2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 S on 2040-cars

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2019 Chevy Blazer vs Honda Passport, other midsize crossovers: How they compare

The two-row midsize crossover market is a sizable one that just keeps growing. The two newest additions being the 2019 Chevy Blazer and the 2019 Honda Passport, additions we just recently drove. As such, it seemed like a good time to see how their numbers compare with the veterans of the segment: Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Murano. In this comparison to see where it lands in the numbers game, we'll take a look at everything including power, torque, towing, ground clearance, passenger room, cargo space, fuel economy and pricing. Cue the chart. Powertrain The Passport only has one engine option, Honda's trusty 3.5-liter V6. You can find this engine in both the Pilot and Ridgeline, and we like it in all its applications. But if you're looking for something more affordable or more frugal, you're out of luck. The Passport is one of just two that offer just one engine option. Most of the others have two choices, and Jeep even offers three. Compared with similar engine options, the Passport is pretty middling. The Ford Edge ST's turbo V6 makes the most power and torque at 335 ponies and 380 pound-feet. Next up is the Blazer, the only other to break 300 horsepower, and then the 295-horsepower Grand Cherokee. The Passport does beat the V6 Murano and the turbocharged Santa Fe, though. 2019 Chevrolet Blazer View 37 Photos For vehicles with smaller engines, the Edge wins again with its 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. The Chevy Blazer is next, but at 193 horsepower, it's barely ahead of the 185-horsepower Santa Fe. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a couple of powertrain aces, though. It's the only vehicle available with a V8, and it makes an impressive 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. There's even a turbodiesel model with 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, the most twist of the group. The Grand Cherokee is also the choice if you want to tow much. The V6 models will pull 6,200 pounds, and the V8 and diesel can handle 7,200 pounds. Add 200 more pounds to the diesel if it only has rear drive. 2019 Honda Passport View 19 Photos When it comes to fuel economy, the front-drive four-cylinder Edge and Santa Fe are tied for the best, with the all-wheel-drive Edge getting one more mpg on the all-wheel-drive Santa Fe on the highway. The Murano comes up next.

Next Nissan Sentra spied, test driver salutes

Nissan isn't keeping a secret that the Sentra is getting a significant refresh for the 2016 model year, but apparently one of the test drivers isn't so happy about a spy photographer getting an early peek. As you can see in several pictures in the above gallery, the guy flies the finger directly at the camera as it captures this camouflaged compact sedan testing around Metro Detroit. While the 2016 Sentra is supposed to be heavily restyled compared to the current model, Nissan is still remaining tight-lipped about exactly what that means. These shots provide some clear indications, though. Up front, the brand's V-shaped grille is fairly obvious even through the camo in several photos, and the headlights get an angular resculpting to match that style. With its honeycomb grille, the lower air dam looks a slightly sportier, too. The sides are left unaltered in these shots, but the rear gets another big dose of obfuscation. The update back there seems to draw from the newly refreshed Altima, especially with the more pointy taillights. While harder to tell for sure, the trunk and lower bumper also appear to have a more complex design. Overall, the latest model reportedly takes inspiration from the Pulsar in Europe. This revision comes even as Sentra sales remain strong. For the year so far through August, the model is up 8.9 percent with 140,074 units moved. However, the 2016 model has to stand up against the challenge of the all-new 2016 Honda Civic that's entering the market at around the same time, meaning the Sentra has its work cut out for it.

Nissan recalls 320K Versas in North America for faulty springs

Following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration starting in May, Nissan is now recalling 319,507 examples of the 2007-2012 Versa in North America. Corrosion from road salt can potentially cause the cars' front suspension coil springs to snap. Specifically, the campaign covers 218,019 Versas in cold-weather US states: the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, there are 101,488 cars affected under this campaign in Canada, according to Nissan spokesperson Steve Yaeger to Autoblog. Nissan reports that a manufacturing issue by the supplier results in an "insufficient anti-corrosion coating" applied to the coil springs. Given enough time and exposure, this can lead to the part's fracturing. According to Yaeger, there are "no accidents or injuries related to this issue reported to Nissan." Owners of these Versas will get both front coil springs replaced, and Nissan will begin notifying them in November. It seems like perfect timing to avoid another winter of salt hitting them. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Front Coil Springs may Corrode , 1 INVESTIGATION(S) Report Receipt Date: SEP 14, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V573000 Component(s): SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected: 218,019 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) NISSAN VERSA 2007-2012 Details Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing. CONSEQUENCE: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by mid-November 2015.