Audi and Subaru have been named best Mainstream Brand and best Premium Brand respectively in ALG’s 2018 Canadian Residual Value Awards (RVA), an important benchmark used for forecasting future vehicle…
The Subaru Impreza achieved best residual value in its “Compact” class. (Photo: Subaru)
Audi and Subaru have been named best Mainstream Brand and best Premium Brand respectively in ALG’s 2018 Canadian Residual Value Awards (RVA), an important benchmark used for forecasting future vehicle values by auto industry professions.
Now in its 10th year, ALG’s RVA projects future values of new models from 26 separate market segments, ranging from “Alt-fuel” to “Fullsize Commercial Van” and everything in between. There are many ways to measure value, although within the car industry the difference between the initial price paid for a new vehicle and its resale value after three or four years is a key parameter. ALG uses the average ownership duration of four years to determine mainstream volume brand values and three years for premium brands, with the results showing both Subaru and Audi are tops in their respective sectors.
The Crosstrek earned best resale value in the “Subcompact Utility” category. (Photo: Subaru)
“Depreciation is the single biggest cost of vehicle ownership, and informed consumers understand the importance of resale value when making their purchase decision,” said Eric Lyman, vice president of ALG. “The ALG Residual Value Award is a meaningful achievement in the hyper-competitive automotive landscape. Residual values are a key indicator for the market success of a vehicle, factoring in quality, product execution and brand desirability as primary drivers of ALG’s forecast.”
This is Subaru’s fourth consecutive RVA mainstream brand win, showing an impressive consistency in quality, execution and desirability. This year the brand earned four segment awards, including the Impreza in the “Compact” class, the Crosstrek in the “Subcompact Utility” segment, the Outback in the “Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” segment, and the WRX in the “Sportscar” segment.
Subaru’s Outback has the highest residual value in the “Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” segment. (Photo: Subaru)
Other notable mainstream brands include Toyota that dominated SUV and truck segments with five RVAs including the Tundra achieving its eighth consecutive year topping the “Fullsize Pickup” category, the Tacoma at five RVA “Midsize Pickup” class awards in a row, the Highlander winning the “Midsize Utility 3rd Row Seating” segment, the 4Runner in the “Off-Road Utility” class, and the Sequoia earning top marks in the “Fullsize Utility” category. Honda received three RVA segment awards including the Fit in the “Subcompact” class, Accord in the “Midsize” category, and Odyssey in the “Minivan” segment.
Nissan managed two winners including the Rogue in the “Compact Utility” class and Maxima in the “Fullsize” segment, while the only one-off deserving mention is Kia’s Niro in the “Alt-fuel” category.
Audi’s A5 has the best residual value amongst “Premium Midsize” models. (Photo: Audi)
Audi, which has experienced a dramatic upsurge in new vehicle sales in recent years, achieved four category wins including the A5 in the “Premium Midsize” class, A7 in the “Premium Fullsize” segment, Q5 in the “Premium Compact Utility” segment, and Q7 in the “Premium Midsize Utility 3rd Row Seating” category.
“Audi has emerged in recent years as a contender in the luxury space against top European rivals, finding success with new product entries in the utility space and emphasizing innovative technologies that have resonated well with luxury consumers,” stated an ALG press release.
The new Q5 is rated highest for resale value in the “Premium Compact Utility” segment. (Photo: Audi)
Mercedes also took home four awards, albeit with two in the commercial sector. The winners included the Metris in the “Midsize Commercial” segment and the Sprinter in the “Fullsize Commercial” category, while its CLA Class took home top marks amongst “Premium Compact” models, and the G-Class achieved the highest score in the “Premium Fullsize Utility” segment.
No other premium brand earned multiple RVAs, but notable mentioned include the Maserati Quattroporte in the “Premium Executive” class, the Porsche 718 Boxster in the “Premium Sportscar” segment, and the Land Rover Range Rover Velar in the “Premium Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” category.
Normally when an automaker launches a rugged looking 4×4 they take photos of it tackling treacherous wilderness terrain, such as the backroads, trails and riverbed crossings that access Waiparous…
The 2018 Xmotion Concept strikes a dramatic pose. (Photo: Nissan)
Normally when an automaker launches a rugged looking 4×4 they take photos of it tackling treacherous wilderness terrain, such as the backroads, trails and riverbed crossings that access Waiparous Falls, Alberta, or the vertical sandstone formations of Hell’s Revenge in Moab, Utah, not parked on a driveway in front of a slick contemporary modernist home, or posing within an exposed concrete and black glass office complex courtyard, but then again the Xmotion isn’t your ordinary off-roader.
While the Xmotion concept might look like a future interpretation of Nissan’s now legendary Xterra 4×4 from the outside, or possibly the next-generation Armada done to the extreme, in actuality it’s been designed to appeal to a more refined kind of outdoor enthusiast who prefers natural woods and leathers over rugged utility, not to mention digital displays galore.
The Xmotion’s taillights are actually quite elegant, while its floating roof design and integrated roof rack storage box give it a fully utile look. (Photo: Nissan)
Then again, without any mention of what type of propulsion system moves this sharply angled, origami-inspired SUV, there’s no way of knowing whether we’re looking at the future of “UN” decaled Nissan Patrols or merely a much cooler way of autonomously arriving at the shopping mall, so let’s just consider the design exercise before us without concerning ourselves with how Nissan managed to roll it onto its Detroit auto show stage.
The Xmotion, pronounced “cross motion,” made its world debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show on January 15th. In Nissan’s words the concept “fuses Japanese culture and traditional craftsmanship with American-style utility and new-generation Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology,” and does so in a most unusual yet welcoming way.
A unique take on Nissan’s trademark “V-motion” grille, sharply detailed LED headlights, and an aggressive lower fascia define the frontal design. (Photo: Nissan)
“In the Xmotion concept, we explored the more rugged and powerful side of Nissan Intelligent Mobility,” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global design at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “Bold and powerful forms and proportions are, upon closer inspection, contrasted with aspects of traditional Japanese craftsmanship expressed in a contemporary way.”
