Small Family Cars

Nissan unveiled the new Sylphy at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. The new Sylphy will most likely come to our shores as the new 2020 Nissan Sentra. Nissan has been selling the Sentra in the U.S. since 2013 and it has been quite a success for the Japanese automaker. Even though the Sentra has managed to create a market for itself as a value-for-money proposition, it does not appeal to the enthusiasts or anyone looking for a little ’life’ in their car. However, the company plans to change this with the 2020 model, and we must say, it has our attention! Disclaimer: I’ll be calling this car the Nissan Sentra throughout the article and not Nissan Sylphy because we’ll be getting it with the Sentra badge in the U.S. - and partly because Sylphy sounds quite funny.

Nissan just dropped details on the brand-new 2020 Versa subcompact sedan, and so far, so good. Outside, the new Versa looks much improved thanks some sleek body panels that work well with Nissan’s latest signature styling features, including the V-motion grille and boomerang-shaped headlights. The dimensions also play a part here, as the new Versa is lower, longer, and wider than the outgoing model.

Inside, the cabin takes after Nissan’s larger sedans, including the Altima and Maxima, and emphasize the horizontal for an added sense of space. The cabin is also stuffed with safety stuff, including standard features like Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, and frontal Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection. You can also opt into features like Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and Blind Spot Warning.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto headline the infotainment bits, while automatic climate control and heated front seats keep it comfy.

Motivation is derived from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which sends 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Transmission options include either a five-speed manual as standard, or an optional CVT.

The 2020 Nissan Versa will go on sale this summer, or you can catch it next week at the 2019 New York Auto Show. No word on pricing just yet, but it should be quite reasonable considering the current model comes with an MSRP of $12,360.

Mercedes-AMG just dropped details on the 2020 CLA 35, padding the latest CLA four-door coupe lineup with a fresh go-faster variant. The powertrain spec pulls from the latest A 35 sedan, and includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Rounding up all those ponies is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and variable all-wheel drive system, which put ‘em to the ground for a 4.6-second 0-to-60 mph time.

Keeping it all in check is an AMG Ride Control suspension setup, with MacPherson struts in front and a four-link for the rear. Adaptive dampeners are optional. Speed-sensitive steering helps it turn, while four-pot calipers and 13.8-inch discs in front throw the anchor. What’s more, if you intend on spending some time clipping apexes, the AMG Track pace data log feature is an available option.

Outside, the CLA 35 looks quite sleek, and comes with AMG-specific styling upgrades like new bumpers, a new rear diffuser, a trunk-lid spoiler, silver chrome trim bits, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Larger 19-inch alloys are an available option.

Inside is the latest MBUX infotainment and 64-color ambient lighting. Black upholstery with red contrast stitching keeps it comfy, while a set of Widescreen Cockpit digital displays and advanced voice control take your inputs.

Pricing is so far unannounced, but look for full details when the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 drops at the New York Auto Show next week. Availability opens up later this year.

Honda is testing an all-new Jazz subcompact hatchback, also known as the Fit in some markets. It’s the fourth generation for the nameplate and it looks like it will retain the wedge-nosed one-box design of its predecessors, albeit with a slightly sportier design twist.

The camouflaged prototype spotted by our spies reveals quite a lot about the car, which is slated for a reveal no earlier than 2020, since the refreshed version of the current model only came out last year. Aside from the completely new and slightly more rakish-looking body, changes will be made to its powerplant lineup and interior. The hybrid version may share its powertrain with the new Insight.

Update 04/4/2019: The 2021 Honda Jazz was caught out in the wild again and, while it hasn’t dropped a lot of camo, we can make out a few subtle differences. Check out what we know in the Spy Shots section below!

The crossover craze is a worldwide phenomenon, and Ford is capitalizing by introducing a brand-new generation for the Kuga crossover nameplate. Also known as the Escape in the U.S., the Ford Kuga is the Blue Oval’s best-selling SUV in Europe, and its third best-seller overall in the market after the Fiesta and Focus. Now, the latest 2020 model year brings a fresh third-generation, offering up new styling, an updated interior, the latest infotainment and safety tech, and critically, a selection of mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full-hybrid powertrains. However, with competition pouring in from the likes of Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Nissan, does the 2020 Ford Kuga have what it takes to compete?

