Nissan Announces Killing All Sedan Production For SUVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In a surprising announcement, Nissan says it is killing all sedan development beginning with the Japanese market. It is not saying when or where this will spread to, but it does put a lot of iconic Nissan models into question. We’re talking cars like the Altima and GT-R, for starters.

And what about the Godzilla Skyline? Nissan contacted suppliers last week about its decision according to Nikkei Asia. While some of Nissan’s cars are built in the US the GT-R isn’t. So if Nissan is stopping the production of cars in Japan, what happens to the GT-R in the US? The iconic sedan has been around since 2007.

Will the end of the GT-R be to make way for Nissan’s Ariya?

2022 Nissa Ariya | Nissan Motor Corporation

Currently, the GT-R is built at Nissan’s Tochigi, Japan, plant. Plans have already been announced for the Ariya EV to be built there too. So it could be that the end of the GT-R is now to make way for Nissan’s Ariya. 

Nissan says this is being done in an effort to simplify development. And let’s face it; sedans are dying in the wake of trucks and SUVs. The market dictates almost everything manufacturers make and this is no different. 

Nissan sold only 5,800 of all four sedans combined in 2020

a red nissan altima on display
Nissan Altima is seen at the New York International Auto Show | Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Currently, Nissan makes four sedans. They are Skyline, Cima, Fuga, and Sylphy which just stopped production last year. The eye-popper is that Nillei says Nissan sold only 5,800 of all four of the sedans combined in 2020. That amounted to one percent of total sales. 

In markets outside of Japan Nissan sedans sold better. Nissan sold just under one million sedans worldwide. But that number is down sharply from 2016’s 1.7 million sold. The company said back in May it would be cutting the number of models it makes. 

A lot of this is tied to its alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi. The group is finally getting serious about sharing platforms and not overlapping products. Without that economy of scale, it makes little sense to be under one umbrella. 

Most countries are seeing shifts away from sedans

A red 2021 Nissan Maxima sedan parked outside a modern concrete home overlooking mountains
2021 Nissan Maxima | Nissan Motor Corporation

But this is probably just the beginning of still more sedans being axed. Though some markets, like China, still find sedans popular, most countries are seeing shifts away from sedans. Consumers want SUVs and crossovers and it doesn’t look like that will slow down or reverse itself. 

Nissan’s Skyline has been around since 1957 and was always popular in Japan. We expect the name will find itself on some new SUV or crossover in the near future. Most of Nissan’s sedan names have recognition even if associated with cars. As we’ve seen with the Ford Maverick, a popular model name can be slapped onto another completely different vehicle with success.

RELATED: Check Out These Nissan Altima Alternatives if You Aren’t Sold on This Year’s Model

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The 2021 Honda Passport Somehow Beat the Kia Telluride for This Award

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Honda is one of the most popular and well-respected automakers in the world, and it’s usually not surprising when a Honda wins an award. With that being said, the 2021 Honda Passport isn’t the most well-known Honda, yet it actually just beat the Kia Telluride for an award. Here’s a look at how and why that upset happened.

A midsize SUV for the family

The Honda Passport | Bilgin Sasmaz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

There are a lot of things to look for when shopping for a midsize SUV for your family, and car review sites can do a great job at narrowing the options down. After all, the midsize SUV segment is one of the most competitive segments for cars, since so many automakers have a midsize SUV option on the market. And, when it comes to midsize SUVs and car reviewers, one car usually gets the nod, and that’s the Kia Telluride.

With that being said, after looking at multiple factors that make for a good family car, such as safety, reliability, child-friendly options, etc, Good Housekeeping actually did not choose the Telluride. In a shocking upset, Good Housekeeping gave the 2021 Honda Passport the nod for being the best midsize SUV for families. 

Well, it’s probably not so much of an upset but rather, a difference in definitions. After all, Good Housekeeping didn’t snub the Telluride. In fact, while the Telluride is considered to be a midsize SUV by most publications, Good Housekeeping ended up naming it the best full-size SUV for families.