Nissan claims the Xmotion signals “the future of Nissan design,” so we should get ready for a new level of bold, rugged, in-your-face styling from an automaker that has a history of pushing the design envelope with a handful of models (Cube, Juke, Murano, Maxima, Z, GT-R) and otherwise playing it conservatively safe (Micra, Versa, Sentra, Altima, Kicks, Qashqai, Rogue, Pathfinder, Armada, Frontier, Titan, etc).
The Xmotion’s taillights are quite beautiful when lit up. (Photo: Nissan)
The Xmotion sets a new design tone by utilizing new technologies more creatively, a trend we’re starting to see across the entire industry. For instance, where LEDs were initially used to add “signature” elements to conventional headlight and taillight designs, now we’re starting to see narrow light strips that follow the outline of a fender or fascia’s surrounding shape.
The taillights are integrated subtly, creatively playing off the unique red rooftop spoiler element above, albeit inverted, while that spoiler appears as if it’s an extension of yet more red roof panels placed below integrated body-colour roof rails overtop.
The Xmotion’s 21-inch wheel/tire combination consist of a one-piece laminated design. (Photo: Nissan)
The front grille is an evolution of Nissan’s trademark V-motion design, whereas the headlights are simple curving LEDs positioned behind sharp blade-shaped extensions of the front fenders, these appearing to float above cavernous gloss black vents that dive down each corner.
A look down either side presents a stunning set of “mechanical tool-inspired” alloy wheels on all-terrain tires, although unlike a regular wheel and tire combination these are actually a single-piece all-in-one design featuring an interlocked tire that’s “physically laminated over the 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.” These sit below lightweight carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) fender flares, textured in a traditional Japanese design.
Possibly the Xmotion’s “rooftop box” is roomier than it looks. (Photo: Nissan)
Look higher and what at first appeared to be a centre roof panel is actually an external container attached to integrated roof rack cross members, this dubbed a “rooftop box” by the design team. It’s difficult to contemplate what might be narrow enough to fit inside, but the design looks pretty slick so let’s not allow practical reasoning to negate the effect.
Compared to the front and profile designs, the Xmotion’s rear view almost comes across as conventional, although those tidy taillights noted earlier were actually inspired by Japanese woodwork, a theme that’s much more prevalent within the cabin.
The Xmotion’s pillarless doors provide a good view to its artful interior. (Photo: Nissan)
“The exterior’s combination of western and eastern concepts continues inside the Xmotion, where advanced connectivity and autonomous technologies mix with modern Japanese digital art and cultural craftsmanship,” continued Albaisa. “At a glance, Xmotion may appear to have a minimal design language, but a closer look reveals layers of detail that make this concept exceptional.”
A massive digital display, airplane style steering wheel, and beautiful woodwork are instrument panel highlights. (Photo: Nissan)
The interior woodwork might look more apropos in a classic boat than a futuristic SUV, but it’s nevertheless a breath of fresh fir (albeit the grain appears like natural maple—Nissan didn’t say, but then again it looks like BC Douglas Fir in a video showing it being planed from a 2×4) in an automotive world that’s seen much too much piano black lacquer in recent years. The lower instrument panel and cabin-length floating console appears to have enough of the stuff to make this SUV buoyant in case of a river crossing gone awry, the Xmotion’s creators using “a modern interpretation of traditional kigumi wood joinery” for the beautifully complex construction of the former, while the latter incorporates a “traditional Japanese architectural wood joinery technique, kanawa tsugi, found in the carpentry used to build religious temples and shrines,” said Nissan.
The intricate dash and floating console woodwork is best seen from below. (Photo: Nissan)
While the wood is beautifully crafted and artistically arrayed, most of today’s smartphone addicted consumers will be more immediately drawn to the Xmotion’s massive dash-wide digital instrumentation. It’s actually comprised of five screens, featuring three large main displays and another two slightly smaller ones at each end, while their control comes via eye movement, hand gestures, and voice activation. Additionally, a “digital room mirror” gets added overhead and one last display is fixed to the centre console, the combined number of digital interfaces totaling seven. In a video, Nissan illustrates their interconnectivity by showing a coy swimming from the lower console touchscreen up to and across the displays on the dash, while a self-levitating magnetic disc spins atop the rear portion of the console for no apparent reason other than providing another sense of awe.
The seats appear to float like boats on top of a near seamless river-like floor. (Photo: Nissan)
The avionics inspired steering wheel is an interesting addition, making it appear as if it might only be put into used when autonomous capability isn’t possible, whereas the white-and-black front and scarlet-and-black second-row mesh pedestal seats seem to float atop the Xmotion’s near seamless floor like traditional Japanese “wasen” boats, the lower surfacing actually representing a river, with the aforementioned centre console being the bridge overtop.
“The centre console symbolizes a wooden bridge connecting two cultures, but also bridging timeless traditions with tomorrow’s technology,” said Albaisa.
This console-mounted touchscreen is just one of seven digital displays in the Xmotion. (Photo: Nissan)
Scarlet represents “sun and energy in Japan,” while “white is purity, cleanliness and simplicity” and “black symbolizes contrast and intensity,” says interior designer Myung-Eun Lee. The seat upholstery incorporates Japanese latticework patterns, whereas their mesh-like upper backrests have their tradition in “kumiko” woodwork.
It’s difficult to tell at first glance, but the Xmotion is a three-row SUV, set up in a unique “4+2” passenger layout. While that might sound like most of today’s sport utilities that tout a six- to seven-passenger capacity yet only have room for pre-teens at best in the rearmost seats, the Xmotion differentiates itself by providing a lounge-like, sofa-style wrap-around back row. This said the seats in the very back were designed for even smaller kids or pets, so this SUV follows the pattern set by most three-row family haulers in this respect. Still, despite rolling art interior and exterior styling, this new Nissan could be made into a practical people mover.
