2016 Nissan Versa – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV Review – A good powertrain in need of a better car – The Car Exam

Drive the 2016 Nissan Versa SV Sedan long enough, and you’ll learn exactly what the plusses and minuses about the car as a package, are. Without further delay, here they are:

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Plusses: The powertrain in the Versa SV is surprisingly peppy and smooth. 109 hp., 107 ft. lbs. of torque, 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine feels more powerful and refined than the numbers suggest. Driving it up steep hills, for instance, is surprisingly effortless. The CVT Transmission takes excellent advantage of the engine’s power, and you quickly understand why a CVT trumps a conventional five or six speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is decent, as well. The lumbar support in the front seats is very good, rear seat room and head room are impressive, and trunk room is also more than acceptable. Braking and ride quality in the Versa SV Sedan are also adequate. Fuel economy is also respectable (31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway).

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Minuses: That where the plusses end: The rest of the Versa is lacking, and had the rest of the car been as good as the powertrain, it would be a winner. It isn’t. Other than acceleration and power, the Versa is not fun to drive–at all. Handling is sloppy, the driving position isn’t the greatest, the stereo system stinks, the interior plastics are subpar, and the overall styling exercise is awkward at best. It wants to be a Sentra or Altima in spirit, but it doesn’t deliver. This body style has been on the market for about five years now, and while it is much better than the Versa Sedan that came before it style-wise, it still looks out of proportion.

2016 Nissan Versa SV – The Car Exam

Final Grade: if Nissan put the Versa’s powertrain in a number of small cars that aren’t Nissan, it could make them better–but it’s in the Versa SL Sedan, so it’s left without the proper vehicle that would help it shine and stand out against the competition. The 2016 Nissan Versa SV can only muster up a grade of C/C-. That’s too bad, because with some more effort, this Nissan could be so much better than it is now.

Base MSRP for the 2016 Nissan Vera SV: $15,580

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Chevrolet Impala – The Car Exam Review

Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

2016 Chevrolet Impala – An Impressive American Sedan – Consumer and Car Exam

Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

Good grades: the 2016 Chevrolet Impala has impressive styling, both inside and out. Its sleek, modern, beautiful styling no longer says “rental car special.” Interior room, ergonomics, and comfort are cavernous. The quality of materials in the Impala are not cheap and flimsy like GM cars of the 1990’s–they’re very nice, and the seats in the Chevy Impala–both front and rear–are very comfortable with lots of room for passengers to stretch out and relax. The trunk is also extremely large, with enough room to gobble up plenty of gear on a long road trip. The stereo system in the 2016 Chevy Impala also sounds fantastic. Even if you don’t use it, you are treated to a nice, quiet ride.

Engine power on the 305 hp, 264 lb-ft. of torque, 3.6L V6 engine is strong and well tuned for the six-speed automatic transmission, and the overall driving dynamics (as well as the build quality) do not disappoint. Braking and handling are also exceptional on the Impala.

Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

Bad Grades: there’s very little to complain about here: the rear blind spots might be too much for some, especially shorter adults; also, the starting price of the Impala may be a bit much for some prospective shoppers: the 2LT trim has a starting MSRP of $30,435, while a base Impala starts at $27,095. The price goes up even more from there, and there are many people not wanting to spent that kind of cash on an Impala.

Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

Final Grade: The Car Exam gives the 2016 Chevrolet Impala a solid “A” grade. It’s one of the best-driving and impressive American sedans Consumer and Car Exam has ever tested, and it’s a job well-done by Chevy and GM. If reliability is just as impressive, GM has a real winner on its hands.

2016 Chevrolet Impala – Consumer and Car Exam

All reviews, photos and stories ©2008-2016 Consumer and Car Exam and T.C.E. No material from this site may used without the permission of Consumer and Car Exam and T.C.E.

Kia Optima – 2015 Extended Test Revisited – Consumer and Car Exam

2015 Kia Optima

2015 Kia Optima SX and LX…revisiting one of Consumer and Car Exam’s most popular reviews

Plusses: The 2015 Kia Optima SX Limited is a nice, well-balanced car. The Optima’s ride is near-perfect, the interior is comfortable (and roomy), interior materials feel upscale, and the dash design is superb. Cloth materials in the base Optima LX are acceptable, as well. The 2.0 liter, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), 274 horsepower, turbocharged four cylinder engine is powerful, slick, and very smooth–no turbo lag was detected at all–this is the smoothest turbocharged engine Consumer and Car Exam Has ever tested. Braking feels good as well. The brakes also stop promptly in the Optima LX.

