What’s new
Chevrolet updates its Bolt for 2022 and adds a long-wheelbase version which will be sold as the EUV. Super Cruise, GM's limited self-driving system, has migrated down from Cadillac, where it debuted, down to the Bolt.  

Comments
Though following similar styling themes, Chevrolet notes that none of the body panels are interchangeable between the Bolt and the Bolt EUV. Built on the same platform as the original Bolt, the second generation car is more of a rebody than an all-new car. The EUV version, built on a 75 mm (3 inch) longer wheelbase, is 161 mm (6.3 inches) longer than the Bolt. Although the EUV is marketed as a crossover, it is only marginally taller than the regular version. 
While the new Bolt is instantly recognizable as such, the design is cleaner than its predecessor. The EUV is also very much a Bolt, but shares some elements, like the upsweep of the window line on the back door and a vaguely familiar face, with the recent Trailblazer.  
The cabin of the new Bolt will not shock owners of the first-generation car. The driver faces a small-format TFT gauge package displaying all the regular displays and those related to electric powertrain. The centre of the dash is dominated with a large-format infotainment screen that is very neatly integrated into the dashboard, as opposed to being slapped onto the top ot the dash. The door panels look very similar to what came before and press photos display attractive two-tone cabin finishes. While trim accents, apparently mandatory for electric cars, are shown in press photos of the car. The previous Bolt was a comfortable four seater, and based on a similar wheelbase, the new one should be equally spacious. The longer wheelbase of the EUV should make for generous rear seat legroom. 
The Bolts will be powered by a 65 kWh battery pack that produces 150 kW, or 200 horsepower. Under ideal conditions, the new Bolt has a range of 417 kilometres, with the EUV rated at 397 kilometres. The Bolts can be recharged in seven hours using a Level II (240 volt) charger. DC fast charging can add 160 kilometres of range in 30 minutes. Various states of regenerative braking is available, including an aggresive one that starts to brake the car the moment the throttle is moderated or released, resulting in one pedal driving. 
GM's Super Cruise, a limited self-driving technology that debuted with Cadillac, will be optional on the Bolt. 

Pricing
Bolt: Only one trim, the LT, is available on the smaller of the two Bolts. Pricing for the LT is just over $38,000. No information is available on what the equipment level of the LT is. The EUV, the larger of the two Bolts, is priced $2000 higher than the regular version. EUV: The LT is the base trim but a range-topping Premier trim is offered as well. With leather seating, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting and a 360 degree camera system, the Premier is priced to reflect the value of its additional content. The Bolt can trigger $8000 rebates from Quebec, $3000 from B.C., and $5000 from the Federal Government. Despite all the troubles GM was having with battery packs in the last year or so, they still shifted nearly 5000 Bolts in Canada last year. 

Reliability
New car, not rated. Predicted reliability is average. 

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: NR

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR

What’s new
The base battery pack gains two kWh for 2022, with the Extended and Performance models adding three kWh. The Polar White appearance package is new this year. Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are now standard on the California Route 1 trim. 

Comments
The Mach-E, the first purpose-designed electric car from Ford, is not only a crossover, but also a Mustang. According to the denizens of Dearborn, the Mach-E is imbued with the spirit of the legendary Mustang Mach I that was produced between 1969 and 1973 (no comment on the Mach I version for the Mustang II). The idea of a Mustang crossover is bound to be a controversial one for Mustang aficionados, but most buyers won’t care and Ford may get some spin on the fact that the car has a marketing connection with the Mustang.
The Mach-E displays a number of traditional Mustang styling cues, including the galloping Mustang on the grille. The vehicle looks much sleeker and sportier in person than in photos. The interior of the Mach-E is, like the outside, very Mustang, and also looks reasonably roomy.

The vehicle is built on an all-new electric-exclusive architecture to optimize space utilization and to keep the mass of the batteries low in the platform of the new car. The Mach-E is powered by an electric motor that can produce anywhere from 266 to 488 horsepower, with possible range from 355 to 475 kilometres. A 70 kWh battery pack is standard, with a 91 kWh battery pack optional. 

