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Reader Reviews are submitted by our readers of vehicles they test drive or rent. If you would like to submit a Reader Review, e-mail [email protected] I recently had a current-gen Nissan Sentra as a weekly rental. I had driven one before, but it was the last-gen model, and I’ve reviewed it on this forum. This rental unit had slightly over 30,000 miles on it. I gave the last-gen model a mostly positive review for its “can do” aspects and excellent fuel mileage. Now, looking at this new one, it almost makes the last-gen model look a little dowdy. You’ll notice a couple of things with the new model rather quickly in addition to its more aesthetically pleasing exterior. First, as you drive off, this Sentra handles more nimbly and corners more flatly. The ride is also controlled, and, for the price point, road and tire noise isn’t too intrusive. The interior is nicer in a lot of small ways. My rental had the leather option in the SR trim with contrast stitching in the seats. However, the seat shape is very comfortable, and so are the adjustments, which are electric for the driver. That said, the fit and finish throughout are nicely done for the price point. The Sentra’s dashboard is also an exercise in logic and simplicity. It is very symmetrical. The toggles for instrument panel functions take some exploration, but the settings are easy to work with once you figure it out. Settings on the steering wheel-mounted controls are also easy to decipher but could be inverted from the car you may be used to driving. The connection of a phone is much easier than on many other vehicles and having the Bluetooth eagerly reconnect upon returning to the car seems better than in other cars of different sizes I’ve driven. My only complaint would be the climate control panel. It may look simple, but I could never quite get the air conditioning right. Again, this new Sentra’s hallmark features are its connected handling, a decent enough ride, good fuel economy, and generous room for its size, including the trunk’s capacity. I especially liked the excellent visibility all the way around. Gone is the “opera window” in the sail panel of the last model. Rather, the division of the rear door is done with vertical trim, and the views out back are excellent with a pillar that doesn’t intrude much and a backlight that curves subtly rather than too flatly. In the engine bay is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is normally aspirated. In both this Sentra and in the Altima, Nissan is going with familiar normally aspirated 4-cylinder engines and CVTs, the latter of which they’ve commonly offered for at least a decade. Hopefully, their CVTs’ service life and sturdiness have improved. Mostly, the CVT behaved well with some quirky and episodic subtle lags picking up speed from a stop, especially when cold. The engine is up to the task of everyday driving, but it gets rowdy when pushed. For the money, the Sentra offers a lot of features, and that’s a good thing. Safety features such as numerous alerts and emergency braking are included. The rear-view camera goes without saying and it’s a decent one, save some murky views when it’s too moist outside. They also have releases for things grouped on the driver’s side of the dashboard and going toward the floor –trunk release, hood release, and fuel door release. The gap cap was a conventional pressurized one. I really like having a secured fuel filler door. One “neat” feature is the lane departure and traffic sensing side sensors. Rather than being on the exterior mirrors, they are now inside and just inboard from the exterior mirrors, and, if things get too close or you get too close to things, they will chime. That means they are work beautifully with one’s peripheral vision and this was much appreciated. There are more pluses than minuses here. This new Sentra has more “personality” than before. I think that the current Nissan Sentra has improved quite a bit. Its competitors would be the Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra, the Kia Forte, and the Honda Civic. These would be in the same category if being rented. Since its most lauded competitors would be the Corolla and the Civic, I’ll address those. First, I have not driven a Honda Civic, which has gotten more attractive and more like the Accord over the years. However, compared to the Toyota Corolla, in my opinion, the gap narrows. The interior is more appealing than that of the Corolla. In terms of styling, its exterior side view and rear view are sportier and more attractive, but less so up front, where the overused Nissan design vocabulary is up against the overused Toyota design vocabulary. Where the Toyota might shine brighter is in its legendary reliability and longevity. However, if a person foresees a shorter holding period or plans to keep it no more than 100,000 - or 150,000 - miles, this distinction may become moot. I enjoyed spending a week and several hundred miles in this compact and practical mid-sized sedan. -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
The trunk room of the 2023 Nissan is generous for a compact -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
This is what direct injection/ignition looks like and there are the manifolds at the right, the kind (the material!) of which we would not see in yesteryear's muscle cars -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
It's all here and convenient for the driver: trunk release, fuel door release, and hood latch release -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
A standard Nissan normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine is under the hood and most service points are easy to see and identify -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
For how much car they have to work with, the rear seat legroom should be acceptable for average sized adults -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
