For the 14th consecutive year, we finish up the model year in ALL ABOUT CARS with a Top-10 list consisting of the vehicles we tested and reviewed this year; and after rating them, have concluded that they are the “best deals on wheels” in 2018. Next week, we will present our “vehicle of the year” regardless of price.

Now, just because a vehicle delivers the best bang for the buck, it doesn’t always translate into sales. In 2018, trucks were the top three-selling vehicles in the U.S., and no truck made my list this year. To make ALL ABOUT CARS’ “Car Buy of the Year” list, sales is not part of the equation. To be considered for this list, I must have test-driven the vehicle during calendar 2018, and dollar-for-value, or worth vs. cost carries the most weight, though some abstracts still apply.

Rated for this year’s competition, I test drove 54 vehicles, drove them, tested them and examined them for about a week each, using them as daily drivers around town for errands and for maneuvering; on the highway for long trips, for passing, stability and for fun; accelerating them and braking them hard on straight tracks and banked venues, auto-crosses and drag strips, and checking out what passengers and onlookers reported.

The cars tested vary from year to year. Some years we have higher-priced vehicles of great value on the list -- a low price is not always the sign of a great value. Price certainly is a factor; as is fuel economy, but the vehicle’s personality, how it fits its niche and how you feel driving it all play a part. This year, the winner was one of three finalists priced under $30,000 and eight of the 10 were under $40,000. Two cars on the list were priced in the $40,000 range.

The candidates were graded in eight categories, with vehicles earning 10 points for best possible to 1 point for worst possible. I gave only six perfect 10s in any category all year; no vehicle received less than a charitable 5 in any category, and no vehicle received more than a single category 10. My eight graded segments are: Interior; Safety; Power; Handling/Ride; Economy/Price; Looks; Niche-fitting and a Miscellaneous grouping in which I took into consideration the “feel-good” factor and other subjective intangibles

One more thing: the difference between this week’s Best Car Buy winner and next week’s “Car of the Year” champion is that this week it is all about best value for the price across all eight categories, and not necessarily the lowest amount of dollars spent. Next week’s winner is all about the car, truck or crossover and what it delivers, regardless of price – just the pure vehicle.

My 2018 Top Buys of the Year are led by two small SUV-CUVs, topped by a sporty above-badge sports-ute; and on the list were a minivan, a muscle car and a flagship sedan. Two on this list ALSO were finalists for next week’s “Car of the Year.” Prices reflect my review vehicles-as-tested.

No. 1 Hyundai Kona: Sub-Compact CUV targets urban adventurers -- $29,805

For the second year in a row, Hyundai topped my list (last year, the Hyundai Elantra came out on top). This year, Hyundai has targeted youthful “urban adventurers” with its all-new sub-compact crossover utility vehicle, the 2018 Hyundai Kona. With “urban smart armor” exterior styling, Kona has a bold and sporty demeanor packed with leading safety technology and advanced infotainment features in a compact footprint. Kona offers two engine choices and my test ride had a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Kona was fun to drive and averaged 26.7 mpg during a week of mixed-use runs. Look for Kona next week on the CAR of the YEAR list.

No. 2 Kia Niro: Sporty hybrid CUV adds safety and tech packages -- $29,710

Niro is a Hybrid that doesn’t look like a Hybrid, packaged as a Crossover that doesn’t look or act quite like a Crossover. Upgraded for 2018 with a new plug-in model, new cosmetics, and a full suite of safety and tech enhancements. The two-tiered power system is rated at 139hp and 195 lbs.-ft of torque, and my week of interstate and in-town driving averaged 53 mpg on the highway and 44.2 mpg overall.

No. 3 Honda Accord: All new with enhanced power, styling, connectivity -- $33,322

The 2018 Accord is all-new from the ground up from its structure to powertrain. Re-engineered for weight, safety, aerodynamics and style with a crisp, sporty design, the new Accord has a longer wheelbase and also has improved connectivity and driver-assistive technology. The new 1.5-liter, 16-valve DOHC direct-injected turbo engine produces a peak of 192 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. I averaged 33.4 mpg in tests.

No. 4 Subaru Forester: Performance, Intuitive Cabin and Safety --$30,296

Subaru Forester remains a sports utility ride for the “granola-and-fresh water” brigade. Lives up to its slogan: “SUV tough, car easy,” with the versatility of a minivan, car and small sports-ute in its abilities. Adds new cosmetics inside and out, and new driving and safety technology. My test ride’s 2.5-liter engine delivered 170 horses and 174 lbs.-ft. and averaged 28.1 mpg.

No. 5 Hyundai Elantra: Increased tech, safety and trims -- $27,865

This popular compact now looks more like a fastback, with its roofline sloped from the windshield  to the rear of the car, and redesigned grille, lights, body panels and bumper emphasizing straight lines along the body. Elantra power comes from a Nu 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson Cycle DOHC 16-valve engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lbs.-ft. of torque. I averaged 32.0mpg.

