What’s new
In its seventh and likely last year on the market. The Spark may not be replaced as carmakers abandon the entry-level new car segment. 

Performance
The $10,398 manual transmission LS base model tested by the APA was a revelation. The 1.4L four is smooth, flexible and surprisingly punchy. While clutch engagement is a bit late in its travel, the clutch is light and easy to modulate. The gearchange is not the last word in precision but is nicely weighted and never fails to find the gear selected. Overall gearing is a bit on the high side, which permits low-rev cruising but does demand you drop a gear for even modest hills. Steering lacks in road feel but is quick and nicely weighted. The brakes work well but could use greater initial bite. Some controlled lean is experienced while cornering but handling is sound and is allied to a surprisingly supple ride for a car with such a short wheelbase. Driven briefly, the CVT works unobtrusively and keeps revs low while cruising at highway speeds. Wind noise and road noise are well suppressed but tire noise borders on intrusive.
Spark drivers face a clear, very conventional appearing gauge package. Even on the base model, the top-centre of the dash is dominated by a large touch screen, below of which are simple audio controls as well as a straightforward three dial climate controls. Seat fabrics and other cabin trim are more attractive than most people will expect for $10,398. Some APA testers thought the front seats to be a bit on the small side, they were quite deeply padded and acceptably supportive. Access to the rear seat is better than expected and rear seat space (especially on the passenger side if the front passenger gives up some room for those in the rear) is surprising for such a small car. Trunk space, while not copious, is tall and regularly shaped. The sound quality of the base two-speaker audio system in the Spark LS is impressive and even the base car is equipped with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
Comments
Though sold for many generations overseas under the Daewoo Matiz nameplate, the new Spark is only the second-generation of the car to reach North America. The Spark is powered by a 1.4L four that produces 98 horsepower that sends power to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Available active safety equipment includes blind spot and lane departure warnings as well as low-speed autonomous emergency braking. With sales of 6145 in Canada in 2021, the Spark is a consistent seller and outsold Mitsubishi Mirage by over 5000 units.   

Pricing
The base LS is a very competent car for just over $10,000, but the lack of air-conditioning and automatic transmission, even as options, leaves it on the sideline for most buyers. The LS CVT model includes the automatic transmission and air conditioning, and little else, for $4300, more than twice the value of the equipment. Moving up to the 1LT, brings a power group (windows, locks, mirrors and cruise control), heated mirrors and an audio system with six-speakers, renders a car equipped to suit most buyers and is good value. The 2LT range topper includes Keyless Go, a sunroof, a sunroof, rear parking sonar, a forward collision warning, low-speed autonomous emergency braking and a lane departure warning, at a fair price. That said, at over $19,000, the Spark 2LT is looking expensive and cars like the Kia Rio and Nissan Versa Sedan look more tempting. 

Reliability
Insufficient data on reliability but few complaints have been received regarding the current Spark that went on sale for the 2016 model year. 

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: NR

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR

What’s new
The 2022 Venue sold out, with an early-release 2023 model expected by mid-2022. 
Performance
The 121 horsepower four is surprisingly smooth, quiet enough when pushed hard, and fades into the background while cruising. The CVT automatic is well-adapted to the 1.6L four, reconciles acceleration, fuel economy and refinement very well. The Sport mode of the CVT enlivens performance but is a bit too “sporty” to endure for more than a few minutes of fun.
The Venue’s steering is not the last word in road feel, but it is quickly geared, nicely-weighted and holds its line well enough on the highway. The ride-handling balance is quite acceptable for a car in this segment. The Venue's structure feels very stout, which may make the ride feel better as there is no flex in the structure.

Comments
Although marketed as a crossover, the Venue, lacking all-wheel drive, is just a tall hatchback. The sole engine offered is a 121 horsepower 1.6L four. It can be linked with either a six-speed manual transmission for a CVT. Active safety equipment has been migrating downmarket for a few years; forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot, rear cross traffic and driver awareness monitors are available on the Venue. Despite its late entry, mid-way 2020, the Venue, with 8706 sold, has been a tremendous expense. It appears Accent intenders were diverted by the crossover looks of the Venue and were happy to pay around 10 percent more than the Accent and weren't concerned that all-wheel drive is not available.  

