2019 Nissan Qashqai - Cover
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2019 Nissan Qashqai – Automotive Review

2019 Nissan Qashqai - Cover
Vince Sandhu

Vince Sandhu

2019 Nissan Qashqai – Automotive Review

The Nissan Qashqai is Nissan's 2nd most popular model, behind the better-in-every-way Rogue.

With virtually identical safety features, front ends, and interiors, it would almost make more sense to go with the Rogue for the more appealing style, space, and engine. Pricing isn’t very far off from the two also. So, why did Nissan green light the mass production of a car that is virtually identical to a vehicle they’ve already perfected? An even better question is: Why are people buying it?


Coming in at a whole foot and an inch shorter than the Rogue, the Qashqai will fit five average-sized people very comfortably. The styling is best described as a “Toned down version of the Rogue.” How many times will I mention the Rogue in this article? Keep reading to find out. The front and rear end are very alike. The side profile is when you see the subtle difference in the shapes. The Qashqai takes a sloping roof design and the hood is noticeably shorter.

2019 Nissan Qashqai - Exterior Front
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Exterior Full Side
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Exterior Rear
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Exterior Side

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 and the ProPILOT Assist keep you in your lane and away from the careless drivers out there. The Safety Shield 360 includes the Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist. On the inside, dead center between your RPMs and your speed, all of these safety features are displayed for your viewing pleasure (and safety of course). The 7.0” touch screen infotainment system is smooth and intuitive, and the nine-speaker Bose sound system is impressive. The Around View Cameras are displayed on this 7.0” screen but the resolution is a tad suspect. This isn’t just a Nissan issue, but a large group of cars and manufacturers in 2019 still have low-resolution cameras as back-up and around view cameras and its quite annoying. The dash and interior are identical to the Rogue with the glossy black accents and a nice, soft, and sporty designed steering wheel. And, the seats are comfortable as all get out. The leather is soft and whatever is under it is even softer.


The Qashqai runs a 2.0L 4-cylinder, 141hp engine. 4-wheel Independent strut suspension is the culprit of the smooth ride and somewhat “darty” steering. The CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) is rough. It works the way it should, but the drone of any CVT is something I don’t think I will get used to. Just like every other CVT, when slowly letting off the gas, the weird surge of power shows up. It sure is fuel efficient though, with fuel economy ratings estimated at 8.1 L/100 km highway and 10.0 L/100 km city. Better than the already very fuel-efficient Rogue. The Qashqai comes in an Xtronic Transmission or a six-speed manual in the FWD models. It’s a competent car for the weekend go-getters.

2019 Nissan Qashqai - Interior Cockpit
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Interior Front
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Interior Cargo
2019 Nissan Qashqai - Exterior Rear Blue

The Nissan Rogue and the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue Sport in the US) have many similarities. In every aspect of the car, you can find a handful and more similarities, but the Qashqai has its own personality. It seems to stray away from the “perfect family” vehicle and cruise in the lane of “adventure seeker.” It has more space in all the right places to hold your weekend activities, but it also brings you the convenience and modern styling of any new car on the market, all while not breaking the bank. It comes in 3 trims and there are plenty of balloon-like colors to choose from

Key Features:

  • 2.0L 4-cylinder
    • Horsepower 141 @ 6,000 rpm
    • Torque (lb-ft) 147 @ 4,400 rpm
  • Fuel Economy
    • Xtronic AWD City/highway/combined 9.1/7.6/8.4 L/100km
    • Xtronic FWD City/highway/combined 8.6/7.2/8.0 L/100km
    • 6 MT FWD City/highway/combined 10.1/8.1/9.2 L/100km
  • Available AWD
  • 5 passenger
    • Cargo w/2nd row seat folded down (S 61.1) (SV/SL 53.3) cubic feet
    • Cargo w/2nd row seat upright (S 22.9) (SV/SL 20) cubic feet
  • 7″ multi touch NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
    • Optional Bose® Audio System with 9 speaker
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Automotive Reviews SUV
2019 Nissan Kicks
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2019 Nissan Kicks – Automotive Review

2019 Nissan Kicks
Vince Sandhu

Vince Sandhu

2019 Nissan Kicks – Automotive Review

The Nissan Kicks is coming in hot with a fun and perky attitude.

