February 17, 2023February 8, 2023

2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V is a compact crossover SUV that combines practicality, efficiency, and versatility in one stylish package.

The latest iteration of the HR-V builds on the success of previous models and adds a range of new features and upgrades to enhance the driving experience. The HR-V offers a spacious and versatile interior, combined with fuel-efficient performance and a comfortable ride overall.

The exterior of the 2023 Honda HR-V features a bold and sporty design, with sleek lines, a bold front grille, and aggressive styling that sets it apart from other compact SUVs. The interior of the HR-V is equally well-appointed, with a spacious and well-designed cabin that offers comfortable and supportive seating for up to five passengers. The interior also features a range of convenient features, including a large touchscreen display for the infotainment system, wireless charging, and a premium sound system.

Under the hood, the 2023 Honda HR-V is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-four engine that delivers 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The HR-V is also highly fuel efficient, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 8.4L per 100/km in the city and 6.9L per 100/km on the highway. For now, front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are the standard but all-wheel drive is available as an option on all trims. The HR-V didn’t deliver the quiet athleticism we expect of Hondas, but this new generation corrects that with a chassis inherited from the Civic.

In terms of safety, the 2023 Honda HR-V offers a range of advanced features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The car also features a range of advanced driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle rearview camera system.
Overall, the 2023 Honda HR-V is a well-rounded compact crossover SUV that offers a range of advanced features, a stylish and sporty design, and a comfortable and spacious interior. Whether you’re looking for a practical and efficient daily driver or a versatile weekend road trip vehicle, the HR-V is a top choice for drivers who want a car that combines style, technology, and versatility.

Sticker Price (MSRP):

LX-2WD – $28,730 , $30,811
LX -AWD- $31,030 , $33,111
SPORT – 33,930 – $36,011
EX-L NAVI – $37,130 , $39,211

Engine: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 122 in³, 1996 cm³
Power: 158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm

Transmission: continuously variable automatic

Suspension: F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes: F/R: 12.3-in vented disc/12.2-in disc
Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT
215/60R-17 96H M+S

Automotive Reviews Crossover

October 1, 2019September 30, 2019

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2019 Nissan Kicks – Automotive Review

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.

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.

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

December 16, 2018December 16, 2018

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2018 Ford Ecosport – Automotive Review

Andrew Harwood

2018 Ford Ecosport – Automotive Review

December 16, 2018

“Introducing the 2018 Ford EcoSport, a combination of no eco and zero sport.”

Seriously though, the 2018 Ford EcoSport is a complete head-scratcher. I don’t know who this vehicle is intended for. With engine options varying from lawnmower to large pressure washer, I was surprised at how fast my fuel tank seemed to disappear. Entirely I wasn’t even pleased with some of the design choices Ford went with. In the ever-expanding crossover market, Ford has missed the mark with the 2018 EcoSport.

Whether it’s the 123-horsepower 1.0L intercooled turbo or the 166-horsepower inline-four, the EcoSport struggled to keep up with traffic on higher density roadways. I often felt the need to have the peddle completely down to the floor, with the RPM’s maxing out, just to keep up with the flow of traffic while commuting up and down Highway 1. The measly 123 hp featured in the standard Ecosport is significantly lower than its direct competitors such as the Toyota C-HR, Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, and Hyundai Kona, yet has a very similar fuel rating. As consumer desire for sub-compacts grows every calendar year; in 2018 Ford has failed to impress or stand out from the rest.

As you may not get there in a hurry, you will hopefully get there with ease. The suspension controls a great degree of the body weight around corners, and with a smaller wheelbase, this was a pleasant surprise. The steering response isn’t particularly as energetic as vehicles with the electric power steering, (which I almost expect from newer vehicles) but it’s also not sluggish either. Simply the EcoSport will go where you point it without any resistance.

Although this Ford model was introduced to North America in 2017; the EcoSport is not new. It is designed for South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. In terms of size, the EcoSport is the smallest of the bunch. While still having a seating capacity for five, the EcoSport is about half a foot shorter than most competitors and has a smaller wheelbase. We unfortunately tested the seating capacity, and as you can imagine it’s a tight fit for five full-grown occupants. The storage in the rear is decent for a sub-compact, as it has 20.9 cubic feet of available storage and another 30 additional cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. There was a complaint from everyone on our team that tested this vehicle, related to the design in opening the rear hatch. It’s pretty well hidden in the rear passenger-side taillight. Once found it looks like it’s was designed as a pull-latch, but it’s not, instead it’s a small sensor button. I kept trying to open the hatch pulling on the latch, but of course not getting a response until I felt the small little button. And judging by how loose the piece I was pulling on… I think many of the other journalists had the same problem.

Ford has always stayed with the Sync software in their infotainment system, and it’s no different in the EcoSport. With a touch 6.5-inch screen Sync3 with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and additional features like; power sunroof, automatic climate control, heated seating, push-button start, and rear-sensor parking assistance provided in the tested EcoSport SE at $27,599. Optional upgrades would be features like lane assistance, heated steering, 17-inch wheels, and a 1.5-inch increase in the touchscreen navigation are available. The base model S at $21,099 grants you the basic Sync, a backup camera, with rear-mounted spare tire capability at an additional cost. The Titanium starting at $27,599 is outrageous for what you are getting in my opinion. As the saying goes, “you get what you paid for” Ford is going against the grain with that saying. I recommend looking elsewhere at this premium price point, as all the competitors will be offering more hp with better fuel efficiency while providing more legroom.

Finally, common sense would tell you with a name that features synonym for economical that it would be in fact economical. Well, there is no common sense here. With a fuel economy rating of 8.6L/100km city and 8.1L/100km highway as per fords website. We tested this first hand by resetting the gauges based on how we drove. With a combination of highway driving and city travel, we had a rating of 10.6L/100km of actual fuel economy. For a 1.0L subcompact SUV these are terrible numbers, and fuel economy was obviously sacrificed due to the lack of power, but we weren’t purposely stepping on the gas to increase the consumption, it just happened to be the consequence of driving in BC traffic