Why the 2021 Honda Passport won

The Honda Passport, which is a two-row SUV that can seat five people, is definitely in the midsize SUV segment, but so is the Telluride, which is a three-row SUV that can seat up to eight people. As such, despite being in the same segment, it’s very possible that, due to the Telluride’s extra row of seats, Good Housekeeping ultimately decided to call it a full-size SUV instead. 

Regardless, the Passport is no slouch, and it definitely earned its spot on Good Housekeeping’s list. After all, the Passport is still a Honda, and as such, Honda’s reputation for making safe and reliable cars will ring true for the Passport as well. On top of that, while the Passport may not have a third row of seats, its two rows are still very spacious and comfortable, according to Good Housekeeping.

Furthermore, while the Passport is not going to win any races, Good Housekeeping said that it was “surprisingly quick and nimble,” which should be an added bonus for families on a road trip. That said, the Passport has front-wheel drive as standard, and as such, customers will have to pay a premium to equip it with all-wheel drive.

An overview of the 2021 Honda Passport

Since the Honda Passport is affordably priced, that premium shouldn’t be too big of a deal for many families. Like Good Housekeeping said, the Passport starts at about $33,000, and it does have plenty of standard features that won’t require paying extra. For example, many smart safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assist are all standard as part of the Honda Sensing suite. 

On top of that, according to Good Housekeeping, as part of the upgrades for the 2021 model year, Honda beefed up the Passport’s infotainment system. Instead of a more average-sized 5-inch touchscreen display, the 2021 Passport now has a much bigger 8-inch touchscreen. Another family-friendly feature is the fact that the Passport has plenty of extra storage space for families to fill up with whatever gadgets or gizmos they’re carrying around.

While it may not be outright better than the 2021 Kia Telluride, the 2021 Honda Passport proves that it’s worth your consideration.

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Passport Snagged an Easy Win in This SUV Contest

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The Most Interesting Used Cars Under $1,000 Have Plenty of Quirks

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There is no shortage of interesting used cars out there. But when it comes to the most interesting used cars under $1,000? Autotrader recently scoured its used car listings and highlighted some of the quirkiest and most interesting used cars under $1,000. Let’s find out what they are.

The 2003 Volvo V70 is a used car under $1,000 with rear-facing third-row seats

2003 Volvo V70 | Volvo

First, let’s talk about the 2003 Volvo V70. As it turns out, the second-generation Volvo V70 is one of the last boxy Volvo wagons that was made available in the U.S., Autotrader reports. It came standard with a 168-hp 2.4-liter engine that was teamed with a manual transmission, though an automatic transmission was available. The V70 also came standard with front-wheel drive.

As for what makes the 2003 Volvo V70 one of the most interesting used cars under $1,000? Well, Autotrader pointed out that the Volvo V70 features rear-facing third-row seats. That’s definitely not something that you see every day. This boxy Volvo wagon features a ton of cargo space, too, making it not just budget-friendly but spacious enough for families.

The 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon features “bug-eyes” and an affordable price

Autotrader also included the 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon among its picks for the most interesting used cars under $1,000. When it was first released, the 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon was available in five different trim levels. It came standard with a slew of features, too, including air conditioning, keyless entry, a height-adjustable driver seat, power windows, locks and mirror, and a CD player.

Perhaps what’s most interesting about the 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon, says Autotrader, are its “bug-eye” headlights. These headlights boasted a distinct look and were nixed in 2004. Unfortunately, not many of these bug-eye Imprezas are for sale these days. In fact, Autotrader only has one listed. With 280,000-miles on the odometer, Autotrader’s lone bug-eye Subaru Impreza Wagon will cost you $500.

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata is a used car with a manual transmission

A gold 2005 Hyundai Sonata parked
2005 Hyundai Sonata | Hyundai

There’s no beating around the bush here. The 2005 Hyundai Sonata is a practical used car. It came equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. It was also available in several different trim levels and boasted features such as remote keyless power door locks, one-touch power windows, and a six-speaker audio system.