Nissan doesn’t explain what this self-levitating magnetic spinning disc does, other than create a sense of awe. (Photo: Nissan)
“We envision the Xmotion concept to be a highly functional SUV that can be driven every day, yet can take the owners and friends to a national park or recreation area on a whim,” continued Albaisa. “With its combination of style and technology, this concept fulfills Nissan’s mission of moving people to a better world.”
Whim or whimsical, that’s for you to decide, but Nissan has nevertheless created a exterior design that, toned down somewhat, would likely be widely accepted by tomorrow’s SUV buyer. Expect future concept SUVs to adopt a similar design language, and hopefully future production utilities as well.
Until then, enjoy three videos Nissan provided at the launch of the new Xmotion:
Quick visual overview (0.52):
Detailed overview with interviews (note: set up closed captioning as much of the video is in Japanese) (3.59):
Full introduction of Xmotion at Detroit auto show (16:39):
Nissan really should’ve taken advantage of its new subcompact SUV’s name and done a photo shoot on the famed Route 66, that not only became legendary for countless films in which its “Main Street…
The new 2018 Nissan Kicks will enter the subcompact SUV market below the highly successful new Qashqai. (Photo: Nissan)
Nissan really should’ve taken advantage of its new subcompact SUV’s name and done a photo shoot on the famed Route 66, that not only became legendary for countless films in which its “Main Street of America” appeal proved popular, but for many this near-nationwide highway was made all the more memorable for being the subject of Nat King Cole’s classic jazz song, “Get your kicks on Route 66.”
It just so happens that Route 66 stretches 3,945 km from U.S. 101 in Santa Monica, which is only 25 minutes (on a good day) down the I-10 from the Los Angeles Convention Center where the new Kicks just debuted on November 29 last year as part of the LA auto show, to the Windy City where it will no doubt be shown next month as part of the Chicago auto show in McCormick Place. This month it showed up in multiple colours at the Detroit auto show as well as in Montreal for its Canadian debut, and no doubt will also be on display in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre next month, Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York and Vancouver Convention Centre in late March, etcetera.
The Kicks, scheduled for a June launch, will be a late 2018 model year arrival. (Photo: Nissan)
The Kicks might be small as far as most SUVs go, but it’s a big deal for Nissan that has more utilities on offer than any other mainstream volume-branded carmaker. The current lineup includes the subcompact five-seat Qashqai (still in 2017 trim), compact five-seat Rogue, mid-size five-seat Murano, mid-size seven-seat Pathfinder, and full-size seven-seat Armada. The subcompact Juke, which was an innovator in this segment when it arrived way back in 2010, was discontinued after a long and successful lifecycle at the close of 2017, and will soon be replaced by the Kicks.
We should expect pricing below the 2017 Qashqai’s already impressive $19,998 base MSRP. (Photo: Nissan)
“As the gateway to Nissan’s adventure-ready sport utility line-up – joining Qashqai, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder and Armada – Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality and advanced safety features,” said Steve Rhind, director of marketing, Nissan Canada.
The transition between the two vehicles has hardly been seamless, with very few new 2017 Jukes still available in Canada and a six-month hiatus currently occurring before the 2018 Kicks arrives in June, but the new entry will likely get a warm welcome when it finally arrives. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it will need to be somewhere south of the current Qashqai’s $19,998 for it to be the new “gateway” SUV into Nissan’s SUV lineup, as Rhind states, despite the outgoing 2017 Juke starting with an MSRP of $20,698.
While it gets a sporty, fastback profile (for an SUV), Nissan promises plenty of headroom. (Photo: Nissan)
The Juke filled a funky niche with a focus on performance and wasn’t available with Nissan’s usual base S trim in its latter years (it could only be had in SV, Nismo and SL trims), whereas the Kicks, despite the rambunctious name, is a more mainstream offering that will initially be available in S, SV and SR trims. We’ll need to wait until spring before pricing and packaging details surface, which will probably coincide with the release of the new Qashqai that may increase in price to make way for the Kicks.
If you were wondering where the Kicks’ Brazilian connection fits in, the South American country has one of the largest Japanese-decent populations outside of Japan, plus a massive 200-million plus market that loves small SUVs. (Photo: Nissan)
“Pricing for the 2018 Nissan Kicks will be announced closer to its on-sale date in spring 2018, but we are expecting to be among the most competitive in the segment,” added Rhind. “Kicks’ unique combination of expressive design, excellent fuel economy, intelligent technology and advanced safety features adds up to one thing – exceptional value.”
Like Ford’s similarly sized EcoSport SUV, which is also scheduled to arrive in Canada and the U.S. this year, the Kicks originated in Brazil before expanding into other markets, although it was completely new in 2016 compared to 2003 for the blue-oval badged utility. The EcoSport has had time to go global, whereas Nissan will ramp up worldwide Kicks sales much quicker, with a target of 80 countries in its short-term sites.
Plenty of unique colour combinations help to differentiate the Kicks from its subcompact SUV peers. (Photo: Nissan)
By first impressions the Kicks should appeal to compact SUV buyers in most markets, thanks to a traditionally upright SUV stance yet sporty crossover styling, most notably found in shapely front fenders that form out of the tops of the headlamps. It gets Nissan’s now trademark V-Motion grille up front and a Murano-like floating roof hovering over the rear C-pillars, while the boomerang taillights pay homage to the Z sports car and others within the Japanese brand’s range.
“From a pure visual standpoint on the street, Kicks is a true head turner, especially in the bold two-tone colour combinations,” added Rhind. “Kicks is clearly recognizable as part of the Nissan CUV family, but has a vibrancy and identity all its own.”
A unique take on Nissan’s V-Motion grille makes the Kicks’ lineage immediately known. (Photo: Nissan)
Along with the blacked out floating C-pillars Nissan will use colour to differentiate the Kicks from most peers. So far the Japanese brand is showing seven colour combinations, the two-tone versions including Gun Metallic grey for the lower body with a Monarch Orange roof, a Monarch Orange body with a Super Black roof (that melds seamlessly into the roof pillars), Cayenne Red with a Super Black roof, Aspen White with a Super Black roof, and Deep Blue Pearl with a Fresh Powder white roof, while single solid tones include Gun Metallic grey (that still features the black roof pillars) and Super Black (which absorbs the roof pillars).