The non-turbo engine in our recent extended test base model Optima accelerated very well, too; it puts out a strong 192 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is not lacking in either model tested. The trunk is large—cavernous, and it can hold a lot of items. The base suspension on the Optima LX is softer, so it doesn’t handle with the same vigor as the sport-tuned suspension on the SX Limited. Nevertheless, the base LX suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps in the road—it definitely serves its purpose for typical driving here.

2015 Kia Optima

This fully-loaded test model had navigation, rear camera, blind spot detection and much more; the safety features on the Optima are impressive. 34 mpg on the highway also impresses, and the six-speed automatic transmission will not disappoint most drivers; however, there is another caveat about rearward visibility in the upcoming minuses section…The stereo in the Kia Optima LX also has a good sound, with very strong bass tones to spice up the sound if you want to.

2015 Kia Optima

Minuses: The c-pillar design on the roof creates a blind spot, but the blind spot detection system can help compensate for that. Now, the other rearward visibility caveat: the high rear deck lid (and steeply-sloping rear window) makes rear visibility difficult; on the extended test base model Optima LX recently driven, two of the three rear headrests had to be removed to improve the rearward view. The high deck lid could be a problem for short drivers. Any kind of moderately-spirited driving means poor gas mileage (at least in the base LX, fuel economy tanks badly), so one needs to be careful when driving the Optima.

2015 Kia Optima

Final Grade: This is one of the best all-around, mid-sized sedans on the market today–and most worthy of Consumer and Car Exam’s final grade of “A/A+”…Well done, Kia–well done, and the all-new 2016 Kia Optima will hopefully be a winner, too.

2015 Kia Optima

Kia Soul – 2016 – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

2016 Kia Soul – A Consumer and Car Exam Preview: Does it have soul?

The 2016 Kia Soul is an admirable part of the small CUV segment of cars that include the Scion iM, the Honda Fit, and more. The Soul had been around for quite awhile now, and it has proven its worth. Consumer and Car Exam did an extended test, but for now here’s a brief synopsis of Consumer and Car Exam’s findings:

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Rear – Consumer and Car Exam

The 2016 Kia Soul is a good car for long distance highway cruising–if you bring your own lumbar support along. It basically has none, and if you have a bad back, this could potentially be a big problem. Other than that, ergonomics seem pretty decent, the sound system is okay (the touch screen is a bit small, but the backup camera is very welcome for added safety) and interior room is good. There’s a large blind spot in the rear, so exercise caution when changing lanes. The ride soaks up bumps in the road very well–it’s not too soft, and not too firm.

Kia Soul – dash and front seats

Acceleration is adequate–it’s not a hot rod by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets the job done. Fuel economy disappoints, though: Consumer and Car Exam could average no better than 24 mpg in mostly highway driving. Driving conditions could influence fuel economy, though. Overall, the 2016 Kia Soul seems like a good, solid option for those drivers seeking a hatchback with acceptable interior space and decent engine horsepower.

Kia Soul – engine

Also, the 2016 Kia Soul had another nice surprise: a spare tire! What??? A spare tire? That’s right–an actual spare tire, not a fix-it kit. Consumer and Car Exam will add its extended test later for a more detailed look at the 2016 Kia Soul.

Kia Soul – spare tire!

Honda Fit – The Car Exam

Honda Fit – The Car Exam

2015 Honda Fit: Somewhat Better…But Far From Perfect

Good Grades: The styling on the 2015 Honda Fit is an improvement. It looks sleeker and more up-to-date. No longer available in Base/Sport Trims, they are designated as: LX, EX, EX-L, and EX-L/with Navigation. The new base model is the LX, which The Car Exam tested. It now packs 130 horsepower, 13 more than the 2013 model. It’s mated to a CVT automatic transmission, which gives the Fit all around better fuel economy in the city and on the highway (33 CITY 41 HWY, 2015 vs. 28 CITY 35 HWY, 2013). Braking and steering in the 2015 Honda Fit are also just fine. The interior quality is better than the 2009-13 Fit–it looks more upscale. The Magic Seats in the 2015 Honda Fit are still there, which is a great thing–and the load floor to the rear hatch is still nice and flat. Those qualities keep cargo hauling easier than every other car in its class. There’s an outside temperature gauge now, something sorely missing from the last generation Fit, and the USB auxiliary input is now exposed in a convenient place close to the driver.

 

Honda Fit – The Car Exam

Bad Grades: The 2015 Honda Fit comes up short in a number of areas: handling is not as crisp as it is in the 2013 model; it provides a softer ride, but cornering ability suffers. The 2009-13 feels like a taut and fun–the 2015 Fit doesn’t. The new Fit has more engine horsepower, but it still strains and it’s loud and booming, worse than the old Fit. What happened to the additional sound insulation, Honda? It’s inexcusable for the new Fit to be so noisy.

