Inflation has also affected the automotive world. Anyone who has decided to change vehicle will quickly recognize this. Is it still possible to get a new car for less than $20,000? Good news, the answer is yes. Bad news, the selection is limited to just one model: the Mitsubishi Mirage.
Adding in all other costs associated with purchasing a vehicle, the Mirage reaches a price of $19,480 for the 2024 model, an increase of $1,500 compared to the 2023 model. When this economic model arrives on our soil in 2013, it reached the symbolic $10,000 mark. From single to double in about 10 years. And you still have to opt for the base model, which has received some improvements in its new edition, such as rear electric windows, cruise control and a screen with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
The car would be the best way to access your personal information without having to control the computer informer, the infotainment screen that sits proudly in the center of your dashboard. Another positive point is the very low consumption for a petrol model: 6.2 l/100 km. With a three-cylinder engine that produces 78 horsepower, the Mirage is, as you can imagine, not a warhorse and prefers a “leisure” driving mode. However, it can be an interesting alternative for urban and daily use over short distances. You have yet to find one available at retailers. The choice remains to order one and be patient.
Mini Volvo for maximum fun
It was long awaited. Volvo’s electric subcompact SUV, the EX30, is finally arriving in Canada. Several versions are available, including a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive one that may be best suited to our climate.
Aesthetically, the EX30 does not deny its family connection to the brand’s larger models. In fact, it looks like the EX40 has been shrunk. It might have been beneficial to give it a more distinct personality to differentiate it within the manufacturer’s product range. But by adopting a smart aesthetic, we obviously want the look to last and be consistent with current trends, as we can see with the Hyundai Ionic 5 or the Polestar 2.
Another trend that Volvo is following: the disappearance of the driving control screens behind the steering wheel, which are returned to the central screen. The EX30 measures 12.3 inches. It is within the norm. We may regret that it looks like a dashboard-mounted tablet and we could remove it, but it is a very accessible model and we are not in the same category as Porsche or Mercedes.
If you opt for the front-wheel drive version, you’ll find a 268 horsepower electric motor and a 69 kWh battery under the hood. The output in kilowatt hours gives a good indication of the vehicle’s range. Here we are talking about 442 km, which is very good compared to the competition, some of which have difficulty reaching the 400 km limit. An all-wheel drive version is also available. Equipped with two electric motors, the vehicle then offers an output of 422 hp, but the range, as always with this type of configuration, is around 426 km.
The EX30 offers three equipment levels. The basic model is technically comprehensively equipped. The Plus version offers more and not just with a black roof
contrasting. We also find a panoramic roof, a Kardon audio system and 19-inch wheels. The high-end version called Ultra plays with the technology and offers, among other things, driving assistance, a 360-degree camera with 3D images and active parking assistance.
More good news is that all versions of the EX30 benefit from federal and state subsidies. A very respectable $12,000 for the complete electric drivetrain. Prices for Volvo’s subcompact SUV range from $56,900 to $62,100.
Small, safe, environmentally friendly, with very good autonomy and, according to the data announced, with a nervousness that would make the competition pale, since the EX30 with integrated gear goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
Your vehicle is spying on you
The Mozilla Foundation, based in California, has been testing electronic devices, watches, connected speakers and other applications for years to assess the level of protection of personal data. The results of their current study on 25 car brands are clear. You yourself collect more personal data than necessary. Likewise that of your smartphone if you have it connected. According to Mozilla, 84% of manufacturers admit to sharing them and 76% admit to selling them. Tesla is at the top of the ranking of the best data sensors. On the other hand, Renault and its subsidiary Dacia offer drivers the option of deleting the data collected if they expressly wish to do so.