The top-line Kicks SR gets a sporty yet high-quality, nicely finished interior. (Photo: Nissan)
Similar to top-line versions of its larger Qashqai sibling, examples of the similarly upper-crust Kicks SR trimmed interior currently being shown appears very upscale with plenty of padded leatherette stitched together with contrast orange or white thread, this especially nice across the SUV’s “Gliding Wing” instrument panel and down the sides of the centre console, while the leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel even gets nicely formed thumb spats and a flat bottom for a performance look and feel.
There’s plenty of premium-like padded leatherette surfaces with orange and white contrast stitching. (Photo: Nissan)
Orange contrast stitching can be found on what appear to be leather-surfaced sport seats too, while the 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which incidentally includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and the separate single-zone automatic climate control interface that sits below include switchgear with orange backlighting. Orange even gets used for the “Bose Personal” logos on the sides of the front headrests, this top-tier SR model including an impressive audio system featuring lightweight 2.5-inch Bose UltraNearfield neodymium headrest speakers.
This infotainment and HVAC interfaces look impressive, the former including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a backup camera, and the latter available with auto climate control. (Photo: Nissan)
The infotainment system will also be available with an Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, while other standard and available features will include Intelligent Auto Headlights with optional LED low beams boasting LED signature accents, fog lamps, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, remote engine start, and heatable seats, while standard safety items are to include Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, seven airbags, and a RearView Monitor.
Nissan promises plenty of passenger room with no shortage of headspace (the coupe-like profile is an optical illusion), plus one of the larger cargo compartment’s in the class.
The Kicks uses Nissan’s highly efficient Xtronic CVT to send 125-hp and 115 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. (Photo: Nissan)
Smaller and lighter than the Qashqai, the new Kicks won’t need as much power to get it going so therefore gets an efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder good for 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, while Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) should provide smooth operation and competitive fuel economy.
Where the Kicks deviates from the outgoing Juke and all other Nissan SUVs currently on offer, is its lack of all-wheel drive. The Kicks will be front-drive only, which is in line with some other small SUVs in its segment like the well-proven Kia Soul much newer Toyota C-HR. This means it won’t be ideal for winter sports enthusiasts who’d rather not be forced to chain up on their way to the ski hill, but for the majority of city drivers it should more than suffice. Its tall ride height provides the visibility advantage most SUV buyers want, and its raised ground clearance should help it overcome inner-city obstacles like steep driveways, rough laneways and curbs that could otherwise hang up a regular car. Reportedly, its electric power steering and small turning radius make it easy to park as well.
High-end “Bose Personal Plus” headrest speakers to improve Kicks SR audio system. (Photo: Nissan)
“This emerging CUV class is exploding with new entries for a very good reason – the combination of flexible utility and high value is ideal for active, urban new vehicle buyers,” added Rhind. “Where the new Nissan Kicks stands out is with its bold style, personal technology, value and anticipated excellent fuel economy.”
Again, we’ll have to wait to find out just how good its fuel economy is, but its small, lightweight design, spritely engine, CVT, and FWD layout should make for a cost-friendly commuter.
Canadians choosing to fully equip their 2018 Nissan Rogue SUVs will soon receive the benefit of new semi-autonomous “hands-on-wheel” ProPilot Assist technology, a new system that could make your rush…
The 2018 Rogue comes with ProPilot Assist in top-line SL models with the Platinum Package, providing semi-autonomous driving at a very affordable price point. (Photo: Nissan)
Canadians choosing to fully equip their 2018 Nissan Rogue SUVs will soon receive the benefit of new semi-autonomous “hands-on-wheel” ProPilot Assist technology, a new system that could make your rush hour commute to and from work a lot easier.
“Nissan continues to democratize technology, bringing our most advanced systems to our highest volume models, rather than reserving them for our most expensive vehicles,” said Bert Brooks, senior manager, product planning, Nissan Canada Inc. “Customers are delighted when they realize they can afford technology usually reserved for high-end, expensive luxury vehicles. Bringing unexpected value is core to the Nissan brand and our Nissan Intelligent Mobility mission.”
Nice colourful multi-info display graphics show surrounding traffic. (Photo: Nissan)
Wouldn’t it be nice if your car “took over the wheel” while in bumper-to-bumper traffic? That’s part of an autonomous vehicle’s appeal, and while such a utopian experience may be years or possibly decades away from being adopted en masse, some manufacturers are slowly inching us toward the dream.
Nissan introduced its ProPilot Assist technology in the 2018 Leaf, and now they’ve announced it will also be available in the 2018 Nissan Rogue SL with the Platinum Package, a compact SUV priced at $36,998 so equipped.
Press the blue ProPilot Assist button on the right steering wheel spoke and then treat it much like you would adaptive cruise control. (Photo: Nissan)
Choosing the Rogue as one of its first semi-autonomous vehicles makes a great deal of sense, being that it’s the best-selling Nissan in North America. Here in Canada the Rogue’s year-to-date sales of 33,180 units over the first nine months of 2017 have resulted in a gain of 11.6 percent compared to the first three quarters of 2016, and last year the Rogue sold in record numbers too.
So how does it work? ProPilot Assist controls acceleration, braking and steering during single-lane highway driving, but keep in mind you’ll need to remain totally alert and involved in the process, with your hands on the wheel (at least most of the time).
The Rogue is Nissan’s most popular model. (Photo: Nissan)
Nissan has driven more than 320,000 kilometres of North American roads using ProPilot Assist, the automaker stating that the semi-autonomous system was specifically designed to respond to North American road markings and driving situations. Nissan also promises it will be “more intuitive and user-friendly compared to other driver-assist technologies,” and furthermore can “potentially help lessen driver fatigue and create a more confident driving experience – especially for drivers who experience heavy highway traffic on a daily basis.”