Toyota just revealed the 2020 Yaris sub-compact five-door, offering up new styling paried with automatic LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a large grille design. Under the skin, the Yaris is remarkably similar to the Mazda2, while up front, there’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making as much as 106 horsepower. The four-banger is mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission, while fuel returns are rated at 40 mpg on the highway.

Two will offer trim levels on launch, including the LE and the XLE. Standard spec includes s low-speed pre-collision safety system and active safety system, as well as infotainment goodies like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth support, and voice recognition. Running it all is a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while two USB ports and six-speaker audio round it out.

The Yaris is once again tiny, with an overall length of 161.6 inches, which is about the same size as the Honda Fit. However, the Yaris is still quite practical thanks to 15.9 cubic-feet of trunk space.

Look for the 2020 Toyota Yaris at the New York Auto Show later this month. Pricing is so far unannounced, but is expected to slot in at $17,000.

We’ve seen what Mercedes-AMG can do when it comes to entry-level luxury performance with the 2019 A 35 4Matic, and now it’s time to apply that formula to a three-box profile with the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A 35 four-door sedan.

Mazda just unveiled a brand new crossover at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. It’s called the CX-30, it’s based on the latest Mazda3 hatchback, and it’s a really cool addition to the lineup. But why isn’t it called the CX-4? Because it would make a lot of sense.

After almost six years on the market, the current-generation Mazda3 will retire to make way for a redesigned model. The Japanese firm confirmed the new Mazda3 will make its global debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show and released a new teaser of the car.

Actually, Mazda previewed two vehicles, as the photo includes images of both the sedan and hatchback versions. Not much can be seen in the photo, but it gives us a glimpse of the sedan’s roof and the hatchback’s rear end.

After all the mumbo jumbo surrounding the i3’s existence, the automaker has finally confirmed that the little electric hatchback will continue to live on. When the i4 was announced at the Paris Motor Show, it looked like a legit replacement for the i3; also because BMW did not address the i3. Now, however, BMW has confirmed that it has got future plans for the i3, according to The Drive.

GAC Motors has pulled the covers off of the GS5 SUV at the Paris Motor Show, signaling the Chinese automaker’s intent to become a major player in the European SUV market. The GS5 is the ninth model to come out of the GAC, which is only celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The relatively young automaker is banking on the GS5 to help establish the brand in a market that hasn’t been kind to Chinese auto brands in the past. There’s no timetable for the GS5’s launch in the European market, nor has GAC announced pricing for the SUV.

Toyota brought the new RAV4 to the Paris Motor Show, and while there will be a regular gasoline-burning model on offer, the automaker mainly focused on the new hybrid version.

It is a tall car or a small SUV? We don’t know, but it certainly looks good as a wallpaper for the weekend.

The second-generation 1 Series has been around since 2011, when BMW redesigned the compact it first introduced in 2004. Unlike its predecessor, the current 1 Series consists of only three- and five-door hatchbacks since the two-door coupe and convertible was renamed the 2 Series back in 2011. In 2017, a third body style was added to the lineup, in the form of a four-door sedan.

Based on the Concept Compact Sedan that BMW showcased at the Guangzhou Motor Show in 2015, the 1 Series Sedan is a China-exclusive model and it’s manufactured as part of the joint venture between the BMW Group and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd in Shenyang, alongside the long-wheelbase versions of the larger 3 Series and 5 Series.

The logic behind BMW’s decision to sell the 1 Series Sedan in China is pretty simple. The German firm sold over half a million cars in the country in 2016, which makes China BMW’s biggest market. The need of a smaller sedan based on the 1 Series appeared following customer requests of a more compact, yet premium vehicle for the crowded streets of China’s largest cities. Of course, the 1 Series Sedan is also a response to the popular Audi A3 Sedan, but BMW won’t be able to compete properly against its German rival unless it brings the new sedan to Europe and the United States too.

It remains to be seen whether this will change sooner or later, but until it happens, let’s have a closer look at the BMW 1 Series Sedan.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 BMW 1 Series Sedan.

The long-anticipated next-generation Ford Escape has been official unveiled at the 2015 LA Auto Show. Totally revised with new looks, two new powertrains, and a slew of technology features that not only make the Escape a better crossover, but a more connected one. That will surely help drive sales in this day in age.

The new Escape hasn’t grown over the outgoing model, but does take plenty of styling details from its larger brother, the Edge. The trapezoidal grille leads into a more angular design with a more premium feel. The steeply raked windshield returns, allowing for plenty of forward visibility.

