Honda Canada’s Civic sales have been crashing recently, down more than 20 percent throughout Q1 of 2021 compared to the same three months last year. Reasons for the downturn are likely varied, from…

Honda reveals single photo of all-new 2022 Civic sedan

2022 Honda Civic Sedan
Honda will give its Civic Sedan more conservative styling for 2022.

Honda Canada’s Civic sales have been crashing recently, down more than 20 percent throughout Q1 of 2021 compared to the same three months last year. Reasons for the downturn are likely varied, from the health crisis to a 25-plus-percent increase in CR-V deliveries, the latter thanks to changing consumer tastes from cars to SUVs. Additionally, some of the slowdown is probably due to fewer Civics in dealership inventories, which makes sense now that we’ve learned a totally redesigned model is on the way later this year.

Honda took the wraps off its all-new 2022 Civic sedan this week, and at first glance it appears as if the design team wanted to take it back to the more conservative stylings of earlier iterations. Considering how well Honda has done with its current 10-generation model, which arrived six years ago for the 2016 model year, deviating from its ultimately angled look to a much more rounded, minimalist design may be seen as a risk, although it will certainly be a positive for less progressive buyers.

2022 Honda Civic Sedan
Some of the new Civic’s design details are similar to its larger Accord sibling.

This change will make Hyundai’s third-place Elantra the compact segment’s most sharply creased dresser, while the category’s second-most popular Corolla could also be seen as an even more aggressive alternative than the upcoming Civic. The compact class isn’t as varied as it was five years ago, having lost the Dodge Dart in 2016, the Buick Verano and Mitsubishi Lancer in 2017, the Ford Focus in 2018, and Chevy’s Cruze in 2019, but the Civic still needs to contend with the already noted Corolla and Elantra, plus the Kia Forte, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, and VW Jetta, while the regular Golf will be discontinued for 2022, taking one more compact car competitor out of the market (don’t worry GTI and Golf R fans, as these will arrive in stylish new MK8 duds).

2022 Honda Civic Prototype
The 2022 Civic Prototype, introduced last November, shows expected rear styling.

As for the new 11th-generation Civic, other than what little information the single frontal photo provides we know very little about it. Then again, if the Civic Prototype that debuted (on video game platform Twitch no less) in November is anything to go by, and both cars look very similar from the front except for lower fascia details, its rear design should include a smart set of LED infused taillights that come to a point that’s kind of reminiscent of those on the eighth-gen North American sedan at their rearmost ends, albeit much narrower. That was a particularly good-looking car for the era, while the current model’s C-shaped lenses have been amongst its most controversial styling elements.

2022 Honda Civic Prototype
The Civic Prototype shows a fairly straightforward cockpit, with a large display screen atop the centre stack.

We won’t delve into expected content, other than to say it will likely be filled with standard advanced safety kit in order to help keep its occupants safe, and score well in safety tests, while its cabin will no doubt come standard with a large centre touchscreen and offer a fully digital gauge cluster, at least as an option. More detailed information will arrive later this month, which we hope to include more photos, including at least one of its backside plus with a plethora of interior shots.

If a glimpse of the new 2022 Civic makes you want to snap up a 2021 before all the new ones are gone, take note that Honda is now offering up to $1,000 in additional incentives, while most CarCostCanada members are saving $1,593 off their purchases. To find out how you can potentially save thousands from your next new vehicle purchase, see how the CarCostCanada dealer invoice pricing system works, and make sure to download their free app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store now.

 

Story credits: Trevor Hofmann

Photo credits: Honda

Nissan recently celebrated the global production milestone of 150 million vehicles, a feat that took the Japanese company 84 years. Founded in 1933, Nissan was first known to Canadians as Datsun (a company…

Nissan celebrates 150-millionth production milestone

1965 Datsun Sport 1600
Nissan has a rich history, which includes plenty of sports cars like this fabulous little Datsun 1600. (Photo: Nissan)

Nissan recently celebrated the global production milestone of 150 million vehicles, a feat that took the Japanese company 84 years.

Founded in 1933, Nissan was first known to Canadians as Datsun (a company that started in 1931 and was taken over by Nissan in 1934), and under that name gave us such game-changers as the Sports 1600, 510, 240Z/260Z/280Z, Pickup, and B210, plus when its North American branding was changed to Nissan in the early ‘80s these legendary models were followed up by new household nameplates like Maxima, Pathfinder, 240SX, 300ZX, Sentra SE-R, 350Z, GT-R, Leaf, and the list goes on.

1972 Datsun 510
The 510 was the go-to compact during the early ’70s, on the street and racetrack. (Photo: Nissan)

It took Nissan 73 years to build its first 100 million vehicles, that milestone achieved in 2006, and then only 11 years to produce the next 50 million. Interestingly, 76.5 percent of Nissan’s first 100-million vehicles hailed from its production facilities in Japan, but since then the company has done an about face by building the exact same percentage (76.5 percent) of vehicles outside of its home market, with production growth especially strong in the U.S. and China.