For those wanting even more autonomy from their future cars, take heart that Nissan will be evolving ProPilot Assist to include “increasing levels of autonomy” in future updates, with the ability to also “navigate city intersections.”
We’ll let you know if semi-autonomous driving works on the beach in an upcoming road test. (Photo: Nissan)
Additionally, Nissan plans to make ProPilot Assist available in 10 more Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance models by 2020, and North America, as well as the European, Japanese and Chinese markets, will be in on the action.
Of note, ProPilot Assist is part of a larger technology suite dubbed Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which the automaker describes as a “blueprint for transforming how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.”
“The world is facing serious challenges such as climate change, traffic congestion, road fatalities and increasing air pollution,” added Brooks. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are committed to addressing these challenges by making transportation safer, smarter, and more enjoyable. The new ProPilot Assist technology is a perfect example of how we can make drivers feel more confident and more connected to their vehicles.”
ProPilot Assist will be available in the 2018 Rogue SL Platinum and the 2018 Leaf early next year.
Before then, check out this short explanatory video that accompanied the initial ProPilot Assist announcement as part of the 2018 Leaf:
Nissan recently celebrated the global production milestone of 150 million vehicles, a feat that took the Japanese company 84 years. Founded in 1933, Nissan was first known to Canadians as Datsun (a company…
Nissan has a rich history, which includes plenty of sports cars like this fabulous little Datsun 1600. (Photo: Nissan)
Nissan recently celebrated the global production milestone of 150 million vehicles, a feat that took the Japanese company 84 years.
Founded in 1933, Nissan was first known to Canadians as Datsun (a company that started in 1931 and was taken over by Nissan in 1934), and under that name gave us such game-changers as the Sports 1600, 510, 240Z/260Z/280Z, Pickup, and B210, plus when its North American branding was changed to Nissan in the early ‘80s these legendary models were followed up by new household nameplates like Maxima, Pathfinder, 240SX, 300ZX, Sentra SE-R, 350Z, GT-R, Leaf, and the list goes on.
The 510 was the go-to compact during the early ’70s, on the street and racetrack. (Photo: Nissan)
It took Nissan 73 years to build its first 100 million vehicles, that milestone achieved in 2006, and then only 11 years to produce the next 50 million. Interestingly, 76.5 percent of Nissan’s first 100-million vehicles hailed from its production facilities in Japan, but since then the company has done an about face by building the exact same percentage (76.5 percent) of vehicles outside of its home market, with production growth especially strong in the U.S. and China.
The original 1970 Datsun 240Z remains one of the most sought after collectors cars around. (Photo: Nissan)
An important part of Nissan’s success has long been an extensive model lineup, with the majority of market segments filled. Most recently Nissan has become particularly strong in the world’s fastest growing SUV sector, with its current Canadian SUV lineup including the subcompact Juke, slightly bigger compact Qashqai, even larger compact Rogue, mid-size Murano, larger seven-passenger mid-size Pathfinder, and full-size seven-passenger Armada. Starting in June 2018, Nissan will replace the Juke, one of the first entrants in the modern subcompact crossover SUV category, with the new Kicks subcompact SUV.
The upcoming 2018 Kicks will hit the market next June. (Photo: Nissan)
Of course, Nissan’s SUV lineup also includes a full complement of passenger cars, sports cars and trucks, its Micra dominating in the city car sector, its GT-R a legendary racetrack record-breaker, and its Leaf becoming the world’s best-selling electric vehicle.
Now, check out this great historical video of Nissan’s 84 years of global production:
Toyota’s Prius may be the world’s most notable hybrid and Tesla’s Model 3 currently hottest on the news cycle, but with nearly 300,000 units delivered, Nissan’s Leaf is easily the world’s bestselling…
The stylish new 2018 Leaf will arrive in Canada early next year. (Photo: Nissan)
Toyota’s Prius may be the world’s most notable hybrid and Tesla’s Model 3 currently hottest on the news cycle, but with nearly 300,000 units delivered, Nissan’s Leaf is easily the world’s bestselling electric car.
This is especially important considering most global jurisdictions are now eschewing internal combustion engines, especially diesels, and embracing electric vehicles. To be clear, EV adoption remains miniscule at far less than a single percent of global production, and the Leaf hasn’t been able to hold onto the top EV sales position in North American markets, but it can honestly claim first mass production status as part of its legacy, and enjoys a multitude of Leaf loyalists to draw upon when the completely redesigned model launches worldwide next year.
The new Leaf is about the same size as the old one, with similar interior room. (Photo: Nissan)
The 2018 Nissan Leaf says goodbye to the original car’s funky styling and instead adopts a more mainstream approach that should appeal to a larger portion of the market. This tact only makes sense being that EVs appear to be entering a new phase of acceptability, even if their upcoming popularity is being forced upon many consumers through government mandate. China and some other markets aside, we the people vote such governments into power, so depending on ones point of view we can either take credit or accept blame for the new green agenda, and there are certainly worse ways to spend taxpayer money than on electric car rebates, a comprehensive supercharging infrastructure, massive hydroelectric dams, fields of solar panels, new wind and tidal farms, etcetera to create the required power.
The new Leaf offers a dramatically styled rear end design. (Photo: Nissan)
Most should like the 2018 Leaf’s sporty hatchback lines, with highlights being a frontal design incorporating Nissan’s now trademark V-motion grille, a floating rear D-pillar inspired by the brand’s Maxima flagship and Murano mid-size SUV (which bears a resemblance to a similar design used for BMW’s i3), and unique taillights that look like they could’ve been pulled from a slightly softened next-generation Juke (which will never be). Where the outgoing Leaf was upright, roundish and somewhat unusual in shape, the new model appears long, low, lean and much more in keeping with Nissan’s overall brand identity. The new car’s profile is not only aesthetically appealing, but no doubt its 0.28-coefficient of drag gave Nissan’s aerodynamicists reason to smile too.