Pricing 
2022
With air-conditioning, wireless iOS-Android cellphone interface, heated front seats, power locks and windows and a cargo cover, the base Essential trim, is nicely equipped. The CVT transmission is a $1300 option on the Essential but also includes cruise control. The Preferred trim adds alloy wheels, a forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot, rear cross traffic and lane departure monitors, a lane-keeping assist system, and is good value. The Trend trim adds a sunroof for a reasonable fee. The Urban group, with L.E.D. headlights, two-tone paint, is interesting but does not include the sunroof of the Trend model. The top model, the Ultimate, which adds automatic climate control, L.E.D. headlamps, upgraded fabrics and navigation, is a bargain. If you are looking at the Venue, take a look at the Kia Soul, which is larger, quicker, roomier, and generates a very similar monthly payment. With over 11,000 units sold in Canada last year the Venue has been a great success for Hyundai here. 

Reliability
Average to above average reliability is predicted during the warranty period.

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: M

What’s new
No changes of note for 2022.

Performance
Power stems from a turbocharged 2L four that cranks out 275 horsepower. The engine is strong, flexible, zingy and acceptably muted in day-to-day operation. However, if you engage the “N” mode, the engine bellows as it approaches the redline and pops and crackles on the over-run. Hyundai wisely makes the “fun” aspects of the N available when you are in the mood for them but lets you enjoy reasonable refinement otherwise.
The clutch of the N is light in weight and smooth in engagement. The gearchange is both precise; with little lost motion.
Steering is beautifully weighted and precise but doesn't follow grooves in the road like some other cars shod with wide, low profile tires.
The ride-handling compromise, with firm control combined with enough resiliency to prevent beating passengers up, reflects a lot of very careful development by Hyundai.
In practical terms, front occupants enjoy enough space as well as the wonderfully locating but not confining front seats. The rear seat has reasonable space for a small, sporty car and the rear door on the passenger side of the car eases access considerably. The trunk is amply spacious and with a hatchback, versatile.

Comments
Based on the now-discontinued Accent, the Veloster exhibits similar design cues as its predecessor. The asymmetric door format remains and affords easy entry to the rear seat. The 'N' model (named after Hyundai's Namyang technical facility and the Nürburgring), has a 2L turbo four under its hood. 

Pricing
Only the super-premium, high-perfomance "N" version is offered for 2022. The car is very comprehensively equipped with no options other that the $1600 dual-clutch automated manual transmission. With only 786 units sold in Canada last year, Hyundai are unlikely to replace this car at the end of its life cycle. 
Reliability
Predicted reliability is average to above average during the warranty period. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: A

What’s new
No changes of note for 2022. 

Comments
The Rio's cabin is conservatively stylish, with expensive looking crisply marked gauges and a dash centre dominated by a large free-standing screen which is flanked on each side by infotainment access buttons and a rotating knob in each lower corner for volume and tuning. Upscale features like heated seats and heated steering wheel are standard on all trims. 
Buyers in other markets have a wide variety of engines available but the sole powerplant for Canada is a new 120 horsepower 1.6L four Kia calls Gamma II. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a CVT. Driven with the previous powertrain, the Rio was a quick and refined car with good road manners that was, for those who don't need more space, good enough to be the sole vehicle for most drivers. Once a very strong seller, only 3902 Rios were sold in Canada last year. Many buyers seemed to be happy to pay a bit more for the superior utility of the Kia Soul based on the same component set. 

Pricing
With heated seats, air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows, locks, keyless entry and heated door mirrors, the base LX Rio is nicely equipped. The CVT transmission, marketed by Kia as the IVT, is part of the $1200 LX+ upgrade. Moving up to the LX Premium, which adds alloy wheels, a sunroof, heated steering wheel and blind spot monitors, is a bargain. The range-topping EX Premium trim features a forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, including pedestrians, a lane keep assist system, keyless go, auto climate control and telescoping steering wheel, is overpriced. With over 5000 sold last year, the Rio is holding a solid position in a declining market segment.  
Reliability
Predicted reliability is average to above average during the warranty period. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: A

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: P

What’s new
No changes of note for 2022. 