But the 2005 Hyundai Sonata also offered something else that piqued the interest of Autotrader – a manual transmission. Its five-speed manual transmission makes it the ideal pick for those on the hunt for a used car under $1,000, too, Autotrader reports. “If you need a cheap, practical sedan and still want to row your own gears, this manual Sonata could be for you,” Autotrader said.

Is buying a used car for under $1,000 a good idea?

Finding a good used car for under $1,000 is no easy feat. Cars at that price are often older, and in many cases, have significant issues to contend with. But if you’re shopping for a used car on a budget and don’t mind dealing with some problems down the road? Then buying a used car for under $1,000 may not be such a bad idea.

RELATED: The Best Used Cars Under $10,000 According to KBB

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Customers Helped Design 2 New Fleetwood RVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

High-end motorhomes offer lots of convenience features and plenty of storage for an expensive price tag. But, it’s not always a bad thing, since many offer tons of value for your money. One camper manufacturer, Fleetwood put a lot of thought into its newest Frontier models. 

According to RV Business, Fleetwood chose an interesting route to make improvements on its motorhomes. The newest line, Frontier, offers two different versions that bring just the right features to make each one worthwhile, especially if it lasts around 200,000 miles or about 20 years.  

What makes the new Fleetwood Frontier diesel RVs so special?

Fleetwood is continually improving its designs, which is especially true of its two new Frontier diesel RVs. The only difference is that the company decided to use customer input and integrated it into the production blueprints for their newer Frontier line of motorhomes. 

A few new useful features that you’ll find with both models include the flat floor, CPAP shelf, and entertaining space. They took out the step-up area that’s normally built over the engine of the RV, so owners don’t have to step over the motor anymore. Also, as an added feature, for those that need it, they placed storage for a CPAP machine. 

Both models have a large space for relaxing with family or entertaining guests. They installed hand-laid flooring, and an electric fireplace to gather around with friends. The kitchen has plenty of options for planning and cooking simple meals or making snacks. These include a convection microwave and an induction cooktop. There’s also a stainless fridge, solid surface countertops, and pantry storage. 

Powering them up is a 6.7-liter Cummins engine producing 340 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. Each model pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with the motor. 

What does the Fleetwood Frontier 34GT offer?

This model can sleep up to seven people between a King-sized bed in the master suite, and a pull-out 82-inch Queen sofa bed. According to the Fleetwoodrv.com website, you’ll also get a full-length wardrobe, dresser, and a few other storage spaces. 

There are three slide-outs on this model. One opens up to accommodate the sofa sleeper, and another extends the bed/storage out. The last one is the largest of the three, which opens up a portion of the passenger side to accommodate more room for the kitchen and the television area. 

Across from the kitchen, is the bathroom space, where you get a 38-inch by 30-inch shower, a toilet, and a small bathroom sink. Near the front of the motorhome, there’s an 80-inch jackknife dinette with a 50-inch pop-up LED television with a shelf. 

What will you get with the Frontier 36SS?

With the 36SS model, you get a lot of the same equipment that you find with the 34GT version. However, there are a few differences that are notable. You get a 111-inch sofa bed with two theater seats, a combination dinette and breakfast bar, and a pullout pantry and galley. 

On this motorhome, you’ll get two bathrooms. One is a half bath, and the other is part of the Master Suite. There you get a 50-inch by 28-inch shower with a seat as well as a glass enclosure, toilet, sink, and a linen closet. 

According to RV Travel, this model also offers an Adap-Table, which is a dual functioning piece of furniture. You can use it as a Breakfast Bar or you can swing it out and entertain four people for dinner. 

Both models offer plenty of comfortable amenities for hosting a guest party or simply relaxing with the family. At $300,000 to start, you get quite a bit of value for your money with both of these Frontier motorhomes, and you probably won’t regret your purchase. 

RELATED: This Diesel RV Is a $405,000 Masterpiece

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