of the center stack.

Standard equipment includes power windows and door locks, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, sun visors with extensions, illuminated vanity mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, a center armrest with a flip-up storage compartment, and a cargo area cover. The Elantra GT adds alloy pedals (including a footrest pedal), leather-covered seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone climate control, and an electronic brake with automatic hold.

Safety Highlights

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, its highest score. No doubt, the same score will apply to the 2018 Elantra GT. We’re also expecting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to carry over its 5-star rating for the 2017 version to the new model.

All models come with brake assist, hill start assist control, traction and stability control, and a suite of airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag. Driver-assist technologies are available too, as outlined in the section following.

Technology Features

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT You’ll find a generous supply of standard and available technology features with the 2018 Elantra GT, including an 8-inch display audio system with satellite radio, HD radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The amenities customers may desire most comes in the GT Sport’s Tech Package ($3,850). Here, you’ll find a navigation system, wireless charging pad, and a full Blue Link telematics system with remote and guidance packages. This package is where you’ll find driver-assist safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency detection with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, high beam assist, and driver attention alert.

My test model did include the navigation, but I was happy to use Apple CarPlay for my directions.

On the Road with the Elantra GT

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT My test Elantra GT came with the standard engine paired with the automatic transmission. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to drive with the manual gearbox, but one wasn’t offered.

That said, the base model has a peppy four-cylinder engine at the ready. Most of my drive time was a solitary experience, so there wasn’t the added weight of other passengers.

The Elantra GT isn’t a performance maven, particularly in standard form, but it gets the job done and then some. On twisty roads I wasn’t afraid to push it a bit, plowing into twists and easing up only slightly on turns. You’ll want to operate it in sport mode too, what adds weight to the steering and extends shift points for a more engaging driving experience.

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Typically, I’ve found small front-wheel drive cars offer a fun driving experience with torque steer adding a certain measure of steering fun without overwhelming the handling experience. That’s exactly what I found with the Elantra GT.

Shoppers wanting more kick should consider the GT Sport. You get a 25 percent boost in power and have the benefit of the dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. No, the Elantra GT doesn’t pretend to make a run for the Volkswagen Golf GTI or the Ford Focus ST, but the fun is there, thanks also to a new multi-link rear suspension system for optimum handling. Imagine the possibilities if Hyundai decided to go head to head with VW and Ford, by offering an all-wheel drive variant with a twin-turbo engine. Just saying….

Elantra GT Parting Thoughts

Fully loaded, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT will cost you just over $29,000 and that’s a steep price point for most any small car. If you’re happy with the manual transmission and the turbo, you’ll shave $5,000 off your cost, although that also means going without the packages available on the automatic transmission models.

To sum up, the 2018 Elantra GT offers improvements in style, performance and package offerings to woo Ford Focus and VW Golf/Jetta owners. Oh, and don’t forget the Mazda3 and Subaru WRX when comparing Hyundai’s sporty compact hatch.

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

Sticker price from $19,350
Price as tested: $27,460
Seats five
Engine No. 1: 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas
161 horsepower @ 6,200 RPM
150 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,700 RPM
6-speed manual or automatic transmission
Engine No. 2: 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo gas
201 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM
195 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,500 to 4,500 RPM
6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Length: 170.9 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 57.7 inches
Passenger volume: 96.5 cubic feet
Storage volume: 24.9/55.1 cubic feet
Towing capacity: NR
EPA: 28/37 mpg city/highway (est.)
Regular gasoline
Fuel tank: 14 gallons
Curb weight: From 2,901 to 3,155 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick
Limited vehicle warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Montgomery, Alabama

Style Maker: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe

August 9, 2016 by admin 8 Comments

Honda’s compact coupe delivers style, pluck, and determination.

When it comes to model names, the Civic is one of the most enduring ones of all. Introduced to North America in 1973, this one-time subcompact has morphed into a sizable compact model now bordering on the midsize range.

Honda remains one of the few manufacturers still offering more than one body style in the compact segment, with sedans and coupes, both available (a five-door hatchback prototype was shown at the 2016 New York International Auto Show). My recent weekly driver was a 2016 Honda Civic Coupe Touring edition, a model with the panache, attitude, and sophistication of far more expensive vehicles.

The current Civic represents the 10th generation of this model. Along with the midsize Accord sedan and coupe, and the compact CR-V, the Civic can be counted on for delivering top sales to Honda year in and year out. Still, Honda doesn’t take anything for granted in a segment where such competitors as the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Golf, Dodge Dart, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Mitsubishi Lancer compete.

The 2016 Civic Coupe starts at $19,050 ($18,640 for the sedan) and is sold in LX Manual, LX CVT ($19,850), LX-P ($20,850), EX-T ($22,300), EX-L ($23,425), and Touring ($26,125) trims. My Civic Coupe Touring model offered no extra charges other than an $835 destination and handling fee, bringing the final price to $26,960.