The Leaf continues to provide a refuelling door up front where it’s easily accessible. (Photo: Nissan)
The original Leaf made news for its 160-kilometre range when introduced in 2010, and while the outgoing 2017 model is now capable of 172 kilometres from a single charge, even that improved number has been overshadowed by newer entries like Chevy’s Bolt that can achieve 383 kilometres between charges, and the Tesla Model 3, which, depending on trim, will reportedly allow for 350 to 540 kilometres of ultimate range when it arrives here sometime next year.
What about the new 2018 Leaf? The U.S. EPA is estimating the equivalent of 241 kilometers of range, which isn’t as headline grabbing as the original for its time or its most formidable peers now, but with an MSRP of $35,998 plus freight and fees the Leaf makes up for that with much lower pricing than both the $43,195 Bolt and $45k-plus Tesla 3.
The Leaf also provides more useable passenger and cargo space than either, the former remaining “essentially unchanged” and therefore comfortable for “five people”, stated Nissan in a press release, and the latter measuring 668 litres (23.6 cubic feet).
The Leaf’s toughest competitor may be Volkswagen’s new $35,995 e-Golf, although its 201-kilometre range is less appealing unless compared to BMW’s $50,965 i3 that can only manage 183 kilometres per charge, or for that matter Ford’s $31,498 Focus Electric with just 172 kilometres of total range at its disposal, or Kia’s $35,395 Soul EV that can only muster 150 kilometres. At least the blue oval badged hatchback delivers good pragmatic value and the red and white oval crossover (or in the case black) offers fun-loving styling and even more practicality, but sales of the blue and white roundel badged i Series cars have driven off the proverbial cliff in recent years. Speaking of living life on the edge, there’s always the $27,998 Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a range of 160 kilometres.
A standard 7.0-inch colour TFT display replaces traditional analogue gauges. (Photo: Nissan)
At least we need to give Mitsubishi credit for having the courage to publish its i-MiEV sales numbers, these resulting in 61 down Canadian roads as of August 31, 2017 and 86 last year, whereas Ford, Kia and Volkswagen hide their EV deliveries behind total Focus, Soul and Golf nameplate volume respectively. I’m sure if their electrics were outselling the Bolt or Leaf we’d hear about it, so for now we will report the Bolt as first amongst pure electrics with 1,065 deliveries during the same eight months of 2017, and the Leaf a very close second with 909. Contemplate for a moment, the Bolt is a brand new car introduced for the 2017 model year, and in comparison today’s Leaf has only been mildly updated over its seven-year lifecycle. It’s easy to guess which car may soon assume the lead.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen display fills the centre stack of all trims. (Photo: Nissan)
In the 2018 Leaf’s corner is a new 40-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, which is a gain of 10 kWh over the outgoing version, but thanks to 67-percent greater density it occupies the same physical space within a vehicle that’s about the same size as the outgoing model. Also notable, despite benefiting from 25 percent more capacity the battery only takes 10 minutes longer to replenish from “alert” mode to 80-percent when hooked up to a quick charger, the total process now requiring 40 minutes. Those charging from home or another conventional 120-volt socket will need 16 hours to replenish from totally empty to completely full, whereas a 240-volt Level2 charger requires eight hours. Of note, Nissan Canada will provide a Level 1/Level 2 (120v/240v) charging cable as standard equipment.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is part of the package when upgraded with navigation. (Photo: Nissan)
Motive power comes from a new 110-kW AC synchronous motor making 147 horsepower from 3,283 to 9,795 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque from zero to 3,283 rpm. That’s a gain of 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque over the old motor, by the way, so the new Leaf, which at 1,557 to 1,591 kilograms (3,433 to 3,508 lbs) depending on trim is actually lighter than the 1,624-kg (3,580-lb) Bolt and 1,610- to 1,723-kg (3,550- to 3,800-lb) Model 3, should scoot along quickly.
As good as all this sounds, Nissan has already announced a more potent 60-kWh Leaf for next year, but hasn’t estimated its range and also isn’t saying whether it will be an option, a la Tesla, or the new standard power unit.
The toggle switch at centre is for engaging the new e-Pedal. (Photo: Nissan)
Right from day one the new Leaf will include a standard “e-Pedal” that provides both traditional acceleration and automatic braking. In other words, you’ll be able to ease into the pedal (or put your foot to the floor) to get going and then simply let go to slow down and eventually come to a stop, the system said to be good for 90-percent of driving requirements, with the traditional brakes only needed for the other 10 percent. That won’t only reduce driver effort, but it should minimize brake wear as well. If you’d rather apply more personal control you can defeat the e-Pedal by pressing a button.
Top-tier SL trim will provide a luxurious interior. (Photo: Nissan)
Nissan’s ProPilot Assist single-lane driving assistance technology will make its North American debut in the new Leaf too, the system offering a higher level of semi-autonomous driving than previously available. Along with dynamic cruise control at speeds ranging from 29 and 100 km/h, ProPilot Assist will automatically steer and even centre the car within its lane, while it will also automatically brake all the way down to a full stop when prompted by forward traffic. Additionally, it holds the car in place without requiring the driver to press the brake pedal when stopped, and then restarts with the flow of traffic, as long as first prompted by the driver via a switch or lightly pressing the throttle. Nissan has purposely incorporated such driver involvement for safety’s sake, but the technology for full autonomous driving is embedded within.
Blue is the Leaf’s recurring interior theme, this SL model featuring solid and perforated leather upholstery with rich microsuede detailing. (Photo: Nissan)
Additional advanced safety systems available with the new Leaf will include Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection.
Like most other Nissan products, the 2018 Leaf will be available in three trim levels including S, SV and SL, all of which are said to feature higher-grade cabins with better materials quality than the outgoing model. In the same aforementioned press release the brand promised its “signature vibrant blue stitching” for the seats, door trim, armrests and steering wheel, the latter wrapped in “genuine leather”, plus more blue used for the illuminated ignition button and shift knob finisher, while matte chrome along with matte and glossy black surfacing treatments will be added elsewhere.