1970 Datsun 240Z
The original 1970 Datsun 240Z remains one of the most sought after collectors cars around. (Photo: Nissan)

An important part of Nissan’s success has long been an extensive model lineup, with the majority of market segments filled. Most recently Nissan has become particularly strong in the world’s fastest growing SUV sector, with its current Canadian SUV lineup including the subcompact Juke, slightly bigger compact Qashqai, even larger compact Rogue, mid-size Murano, larger seven-passenger mid-size Pathfinder, and full-size seven-passenger Armada. Starting in June 2018, Nissan will replace the Juke, one of the first entrants in the modern subcompact crossover SUV category, with the new Kicks subcompact SUV.

2018 Nissan Kicks
The upcoming 2018 Kicks will hit the market next June. (Photo: Nissan)

Of course, Nissan’s SUV lineup also includes a full complement of passenger cars, sports cars and trucks, its Micra dominating in the city car sector, its GT-R a legendary racetrack record-breaker, and its Leaf becoming the world’s best-selling electric vehicle.

Now, check out this great historical video of Nissan’s 84 years of global production:

 

It’s official: The innovative Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle will arrive in production trim during the second half of 2018, ushering in an entirely new era for the iconic British luxury brand. The I-Pace…

Jaguar’s I-Pace EV to arrive during second half of 2018

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace Concept, introduced at the LA auto show in 2016, will arrive in production trim during the second half of 2018. (Photo: Jaguar)

It’s official: The innovative Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle will arrive in production trim during the second half of 2018, ushering in an entirely new era for the iconic British luxury brand.

The I-Pace Concept wowed onlookers to such a degree when unveiled at auto shows across North America, including Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto and New York, that it received the rarified honour of being named Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2017 at the 16th North American Concept Vehicle Awards.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
Most expect the production I-Pace to look very close to this concept. (Photo: Jaguar)

Additionally, the I-Pace won the Production Preview Concept of the Year category at the annual Concours d’Elegance of America, where it was also on display.

Uniquely designed as an “all-electric performance SUV,” the I-Pace will expand on a burgeoning Jaguar sport utility lineup that already offers the brand’s bestselling F-Pace compact SUV and will soon include the smaller entry-level E-Pace subcompact SUV. The I-Pace, however, rides on a totally unique EV architecture that slots in between Jaguar’s two conventionally powered SUVs in outward dimensions, yet is altogether different in approach.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
The concept’s interior looks ultra-plush, which is right on the mark for a production Jaguar. (Photo: Jaguar)

Unlike most EVs currently available, including those made by Tesla that purposely look like conventional cars, the I-Pace takes complete advantage of an electric vehicle’s nonconventional packaging requirements. For instance, instead of building an EV on the back of a vehicle initially designed to house the motor and transmission up front with a driveshaft down the middle, the I-Pace places a Jaguar-designed electric motor at each axle for all-wheel drive traction and a 90-kWh liquid-cooled battery within an aluminum housing as part of the floor’s structure in between. This allows for a cab-forward design featuring a windshield that reaches far over the front wheels, as well as a shorter more steeply raked hood, plus shorter front and rear overhangs, with each wheel pushed out as far to its corner as possible, resulting in much greater interior volume.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
Pedestal style seats may not make the final build, but many of the concept’s interior design cues will remain intact. (Photo: Jaguar)

Overall the I-Pace is approximately 50 mm (2.0 inches) shorter than the F-Pace, which is already a large compact SUV, but its wheelbase is 117 mm (4.6 inches) longer for much greater legroom front and rear. What’s more, the I-Pace Concept’s roof is nearly 100 mm (4.0 inches) lower than the F-Pace’s, for sleeker, sportier lines.

While the I-Pace shown here is a conceptual design and not production ready, the finished model to arrive in showrooms next year is expected to be sized similarly and look much the same, which follows Jaguar’s recent concept to production protocol. Of course, the prototype’s 23-inch alloys will be downsized somewhat, but generally what you see is what you’ll get.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
The I-Pace EV’s rear quarters look to be roomy and comfortable. (Photo: Jaguar)

Production I-Pace performance should be similar to the concept’s claimed capability, with the sprint from standstill to 100km/h taking about four seconds thanks to 200 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from each of its two engines and a lightweight aluminum-intensive monocoque body shell, while its projected EV range should be greater than 355 km (220 miles) from a single charge.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept
Cargo capacity should be good for a sport coupe style compact SUV. (Photo: Jaguar)

Having much of its weight down low, thus reducing its centre of gravity, handling should be an I-Pace strongpoint too. The suspension will be comprised of unequal-length control arms up front and a multilink setup in the rear, which should also result in excellent ride quality.

We won’t know exact pricing until closer to launch, but Jaguar’s U.S. division says it’s targeting an MSRP below $100,000 USD. It will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria, at least until Jaguar adds more EV models to the lineup. To that end Jaguar has promised that half of its vehicles will incorporate some sort of electrified drivetrain by 2025, so it appears the impressive new I-Pace is just the beginning.