No. 6 Jeep Compass: Compact CUV adds upgraded materials and tech -- $34,415 The Jeep Compass is a compact crossover that on the looks of Grand Cherokee. Compass comes at you with a Premium, sculptural design, wide stance, legendary Jeep seven-slot grille and typical Jeep off-road and in-town abilities. Outfitted with a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine that produces 180hp and 175 lbs.-ft. of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, In tests, I averaged 25.7mpg.

No. 7 Ford Mustang GT: More Pony Power, exterior and tech gains -- $45,875

The highest ticket on the list is a best-buy with a sleek new design, more advanced tech and improved performance enhancements … and a 435hp 5.0-liter V-8 that provides 420 lb-ft of torque. With a 22-inch all-digital instrument cluster, improved aerodynamics and Pony history, I averaged 18.2 mpg in lots of on-track and highway tests. A ton of performance, style, tech, muscle and nostalgia at the price. Also on next week’s list.

No. 8 Ford Explorer: Capable, confident, rugged and powerful -- $36,225

Proving that Compact SUVs aren’t the only Crossovers on the list, the 2018 Explorer gets upgraded active safety and driver assist tech systems, a new grille insert, with redesigned and smaller fog light housings, and displays response, power and handling in all ranges. Powered by a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine that delivers 290hp and 255 lbs-ft of torque, a week of mixed-use testing achieved an average of 23.3mpg.

No. 9 Dodge Caravan: Room for seven and priced to sell -- $33,585

The first minivan to ever make my Top-10 list, Caravan is priced at $20,000 less than the No.2-selling minivan – Dodge’s Pacifica. It fits the niche well and shows enough brawn, powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed, adaptive electronic control transmission with an electronically modulated torque converter clutch. The system puts out 283 hp and 260 lbs-ft of torque.  I average 26.9 mpg in tests.

No. 10 Toyota Avalon: Flagship mid-size sedan is premium and bold -- $43,412

The second highest price on this list, Toyota’s luxury sedan, the Avalon has a coupe-like profile, bold grille, discrete chrome trim, chiseled shoulder line and sculpted side sheet metal. Avalon remains unique in its segment with the choice of V6 or hybrid powertrains. The Avalon’s 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6 with Dual VVT-i produces 268 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. I averaged 26.9mpg in tests.

Next week, we present our annual CAR of THE YEAR list… and you will see several of these great buys again.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

 

 

The Infiniti QX line (X for Crossover) stands five deep with their SUVs numbered QX30, QX50, QX60 QX70 and QX80 and ranging in size and in an ascending scale and power from the QX30 at 174.2 inches long with a 2.0-liter, 208hp engine to the QX80 at 210.2 inches long with a 5.6-liter, 400hp engine.

Originally part of the Q30 line-up when it was a concept vehicle, Infiniti’s smallest crossover is targeted for younger drivers. The QX30 debuted last year with concept-car styling that is a step above a sporty hatchback, with the appeal of coupe architecture and crossover dimensions and capabilities. It also exhibited a sporty ride and soft-road abilities.

For this second year, QX30 has received only a few changes. Automatic emergency braking, previously optionally available only for the top two trim levels, is now standard on all trims; some upscale equipment has been shifted across the trims; and at mid-year, QX30’s trims were renamed, as the base model is now the Pure, Luxury is Luxe, Premium is Essential, and Sport is still Sport.

While I find QX30 as more of a soft-road than off-road vehicle, it is a luxurious compact SUV with a highly sculpted exterior, unique crossover stance and asymmetric cabin design that live up to Infiniti’s commitment to elegance.

The QX30 combines a balance of coupe sportiness, utility and 5-door versatility. It has a bold demeanor that is paid off with a confident drive and versatile attitude, aided by intelligent all-wheel drive intuitive technologies to enhance safety, comfort and convenience. QX30’s sculpted architecture delivers the look and feel of a luxury coupe with a lavish cabin and a smooth, coupe-like roofline. Constructed with a wide stance, QX30 is 174.2 inches long, 82.0 inches wide and 58.9 inches high on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. Its step-in height is 16.5 inches and minimum ground clearance is 6.8 inches. Curbweight is 4277 lbs. for the Luxe trim version in AWD.

The QX30 Luxe AWD I tested includes unique front and rear lower fascias, extended overfenders, trim-specific black mold-in color side sills, roof rails, distinctive 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a higher ride height than other trims.

The aggressive Infiniti design approach continues inside, with QX30 challenging traditional standards of symmetry through its expressive, modern and dynamic interior.
The asymmetric surfaces feature wave shapes and forceful lines that twist apart and flow away from the driver. These give an "in-motion" feel when natural light moves over the highly sculpted lines and contrasting materials in the cabin, and Premium cabin materials and high-tech infotainment are intuitive and upscale.