They come on while starting the car, but these blind spot indicators are great and they readily light up when necessary and are also very easy to pick up with one's peripheral vision -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Push button start right above the gear selector and you can see some of the stitching on the trim here -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
I was very pleased with the visibility and this is a big improvement over the last-gen model -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
This is how things should be laid out ... except for the message, which I told them about upon returning it, that's where the digital speed readout would be -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Pluses: the infotainment screen is easy to work with and the power connections give you all the choices - Minuses: I don't like the cheaper circular vents and I had a hard time calibrating the air conditioning since it was a little humid -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Comfortable and supportive bucket seats ... I believe the same seat is used if outfitted in cloth -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Actually, it's more fun to use a sunroof, even if not pulled back, when it's scenic and cool outside -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
An overall view of the interior upon opening the passenger door. -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
With a few minor exceptions, a symmetrical and appealing dashboard is in front of you -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Angled rear view: better than in the last-gen Nissan Sentra -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
More jellybean-like side view showing sunroof and the stranger applique Nissan is using these days between the C-pillar and the rest of the body; again, visibility was excellent -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Side view of the 2023 Nissan Sentra -
From the album: 2023 Nissan Sentra - Reader Review
Angled front view: the conventional Nissan grille lives on -
Reader Reviews are submitted by our readers of vehicles they test drive or rent. If you would like to submit a Reader Review, e-mail [email protected] I recently had a current-gen Nissan Sentra as a weekly rental. I had driven one before, but it was the last-gen model, and I’ve reviewed it on this forum. This rental unit had slightly over 30,000 miles on it. I gave the last-gen model a mostly positive review for its “can do” aspects and excellent fuel mileage. Now, looking at this new one, it almost makes the last-gen model look a little dowdy. You’ll notice a couple of things with the new model rather quickly in addition to its more aesthetically pleasing exterior. First, as you drive off, this Sentra handles more nimbly and corners more flatly. The ride is also controlled, and, for the price point, road and tire noise isn’t too intrusive. The interior is nicer in a lot of small ways. My rental had the leather option in the SR trim with contrast stitching in the seats. However, the seat shape is very comfortable, and so are the adjustments, which are electric for the driver. That said, the fit and finish throughout are nicely done for the price point. The Sentra’s dashboard is also an exercise in logic and simplicity. It is very symmetrical. The toggles for instrument panel functions take some exploration, but the settings are easy to work with once you figure it out. Settings on the steering wheel-mounted controls are also easy to decipher but could be inverted from the car you may be used to driving. The connection of a phone is much easier than on many other vehicles and having the Bluetooth eagerly reconnect upon returning to the car seems better than in other cars of different sizes I’ve driven. My only complaint would be the climate control panel. It may look simple, but I could never quite get the air conditioning right. Again, this new Sentra’s hallmark features are its connected handling, a decent enough ride, good fuel economy, and generous room for its size, including the trunk’s capacity. I especially liked the excellent visibility all the way around. Gone is the “opera window” in the sail panel of the last model. Rather, the division of the rear door is done with vertical trim, and the views out back are excellent with a pillar that doesn’t intrude much and a backlight that curves subtly rather than too flatly. In the engine bay is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is normally aspirated. In both this Sentra and in the Altima, Nissan is going with familiar normally aspirated 4-cylinder engines and CVTs, the latter of which they’ve commonly offered for at least a decade. Hopefully, their CVTs’ service life and sturdiness have improved. Mostly, the CVT behaved well with some quirky and episodic subtle lags picking up speed from a stop, especially when cold. The engine is up to the task of everyday driving, but it gets rowdy when pushed. For the money, the Sentra offers a lot of features, and that’s a good thing. Safety features such as numerous alerts and emergency braking are included. The rear-view camera goes without saying and it’s a decent one, save some murky views when it’s too moist outside. They also have releases for things grouped on the driver’s side of the dashboard and going toward the floor –trunk release, hood release, and fuel door release. The gap cap was a conventional pressurized one. I really like having a secured fuel filler door. One “neat” feature is the lane departure and traffic sensing side sensors. Rather than being on the exterior mirrors, they are now inside and just inboard from the exterior mirrors, and, if things get too close or you get too close to things, they will chime. That means they are work beautifully with one’s peripheral vision and this was much appreciated. There are more pluses than minuses here. This new Sentra has more “personality” than before. I think that the current Nissan Sentra has improved quite a bit. Its competitors would be the Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra, the