Performance
With 147 horsepower, the 2L normally-aspirated four furnishes more than adequate power under all conditions and unless really pushed hard, is quite refined as well. The new-to-Kia CVT is well matched to the 2L four, is smooth, keen to downshift, can mimic the operation of a conventional automatic and avoids the “rubber banding” that was so much a part of earlier CVTs. With a generally quiet engine and good suppression of noise from the wind and road, the Soul is a quiet highway cruiser. The steering of the Soul is nicely weighted and is geared to deliver both quick response and good directional stability at speed.
The Soul feels very solid and there is no suspension jiggling over large bumps or over curbs like those experienced when you enter a driveway from the street. The ride of the EX Limited is firmly compliant most of the time and copes well with most surfaces except for long wave speed bumps on side streets, where the need to slow down is more pronounced than it is with other cars driven on the same roads.
The brakes feel over boosted at first but once you are used to them they are strong, easy to modulate and are non-fatiguing in stop-and-go driving. The air conditioning of the Soul can keep occupants cool and refreshed in the hottest weather.

Comments
The design of the new Soul is a refinement of its predecessor and immediately identifiable as a Soul, if not as an all-new car. Built on the same architecture that underpins the Rio that debuted for 2018, the Soul is essentially the same size as its predecessor.
Cabin styling follows previous Soul themes and features the simple, logical controls that are becoming a Hyundai-Kia hallmark. A 10.25 inch infotainment screen with crisp graphics is available, as is a head up display system. Cabin materials are very attractive, especially for this segment. Seating is comfortable front and rear, and rear seat riders have good legroom and plenty of space under the front seats to rest their feet. Trunk space is good for a car in this segment and the trunk is deep below the window line.

The only gasoline engine is a 147 horsepower 2L four used in a number of Hyundai Kia products. The sole transmission offered with the 2L engine is a CVT marketed as the iVT. Two electrics, the 248 kilometre Premium and the 383 kilometre Limited, are available.

Kia sold over 7000 Souls in Canada last year, down around 10 percent from 2000, but availability due to microchip shortages might be the key reason for the display.   

Pricing
At just over $23,000 with freight /PDI, the base LX is equipped to suit a number of buyers but does lack cruise control, an important feature for some buyers. Moving up to the EX adds alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, forward collision, blind spot, rear cross traffic and driver awareness monitors as well as lane keep assist system and autonomous emergency braking, at a bargain price. The EX+ adds a sunroof, L.E.D. headlights and half-leather seats, at a compelling price. The EX Premium upgrade includes dual-zone climate controls, havigation, an auto-dim rearview mirror and ambient lighting, at a price that balances price and content. Moving from the EX Premium to the GT Line Limited range topper adds leather seating, power adjustment for both front seats, a Harmon-Kardon audio system, a head up display and a plethora of comfort and convenience features at a price so low as to venture on the unbelievable.  

Electric
Two trims, the Premium and Limited, are available. For $9000, the Limited upgrade adds greater range, a more powerfull engine, and a variety of comfort and convenience features such as leather seatng, heated rear seats, a heat-pump, ventilated front seats, a head up display and an upgaded audio system. The additional equipment is worth about $6000, with the rest attributable to the more powerful battery. Substantial rebates are available of $8000 from Quebec, $3000 from B.C., and $5000 from the federal government. It is all a moot point, however, as the delivery time of a new Soul EV in mid March was seven months.  

Reliability
Average to above average reliability predicted during the warranty period. 

Sm. Front Driver: G

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: G

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: P

What's new
A new Carbon appearance package is availble for 2022. 

Comments
The revised Mirage is new from the windshield forward and displays Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" styling theme featuring horizontally-arrayed chrome accent pieces. The cabin is updated as well and incorporates a display audio screen and the availability of the iOS/Android cellphone interface.
Power stems from a 1.2L inline triple churning out 78 horsepower. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a CVT. Driven before its update, the Mirage, with a good heater and volcanic seat heaters, shrugs off winter conditions. The Mirage rides pretty well for such a small, light car, especially in town but handling becomes nautical when the car is pushed. The Mirage's steering is relatively precise but lightly weighted and lacks any sensation of the road rolling underneath its wheels. The CVT ekes out every bit of performance available from the 1.2L triple and allows for surprisingly serene cruising, but performance is lacklustre and unless at a steady speed, the engine sounds like a diesel with an exhaust leak. Noise from grit pinging off the bottom or the car and wind noise over the roof (not the windows) betray a lack of sound proofing.
Comfortable front seats but the rear seat is small, hard and flat. Cabin space is quite good considering the Mirage's tight dimensions and two adults can wedge themselves into the back seat for cross-town hops easily enough. Reasonable cabin fit and finish. The trunk is regularly shaped and deep below the window line. Fuel mileage is unimpressive considering the performance disadvantage the Mirage represents compared with its competitors. The Mirage racked up only 1370 sales in 2020, compared with over 6000 sales for the directly competitive Chevrolet Spark. 