With efficiency and affordability in mind, the Kicks will get you from point A to point B without hurting the bank. Compact size and responsive steering will get you in and out of the busy city with ease. It was hard to find anything negative to say about this car. From the moment you see this car to the moment you hit the lock button, you know precisely what this cars job is, and it does it well.

2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks

The boxy styling of the Kicks is adorable. The ground clearance is ample, and the ride is excellent. It’s a shame it isn’t available in all-wheel drive but given the fact that it isn’t the most powerful car, front-wheel drive suffices. Trunk space is more than convenient, and the headroom available is fantastic. From the outside the Kicks looks small, but when sitting in the driver seat you notice the space. Well done, Nissan. The Bose speakers in the headrest are the feature you never knew you needed. That being adding to the already great sound system, even the local radio station will sound premium. You won’t be getting the same novel-like list of safety features like the lane-keep assist, or the semi-autonomous steering that the Rogue or Qashqai offer but the around view monitor, blind-spot warning, ABS, and TCS will keep safe. Leather seats are comfortable, but the one complaint I have is the armrest. It’s a smidge too high, making you hike your shoulder into an unnatural position, for me at least. Making it adjustable, or even getting rid of it altogether and using a storage compartment as an armrest could do the 2020/2021 model some good.

2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks
2019 Nissan Kicks

Every 2019 Nissan Kicks comes standard with the 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS). The engine is rated at 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. Combined with a smooth, fuel-efficient Xtronic transmission, fuel economy is anticipated at 33 mpg combined. The best way to describe this car is “Go-Kart with leather seats.”

The Kicks will not be your first choice for track day, but it can be your first choice when it comes to your daily drive. It’s cozy, it’s perky, it’s fun, and it’s affordable. Heated leather seats and an excellent sound system are great additions for anyone looking for value. Toss in a touch-screen infotainment system and a fun exterior color, and this is at the top of your list when searching for your next ride!

Model tested: $25,498

Models available: S, SV, SL

Fuel Economy combined: 33mpg

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Automotive Reviews Crossover
2019 Mazda3 - Cover
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2019 Mazda3 – Automotive Review

2019 Mazda3 - Cover
Vince Sandhu

Vince Sandhu

2019 Mazda3 – Automotive Review

“Despite sharing the same Mazda3 model name, the two forms represent entirely different personalities”. The completely new design of these vehicles is on the border of drastic and subtle, you could almost call it perfect

Overview

Mazda graciously lent me the all-new Mazda 3 Sport AWD in a beautiful Polymetal Grey Metallic paint. I fell in love with this car as soon as I laid eyes on it and I was not disappointed after driving it. It was comfortable, quiet, smooth, and aesthetically pleasing. It ticks just about every box when it comes to sporty hatchbacks. It’s fun, its AWD, it’s nimble, and the price isn’t outrageous. During my “Month of Mazda” test driving the CX-9, MX-5, 3 Sport, and 6 Signature, the 3 gets the top spot in my books and my heart. There’s a reason the Mazda 3 has been Mazda’s best-selling car since 2003, and this year’s model shows you why.

2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3

Styling

When coming across a 2019 Mazda 3 in the wild, you will look twice. The new design is on the border of drastic and subtle. You could almost say perfect, almost. The 3 has a new aggressive face and a round and sporty looking back end. The hashmark grill sits well between 2 narrow and long LED headlights while the shiny and large Mazda emblem sits dead-center and also doubles as the front-view camera when parking. The taillights are a gem to stare at, and they help the 3 give it it’s the wide-body look. The model I had the honor to test had the 18” alloy rims finished in black which went exceptionally well with the Polymetal gray body color. The 2019 Mazda3 finally adopts the all-new Kodo design. The Japanese styling is on point and not in your face about it at the same time. There aren’t any swooping, sharp body lines as you usually see these days on sporty cars, but the silhouette of the 3 is what definitively separates itself from the pack — nothing else in its class like it.