Kia Forte, and the Honda Civic. These would be in the same category if being rented. Since its most lauded competitors would be the Corolla and the Civic, I’ll address those. First, I have not driven a Honda Civic, which has gotten more attractive and more like the Accord over the years. However, compared to the Toyota Corolla, in my opinion, the gap narrows. The interior is more appealing than that of the Corolla. In terms of styling, its exterior side view and rear view are sportier and more attractive, but less so up front, where the overused Nissan design vocabulary is up against the overused Toyota design vocabulary. Where the Toyota might shine brighter is in its legendary reliability and longevity. However, if a person foresees a shorter holding period or plans to keep it no more than 100,000 - or 150,000 - miles, this distinction may become moot. I enjoyed spending a week and several hundred miles in this compact and practical mid-sized sedan. View full article
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FIAT's 500e is an odd vehicle, in that it's one of the industry's better EV efforts and yet it's publicly loathed by FIAT's own CEO. Though sold only in California and Oregon, a number of 500e's are coming off lease, needing new homes. Unlike many Americans in late 2016 who swore they'd move to Canada, FIAT 500e's are actually following through on those plans, aware of Canada's love of cheap and cheerful compacts. Juicy Jolt A couple diminutive expats ended up at a nearby lot, one of which was a bright, juicy orange with a white accented spoiler, air dam and mirrors. Despite being a fairly old vehicle, this colour combination is akin to a Scaramucci-esque botox and bake, turning this familiar 10 year old design into a charismatic creamsicle-coloured cherub. Though a dated interior, the 500e's cream white dash and matching faux-leather seats spruce the space up enough to take eyes off of the hard plastics. Orange accents on the doors and the seating add a playful, premium flair, albeit once your hand's drawn to them, do you realize this is still an economy car. Buttons and dials are close at hand and easy to use, and felt relatively satisfying to press, save for the one blank 'dead' button below the climate controls. I wish companies would make the effort to turn dead buttons into something, even if it's redundant functionality. A single digital display occupies the gauge pod, providing easy to read speed, mileage and remaining power information. Like some other electrics and hybrids, the 500e provides feedback on your driving; green for being energy efficient, red for not. It's not as gamified as Ford's use of green leaves in their system but it works well enough. Using manual controls, finding a comfortable seating position for my 6'3 frame was easy, with legroom to spare. The seats didn't feel as if I'd slid into a penalty box, and I felt well supported. Aside from the chunky B-pillars, the seats provided a commanding view of the road, moreso than some other cars I've driven in this class. Rear space is adequate for a grocery run, and with the seats folded down, the 500e is surprisingly spacious. The Cinquecento With Zip Upon starting the vehicle, an other-worldly digital screech pierced the cabin for over three seconds and my nightmares forever. The sound was similar to someone holding a microphone near a speaker. This apparently was an issue with the head-unit which the dealer promised would be fixed. However, upon looking through some paperwork, it seems attempts to fix the issue had taken place by the prior dealer. Having something like this happen on a fairly new car speaks volumes about FIAT's quality. But after you hit 'D' on the centre console and hit the road, the 500e's gremlins took a back seat in what is a genuinely fun runabout. Acceleration from 0 - 50km/h is brisk, and I found myself taking the right lane at red lights to get the jump on everyone else. While nowhere as visceral as a Tesla's take-off, the FIAT springs forward with just enough brio to put a cheeky smirk on your face, not unlike the one you had when you drove a go-kart for the first time. Dancing through traffic is a breeze with the 500e's instant torque and diminutive proportions. Zipping in and out of lanes, and around city corners is good fun, despite the hard, mileage-oriented tires and extra 600 lbs from the batteries, as well as the large B-pillar on the left side which creates a sizeable blind spot. The 500e's steering is engaging enough for most of us, and the car would likely be an entertaining cliffside drive alternative to its Abarth cousin. Parking the FIAT is simple, with it's small stature and included sensors making it easy to whip in and out of stalls, and in-between cars, even with the blind sports impeding vision. Best of all, the 500e's driver likely won't have to hunt for a spot very long, with plenty of EV-specific stalls in parkades. With about 150 kilometers of range, the 500e's is suitable for the average Canadian commute of 17km to work. (Insert Stereotypical Italian Phrase Here) I didn't have an opportunity to take the 500e on the freeway, nor charge it. Range is a respectable 150km, which is competitive considering a current-year base model Nissan Leaf and standard Smart Electric clock in at 135km and 160km respectively, while the FIAT offers arguably more spirited handling and panache. At used prices hovering around $15,000 CAD and fairly low mileages, the 500e makes a great deal of sense as a primary car for people living in or adjacent to a city. I have two major concerns: First, is that FIAT's battery warranty is not applicable in Canada. This means that owners will have to pay out of pocket in the event of issues. Dealers are being fairly up-front about this, however some of their ads promise 'free powertrain warranty' or 'free lifetime engine warranty,' which don't apply to the battery system and while likely from a template, are dubious. Second of course, is FIAT's own reliability track record, which reinforces my first concern.