Pricing
Unlike the Tesla Y, rear-wheel drive and a base model with acceptable range, are available. This permits Ford offer a reasonably-priced base model that qualifies for government rebates. The Select, rear-wheel drive, 70 kWh, base model, is nicely equipped, including the Ford Co-Pilot 360 active safety equipment suite, a big infotainment screen, keyless go, L.E.D. headlights and rear parking sonars. Moving up to the Premium trim adds gesture-triggered rear tailgate. heated front seats and steering wheel, a B&O branded audio system, and a fixed glass roof insert, but the upgrade is overpriced. All-wheel drive, delivered via a front-mounted motor and drive system, is a $3500 option on the Select and Premium trims. The rear-wheel drive California Route 1 model, powered by a 91 kWh battery pack, looks expensive, but it is in fact $2000 cheaper than a Premium with a 91 kWh hour battery pack. The Mach-E is too expensive for a federal government rebate but $8000 from Quebec and $3000 from B.C., are available. With 4352 units sold in Canada last year, the Mach-E had a spectacular debut.  

Reliability
New car, not rated. Predicted reliability is below average. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: M

What’s new
The Ioniq made a surprise return for 2022 except for the full BEV version, which might tread on the toes of the new Ioniq 5 full-electric car.
Comments
About the same size as an Elantra, the IONIQ is built on a different platform designed to accept conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and previously, a full electric powertrains.
The exterior is modern, crisp and tidy but doesn’t signal the car is powered by alternative powertrains. With a 0.24 co-efficient of drag, the shape is very slippery. The cabin is practical and straightforward; rear seat legroom is more adequate than generous. In order to try to save some weight as well as reducing the use of oil, the hood and tailgate of the Ioniq are formed from aluminum. The interior door trims are fashioned from plastic, powdered wood and volcanic stone, with sugar cane materials employed to fashion the headlining and carpets.
A 104 horsepower 1.6L four is the basis for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Total system horsepower for the hybrid is 139 and maximum electric-only range for the plug-in is 37 kilometres. The hybrid and the PHEV send power to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission, 

Pricing
Hybrid (HEV) model: Moving up from the Essential to the Preferred trim adds blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, L.E.D headlamps, heated rear seats, Keyless Go and a sunroof, is very good value. Migrating up to the range-topping Ultimate model brings a leather seating, a Harmon-Kardon branded audio system and wireless cellphone charging, at a tempting price. PHEV: Migrating from the Essential to Preferred trim adds L.E.D. headlamps, heated rear seats, Keyless Go, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel and blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, at a bargain price. The Ultimate trim, with leather seating, a power driver's seat, navigation, a Harmon-Kardon branded audio system, and a plethora of minor items, is great value. Moving from the HEV to the PHEV versions of the Ioniq ranges from $5200 to $7000.

PHEV: Rebates of $2500 from the federal government, $4000 from Quebec and $1500 from B.C., are available. The Ioniq sold around 3500 units last year. 
Reliability: Insufficient data on Hyundai hybrid vehicles thus far.

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: NR

What’s new
The Ionic 5 is the first Hyundai product to be built on an electric-specific architecture that will underpin an array of BEV vehicles. 

Comments
Built on Hyundai's new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Ioniq 5 is the first of an array of BEVs that will launch over the next few years. Many previous electric cars, like the Nissan Leaf and the previous BEV version of the Ionic, were compact hatchback cars. Like Volkswagen with its ID.4, Hyundai has decided to move its initital E-GMP-based model to the crossover format which now dominates new car sales. Compared with the ID.4, the Ioniq 5 is about the same length and width, but at 1605 mm (63 incnes) tall, is substantially lower than the VW and built on a 234 mm (9.2 inch) longer wheelbase.  
Hyundai is making a habit of showing future production cars as concepts long before they are on sale. The Ioniq 5 is a four-door version of the Hyundai 45 show car that the firm unveiled at the Montreal Salon in January 2020. 
Hyundai has been crowing about the Ioniq 5 reprising the styling themes of the seminal (and In Canada anyway) ill-fated Pony. Though the Pony is said to be the thought behind the Ioniq 5, it actually looks much more like the Lancia Delta, that was also a product of of Pony designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, of Ital Design. Like with the new Tucson, some aspects of the Ioniq 5's styling are intended to shock rather than please. The reverse Z motif (or arrow-head, like on the Elantra) impressed into the sides of the car simply mar the flanks of the car for no reason. The frontal styling follows themes explored by the Lancia Magia and Kayak show cars. The overall shape of the car is quite pleasing and its proportions and long wheelbase should provide for good passenger space. 
The cabin is dominated by a large, rectangular computer tablet, like the one used in the A, and CLA models from Mercedes-Benz. The rectangle is split into two fields, vehicle information in front of the driver and infotainment functions at the centre of the dash. The rest of the dash has a strong horizontal emphasis. Photos reflect an upscale look inside the Ioniq 5. Hyundai makes use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles, plant-based and natural wool yarns and eco-porcessed leathers, to fashion the cabin of the Ioniq 5. 
Mechanically, the Ioniq 5 can be powered by power packs with outputs of either a 58 kWh or a 77.4 kWh. Range is 354 kilometres for the 58 kWh battery pack and from 488 (Long Range) to 414 kilometres (Dual Motor) on 77.4 kWh battery pack cars. Hyundai notes the Ioniq 5 can be charged using an 800 volt charger, but, except for a few test chargers, the technology is not available in Canada. Charging at 350 kW, the car can go from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes and can add 100 kilometres of range in just five minutes. The Ioniq 5 offers a Vehicle to Load (V2L) function that allows other devices, like electric scooters, to be charged from the car when it is turned off. 

