First-time buyer seeking a hot deal? Here are three
For an entry-level ride, Nissan, Kia and Mitsubishi offer value
By combining manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings we find the best deal for your money in new cars. This week we look at entry-level rides. The hot deals are on the Kia Forte Koup 2.0 EX 6AT, Mitsubishi Lancer ES CVT and Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SR CVT.
2016 Kia Forte Koup 2.0 EX 6AT
MSRP: $22,495
Kia Canada incentive: $4,500 Unhaggle savings: $250 Total savings: $4,750 Mandatory fees: $1,700 Total before tax: $19,445 The Kia Forte Koup is soon to be replaced, so there are going to be some very persuasive offers as the next-gen model’s launch nears. As it stands, the $4,750 Unhaggle offer is very good. While the Koup has only two doors, it’s still a decent family hauler. The front half of the car mirrors its four-door sibling, with decent materials and a lot of equipment for the price. The list includes air conditioning, the usual power items, Bluetooth, heated front seats and a rear-view camera that’s incorporated into the UVO infotainment system. It also brings tilt/telescopic steering adjustment. The back half is equally well crafted; the rear seat will accommodate two adults with legroom to spare, although getting back there does require some agility. There’s also 387 litres of trunk space and the flexibility of 60/40-split folding rear seat backs.
The Forte Koup EX has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that pushes 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed manumatic transmission. The combination delivers sprightly performance. Ditto the handling. The sport-tuned suspension is compliant even as it limits body roll, and the steering is crisp and responsive. The P215/45R17 tires limit understeer and hone the fun of the drive. A six-speed manual is available.
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer ES CVT MSRP: $18,698 Mitsubishi Canada incentive: $1,500
Unhaggle savings: $250 Total savings: $1,750 Mandatory Fees: $1,740 Total before tax: $18,688 The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer receives fresh front-end styling and some new standard features, including heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, automatic climate control with filtration, a heightadjustable driver seat, heated seats, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, the usual power items, cruise control, Bluetooth and a trip computer with a colour display. The Lancer’s nits are the marginal quality of the interior plastics, the 348-L trunk and lack of telescopic steering.
The Lancer ES is powered by a 2.0-L four-cylinder engine that produces 148 hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque and for the most part it has the wherewithal to deal with the cut and thrust of the morning commute. The Unhaggle deal arrives with Mitsu’s continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination tends to get rather loud under hard acceleration. A five-speed manual transmission is available. Opting for ES AWC brings a larger 2.4-L four-cylinder with 168 hp and better refinement, along with a sport version of the CVT and a decent all-wheel-drive system. The $2,300 premium brings a vastly superior ride.
The ES’s suspension delivers spirited handling, along with a decent ride quality. Push too hard, and the P205/60R16 tires do slip into understeer. That said, it is a composed drive with a connected feel; the electrically assisted steering has good on-centre feel and feedback.
Nissan Versa Note 1.6 SR CVT MSRP: $18,898 Nissan Canada incentive: $2,500 Unhaggle savings: $200 Total savings: $2,700 Mandatory fees: $1,740 Total before tax: $17,938 The Versa Note arrives as a flexible hatchback with seating for five, 532 L of cargo space with the seats upright and 1,084 L when folded flat. The cabin is also nicely finished. Along with air conditioning and the usual power items comes a premium audio system with five-inch colour display, which also shows the view from the rear camera. The disappointment is the lack of telescopic steering.
The Versa Note uses a 1.6-L fourcylinder that produces 109 hp and 107 lb.-ft. of torque. The numbers look less than inspiring, but given the Note’s 1,145-kilogram curb weight, it does a surprisingly good job of motivating the hatch. True, nobody will be bowled over by the performance, but it is up to snuff for an entry-level car. The Note’s CVT does the same as most, and that is make things noisy when the gas is prodded with enthusiasm. That said, this CVT is one of the better setups.
When it comes to the ride and handling, the Versa Note SR is surprisingly light on its P195/55R16 tires. There is little body roll, the steering is precise and understeer only surfaces when liberties are taken.