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I travel a lot for work and rent cars 40+ times per year. After several years of dealing with substandard rentals (calling most of them mediocre would be a complement….and a lie), I realized that reserving a “Premium” car was the only way to be guaranteed a decent vehicle. The ‘Premium’ class can be anything from a Taurus Limited, Impala LTZ or Toyota Avalon to a Volvo S60. Recently, I had to fly to Memphis (from Atlanta) for a few days and made my rental reservation the day before I was arriving. I booked a Premium, but when I got to the lot (where I could usually pick a car using my Fastbreak card and be gone in a few minutes) there was nothing that fit the bill. Usually, at least with Budget, that means a free upgrade to a Grand Cherokee or Volvo XC60…but this time I only had two choices- a Chrysler 200 or Nissan Altima. My disdain for CVTs is only surpassed by my hatred of the Chrysler 200 (especially the 4-cylinder base models in rental fleets). So the Altima was, by default, my only choice. My only decision was whether to pick the hideous dark brown (Java Metallic) or medium-dark red (Cayenne Red). The black interior of the red one made the decision for me because beige rental car interiors can be especially grotesque. I’ve had some rentals in the past with beige or light gray interior that should have included a bottle of penicillin (use your imagination)! My rental was a 2.5S model, which is effectively the base model. Going off on a bit of a tangent, there is a trim level below the 2.5S simply called the 2.5. It’s only $400 cheaper and it lacks cruise control, backup camera, NissanConnect infotainment system, the ‘request’ button to lock/unlock doors without fumbling for a remote/fob and even a cabin air filter. It also loses two speakers (4 vs 6), illuminated visor mirrors, one seatback pocket, auto-on function for headlights, USB port and individual tire pressure monitor display for the TPMS. Considering that the 2.5 only accounts for 1.2% of the 62k Altimas currently in stock at dealers (29.5% are the 2.5S, like my rental), it defies (my) logic that there’s only a $400 difference in price for so many features. Just the manufacturing differences building such a small number (roughly 4000 using the 2015 sales total of 333k) of cars with different visors, no seatback pocket on one seat, different center control displays, etc. make no sense to me. Ironically, the price of the 2.5 is $182 higher on TrueCar than the 2.5S (in Georgia, at least). But back to my review… I’m not a fan of Nissan’s current design “language” and the Altima is no exception. Car & Driver shares my opinion and noted, while it shares a family resemblance with the Murano and Maxima, “this styling language still seems awkward to our eyes…especially if there’s a Mazda6 parked nearby!” It lands in third place, in my eyes, as the least attractive looking mid-size sedan following the Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry. But people rarely buy a car like this for looks. The interior was a mix of pleasant surprises and disappointments. The trunk was huge and there was more than enough room for my 6’2” 240# frame. The charcoal cloth seat fabric looked and felt nicer than expected. The driver’s seat was comfortable during the 15-20 minute trips I drove to/from my hotel and the company I was auditing. But I suspect the lack of lumbar support would be painfully obvious after an hour or so. Those are the only positive things I can say about the interior. The interior controls and layout weren’t horrible, but the Mazda6, Accord and Fusion all do it much better. The car I drove had just over 12k miles on it and had more squeaks and rattles than I expected (possibly due to a previous accident?) On uneven pavement or even small bumps, the shuddering of the dash and squeaking plastics were disconcerting. The materials looked and felt more appropriate for a Sentra than Altima (except the aforementioned seat fabric). There were a few noticeable wide gaps between panels that only reinforced the ‘low quality’ impression. A final note is the display for the audio system and backup camera in the center stack. The image quality of the backup camera was fine, but the display for the audio system looks like it was from 10+ years ago. The actual driving experience was significantly better than expected in most ways. The 182hp 2.5L had plenty of power for this class, but the sound at higher engine speeds was not pleasant. Then again, I’m biased because I used to redline my early-mid 90s Honda VTECs to redline just to hear them sing. I doubt many owners push it hard enough to notice. The truly surprising thing was the CVT. In the past, most CVTs simply revved to the optimum engine speed for acceleration and efficiency, based on throttle input. Under full throttle, that usually meant revving to around 5000rpm and staying there until you reached your desired speed. In the Altima (and even worse in the Sentra and Versa), that meant enduring droning (to the point of being ‘ear rape’ in the words of my best friend) and vibration from the engine. So I was amazed when the CVT in this Altima revved up to 4-5k rpm, then “shifted” dropping the revs and starting the climb to 4-5k rpm again, feeling just like a regular automatic. At the first opportunity, I had to check the Nissan website to make sure that they hadn’t suddenly realized that CVTs suck and started using regular ‘geared’ automatic transmissions again! It still has a CVT, but it is now programmed to mimic the operation of a conventional automatic with specific, fixed gear ratios. The result is surprisingly effective. CVT performance is a major complaint from owners of most Nissans and it appears that they’ve taken note and, more importantly, taken action. Ride quality was very good and it was very composed and comfortable on the highway. Altimas prior to the 2013 redesign were sportier than most mid-sizers when it came to handling and steering feel. But the current model has followed the example of the Toyota Camry, making the ride softer at the expense of handling prowess. The steering was numb and provided no feedback and the tires squealed in protest in curves taken at even remotely aggressive speeds. I have no doubt that my 2012 Mazda CX-9, despite being 1200lbs heavier with a much higher center of gravity, would beat it through a handling course. But again, 99% of Altima buyers (at least at this trim level) won’t be concerned about the handling limits because they’ll never approach them. The Altima wears the #3 sales crown among mid-size cars in the U.S. The Toyota Camry is the best seller (429k in 2015), followed by the Accord (356k last year) and the Altima sold 333k units. Those three models represent more than 1,000,000 sales last year! BTW, I’m willing to bet that the Accord would be the top dog if fleet sales were excluded from the totals. But my point is that the Altima must be doing enough things right to sell as well as it does. I’d actually like to drive the 2.5SR (or 3.5SR would be even better) because it would handle better, look better and improve on most areas where I found fault. Stay tuned for my review of the 2017 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD in the next week. I’m heading up to visit my best friend in Pittsburgh this weekend and he just took delivery of his new company vehicle earlier this week. We already have a 480-mile road trip planned and I’ll be doing the driving, so I’ll get a good feel for the ‘refreshed’ 2017 Fusion. I’m looking forward to it….