Honda Fit

The new Fit loses about 4 cubic feet in cargo room to help allow for more rear leg room, and it’s a noticeable trade-off. The Fit LX gets a stereo with a volume control knob–great–but every other trim has an odd touch control for the volume, and it works poorly. Most drivers will need to adjust the volume from the steering wheel to do it safely. What’s worse, Honda is using that same flawed volume control on more of its new cars–a very bad thing. The 2015 Fit also loses the top storage in the dash, which is too bad.

Honda Fit – The Car Exam

Final Grade: The Fit earns a “B” grade–there’s definitely much room for improvement. There are more than enough fixable flaws with the 2015 Fit to prevent it from earning a better grade. It’s better in some areas, but it can be a lot better in others. If you go with the Fit, know what you’re getting–take an extended test drive before you decide.

Honda Fit – The Car Exam

 

2015 Honda Fit LX (as tested, MSRP): $16,450.00

 

Ford Fiesta – The Car Exam

Ford Fiesta – The Car Exam

Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback Quick Test

Good Grades: The Fiesta is a good transportation car–it gets decent fuel economy (28 CITY, 36 HWY), engine power is adequate (120 horsepower, and 112 lb. ft. of torque)–the six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission works generally well with the engine, the brakes work fine, it handles corners confidently, the ride is acceptable (not too harsh, not too soft) and the driver’s seat is comfortable. It feels like a solidly-built car–it doesn’t feel cheap and tinny. The Aston-Martin-like front end styling Ford has adopted on many of its vehicles in recent years works especially well here on the Fiesta, as it does on the Fusion and the Focus.

Ford Fiesta – The Car Exam

Bad Grades: There is no rear leg room in the back seats (entry and exit into the back seats is also difficult); the cargo capacity–even with the rear seats folded town is terrible (many other cars in its class are far roomier), the stereo is complex and has far too many buttons (very small buttons) and it isn’t easy to use at all (which is too bad, because it sounds good), rear visibility is subpar, and watch your head when getting into the front and back seats–it’s easy to hit your head on the roof–and it hurts!

 

Final Grade: The Fiesta (even though it’s a very nice-looking car) needs a well-conceived redesign to get it right–it only earns a “C” grade. Ford is building better cars than before, but the Fiesta has too many crucial and functional shortcomings–and those flaws make it much less competitive than other subcompact cars in its class.

 

Ford Fiesta – The Car Exam

 

2015 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback Base Price (as tested): $15,595

 

SUV – Truck –  Auto Exam and News ©2008-2015 The Car Exam and C&CE

Dodge Challenger R/T – The Car Exam

Dodge Challenger (2015) R/T Scat Pack – Front

2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack: Super American Muscle

Plusses: 6.4 liters, 485 horsepower of pure Hemi V8 muscle–the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack model is so fast, it will have you asking yourself, “Do I need this much horsepower? Really?” You may not need it all the time, but if you need to merge onto the highway or pass another vehicle, you’ll answer “Heck yes!” with a huge grin on your face. The rapid acceleration will press you against your seat instantly. The eight-speed automatic transmission works seemlessly with the 6.4 liter V8 engine. The Challenger shares the same platform as the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300, which means interior space is great for an American muscle these days (the Challenger even has a good amount of useable trunk space, although the lift-over is high). The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro aren’t even close in that department.

Dodge Challenger (2015) Front and Side View

2015 Challenger – Trunk

The seats are top notch and comfortable, both in front and in back; the revised dash is light years better than the one in the 2014 models, and the touchscreen infotainment system is great–seeing the performance information (horsepower, torque, etc.) displayed on the screen is a terrific idea, and it can even be entertaining for passengers. The performance suspension has a ride the is acceptable, which is quite a surprise. The Challenger Scat Pack even has some nifty safety features on board (forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear backup camera for good measure). The 2015 Dodge Challenger also has classic good looks going for it also–it’s the total package.

Dodge Challenger – Dash and Front Seats

Challenger Dash 1

Challenger Dash 2

Minuses: You’ll pay dearly at the gas pump for all that horsepower–the Challenger’s poor fuel economy won’t win any awards for frugalness (E.P.A. rated 14 mpg city, 23 mpg highway). The huge blind spots from the rear “C” pillars hamper visibility. It also make rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic, in spite of the spacious rear seat.