Pricing
At nearly $14,000, the base Mirage, the ES manual, is not really that cheap for a small and marginally powered car. A CVT transmission is a $1200 option. The Carbon edition lacks anything of value for the money asked. Moving up to the SE trim adds alloy wheels, fog lights, and a larger infotainment screen, and is good value. The range-topping GT includes L.E.D. headlamps, forward collision warning, including pedestrians, autonomous emergency braking, a lane departure warning, heated front seats and keyless entry and Go, among other things, but is expensive for what you get. At over $20,000, the GT looks pricey and makes cars like the Nissan Versa Sedan, Kia Rio, Hyundai Venue and Chevrolet Spark, look like better value. With under 1000 units sold last year, the point of the Mirage for the Canadian market seem moot.  

Reliability
Only partial data is available as too few cars have been sold. Unknown CVT durability. The hard-working three-cylinder engine is lubricated by only 3L of oil so check your oil level frequently and keep all oil change receipts in the event of an engine problem. Mitsubishi's 10 year/160,000 powertrain warranty does instill some confidence that the powertrain will go the distance. 

Sm. Front Driver: M

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: G

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: G

Headlight: NR

What’s new
Few changes of note for 2022.

Comments
Like Mazda, which elected to pass on the Mazda 2 for Canada, Nissan has passed on the current-generation Micra in Canada. However, like Mazda with the CX-3, Nissan has spun the components from a small hatchback into a format it can make a good profit on; hence the Kicks. This strategy worked spectacularly well for Mazda and Nissan has done will with the KIcks.  
The Kicks is powered by Nissan's ubiquitous 1.6L four which mates up to a CVT exclusively. 
The exterior was the first car of the style renaissance for Nissan that has now issued the chic Altima and attractive Sentra, Versa and Rogue. The cabin design is refreshingly clean, uncluttered and features very functional controls. The seating position is good for the driver with plenty of headroom and legroom up front. Larger front passengers feel quite constrained by the centre console. The rear seat is supportive, legroom is reasonable for this class of car and the big doors and high roof make access quite easy. The regularly shaped cargo area is ample and very deep below the window line. The rear seatbacks do not fold flat but cargo space is good with them folded.

Nissan looks to have optimized performance and fuel economy when it was thinking of the Kicks. Unless really pushed hard, the 1.6L four moves the Kicks with sufficient speed and is quite refined around town and at highway speeds. The only time when it becomes a touch vocal is when incremental speed is summoned at highway speeds. The 1.6L four mates well with a CVT transmission that mimics the shift patterns of a conventional automatic transmission and avoids the rubber banding that used to be so much a part of the CVT experience. Steering is accurate but lacks much road feel and the ride-handling compromise arrived at by Nissan will please most buyers. Overall the Kicks is a good package and, considering the cars Nissan has issued over the last decade, the car was a bit of a breakthrough.  With nearly 19,000 sold in Canada is 2021, the Kicks has been a major hit for Nissan here. The Kicks outsold the related Versa six-to-one.  

The air conditioning in the Kicks copes well with tropical weather in Toronto and seemed cool enough despite the fact that the lowest possible temperature is 18 centigrade. Aiming the dash vents to send air to the face proved to be a challenge. The Bose-branded audio system on the SR Premium tested was, with a very muddy sound, disappointing. Sound from the  novel headrest mounted speakers were, despite watching several online tutorials to figure out how they are engaged, proved as elusive on this example as it was on two previous ones. Screen graphics were acceptable in a car at this price point.  