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I don’t usually take my vehicle to the dealer for service. But I just had a set of $1100 Michelins installed on my 2012 CX-9 GT and Discount Tire doesn’t do wheel alignments. My dealer recently sent me a coupon for a $49.95 alignment, so I decided to take advantage of it. While I was waiting for my car, I ventured into the showroom to check out the all-new 2016 CX-9 that was just released in the last month. They had a top-of-the-line Signature AWD model on display, which had a sticker of $45,215. The Signature is only available with Auburn-colored Nappa Leather interior and has real aluminum and genuine Rosewood trim. It even has very cool looking LED grille accent lighting. Everything is standard and there are no options. It was impressive, to say the least. I decided to take a quick test drive in a CX-9 Grand Touring FWD. The main difference between it and the Signature model in the showroom is the ‘regular’ leather interior (black in this case), no Rosewood trim and can be had in FWD or AWD, while AWD is mandatory on the Signature. The sticker price on the GT I test drove was $41,070. Like the Signature, there are no options…. everything is included. The original CX-9 was old in automotive terms, introduced in late 2006 as a 2007 model (nine model years is ancient). One of the primary obstacles in developing a new CX-9 was the lack of an engine to power it. The previous CX-9 was powered by a Ford-designed, Mazda-assembled 3.7L V6 good for 273hp @ 6250rpm and 270lb-ft of torque @ 4250rpm. It was a great engine with plenty of power, but it also guzzled gas (my 2012 is rated at 17/24mpg and I average just under 18mpg per tank). The 2016 CX-9 uses a turbocharged version of the 2.5L found in several other Mazda products. Mazda states that it produces 227hp on regular gas and 250hp on premium (@ 5000rpm in both cases). Regardless of the fuel used, it is rated at 310lb-ft of torque at a very low 2000rpm. On the surface, 227hp (or even 250hp) in this size and type of vehicle is at or near the bottom of the class. But the torque figure beats most of the competition by 40-50lb-ft. Again, just looking at numbers, the use of a 6-speed automatic appears to be a weakness when 8- and 9-speeds are common. But when you have that much torque at such a low engine speed, a good 6-speed is more than sufficient. Since I’m a repeat customer (and a current CX-9 owner), they let me take the test drive alone. That particular vehicle had almost 500 miles on it, so I didn’t feel quite as guilty pushing it a bit harder than usual. The salesman readily admitted that they only used regular gas, so it was only good for 227hp. I was expecting a significant difference in performance compared to my CX-9, and I was pleasantly surprised. My CX-9 is decently quick off the line but I have to rev it pretty hard if I want truly quick acceleration. If I need a quick burst of power for passing or merging into traffic, foot to the floor is the only way to go. But the new CX-9 pulls strongly almost from idle. There’s no need to push it past 5000rpm and power actually falls off between 5000rpm and the 6300rpm redline. In normal driving, it seriously feels like a big V6. The Aisin 6-speed automatic in my CX-9 is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. It always seems to be in the right gear in any given situation and will downshift two or even three gears in a split-second when you put the pedal to the floor. The 6-speed in the 2016 CX-9 performs just as well and, to my surprise, the need for downshifts is even less common. In situations where mine would downshift from 6th to 4th, the new one managed to stay in 6th and get the job done. The Achilles’ heel of the old CX-9 was fuel economy. As I mentioned earlier, mine is rated at 17/24mpg and I average just under 18mpg. The new model has a much improved rating of 22/28mpg (21/27 with AWD) and several tests I’ve found online show AWD models achieving 22-23mpg in real world driving. A 4-5mpg overall improvement is very impressive and also among the best in the class. The other major strike against the pre-2016 CX-9 was the dated interior design and technology (or lack thereof). It debuted almost 10 years ago and, despite updates in 2010 and 2013, it was still behind the curve. The new interior looks and feels more like a near-luxury vehicle than any Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango or Enclave/Traverse/Acadia I’ve ever seen. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and the assembly quality is excellent. The entire vehicle feels even more stiff and solid than before and the old model wasn’t too shabby in those areas to start with. The controls are well-placed, intuitive and even the ‘infotainment’ system (which I tend to hate in many new cars) was usable without reading the owner’s manual. It’s safe to say that I find the new 2016 Mazda CX-9 very impressive and a worthy successor to the first generation. While it is exceptional, no vehicle is perfect. But my quibbles are few and somewhat trivial. The way 98% of people drive, the new model is just as quick or quicker than before. But flat out acceleration from a standstill under full throttle feels slightly slower. I haven’t seen any published stats on the 2016 FWD, but estimates of the 0-60 time are in the 7.5-7.8sec range. My 2012 FWD was tested at 7.1sec, a slight but not insignificant difference. I also like the sound of my V6 better than the new turbo-4. Neither of those would be noticeable to the average buyer of this type of vehicle and it certainly wouldn’t deter me from buying one either. The new CX-9 has the potential to be a superstar among Large/3-row Crossovers! But the original CX-9 was also outstanding when it was introduced but, at best, sales were mediocre. The only year from 2007-2015 that it topped 30k was 2011, when 34,421 were sold. Most years were around the 25k mark, but just over 18k units were sold in 2014 and 2015. In comparison, the Toyota Highlander has sold over 100k units year since 2010 and almost hit 160k in 2015. The GM trio (Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia) sold 279k unit combined in 2015 and the Ford Explorer was just a few hundred sales shy of 250k. Even the mediocre Nissan Pathfinder sells over 80k per year. Obviously, there is a huge market for 3-row SUV/Crossovers and Mazda has a great opportunity for sales growth. While they have an excellent grasp on developing and building great cars, they don’t really know how to market them! Mazda also has one of the smallest dealer networks among non-premium/luxury brands…. (second only to Mitsubishi). I hope that they remedy those two shortcomings rather than allowing another exceptional vehicle to remain off the radar for the vast majority of consumers!
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Speeding through a city’s arteries, few vehicles get your blood pumping like Buell’s 1125CR. With a futuristic design and a frame coddling a heart that bleeds Red, White and Blue, this American sportbike is unlike anything else on the road. I step outside from a neighbourhood pub, only to notice an older gentleman poring over my motorcycle. Circling around, his gaze moves from side to side before fixating onto the large disc on the front wheel. Upon my approach, he looks up at me, grinning ear-to-ear. “Well mister, I’ve never seen anything quite like this in my life,” he says. “Where did this bike come from? Area 51?” “It is quite otherworldly, isn’t it?,” I smile. But before we can begin to chit-chat, he’s called into the pub by a friend. Cracking open the door, the grin on his face reappears. Before stepping inside, my new friend looks at me, with one more question: “So, do you go by Mr. Wayne? Or just Bruce?” And that’s Buell 1125CR ownership in a nutshell. Though the bike may stop, the fun doesn’t. Cafe Crawler Debuting in 2009, the Buell 1125CR was the brand’s interpretation of a ‘cafe racer,’ hence the CR designation. A famous motorcycling subset, ‘cafe racing’ typically traces its roots to the sixties, where Triumph’s and BSA’s volleyed down London’s streets.Today, ‘cafe racers’ have become the domain of hipsters, who’ve taken to ratted out Honda CB400’s and Suzuki XS400’s. But the 1125CR doesn't have time for PBR and ill-fitting jeans. While parent Harley Davidson always looked to the past, Buell always preferred its own direction - often producing some oddball creations. In this case, the 1125CR is firmly entrenched in the future - one that seems a little dystopian. At home in back alleys and urban decay, the 2009 1125CR’s menacing appearance is almost prescient, channeling America’s frustration with the ‘Great Recession’ and further industrial decline. The 1125CR’s polarizing looks begin with the two pods on either side of the bike. Though many people believe these to be intakes for the powertrain, they actually house radiators that cool 1125cc engine. From the side, they create the appearance of muscular haunches, ready to pounce forward. The headlight fixture scowls beneath a tiny cowl, glaring ahead at oncoming traffic. It all works very well, unless when viewed directly from the front, in which case the bike suffers a case of butterface. But eyes will quickly be drawn to the 1125CR’s other assets, including Buell’s unique ‘zero torsional load’ (ZTL) floating disc brake on the front wheel, a low-slung muffler and of course, the 1125cc engine wrapped by header pipes. Holding everything together is a svelte, state-of-the-art aluminum ‘beam frame,’ which doubles as the 1125CR’s fuel tank. Yes, the fuel is in the frame, and the oil is in the swingarm. Science! It’s all so ‘Hot Wheels’ and thus, you’ll be getting thumbs-ups from every boy, ages 5 and up. Park it at the gas station, and even Lambo owners will be rubbernecking. The Naked Truth As it bears the ‘cafe racer’ namesake, the 1125CR bares all its internals, eschewing fairings and plastics that are typical of many sportbikes like Kawasaki’s Ninja. The 1125CR is an unashamed member of the ‘Naked’ category, which is becoming increasingly popular. Ducati’s ‘Monster’ and Triumph’s ‘Triple’ models are well-known examples. As the name goes, riders are left with little protection from the elements. The Buell 1125CR is no exception. In ‘Raincouver,’ riding the 1125CR in inclement weather all but guarantees that the rider will be drenched from head to toe. With a popular aftermarket ‘tail chop,’ water will also kick up behind the massive 180/55 rear tire. And without any front fairing, the rider gets to face the wind. Fortunately, the engine runs hot enough to add some warmth. For anyone outside of a desert environment, expect the 1125CR to be garaged for at least a quarter of the year. Smooth Operator Unlike the rip-snorting Buell’s based on Harley Davidson’s V-Twins, the 1125CR is downright sophisticated. A collaboration with Austrian engine-manufacturer Rotax (owned by Bombardier Recreational Products), the 1125cc ‘Helicon’ V-Twin engine boasts 146HP and 82 ft-lbs of torque. Keeping the vibrations in check are three counterbalancing shafts. The engine can rev high, but powers through the RPM range in a predictable manner, thanks to a deep well of torque that is on tap. Unlike previous Buell’s, the 1125 series features a six-speed gearbox, a welcome change from the brand’s previous reliance on clunkier, five-speed units. Buell also geared the bike down slightly compared to its track-oriented cousin, resulting in a better city riding experience. It all adds up to a big smile when the lights turn green. In gentle hands, the 1125CR will scoot to 100km/h in under four seconds. It won’t outrun a Hayabusa or ZX-10, but it will take on just about everything else. The rush of power to the rear wheel is similar to that of a wooden roller coaster: smooth and sustained. Steering the 1125CR is a smooth affair, regardless of whether you’re on the highway or the alleyway. Despite the use of ‘clubman’ style handlebars, the riding position is fairly neutral. Taking corners is always predictable and there’s never any sense of jitteriness that some other bikes are claimed to have. This bike is at its best when negotiating gridlock and funneling between cars. Its flickable yet forgiving handling gives the rider the ability to skirt everything from potholes to pedestrians. But if you’re hoping to skirt the oilman, there are better options than the 1125CR. In mixed riding, the bike typically averages 40 mpg. Stuck in the city? You’ll be stuck in the high-20’s. Naturally, 91 octane or higher is recommended. Barhopper Bargoon? Unlike BMW and Honda, Buell never set out to make motorcycles for everyone. They were driven to be different - it was even in their tagline. The 1125CR is emblematic of this philosophy, and it'd be the final steed out of the 'Pegasus Brand's' stable before the gates shut. Fortunately, the 1125 series isn't in limbo. Erik Buell Racing continues to support these bikes with parts, some of which are improved. That’s important, because the 1125’s had their share of gremlins, including issues with charging stators and weepy clutches. Some cursory Googling will enlighten potential buyers. Prices for these models are quite low, and they’re often babied by their doting Buell enthusiast owners. Only 3,100 were built. If you don't mind being the centre of attention and are comfortable riding something that's a little harder to service, a used Buell 1125CR is a standout option. Editor's Note: Jeremy Sally is a long time reader guest posting for us today. Our Roadmasters section is where we put reviews of vehicles that deserve a review, but that don't come to us in the traditional fashion of a manufacturer loan. -DD -
Speeding through a city’s arteries, few vehicles get your blood pumping like Buell’s 1125CR. With a futuristic design and a frame coddling a heart that bleeds Red, White and Blue, this American sportbike is unlike anything else on the road. I step outside from a neighbourhood pub, only to notice an older gentleman poring over my motorcycle. Circling around, his gaze moves from side to side before fixating onto the large disc on the front wheel. Upon my approach, he looks up at me, grinning ear-to-ear. “Well mister, I’ve never seen anything quite like this in my life,” he says. “Where did this bike come from? Area 51?” “It is quite otherworldly, isn’t it?,” I smile. But before we can begin to chit-chat, he’s called into the pub by a friend. Cracking open the door, the grin on his face reappears. Before stepping inside, my new friend looks at me, with one more question: “So, do you go by Mr. Wayne? Or just Bruce?” And that’s Buell 1125CR ownership in a nutshell. Though the bike may stop, the fun doesn’t. Cafe Crawler Debuting in 2009, the Buell 1125CR was the brand’s interpretation of a ‘cafe racer,’ hence the CR designation. A famous motorcycling subset, ‘cafe racing’ typically traces its roots to the sixties, where Triumph’s and BSA’s volleyed down London’s streets.Today, ‘cafe racers’ have become the domain of hipsters, who’ve taken to ratted out Honda CB400’s and Suzuki XS400’s. But the 1125CR doesn't have time for PBR and ill-fitting jeans. While parent Harley Davidson always looked to the past, Buell always preferred its own direction - often producing some oddball creations. In this case, the 1125CR is firmly entrenched in the future - one that seems a little dystopian. At home in back alleys and urban