WomanOnWheels.ca

2012 Nissan Frontier: One very nice little truck

It's not perfect - it's pricey, and its fuel consumption is higher than its competitors - but of the few small/midsize pickup trucks still on the market, I think the Nissan Frontier is the best overall. Find out why at Sympatico Autos by clicking here.

The 2012 Nissan Rogue: Nice, but not a standout

If only you could put the Juke's driving experience in the Rogue's shape, what a vehicle you would have. Read my review of the 2012 Nissan Rogue in Sympatico Autos by clicking here.

A look at the 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe

It's handsome, it's fun to drive, it's comfortable, but it's a lot of money. Read my review of the 2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 Coupe in Autos.ca by clicking here.

Three days with the all-electric Nissan Leaf

I had the use of an all-electric Nissan Leaf for three days. I'd specifically booked it for December, to see how it behaved in cold weather, although the temperature remained unseasonably warm. Even so, it was interesting to bring home my first all-electric car for daily driving. The verdict: it's a hoot to drive, but yes, there is such a thing as range anxiety. Read all about it in Autos.ca by clicking here.

Electric vehicle charging: Still working on the infrastructure

New products are usually a chicken-and-egg situation, and electric cars are no exception: without the cars there's no need for charging infrastructure, but if they can't charge them, people won't buy the cars. I asked Nissan about some of the challenges of getting charging systems ready to go. Read all about it in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.

Nissan NV: A new way to move your cargo

I initially drove Nissan's NV work van on a short press event; this time around, I had it for a week. It's pretty impressive, especially with all the features that were designed to make the workday easier. You can read all about it on Autos.ca by clicking here.

2011 Nissan Quest: Redesigned, but not there yet

I drove the 2011 Nissan Quest, which is completely redesigned into a slab-sided box that's super-comfy but drives big and mushy. You can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

A first look at Nissan's 2012 Versa Sedan

While Nissan's Versa hatchback remains the same, the sedan undergoes a complete redesign for 2012. You can read my thoughts on it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Nissan Quest

The minivan is still alive and kicking, and the newest one on the block is Nissan's Quest. It's big and comfortable, but the handling's mushy and it looks odd. Read all about it in my review in Autos.ca by clicking here.

Other trucks will be green with NV ... !

Nissan NV, that is. The Japanese automaker now has a U.S.-built van to compete with Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter. I went to Miami to take it for a spin; you can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

Scratches begone: Nissan's self-healing paint

In today's Metro, I have a technology piece on Nissan's self-healing Scratch Shield paint, which you can find by clicking here. 

I also have a short reprint of my piece on driving the Chevrolet Volt, found over here.

In review: 2010 Nissan Altima

In today's Canadian Driver, I have a look at the Nissan Altima sedan, which you can find by clicking here. 

Nissan: Juke in, Cube out?

  Nissan has announced that it will sell a new compact "crossover SUV," the badly-named Juke, in Canada beginning this fall. This photo is all they'll reveal until tomorrow, but I think it looks a little like a Kia Soul that faced into a heavy windstorm. Which could be a good thing.

The press release said that the Juke will join the Rogue and Murano, but nothing was said about the Cube, which tells me that the little box's days are numbered. I like the Cube, but it seems I'm in the minority. I don't know how many are actually going out the door, but I've only ever seen a handful on the road in private hands. That's a shame. No matter what, it's hard on any company to bring out something with good intention and have it fall flat. I think the Cube's biggest problem is that it's a Japanese car that's simply too Japanese.

Remember, somebody got paid to think this up!

  Nissan, Nissan, Nissan -- what the hell were you thinking?

This concept vehicle is the Qazana, and later this fall, Nissan will sell a compact crossover based on it in the United Kingdom and Europe.

And what will they call it? Get ready for it -- the Nissan Juke.

No, I'm not juking -- oops, sorry, joking. Aren't parents supposed to go over each potential name, figuring out what schoolyard taunt could be extrapolated from it? If there's even one thing wrong with this vehicle, Nissan has just effectively handed every auto writer in Europe his or her dinner on a shiny silver platter.

A look at the Datsun 240Z

In today's Wheels Extra, I have a look back at the Datsun 240Z, which you can find by clicking here.

In review: 2009 Nissan 370Z

On today's Canadian Driver, I have a review of the 2009 Nissan 370Z, which you can find by clicking here.

In review: Nissan Cube

On today's Canadian Driver, I have another look at the 2009 Nissan Cube, which you can find by clicking here.

In review: Nissan Cube and Volvo XC90

In today's Toronto Star, I have a review of the 2010 Nissan Cube, which you can find by clicking here.

I also have a review of the 2009 Volvo XC90, which you can access by clicking here.

Lexus RX 350, and an interview with the 370Z's designer

On today's Canadian Driver, I have a review of the 2009 Lexus RX 350, which you can find by clicking here.

I also interviewed Randy Rodriguez, one of the designers of the Nissan 370Z; that's available over here.

Here's my Collision Avoidance Technology run-down ...