Pricing
With air conditioning, Bluetooth phone hookup, the iOS-Android cellphone interface, Siri concierge, forward collision warning, including for pedestrians, autonomous emergency braking, including in reverse, blind spot, rear cross traffic and lane departure warnings, the base Kicks S, is very nicely equipped. The SV adds alloy wheels, a fancier gauge package, auto temperature control, brake hold, roof rails, improved trim, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote starting and a driver alertness warning, results in a nicely-equipped car, and is good value. The SV Special Edition offers little of real value for the money asked. The SR trim upgrade includes L.E.D. headlamps, fog lights, upgraded upholstery, auto dim rearview mirror and improved trim, is great value. That said, Nissan hopes buyers opt for the SR Premium trim that adds a 360 degree camera system, a lggage tonneau cover, a Bose-branded audio system and a roof spoiler, and is a bargain. 

Reliability
Predicted reliability is below average to average. Smaller Nissans generate much higher than average servicing and repair costs. The CVT transmission often expires just after the warranty ends and premature failure of components such a ball joints are accompanied by massive repair bills.     

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: NR

Side: NR

Roof: NR

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR

What’s new
No changes of note for 2022. 
Comments
When the latest Versa sedan was shown in New York in April of 2019, Nissan Canada reps stated the car would not be sold here. However, the attrition of vehicles in the segment,  including Nissan’s own Micra and Versa Note, the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, has opened up enough marketing space for Nissan to think the car has a good chance here now. 
Along with the Nissan Kicks, the Versa sedan is built on the new-generation Micra platform that debuted in other markets for the 2017 model year. Like the current Altima and Sentra, the Versa is an attractive, contemporary design. The Versa has the same wheelbase as the Kicks, but is 201 mm (7.9 inches) longer, slightly narrower, 130 mm (5.1 inches) lower and about 40 kilograms lighter.
Essentially a Kicks sedan, the Versa shares most of the cabin features, including the dashboard, with its tall hatchback showroom mate. The gauges are easy to scan and all controls are logical and work with a satisfying precision. Fit and finish are much better than in small Nissans of the recent past but there is a lot of hard, and perhaps, too shiny plastic, on the doors. 

Power for the Versa stems from Nissan’s ubiquitous 1.6L four that is rated at 122 horsepower. Torque will reach the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT.

The Nissan 360 Safety shield, with intelligent autonomous emergency braking, including pedestrian detection and rear self-stopping, will be offered, as will lane departure, rear cross traffic and blind spot warnings.

Driven briefly, the Versa is, like the Kicks is pretty serene unless pushed hard, when it becomes a bit vocal. Like the Kicks, the Versa delivers adequate power and no more, and requires a lot of throttle to gain any incremental speed on the highway. However, once a steady cruising speed is attained, refinement, except for perhaps too much roadnoise, is quite impressive for a car in this segment. The Versa's steering is not as tactile as that of the related Kicks and it didn't hold its line on highway as well either. 

The front seats feel a bit thin at first but have nicely contoured backrests and prove comfortable enough over a several hour run. Compared with the Kicks, rear seat room is diminished by the lower roofline and the lower-mounted seats. 

The unbranded audio system in our SR sedan sounded better than the Bose-branded equipment in the Kicks SR Premium, but the air-conditioner was barely adequate in sweltering Toronto weather. 

Pricing
With air conditioning, forward collision warning, including pedestrians, autonomous emergency braking and a lane departure warning, the base S trim is good value. The CVT group on the S adds heated door mirrors and a 60/40 split rear seat and is good value. With alloy wheels, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, heated front seats, a driver
awareness warning, the iOS/Adroid cellphone interface, the SV trim upgrade is a bargain. 

The SR adds a few sporting exterior trim flourishes, enhanced cabin trim, two extra speakers, L.E.D. headlights and remote starting, and is priced to reflect the value of the content. With under 3000 sold last year, this quite reasonable Versa demonstrates that buyers have moved on from the sedan body style. 

Reliability
Predicted reliability is average to below average. Smaller Nissans generate much higher than average servicing and repair costs. The CVT transmission often expires just after the warranty ends and premature failure of components such a ball joints are accompanied by massive repair bills.

Sm. Front Driver: NR

Mod. Front: G

Side: G

Roof: NR

Sm. Front Pass.: NR

Head/Seat: NR

Headlight: NR