Pricing
The base Ioniq 5, the rear-wheel drive Essential powered by a 58 kWh powerpack, is reasonably well equipped. Moving up to the Preferred trim adds a heat-pump system and a heated steering wheel at a reasonable cost. The Preferred, long-distance model, motivated by a 77.4 kWh batter pack, costs an extra $5000. All-wheel drive, delivered via a front-mounted motor and drive system, costs $3000 on the Preferred trim. Rebates pf $5000 from the federal government, $8000 from Quebec and $3000 from B.C., are available. 

Reliability
New car, not rated. Predicted reliability is below average. 

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: NR

Side: NR

Roof: NR

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR

What’s new

The model range has been reduced to a single trim for 2022. There is a new self-parking feature that includes a 360 degree camera system. 

Comments
Built on a dedicted electric-vehicle platform, the tall-hatchback format i-Pace is marketed as a crossover. The electric motor puts out 394 horsepower, with its 90 kWh battery pack providing enoungh energy to deliver 377 kilomteters of range under ideal conditions. Driven briefly, the i-Pace is very fast, with power delivered in the linear manner expected of electric cars. The all-wheel drive system gets power to the road in an efficient manner. Typical for Jaguar, ride, handling and steering are all honed to a very high level. Strong braking. If there is a fault, road noise is higher than expected in this class.
The i-Pace is sublimely beautiful, even for a Jaguar. The cabin uses typical Jaguar cues, like wood, leather and chrome, in new and pleasing ways. Most controls are accessed via touch screens, which is not that practical when on the move. Comfortable seats, front and rear, but rear legroom is adequate, but no more. Like various Teslas and the new Volvo XC40 Recharge, the i-Pace has an additional trunk under the hood.
Pricing
With a fixed glass roof, L.E.D. headlights, heated steering wheel, a Meridian-branded audio system, leather seating, front and rear parking sonars, a power tailgate, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, the sole trim offered, the HSE, is comprehensively equipped. The i-Pace is too expensive to qualify for government rebates. With only 86 sold in Canada, the i-Pace has not caught the interest of Canadian buyers. 

Reliability
Not rated as too little information is available.

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: NR

Side: NR

Roof: NR

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR

What’s new
The EV6, Kia's spin on the Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E GMP), went on sale in early 2022.  

Comments
Built on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Kia EV6, alongside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are the first examples of a bevy of new Hyundai and Kia BEVs that will launch over the next few years. Kia has conceived its first E-GMP-based model as a crossover. The 58 kWh battery pack of the rear-wheel drive base model, powers a 167 horsepower electric motor. All other models are powered by a 77.4 kWh battery pack. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive delivered via dual motor setup. Range is stated to be 373 kilometres for the 58 kWh battery pack, 499 kilometres for the long-range model and 441 kilometres for the dual-motor version of the long range. Kia notes that the EV6 can be charged using an 800 volt charger, a tecnology not generally available in Canda. Charging at 350 kW, the car can go from 10 percent to 80 percent charged in 18 minutes, and can add 100 kilometres of range in just five minutes.
Unlike the retro-inspired Ioniq 5, the EV6 is clean, uncluttered and arrestingly modern. The rear styling treatment, with taillights visually joined by a light-bar at the top of the trunk, is quite appealing. The EV6 is marginally shorter overall than the Ioniq 5. The cabin of the EV6 is dominated by a large, rectangular computer tablet, like the one used in the A, and CLA models from Mercedes-Benz. Interestingly, the tablet is formed in a shallow arc that makes the right side of the tablet more visible and physically accessible to the driver. The rectangle is split into two fields, a gauge package in front of the driver and an infotainment array at the far right side of the tablet. The rest of the dash has a strong horizontal emphasis. The liquid crystal display (LCD) "Integrated Controller" located below the screen, has two control modes which can be switched between climate and audio systems. Cabin photos reflect a very Zen, minimalist styling ethos. Like Hyundai, Kia uses some recycled materials like polyethylene bottles, some plant-based items and eco-processed leathers to fashion the interior.