  In the news: Nissan has announced that it will demonstrate its new "All-Around Collision Free" vehicle at the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in New York next week. This slick unit has all the acronyms: BCP (Backup Collision Prevention), SCP (Side Collision Prevention), DCA (Distance Control Assist) and LDP (Lane Departure Prevention).

Basically, the car checks to make sure you aren't changing lanes into the side of another vehicle; that you don't back up into oncoming traffic; it taps the brakes if you're coming up too quickly on the car in front; it makes sure you're staying in your lane; and if you don't, it helps bring the car back over.

Pretty slick stuff, and I'm sure a lot of money was poured into it. But in the interest of safe, low-cost motoring, I've designed my own group of safety acronyms to help get you through traffic with as little rearranged metal as possible. My "Super Safety" car includes PDTGCP (Put Down the Goddamn Cell Phone), AYMP (Adjust Your Mirrors Properly), WWYG (Watch Where You're Going), TDTS (Turn Down The Stereo), LBW (Look Both Ways), and YNTOCOTRSBWPA (You're Not The Only Car On The Road, So Bloody Well Pay Attention).

There. Safe, secure, doesn't need a warranty, and doesn't cost an extra dime. That, my friends, is an Intelligent Transport System.

In review: 2009 Nissan Maxima

  On today's Canadian Driver, I have a review of the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima; you can find it by clicking here.

No. Stop it. Stop it right now.

   Nissan has announced that, in conjunction with other companies including Sharp, it has developed a mobile telephone that includes a car's "intelligent key".

This means that you will have a phone that doubles as your car key. Which means that you will consider a telephone as a vital part of your vehicle.

This is not intelligent. This is dumb. It's a car, not a phone booth. Drive now. Talk later. Put down the bloody phone and drive the car. You will be safer, and I will be much happier when you do not weave into my lane, slow down and speed up, or dial the phone when you should be paying attention to piloting two tons of metal at 120 km/h.

Up today: GM's 100th, BMW 1 Series, Nissan Pathfinder

  I have three stories in today's Toronto Star. The cover is on GM's 100th anniversary, available here; I also have a review of the BMW 1 Series, found here, and the Nissan Pathfinder, over here.

Nissan Pathfinder, and the Auto Baron's Ball

On today's Canadian Driver, I have a review of the V8-powered Nissan Pathfinder, which you can find here.

I also dropped by Parkwood, the home of GM of Canada founder Robert McLaughlin, where the annual Auto Baron's Ball fundraiser was in full swing. There's a piece on it over here.

Electric vehicles: More than just the car

I just read a news report, a follow-up to Nissan's earlier announcement that it will sell a completely electric vehicle in the U.S. and Japan in 2010. The company has embarked on a full-scale study in Kanagawa Prefecture to set up a charging network and incentives program that can possibly be repeated nationally and even globally.

That's a huge report, and it's one that I hope to see with many more automakers.

Up front: I'm a fan of electric vehicles, and I think they're going to have an important place in the overall goal of sustainable transportation. But I also think that many of the people who champion them are not looking at the big picture overall.

I've spoken to many supporters, who tell me that people will simply plug the cars in at home, or plug them in at work, and that's the extent of their vision of infrastructure. The problem is that many of these supporters live in single-family homes, and work at small companies where running a few extension cords from the building isn't an issue.

But many more people live in apartment buildings, or in older city areas where they have to park on the street. Many work at large complexes or factories, where a few thousand cars might occupy the parking lot. Suddenly, the situation isn't so simple as these devotees like to think it is.

Any new technology is going to be chicken-and-egg; early motorists had to buy their gasoline from hardware stores, because gas stations had yet to be developed. By working on the hen as well as the egg, automakers and governments can help to make this happen. Maybe, in future, parking meters will charge the cars parked beside them. Maybe apartment parking lots will include stand-alone charging systems. Maybe, if they do, the electric car will be more than just a conveyance for a lucky few, and instead, become a feasible option for many.

Nissan Murano

On Canadian Driver today I have a review of the 2009 Nissan Murano. You can find it here.

News from Nissan ...

That's a Nissan, and it's coming soon to an intersection near you.

Well, maybe not that exact one, but the news is out: Nissan is entering the light commercial vehicle market in North America. It's planning on building three new vehicles that will enter the market in the first half of 2010, and while there's not been anything concrete yet, the company has confirmed that they'll be under the eight-ton GVW range. It's also forming a partnership with Cummins to supply the engines.

Most importantly, they'll be built in Canton, Mississippi for use in North America, thanks to an investment of $118 million, on top of the tooling for the trucks. There's no word yet on where the ousted Quest minivan and QX56 will go once the plant gears up for the trucks, although I'm wondering if the company will abandon them entirely. In any case, kudos to Canton, and here's hoping it makes for a lot more jobs in an area that can probably use them.

Nissan and Jeep Reviews

I have two reviews in The Toronto Star today -- the 2008 Nissan Titan, available here, and the 2008 Jeep Liberty, which you can see here.