Most 2016 Civic Coupe models are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard; a continuously variable transmission is included elsewhere.

For Coupe EX and Touring models, you get a 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 174 horsepower and 158 foot-pounds of torque. This engine is paired with a CVT. The enhanced powertrain combination enables the coupe to make 31 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway — I averaged 40.3 mpg throughout my week, beating the 35 mpg combined average the EPA sets for this model.

Exterior Highlights and Features

What’s the big difference between the tenth and ninth generation Civic? Nearly everything.

Let’s start with the exterior — quite frankly, this rendition is the most rakish one yet, offering a sleek sports car-like design. Honda, long “accused” of building bland vehicles, has departed the vanilla build market to produce something shockingly delectable.

Up front, the fascia features a long grille, seamlessly integrated with the headlamp assemblies. The chrome trim and LED lighting embellishments provide a unique, sweeping look. The lower grille opening is offset by a pair of boomerang-enhanced embrasures housing the available fog lights.

Body sculpting is liberally used across the front fender, on the hood, down the profile, and to the rear.

The coupe’s profile features a rising belt line, a sloping roof line, and multiple character lines and body sculpting, suggesting a conveyance always in motion. The roof melds with the hatchback-like rear quarter embellished with evocative combination lamps. Adding additional eye candy are the fashionable 17-inch flange design alloy wheels.

The outer casings of the rear lighting assemblies seamlessly connect with the rear spoiler to provide an unusual wing-like presentation. Additional body sculpting, rear bumper trim, a pushed up trunk lid, and dual exhaust tips are other characteristics of note.

Honda’s designers certainly didn’t play it safe with the Civic Coupe’s latest composition and its most polarizing one to date. It’s a far cry from the “pregnant roller skate” look of the original, a term we used way back when. Yes, I’m that old.

Interior Highlights and Features

Inside, the drama continues, but compared to the exterior, the cabin is relatively tame. Still, the Touring edition provides its own design pizzazz to raise your visual interest.

The 2016 Civic Coupe has the expected bucket seats up front and seat belts for three in the rear. Personally, I think they should have dispensed with the middle position and have gone with a pair of sculpted semi-bucket seats instead of the 60-40 split folding bench seat offered. Here, you would stick a fold down armrest with a pair of cup holders in place and have a more comfortable seating situation. As it stands, the back seating area is snug.

The Touring edition’s cabin is marked by door to door sculpting with soft-touch materials used liberally across the dash and on top of the doors. Harder plastics, brightwork trim, and leather-covered seats are also present. Leather also extends to the steering wheel and to the shifter knob, giving this model a high-end feel.

Check out the instrument panel — it is divided into three puzzle piece-like sections with the speedometer fixed to the middle and other driver details flanking same. Attractive large and colorful displays provide the panel with “lift” and suggests a more expensive model. The expected steering wheel-mounted secondary controls are also present.

The center stack is marked by a 7-inch color audio display featuring Honda satellite navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera.

Knobs and buttons managing the climate control system are underneath, followed by a large, open storage area. Sit your smartphone there and then connect it to the USB port hidden away beneath the floating console. By the way, this model is both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible — sweet!

The transmission shifter and drive mode switch split the front seats as do a pair of cup holders and a sliding armrest.

I’m not quite the small car guy I once was, preferring a larger vehicle and the attendant supportive seats that come with it. Credit Honda with developing front seats, which are comfortable and supportive in this Civic. Perhaps the only thing I would have liked is a seat extender, something typically offered in luxury cars. Otherwise, I was able to find a seating position comfortable for me by adjusting the steering column and seat accordingly.

On the Road

Take this coupe on the road and you’ll quickly discover that its fun factor is found in its small, turbocharged engine. It’s the first turbo placed in a Honda US model and the most powerful engine offered in a non-Si model.

Combine this model’s light weight (2,739 pounds) with a boosted engine and you have the makings of a fun ride. With a 0-to-60 mph time coming in at just under 7 seconds, you’ll be forgiven if you use the “pocket rocket” term to describe the coupe.

Press on the accelerator and the Civic Touring responds with its standard, muted force before the turbo kicks in. Hit 1,700 RPM and the turbo spools up fast with very little lag of note. To mitigate lag, Honda employs a turbine twin-damper design and I think you’ll be pleased with it.

As for pedal play, the work is entirely synthetic. That’s another way of saying this model has “electronic throttle control” or “drive by wire,” an all-electronic arrangement whereby the cable connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle valve of the engine is eliminated. In its place is an all-electronic system to detect pedal position utilizing sensors. Information is relayed to a computer which immediately activates the throttle by way of a DC motor. Did I notice a difference? No, and neither should you.