When hopping inside, the sleek styling continues. The Mazda3 seemed to be the only vehicle of Mazda’s 2019 line-up to have the slightly upgraded and tweaked interior. This interior is with the times and well thought out while the other models were a tad dated and a little annoying. In the Mazda6 Signature, the armrest was set a little too far back for your arm to sit comfortably. The CX-9s infotainment system was the previous version, and the cameras were low resolution and tough to use. This was not the case in the Mazda3, as Mazda clearly saw these flaws and gave the driver a clear, almost 4k like back-up camera, and an adjustable center armrest with plenty of cargo space. The red leather accents throughout the dash and door panels, color matching the seats, set a very luxurious and high-end feel. The infotainment is clean, modern, and user-friendly. Android Autoplay and Apple CarPlay work fine, but I found myself using Mazda’s software as it just looked more natural to the inside of the car. Digital tachometer doesn’t look digital at all and is wildly smooth. The quietness of the cabin is one of the first things I noticed when driving. It is quiet. Scary quiet. The cabin was designed with a “double insulated” structure. Engine noise and road noise are reduced immensely. Being 6’1”, I didn’t feel cramped, and visibility was ample. As for the back seats, don’t expect your taller passengers not to complain when squeezed back there.

2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3
2019 Mazda3

Driving

Out of the two engines offered for the 3, 2.0L and 2.5L, I was given the 2.5L. 186hp and 186 ft/lbs of torque powering all four wheels with the i-ACTIV AWD.  Seven seconds after the light turns green you can be at 60mph, and for a bit of added fun, you can give the paddle shifters a flick, or 6.  It’s a hair faster than its competition, the Honda Civic Touring, which comes with a 1.5L turbocharged engine. As fun as a turbo is in most cars, its fastened to a snooze-fest of a CVT engine. I can go on for hours about how annoying the CVT engine is, but I won’t, today. The Mazda 3 after 4000rpm sounds nice, and maybe after a few minor upgrades, it can sound great on the daily. The G-Vectoring Control Plus, MacPherson struts, and a newly developed torsion bar in the rear keep the Mazda 3 planted and in control when cornering hard; it’s quite impressive. It gives the driver plenty of control regardless of the circumstance. The safety features seem endless. With a plethora of acronyms on the invoice, just know you will be safe out there. Lane-keep assist, Auto breaking at low speeds, Rear Cross-traffic sensors, Driver fatigue warning, Windshield active driving display, and the list goes on.

Summary

For my money, there isn’t a car that will make you feel special like the Mazda 3 will in this class and for this price point. You’ll forget you’re sitting in a Mazda. The only thing I could muster up to criticize is the lack of excitement. It holds itself together well. No loud noises. No aggressive and darty steering. The engine has some “pick-up-and-go” but nothing surprising. A turbo would be nice to get the juices flowing. Other than that, the 3 is an exceptional car for Mazda. It shows the progression Mazda is making, and it’s setting a new standard for this, and other classes. Here’s to hoping the competition sees the progress and steps up their game, because currently, Mazda’s getting my money.

Key Features

  • As tested: $33,295 (Fully loaded)
  • Fuel Economy: 9.8L/100km (City) 7.4L/100km (Highway)
  • 2.0l SKYACTIV-G
    • 155 hp @ 6000 rpm
    • 150 ft-lbs torque @ 4000 rpm
  • 2.5l SKYACTIV-G
    • 186 hp @ 6000 rpm
    • 186 ft-lbs torque @ 4000 rpm
  • 8.8” MAZDA CONNECT infotainment screen
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard
  • Available 12 speaker BOSE premium audio system
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2018 Jaguar E-Pace – Automotive Review

Vince Sandhu

Vince Sandhu

2018 Jaguar E-Pace – Automotive Review

With coupe-like lines, wide low stance, with wheels ranging from 17” to 21, subtle F-Type features, the E-Pace immediately looks the part of a Jaguar SUV.