The new Leaf will continue to provide spacious seating for five and a lot of cargo capacity. (Photo: Nissan)
Instead of tradition analogue gauges the 2018 Leaf will get a 7.0-inch colour TFT primary cluster overtop the steering wheel, while Nissan will replace the outgoing model’s 5.0-inch infotainment display and dated graphics with a bright, colourful, contrast-rich centre dash-mounted 7.0-inch touchscreen across the line. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity will be on the menu, albeit only when the system is upgraded to also include navigation.
Available in three trim levels, there will be a 2018 Leaf for most peoples’ budgets. (Photo: Nissan)
Nissan has not announced the availability of the unique Leaf-to-Home power system available in other markets, however, which reportedly lets you use the car’s stored energy to power your home, cabin, trailer, or most anything else. Leaf-to-Home would be an ideal backup battery for an emergency outage, but nonetheless it likely isn’t part of the Leaf’s Canadian specification.
The new 2018 Nissan Leaf went on sale in Japan on October 2, and is forecast to arrive in Europe and North American markets in early 2018. It will be sold into more than 60 global markets when fully available, which should bode well for maintaining its leading EV sales status for the foreseeable future.
Heartbreaking news of children and animals left to suffer in the back seats of cars during sweltering summer heat might eventually become history if Nissan has its way, much thanks to an innovative new…
Did you leave something or someone in the back seat of your car when you went into the house or grocery store? (Photo: Nissan)
Heartbreaking news of children and animals left to suffer in the back seats of cars during sweltering summer heat might eventually become history if Nissan has its way, much thanks to an innovative new technology that gently reminds drivers of someone or something that may have been left in the back seat, or if they’re still not paying attention, multiple honks from the horn once out of the car with the door closed.
Nissan’s “Rear Door Alert” (RDA), which will be exclusive to all 2018 Pathfinder trims when it debuts this fall, starts monitoring the rear door switches as soon as the SUV is unlocked, and if a back door has been opened and then closed again it banks the “memory” for later when the driver arrives at a destination and shuts off the engine.
Nissan’s new Rear Door Alert reminds when you might have left a little something or someone in back, potentially saving a life. (Photo: Nissan)
When parking the 2018 Pathfinder, a reminder will pop up on the primary instrument cluster telling the driver not to forget whatever was previously placed in the back seat. If these subtle prompts are ignored, by the SUV’s rear doors not being reopened after the driver’s door has been closed, the Pathfinder’s horn will deliver a series of short, distinctive chirps to get the driver’s attention.
“The idea is if you open a rear door, whether to put a child or a package in the rear seat, the vehicle will help alert you when you get to your destination that you may want to check the rear seat,” said Marlene Mendoza, who together with fellow Nissan engineer Elsa Foley came up with the idea. “We’ve built in enough time that you don’t have to rush, but if you don’t open the rear door again when you get out of the vehicle, we want to think for a moment about what you may have put in the back seat.”
The difference between other systems and new Rear Door Alert, is it both reminds when inside the car and honks if you leave without checking behind. (Photo: Nissan)
In the event you don’t have children, aging parents/grandparents, pets, or anyone/anything else that shouldn’t be left behind, it’s possible to override the RDA completely or merely limit the reminders to the instrument cluster alone. After all, it’s best to keep a low profile if you just went shopping and don’t want to alert any would-be burglars that something valuable is in the back of your vehicle, or simply would rather leave your groceries, briefcase, gym bag or what-have-you in back while doing something else. Then again, even if you’re childless you still might appreciate having the system’s built-in memory ready and waiting as a backup.
“We pushed each other along and knew we were on the right track one morning when Marlene discovered she had left a pan of lasagna in the back seat of her car one night after coming home after a long day at the office,” said Foley. “The worst thing was the car smelled for days, but it made me ask myself, “what if that had been something else back there?’”
For those without small children or grandkids, Nissan provides a way to turn it off. (Photo: Nissan)
The concept of automaker employees turning real-life experiences into potentially lifesaving innovation is certainly refreshing, and something that Nissan is said to foster in its global corporate culture.
“There’s a culture of innovation along with the Nissan Intelligent Mobility mission that really encourages employees around the world to seek out new ideas every day,” added Mendoza, who is also a mother of three. “We’re thankful that we were able to use our perspective as moms, and our backgrounds as engineers, to bring forward an idea that is now going into production — providing drivers with a reminder to check their back seats.”
While the Rear Door Alert is new to Nissan, General Motors introduced something similar called “Rear Seat Reminder” with the 2017 GMC Acadia last year, and is already rolling out the system on other models this year. This said Nissan’s RDA should be even more effective than GM’s, because the Acadia gives no warning once its driver has left the vehicle.
Rear Door Alert will be standard in all 2018 Pathfinder trims. (Photo: Nissan)
Concerned citizens can only hope Nissan and GM either license their technologies or other automakers follow suit shortly, because the problem of children and animals dying from heat stroke in the back of hot cars doesn’t seem to be abating, despite the continued news stories surrounding the subject.
Back in August of this year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosted a public awareness event on the dangers of heat stroke for children left in hot vehicles, stating the number of child heat stroke deaths in the U.S. increased by 63 percent from 2015 to 2016—no similar data was available for Canada.
As of July 31, 2017, both NoHeatStroke.org and KidsAndCars.org claimed that 29 children had died from the same problem year-to-date in the U.S., while the average number of children suffering a similar fate has been 37 since specifically recording heat stroke deaths in vehicles began in 1998. What’s more, 54 percent of those children were left behind by caregivers who completely forgot they were there, which makes both General Motors’ and Nissan’s rear seat alert systems all the more critical.
Rear Door Alert could reduce child heat stroke deaths and injuries significantly. (Photo: Nissan)
“The Rear Door Alert uses a similar honking cue that has been proven successful with Nissan’s Easy Fill Tire Alert,” added Foley, who is also a mother of two children. “By drawing your attention back to the vehicle once you’ve walked away, you are more likely to recheck the back seat than with a visual alert alone.”
While the Rear Door Alert will be standard equipment on the 2018 Pathfinder, Nissan plans to add it to other models across its lineup as quickly as possible.