What most likely will not please purists is the CVT. Introduced in 2014, the CVT is now an integral part of all things Civic and that’s something that isn’t likely to change. A CVT provides better fuel mileage than an automatic and that’s probably the overarching reason Honda offers one.

As for the “rubber band” feel, it is still there. Especially under hard acceleration. Honda’s engineers did program the CVT’s software to have seven fixed ratio points for engine braking as well as for quicker kick downs when enhanced passing power is desired. But no matter how you describe it, the CVT feel is present. You do have the option of choosing a 6-speed manual, but only in the base LX edition powered by the naturally aspirated engine.

Standard and Available Safety Features

The 2016 Honda Civic Coupe earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award, the institute’s highest honor. Aiding in that cause is a bevy of standard features.

Those features include a suite of airbags, stability and traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines. The Touring edition raises the safety quotient by adding forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a collision mitigation system, and road departure mitigation. The added features compose the brand’s Honda Sensing package.

Parting Thoughts

From stem to stern and from inside and out, the 2016 Civic Coupe provides a compelling reason for current Civic owners to stay in the fold, notwithstanding the CVT. Yes, the new style is polarizing, but it is also energetic and anything but boring.

Judging by the strong sales through July (17.6 percent gain), consumers are voting for the Civic with their wallets. That fact also represents a trend that bodes very well for this model as it is poised to take over the best-selling car title from the midsize Toyota Camry sedan this year.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze by the Numbers

April 27, 2016 by admin 4 Comments

The second-generation Chevrolet Cruze is here. Hatchback and diesel variants soon follow.

The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car, released in 2011 in North America, two years after its debut elsewhere. This model replaced the Chevrolet Cobalt, itself a replacement model for the Chevy Cavalier. Although its arrival to the market was delayed, the all-new 2016 Cruze may be GM’s best compact car ever. To that end, we’ll take a look at the important “numbers” defining this model.

2 — Sell a compact car in most markets and you’ll offer an assortment of body styles, including coupe, sedan, hatchback, and wagon. Although there is no coupe available, the Cruze offers the other three body styles, except in North America where only the sedan has been sold. All that will begin to change later this year when a hatchback variant arrives to the market, giving Cruze shoppers two models to consider. However, when it does arrive the hatchback will be marketed as the 2017 Cruze. Regardless, Chevrolet will soon match the number of body style choices the Ford Focus offers. The Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and the Mazda3 are among some other competitors with at least two body styles in this segment.

4.2 — Lots of cars have teeny weeny screens in the instrument panel, a digital display with driver information. Squinting is not uncommon when you’re trying to read the various notices. The 2016 Cruze remedies that problem as it has a 4.2-inch diagonal high-resolution screen in the gauge cluster. And if large screens are your thing, the standard 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen in the center console can be upgraded to an 8-inch display.

10 — Since its inception, the Chevrolet Cruze has offered 10 standard airbags, the most in its class. Other manufacturers have followed suit, but few match the 10 or offer both driver and front passenger knee airbags as found in the Cruze. Other safety features available include: lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and forward collision alert with following distance indicator.

42 — With gas prices sitting below $2 per gallon in most locations, fuel economy seems like a distant concern. Raise your hands if you think gas prices will stay permanently low! No hands — I didn’t think so. Chevrolet is going in the right direction with its compact people hauler. The lone engine is a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder making 153 horsepower and 177 foot-pounds of torque, paired with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an available 6-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the automatic, this model gets 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, or 1 mpg better than the manual transmission. That makes the Cruze one of the most efficient gas-powered or non-hybrid models sold in America.

53 — GM says that 53 percent of US Cruze customers are new to Chevrolet. That’s a conquest rate manufacturers want and with larger car models such as the Malibu and Impala in place, new Chevrolet owners may hang around. Yes, SUVs such as the Equinox, Traverse, and Suburban are compelling reasons for staying with the bow-tie brand as are sports cars such as the Camaro and Corvette.

250 — The second-generation Chevrolet Cruze is nearly an inch longer between the wheels and 2.5 inches longer overall. The added length translates into slightly more legroom for rear seating passengers. Though larger, the 2016 Cruze comes in 250 pounds lighter thanks to careful light-weighting accomplished through reducing the weight of components in the frame architecture and the engine. Think aluminum and hot-stamped/high-strength steels here.

3,500,000 — 3.5 million is a big number and that figure represents the number of people worldwide who have purchased the Cruze since its 2008 debut. US sales peaked at 273,060 units in 2014 then pulled back to 226,602 in 2015. Likely, the trend will reverse itself this year, a common occurrence with any new or significantly updated model.

Chevrolet Cruze: Beyond the Numbers

A hatchback is not the only thing we’ll see for the second-generation Chevy Cruze. A diesel engine returns, but not before 2017. The most recent turbo diesel displaced at 2.0 liters and was rated at 27 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.