Inside, a more upscale cabin greets all five passengers. The driver now has the use of SYNC 3, Ford’s latest infotainment software. What’s more, the Escape is also debuting SYNC 3’s newest feature called SYNC Connect. Coming with a free, five-year subscription, SYNC Connect allows owners to remotely start, lock and unlock, monitor diagnostics, and track vehicle location from a securely connected smartphone.

Of course, the new Escape come with Ford’s modern assortment of safety systems, including the blind spot information system, hill-start assist, auto high-beam control, and the foot-operated rear tailgate. New for the Escape is adaptive cruise control, Enhanced Active Park Assist, Lane-Keeping System, and the Driver Alert System.

Updated 11/17/2015: Ford unveiled the 2017 Escape at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Ford Escape.

Launched in 1957, the Fiat 500 evolved from a tiny economy car into a full lineup of vehicles incorporating various body styles and engines. The change occurred starting 2007, when Fiat unveiled the new 500, a modern car that features a distinctive, retro look similar to the new Mini Cooper and the Volkswagen New Beetle. Since its revival, the Fiat 500 range expanded to include the 500C, the larger 500L, the all-electric 500E and the high-performance 500 Abarth. In 2015, the Italians introduced a new model that marked the company’s entrance into the compact crossover market, a segment previously unexplored by the Italians.

Developed alongside the 2015 Jeep Renegade, the 500X is the largest 500-based Fiat yet and features a more rugged design, a revised interior and all the engines you can have with the regular hatch, save for the electric motor. The crossover joined the Jeep Renegade when it arrived in North America, where it’s sold alongside other versions of the 500 nameplate.

Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat 500X.

Honda introduced the CR-V to Japan and the rest of the global market in 1995. Since then, the little SUV has seen four generations with the most recent strolling the red carpet in 2012. It only took a few years, but Honda updated it for the 2015 model year, bringing an improved safety structure to achieve better results during IIHS crash testing. Other improvements that came with the facelift include a new, direct-injected “Earth Dreams” engine and a new CVT transmission to go with new shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bars, and lower control arms. All this promised to provide better ride quality and performance, while a new steering gear ratio and larger brake booster also gave the little SUV a sportier feel during normal, everyday maneuvers.

All told, the CR-V has been a hot-selling crossover that has always achieved good all-weather performance while providing room for up to five passengers without sacrificing comfort. On top of that, the facelift in 2015 also brought about better fuel economy to the tune of four mpg in the city, three mpg on the highway, and three mpg combined. Furthermore, the EX-L with Rear Entertainment System trim was discontinued, but a new Touring trim as been added as range-topping trim with all available safety features as standard and standard side mirror cameras.

Obviously, Honda went above and beyond as far as facelifts seem to go these days, so let’s take a better look at the 2015 to 2016 Honda CR-V and go over all the details.

Updated 10/06/2016: After being heavily revised for the 2015 model year, Honda CR-R enters the 2016 model year with pretty much no changes. The only addition to the lineup is a new Special Edition placed between the LX and the EX. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels with an exclusive two tone finish, second-row and rear privacy glass, and security system. The 2016 Honda CR-V will be put on sale at a starting price of $23,595.

Continue reading to learn more about the Honda CR-V.

Introduced for 2012, the current fourth-generation Subaru Impreza holds its own against the small-car competition, yet it somehow lacked that special feel to it – its Subaru-ness that fans often talk about. Well for 2015, the Impreza bows with a mid-cycle refresh that includes a slight nose job and some interior material upgrades, but not much else.

To see if the changes make a difference, I spent a week behind the wheel of an Impreza 2.0i dressed in Limited trim. My sedan came coated in Crystal White paint with attractive 17-inch alloy wheels accenting the bright look. One major option package was selected, which included the EyeSight Driver-Assist System, navigation, keyless access and push-button start, and the power moonroof.

The trim and options combined to make a semi-luxurious sedan with and interesting combination of equipment. I say interesting because while the car could autonomously maintain a safe following distance, it left me to adjust the leather seats by hand. Such miss-matched combinations were almost common in the car, yet other pairings seemed to work well together.

Click past the jump for the full review

The venerable Corolla has been a mainstay in Toyota’s U.S. lineup since its introduction in 1968. Toyota’s longest-running nameplate has undergone numerous alterations over the years, but has always remained a stalwart of the compact sedan segment. In 1997, the Corolla surpassed the Volkswagen Beetle as the best selling nameplate worldwide. That tradition continues today with the updated 2014 Toyota Corolla.