decay, the 2009 1125CR’s menacing appearance is almost prescient, channeling America’s frustration with the ‘Great Recession’ and further industrial decline. The 1125CR’s polarizing looks begin with the two pods on either side of the bike. Though many people believe these to be intakes for the powertrain, they actually house radiators that cool 1125cc engine. From the side, they create the appearance of muscular haunches, ready to pounce forward. The headlight fixture scowls beneath a tiny cowl, glaring ahead at oncoming traffic. It all works very well, unless when viewed directly from the front, in which case the bike suffers a case of butterface. But eyes will quickly be drawn to the 1125CR’s other assets, including Buell’s unique ‘zero torsional load’ (ZTL) floating disc brake on the front wheel, a low-slung muffler and of course, the 1125cc engine wrapped by header pipes. Holding everything together is a svelte, state-of-the-art aluminum ‘beam frame,’ which doubles as the 1125CR’s fuel tank. Yes, the fuel is in the frame, and the oil is in the swingarm. Science! It’s all so ‘Hot Wheels’ and thus, you’ll be getting thumbs-ups from every boy, ages 5 and up. Park it at the gas station, and even Lambo owners will be rubbernecking. The Naked Truth As it bears the ‘cafe racer’ namesake, the 1125CR bares all its internals, eschewing fairings and plastics that are typical of many sportbikes like Kawasaki’s Ninja. The 1125CR is an unashamed member of the ‘Naked’ category, which is becoming increasingly popular. Ducati’s ‘Monster’ and Triumph’s ‘Triple’ models are well-known examples. As the name goes, riders are left with little protection from the elements. The Buell 1125CR is no exception. In ‘Raincouver,’ riding the 1125CR in inclement weather all but guarantees that the rider will be drenched from head to toe. With a popular aftermarket ‘tail chop,’ water will also kick up behind the massive 180/55 rear tire. And without any front fairing, the rider gets to face the wind. Fortunately, the engine runs hot enough to add some warmth. For anyone outside of a desert environment, expect the 1125CR to be garaged for at least a quarter of the year. Smooth Operator Unlike the rip-snorting Buell’s based on Harley Davidson’s V-Twins, the 1125CR is downright sophisticated. A collaboration with Austrian engine-manufacturer Rotax (owned by Bombardier Recreational Products), the 1125cc ‘Helicon’ V-Twin engine boasts 146HP and 82 ft-lbs of torque. Keeping the vibrations in check are three counterbalancing shafts. The engine can rev high, but powers through the RPM range in a predictable manner, thanks to a deep well of torque that is on tap. Unlike previous Buell’s, the 1125 series features a six-speed gearbox, a welcome change from the brand’s previous reliance on clunkier, five-speed units. Buell also geared the bike down slightly compared to its track-oriented cousin, resulting in a better city riding experience. It all adds up to a big smile when the lights turn green. In gentle hands, the 1125CR will scoot to 100km/h in under four seconds. It won’t outrun a Hayabusa or ZX-10, but it will take on just about everything else. The rush of power to the rear wheel is similar to that of a wooden roller coaster: smooth and sustained. Steering the 1125CR is a smooth affair, regardless of whether you’re on the highway or the alleyway. Despite the use of ‘clubman’ style handlebars, the riding position is fairly neutral. Taking corners is always predictable and there’s never any sense of jitteriness that some other bikes are claimed to have. This bike is at its best when negotiating gridlock and funneling between cars. Its flickable yet forgiving handling gives the rider the ability to skirt everything from potholes to pedestrians. But if you’re hoping to skirt the oilman, there are better options than the 1125CR. In mixed riding, the bike typically averages 40 mpg. Stuck in the city? You’ll be stuck in the high-20’s. Naturally, 91 octane or higher is recommended. Barhopper Bargoon? Unlike BMW and Honda, Buell never set out to make motorcycles for everyone. They were driven to be different - it was even in their tagline. The 1125CR is emblematic of this philosophy, and it'd be the final steed out of the 'Pegasus Brand's' stable before the gates shut. Fortunately, the 1125 series isn't in limbo. Erik Buell Racing continues to support these bikes with parts, some of which are improved. That’s important, because the 1125’s had their share of gremlins, including issues with charging stators and weepy clutches. Some cursory Googling will enlighten potential buyers. Prices for these models are quite low, and they’re often babied by their doting Buell enthusiast owners. Only 3,100 were built. If you don't mind being the centre of attention and are comfortable riding something that's a little harder to service, a used Buell 1125CR is a standout option. Editor's Note: Jeremy Sally is a long time reader guest posting for us today. Our Roadmasters section is where we put reviews of vehicles that deserve a review, but that don't come to us in the traditional fashion of a manufacturer loan. -DD View full article