The E-Pace is Jaguars very first compact SUV. They’ve been making quite the name for themselves in the luxury SUV market with the incredibly desirable F-Pace, but will the E-Pace be able to join its ranks? With the single available engine offering, with two different power figures, the E-Pace already puts itself ahead of the competition. 

Sitting on the Evoque and Discovery chassis, the E-Pace’s shell embodies an F-Type inspired design, and I love it. The headlights and taillights are straight from the F-Types blueprints, and the front end is delicately aggressive with its mesh grill accents. Above the rear wheel arches sit body lines that resemble shoulders for a beautiful widebody look. The E-Pace struts more of a boxy look than the F-Pace does with its shorter wheelbase, making visibility a tad bit more driver friendly. The rear hatch window still sits at a wild angle which makes looking for on-comers a little tricky at times. Jaguar had always made the right choice when it came to wheel design and size, making sure the rims didn’t look too cartoonish while still filling the wheel wells perfectly.

2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Exterior Front
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Exterior Rear
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Exterior Side
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Rear Side

The interior is snug but not crowded. It gives you a nice sporty feel with practical and straightforward media controls. Jaguar’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is on duty in the E-Pace, with a 10” touchscreen featuring tiles that include a touch of whimsy: The tile to connect your phone bears an image of the iconic red telephone booths that were once scattered on the British landscape. WiFi hotspot is available in the S trim level and up. The front seats are comfortable, and the rear seats offer acceptable legroom, with their lower cushions providing good under-thigh support. With better but still only okay visibility, the crystal-clear parking cameras and 360-degree sensors come in handy. There is an optional panoramic glass roof that lets a significant amount of light in, but it doesn’t open, meaning Jaguar does not offer a sunroof for the E-Pace which is odd. Ambient lighting puts you in the mood for a nice calm drive, and the color options for the leather seats are eye-catching.

The E-Pace offers single available engine offering, with two different power figures. It comes with a 2.0 litre in-line four AWD engine that produces 246hp and the R-Dynamic models are tuned to fire out 296hp and do the 0-60 stint in 5.9 seconds (versus 6.4 seconds for the X2 and 6.5 for the XC40) and features a more advanced AWD system that will power all 4 wheels only when needed. To add the cherry on top, its all connected to a 9-speed ZF transmission that gives you the acceleration at any time in the perfect gear and cruises at highway speeds at low revs. The engine has a great growl at wide-open throttle, and it revs eagerly to it’s red-line. All models come with the auto-start/stop feature. The E-Pace offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sports setting, which provides maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. EPA estimates 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the E-Pace P250, similar figures for the R-Dynamic.

2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Interior Steering
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Interior Cabin
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Interior Infotainment
2018 Jaguar E-Pace - Rims

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the E-Pace offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. For a few extra bucks you can opt for the Park Assist that’ll take the lead on attempting the treacherous parallel park. Forward collision warning and lane-keep assist come standard in the E-Pace. Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC40 are in the same class, have similar safety features, comparable price tags, competitive power figures, and are all good contenders for your ownership. The midrange P250 SE trim starts at $45,295, and the R-Dynamic reviewed above came with a hefty dollop of options that lifted the final tab beyond $54,000. So, if you’ve got the wallet, a test drive wouldn’t hurt.

Key Features:

  • P250 – 2.0L i4 246 HP TURBOCHARGED GAS AWD
    • Starting at MSRP $49,500 CND 
    • 0-100km/hr 7 sec.
    • Combined Fuel Efficiency of 9.8L/100km
    • 246 HP @ 5,500 RPM
    • 269 ft-lbs torque @ 1,200 – 4,500 RPM
  • R-Dynamic P300 – 2.0L i4 296 HP TURBOCHARGED GAS AWD
    • Starting at MSRP $55,200 CND
    • 0-100km/hr 6.4 sec.
    • Combined Fuel Efficiency of 10.1L/100km
    • 296 HP @ 5,500 RPM
    • 295 ft-lbs torque @ 1,200 – 4,500 RPM
  • Curb Weight 1832 Kg.
  • Trunk Volume 577 L.
  • Seats 5
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