The upcoming diesel displaces at 1.6 liters and has been lauded by the European motoring press for its whisper quietness and superior vibration qualities according to Wards Auto. Expect fuel economy to benefit accordingly. And with Volkswagen still embroiled in a diesel nightmare of its own making, the Chevy Cruze may enjoy a distinct advantage for at least a season.

See Also — The 2017 Ford Escape by the Numbers

It’s a Buyers Market for Small Car Shoppers

April 12, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Some of the best deals are for small cars.

You might have your eye on that small SUV, but if you’re trading up from a compact car the incentives for small cars are very strong as we reach the heart of the spring selling season.

Consumers continue to shift their interest from cars to trucks and SUVs, and that means demand for the former has fallen, while interest in the latter is soaring. And if you know anything about the impact of supply and demand on prices, incentives follow the low-demand vehicles.

2016 Jeep Renegade. — 2016 Jeep Renegade priced from $17,995.

Dodge Dart Discounted, Models Realigned

For example, sales of the 2016 Dodge Dart are down by about one-third year-over-year through the first three months of this year. Further, the entire segment is down by just over 5 percent and would be much worse off if Honda hadn’t updated the Civic. Notably, Civic sales are up 30.8 percent and have moved ahead of the previous category leader, the Toyota Corolla (down 7.1 percent).

To help move Dart sales, Dodge is doing a couple of things:

1. Incentives are strong, depending on region. Some models are marked down by up to $3,250. Low-rate financing is also available. Visit the Dodge website, enter your zip code, and check out the discounts in your area.

2. Three trim levels instead of five. Just past the halfway mark of the model year and the 2016 Dart now has two fewer trim levels. The three remaining trims were renamed and given engines to correspond to each level. Likewise, Dodge shuffled content, cut prices, and spread its package options across all three lines. All in all, the result should be a model better positioned to compete in a very tough segment.

2016 Honda HR-V. — 2016 Honda HR-V priced from $19,125

Financing and Cash Back Incentives

Toyota incentives also vary by region. In my area (southeast USA), the current deal is 0 percent financing for up to 60 months or 0.9 percent financing for 72 months. But those incentives are better elsewhere, including in Los Angeles, where Toyota is offering $1,500 cash back or low-rate financing. Furthermore, attractive lease offers are in play as well.

Demand for small SUVs is up 6.3 percent year-to-date, a modest number. But the biggest gainers are found in the entry-level, subcompact SUV segment as those sales are up a whopping 78.7 percent. Of course, there are four new products in the mix and are driving sales. These are: the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, and the Mazda CX-3. The segment has expanded to accommodate the new models as customers shift their interest from small cars to SUVs.

Despite the strong sales, there are incentives on some of the smaller SUVs. At present, Jeep is offering 0 percent financing plus $1,000 cash back on 2016 Renegade models. The brand is also jockeying for market share, hence the discount.

Honda isn’t offering any special deals at the moment for the HR-V, but it is providing a lease deal on its hot-selling Civic. As for financing deals, Honda simply says “Please see your local Honda dealer for available offers.”

Incidentally, both segments offer comparable passenger and storage room, hence the comparison.

Sample Dodge Dart Savings

Using the Dodge build and price configurator, I spec’d out a mid-grade Aero model ($21,095). I then added the $1,250 6-speed automatic transmission and immediately that cost was fully offset by an “applied offer.” The net price came in at $22,090.

For a better deal, go to the next-level Dart GT and the discounts climb to $2,750 and the final price actually comes in lower at $20,340. You also get a larger and more powerful engine, while saving nearly $1,700 off the Aero price. With smart negotiating you can get the price down even lower, probably below $19,000.

Chevy v. Chevy Price Comparison

Of course, comparing models takes some theatrics, especially if the brand under consideration doesn’t offer both a subcompact SUV and a compact car such as Chevrolet and Honda do.

Chevrolet may offer the best example of the price differences between compact car (Cruze) and subcompact SUV (Trax). The 2016 Cruze is priced from $16,120 and the Trax starts out at $20,300.

With the Cruze, discounts of $1,000 and 1.9 percent financing apply to the LS Manual ($18,995) on up. Choose the Trax and you’ll get a $500 purchase bonus and you may qualify for 2.9 percent financing. Typically, you’ll pay about $4,000 more for a similarly-equipped Trax versus the Cruze. Add another $1,500 for all-wheel drive, available only with the Trax.

To sum up, similar-sized cars and SUVs offer significant price differences, especially after all incentives have been taken. If you really want an SUV, then by all means shop for one. But if you’re on the fence and money is a factor, bargaining down the price of a compact car can make a significant difference for your budget.

Sales figures courtesy of GoodCarBadCar.net.

compact car

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