I recently spent a week getting to know a Corolla equipped in the LE Eco trim — the Corolla’s most fuel-efficient trim package. Equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, electronic power steering, skinny tires, and a Continuously Variable Transmission, the Corolla earns an EPA economy rating of 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined.

Coated in a deep Evergreen color, the Corolla did a great job at keeping its fuel-conscience end of the bargain. My weekly total average topped just over 31 mpg, besting the Corolla’s EPA city rating. A light throttle and careful driving quickly saw the average increase on slower highway jaunts, making the EPA’s estimates seem obtainable.

The Corolla proved to be a reasonable yet rather tossable set of wheels during its week stay, though there were a few quibbles about NVH.

Click past the jump for the full review of the new 2014 Toyota Corolla

The Legacy was a bit of a departure from the Subarus of the past when it rolled onto U.S. dealer lots in 1990. The all-new Legacy featured a new flat-four engine that was more refined and quieter than the automaker’s previous engines and it didn’t have to share the engine bay with the car’s spare tire. Yes, that was a thing. The Legacy’s first generation lasted until 1995 when the second generation took over. The Legacy was new again in 2000, 2004, and 2010 with the third, fourth, and fifth generations, respectively. Despite the changes over the years, the Legacy never lost its “quirkiness;” among which was a standard all-wheel-drive system and a manual transmission option.

Now totally redesigned for its sixth generation, the 2015 Legacy is a new bag of tricks. Subaru has seemingly traded quirkiness for quietness – a sort of yielding to the needs of the mainstream. Gone are the manual transmissions and visceral feelings of driving; replaced by a car better suited to compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

I recently spent a week getting to know this new Subaru inside and out. My particular tester came loaded to the hilt with the most inclusive option package. Decked out in the Limited Trim, the car came with the “Moonroof + Keyless Access & Push-Button Start + Navigation” package. What’s more, under the hood was the optional 3.6-liter flat-six-cylinder engine that powers all four wheels.

Click past the jump for the full review of the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy

If you happen to own one of the most beautiful mid-size sedans on sale, the new Mazda6, you may want to get to your dealer really quickly. Mazda and the NHTSA are recalling more than 19,000 2014 Mazda6 models for issues with the fuel system.

Now what happens is actually little awkward, but apparently you can put too much gas inside the tank. The back pressure that should build up to shut off the pump doesn’t do so at a low enough volume. Sure, you could accidentally spill some fuel and ruin your new shoes, but the real concern is a much different issue.

Image you fill up your car on a nice, crisp spring morning, and the temperature is a brisk 45 degrees. If you have that tank too full and the temp gets hot outside, all that fuel will begin to expand. According to the NHTSA, that fuel could find its way into the charcoal canister which is a part used for improved emissions. Yes, that means fuel is going near the exhaust system. Last time I checked, hot metal and gasoline was a pretty reliable recipe for making fire.

All it takes to fix is a quick adapter in the tank shut-off valve, and it shouldn’t take very long to fix. Just make sure you get into your Mazda dealer to have it done. You don’t want your car to burst into flames because you were too lazy to see a dealer, do you?

Read more about the Mazda Mazda6 sedan after the break.

Much like its sister company, Hyundai, Kia has been designing cars that not only offer its customers low-cost options to higher-priced brands, but also cars that offer high-quality workmanship and stylish appearances. We all knew that the Kia Forte is going to be up for a significant redesign when its 2014 model year debuts at the 2012 LA Auto Show, but we were not too sure what direction Kia would take it.

But now that the covers have been officially pulled and we have our answer.

We want to say that the Forte blew us away, but that just wouldn’t be fair to it. Sure, there are things about it that we like, but some elements of the car still leaves a lot to be desired. Then again, a car like the Forte, or any other in this segment for that matter, isn’t subject to an all-or-noting affection level.

There are things about it we liked. There are things we didn’t like. At the end though, the Forte received good marks from us because the things we liked outweighed the things we didn’t like.

Not by much. But hey, that’s still worth some salt to us.

Updated 02/24/2014: TopSpeed editor in chief, Justin Cupler, spent a week with a Kia Forte EX with all sorts of goodies installed. Did he love it? Check out the "Driving Impressions" section after the jump.

Find out what we think of the new 2014 Kia Forte after the jump