Listen up. Just in case you haven’t already heard, there’s no better new car for your money than Nissan’s Micra. For just $9,988 plus freight and dealer fees, which makes it the least expensive…
Nissan’s 2017 Micra remains a great looking little entry-level hatchback, especially in top-line SR trim. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Listen up. Just in case you haven’t already heard, there’s no better new car for your money than Nissan’s Micra. For just $9,988 plus freight and dealer fees, which makes it the least expensive new car in Canada, the 2017 Micra represents the best value in the entire auto industry.
What’s more, it’s so much fun to drive that Nissan Canada developed a spec racing series dubbed Nissan Micra Cup to tout its performance prowess, a smart way to change common perceptions about life with an entry-level sub-subcompact economy car.
In case you’re wondering, the Micra Cup racing-spec car is no more formidable off the line than the stock machine being sold for less than $10k, its DOHC, 16-valve, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine making an equal 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, which is sports car territory when factoring in its scant 1,044-kilo (2,302-lb) curb weight.
The black mirror caps, door handles and stripes are from an accessories option package. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
To put that last claim into perspective, the pre-owned 1985 Toyota MR2 mid-engine sports car that I managed to talk my boss into giving me for a daily driver after a particularly good sales month (I sold cars for a Toyota dealer in the late ‘80s) tipped the scales at a nearly identical 1,035 kilograms (2,282 lbs) and made 112 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque from its AE86 Corolla-sourced 1.6-litre four. It was ruddy quick for its era, and while I won’t directly compare Toyota’s brilliant little “Twin Cam” and its sonorous 7,500-rpm redline to the Micra’s more utilitarian 6,600 maximum spin, both cars utilized standard five-speed manuals and optional four-speed automatics.
The 16-inch alloys, rocker extensions, additional chrome, unique headlights and tail lamps, plus more comes with RS trim. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Rather than be forced to respond to all the MR2 faithful’s hate mail pointing out the obvious benefits of a short-throw manual gearbox, lower centre of gravity, mid-engine rear-wheel drive chassis layout, etcetera ad nauseum, let’s just agree that owning a modern-day subcompact with a similar power-to-weight ratio to a revered classic sports car can result in plenty of smiles at the wheel, whether you have the talent of current 2017 Micra Cup season leader Olivier Bédard, or simply enjoy a spirited drive while commuting back and forth to work, university, or running errands.
Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean the Micra comes without flair, the roof getting these cool sculpted swoops to aid aerodynamics and style. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
In truth, today’s Micra has more in common with Toyota’s superb little 2004–2005 Echo Hatchback, which was also a tall, two-box front-drive subcompact, albeit with a 1.5-litre four making 108 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, and once again a featherlight curb weight of 944 kg (2,081 lbs). It was a cute looking little hatch as well, especially in sportier RS trim, a car I’d love to pick up with its base manual gearbox in good condition. Being that the base Echo Hatch started at $12,995 back in its day, the pricier RS still fetches $4,000 to $5,000 now, which makes the 13-year newer Micra seem all the more appealing.
The 2017 Micra SR offers a lot for just over $16k. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
As you can probably tell from the photos, the 2017 Micra SR currently in our garage sells for considerably more than the base S model Nissan woos us down to its dealerships to check out. While the Micra S starts at $9,988, it moves directly up to $13,648 when adding the aforementioned automatic, an upgrade that also bundles in air-conditioning and steering wheel-mounted switchgear complete with cruise controls (the base model’s “naked” steering wheel looks a bit odd in a new 2017 model).
I should also mention these features come alongside a standard menu that includes tilt steering, a trip computer, variable intermittent wipers, an intermittent rear wiper, AM/FM/CD audio with speed-sensitive volume control and an aux jack, fabric seat trim, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, vented front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control, all the expected airbags, plus more.
Upgraded sport upholstery includes cool blue and black patterned seat inserts for a classier effect. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Second-rung SV trim, available from $14,048, makes those last items standard no matter the chosen transmission, while also adding illuminated audio and Bluetooth phone controls to the left spoke of the steering wheel, powered windows and locks, the latter featuring remote keyless entry with a panic alarm, body-colour power-adjustable heated side mirrors, body-colour door handles, two more driver’s seat adjustments for a total of six, a flip-down driver’s seat armrest, upgraded cloth upholstery, chrome interior door handles, two more stereo speakers totalling four, and more.
Rear seat comfort and roominess is… we’ll tell you all when we publish our upcoming road test review. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
Put beside these two models the top-line Micra SR seems ultra-luxe, thanks to unique sport headlights and taillights, fog lamps, chrome around those fogs as well as the front fascia’s lower grille, side sill extensions, a rear rooftop spoiler, a chromed exhaust tip, and machine-finished 16-inch alloys with black painted pockets on 185/55 all-season rubber (instead of 15-inch steel wheels with covers encircled by 185/60 all-seasons) on the outside, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel rim, a leather-wrapped shift knob (on manual transmission models), sport fabric seat and door insert upholstery, a 4.3-inch colour display audio system with an integrated rearview parking monitor, a USB port, and more for $16,188 plus freight and fees.
Likewise for luggage space… more details to come. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press)
My $17,188 tester, which includes $1,000 for the automatic transmission, adds $135 for Gun Metallic grey paint while boasting a $460 Colour Studio Trend package from the accessories catalogue featuring coloured mirror caps, door handles, and side sport stripes (glossy black the chosen “colour” in this instance), boosting the as-tested price to $17,783. Despite the Micra’s fabulous base price, I’d be tempted to choose this very trim and accessories package upgrade because it looks so great and drives so well, minus the autobox for improved performance and a lower price.
I’ll go into more detail describing this 2017 Micra SR’s driving dynamics in my upcoming review, while also going into more detail about features usability, interior quality, comfort, roominess, and more. I might even talk sales numbers, being that the Micra outsells all of its key competitors by a grand margin, even shaming larger subcompact models when it comes to popularity. Of course all this makes sense, the Micra being a street-legal race car and all. Come back soon for my full review…