Pricing
For $8000, EV6 buyers can upgrade from a 58 kWh battery pack with 373 kilometres of range to a long-range, 77.4 kWh power pack with a range of 499 kilometres. Of the $8000, about $1300 in additional equipment, including a heat-pump system and wireless cellphone charging. All-wheel drive, delivered via a dual motor system, costs $2000 more than a rear-wheel drive Long-Range variant. The GT trim versions look overpriced. Rebates of $5000 from the federal government, $8000 from Quebec and $3000 from B.C., are available. 

Reliability
Not rated, insufficent data. Few complaints have been received regarding this fearsomely complex car.   

Sm. Front Driver: n/r

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: n/r

Sm. Front Pass.: n/r

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: n/r

What’s new
Other than bearing the new Kia logo, there are no changes to the Niro for its sixth year on the market.
Comments
The plug-in hybrid version of the Niro has a maximum possible full-electric range of 43 kilometres under ideal conditions; with a combined power rating of 139 horsepower. The full electric model produces 201 horsepower and a whopping 291 lb-ft of torque. A 64 kWh battery pack can take on 160 kilometres of charge in 30 minutes when using its standard Level 3 charger, and can be fully charged using a Level 2 charger in 9.5 hours.
Though tidy enough and unlikely to offend, the exterior styling of the Niro is not the styling tour-de-force observers have come to expect from Kia. Design aside, the Niro's exterior envelope encloses a commodious cabin with good space for four adults and whatever chattel they choose to bring with them. Attractive instrumentation, practical controls and attractive materials make the Niro a good space to inhabit.

2022 Pricing
Hybrid: The base L model is nicely equipped. Upgrading to the EX adds fog lights, a sunroof, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, heated steering wheel, roof rails and cordless cellphone charging, and is priced to reflect the value of the additional content. Migrating to the range-topping SX Touring trim, which includes leather seating, a forward collision and autonomous emergency braking system, ventilated front seats, navigation, active cruise control and a Harmon-Kardon branded audio system, is a bargain. PHEV: The HEV and PHEV only overlap on the SX Touring trim, where the PHEV is priced $3600 higher. Moving up from the EX to the EX Premium trim adds a power driver's seat, lane keeping and lane following assist systems, an enhanced collision avoidance system and a driver alertness warning, and is a very good value. The SX Touring trim includes L.E.D. headlights, leather seating, a memory system, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, navigation, a Harmon-Kardon branded audio system and parking sensors, and is an extreme bargain. On the BEV, moving to the EX+ is good value. The range-topping SX adds leather seating, a sunroof, navigation, a Harmon-Kardon audio seater and a plethora of other features, and is a bargain.

PHEV: Rebates of $2500 from the federal government, $4000 from Quebec and $2500 from B.C., are available. BEV: Rebates of $5000 from the federal government, $8000 from Quebec and $3000 from B.C., are available. With 4403 sold in Canada last year, the Niro has been a big success.  

Reliability
Not rated as too little information is available on Kia's hybrid system reliability. Some reports of failed electric motor bearings have been reported. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: P

What’s new
No changes available from the manufacturer

Comments
The electric MINI features a 32 kWh battery pack, produces 184 horsepower and under optimal conditions, has a predicted range of up to 250 kilometres.

Pricing
Insufficient details are available. Rebates of $5000 from the federal government, $8000 from Quebec and $3000 from B.C., are available. 

Reliability
Below average reliability is predicted. Except for the battery pack, with is covered for eight years/160,000, the warranty on the MINI SE expires at four years/80,000 km. Leasing this car for no longer than the four year warranty is recommended. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: A