2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

Final Grade: if you can afford the mid-$40,000 price of the 2015 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack (Consumer and Car Exam’s tester model), then go for it. This car will most likely become a collectible classic in the future. Do you need to buy the more expensive, Dodge Challenger SRT 392 model–or the even more expensive 707 hp Hemi Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat? No! The Scat Pack Challenger will do the job with no problem. The updated and improved Dodge Challenger is a fantastic piece of American muscle, and a thrill ride driving enthusiasts should experience at least once–actually, as many times as they possibly can. Even if some consumers can’t spend (or don’t want to) the extra cash for the Scat Pack Challenger, they still have the 5.7 liter, 375 hp, Hemi V8 R/T and 3.6 liter, 305 hp Pentastar V6 SXT models to choose from–decisions, decisions…

The Car Exam’s Grade: a strong “A” grade

Dodge Challenger (2015) – R/T and Base Models

Dodge Challenger (2015) Rear

Kia Forte LX – 2015 Extended Test

Kia Forte LX

Kia Forte LX – 2015 Extended Test – Consumer and Car Exam

Plusses: Comfortable seats (front and rear), front and rear leg room is excellent, a comfortable ride–the suspension soaks up most bumps easily; the interior ergonomics are on target–the radio and H/VAC controls are close to the driver and easy to read. The gauges are easy to read as well. The Forte has good trunk room. The stereo has good sound overall, and once you learn how to navigate it and play mp3/wma files, it is quite simple to use.

Kia Forte – Dash

Also, the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine has good low end power, the six-speed transmission shifts smoothly, and the brakes do a good job of stopping the Forte without hassle. The sun visors actually work–both for the windshield and the side windows–they are long and just the right length, unlike a lot of cars today. The exterior styling isn’t ground-breaking, but it doesn’t offend. It’s a decent looking car.

Minuses: The Kia’s acceleration seems to lag at higher speeds; by comparison, the 2014 Toyota Corolla tested just before the Forte did a far better job–with less horsepower. The CVT in the Corolla takes better advantage of its engine’s power band than the Kia’s engine/transmission combo. It required more shifting climbing steep grades than the Corolla, which handles that task with precision. The high rear deck lid cuts some rearward visibility, but the visibility out of the other windows in the car is just fine.

The soft suspension makes for a comfortable ride, but it isn’t sporty enough to go around twisty roads vigorously. In other words, it doesn’t feel “athletic.” Fuel economy is acceptable; slower driving is rewarded with better gas mileage. If you have a lead foot, it will drink gas as fast a thirsty dog drinks cool water on a hot summer day. It read color of the stereo display is a somewhat of a turn-off, just as they are in the Kia Soul and other Kia models.

Final Grade: it earns a solid “A-/B+” grade. The 2015 Kia Forte LX is a good commuter car that will work just a nicely as a long road trip car. The Car Exam’s extended test of the Forte was a good one–it was a solid feeling, comfortable car. It put many other compact (and mid-sized cars) to shame. The only thing missing was a sunroof, which can be had on higher-end Forte models. It lacks the “herky-jerky” transmission found in the Ford Focus, and the “cinder block in-your-face” dashboard found in the Toyota Corolla.

Kia Forte

If the Forte is reliable, then it will be money well-spent by consumers choosing to purchase it. If it were more fun to drive, and the engine had better high end acceleration, it would score even higher. The Kia Forte is just as good as its platform mate, the Hyundai Elantra, and worth consideration to buy for anyone looking for an affordable sedan (or even hatchback–the Forte 5).

Kia Forte – 2015

Kia Forte

Chevrolet Colorado Quick Test – The Car Exam

Chevrolet Colorado

Chevy Colorado

Plusses: The 2014 Chevrolet Colorado is a modern-looking pickup truck; the exterior has clean styling, the interior has easy to use controls and an easy to read instrument cluster, the optional 305 hp, 3.6 liter V6 engine (mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission) has adequate acceleration, good braking, adequate fuel economy for a truck (26 mpg highway for the V6, and 27 mpg on the highway for the 2.5 liter, 200 hp 4 cylinder engine), and for people who want a pickup smaller than a full-size truck, they have another viable option.

Chevrolet Colorado

Chevy Colorado – Dash

Chevy Colorado – Mid-Cluster

Minuses: The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Consumer and Car Exam tested rode very harshly–you could feel every imperfection in the road, the interior material quality didn’t impress, the seats didn’t feel especially comfortable, and regardless of the model–extended cab or crew cab, back seat passengers will be cramped.

Chevy Colorado interior 1

Chevy Colorado – interior 2

The Car Exam expected more from the Colorado, especially with all of the accolades is has received this year. Also, the Colorado can get pricey, and a fully-loaded 4×4 model shouldn’t come in well above $30,000. The days of a cheap, affordable new small truck far under $20,000 are long gone, sadly.

Coming soon: the 2015 Chevy Colorado Quick Test and more

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Coming soon: the 2015 Chevy Colorado Quick Test; the 2014 Corolla revisited, and new food reviews…See them soon on The Car Exam!