With seating for five, the QX30 cabin fits within the small crossover niche, with a tight fit for taller drivers and occupants. Front headroom with a moonroof is 38.4 inches, with rear headroom at 37.5 inches – restricting for anyone over 6-feet tall. Shoulder room is 54.8 inches in front and 53.1 in row two; and leg room is a comfortable 41.3 inches in the first row, but only child-accommodating 33.5 inches for rear-seat passengers. Outward sightlines are hindered, but the overall driving experience is quiet.

Power is delivered by the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged unit that is rated at 208 horsepower, with peak torque of 258 lbs.-ft. available from 1,200 – 4,400 rpm. Turbo pressure keeps the power sufficient when called upon, and the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission system provides seamless acceleration. Highway acceleration is reliable, and in track tests, I ran a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds en route to a 15.1-second quarter-mile. EPA rated at 24mpg/city and 33mpg/highway, my week of tests yielded an average of 28.8mpg in mixed-use driving, some of which was on snow-covered roads.

Regarding the ride, QX30 delivers a comfortable, even indulgent experience. The MacPherson front struts and 23mm stabilizer bar work well with the multi-link independent rear and its stabilizer bar to level most pavement and soft-road inconsistencies.

From a safety perspective, QX30 is among the safest cars in its class owing to a range of active safety and hazard avoidance technologies that enhance the driving experience and provide a high level of safety to all occupants. And an Around View Monitor with moving object detection and Intelligent Parking Assist make the QX30 a maneuverable and easy-to-park vehicle.

The base 2018 QX30 Pure starts at $29,950; QX30 Luxe starts at $32.800; QX30 Essential starts at $367,700; QX30 Sport starts at $39,900; QX30 Luxe AWD starts at $34,800 and the QX30 Essential AWD starts at $41,200.

My test QX30 Luxe in AWD included all QX30 Luxe trim features plus Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD); 18-inch machine finished aluminum-alloy wheels; unique front and rear AWD styling; extended overfenders with unique sill panels; roof rails and a raised AWD suspension. Upgrades from the base QX30 included Nappa leather-appointed seating; 8-way power front seats; 4-way power front passenger lumbar; memory seats and mirrors; heated seats and Leatherette-appointed and stitched dash insert.

Loaded as a trim, few extras were needed. Splash guards added $215; all-season floor mats added $155; a reversible cargo protector mat added $120; Infiniti WiFi added $495; a Wireless Smartphone charger added $250, and Destination and Handling added $995 for a sticker-as-tested of $37,030.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

When Carlisle Events announced a new Corvette themed feature as part of Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, there was only one way to do it - go big! The group known around the world for Corvettes at Carlisle is pleased to announce a full buffet of Corvette options for enthusiasts of America’s Sports Car.

Winter AutoFest starts February 22 and spans three days at the SUN n’ FUN Campus in Lakeland. As part of the event, the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) hosts its winter regional meet, offering guests a look at some of the best Corvettes in and around the Sunshine State. In addition, Carlisle Events presents a Corvette Showfield with VIP and general parking options.

With some amazing Corvettes positioned in Lakeland, it makes sense that there’s a bevy of options available for those who show and those who go. Joining in the fun will be dozens of Corvette specific vendors, offering parts both new and classic. Stingray Chevrolet will be onsite too, showcasing new Corvettes, while Corvette guru Paul Koerner makes his Lakeland debut to host seminars and diagnose any and all issues for Corvette and all-Chevrolet owners. Koerner, based in Connecticut, is a GM certified master technician who can fix/identify any and all Corvette ailments. Throughout the weekend, he’ll be front and center with Corvette owners and their cars.

But wait...there’s more. Carlisle Auctions will run at least one all-Corvette themed hour as part of their two-day auction (February 22-23), giving those who want to buy their first or next Corvette a dedicated time slot to do so. Further, recently announced in conjunction with all the Corvette fun, a MiG 17 Russian Fighter Jet will be positioned near the Corvettes for photo opportunities. The photo ops are FREE, but guests are encouraged to bring their own cameras and snap their own pics.

“I’ve enjoyed the NCRS Winter Regional event for as long as I can remember. The event was always top-notch,” noted Corvettes at Carlisle event planner Lance Miller. “It’s really going to be fun hosting the NCRS Winter Regional event along with our Lakeland Auto Fest,” continued Miller. “We’re excited about this unique opportunity and feel confident every Corvette owner in Florida should attend this event. We’re focused on making this a ‘must attend’ for any car enthusiast but especially for those Corvette lovers like myself.” Miller concluded by noting “if you live in the cold parts of the country, what better time to escape than February and what better place than Lakeland, Florida? Come on down and enjoy the sun, the cars, the auction and the many vendors with us!”

In all, this will be the biggest and best Corvette gathering in the eastern time zone since Corvettes at Carlisle in August. Complete details on the Corvette showcase, plus the show itself can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Shaking hands with American car buyers, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra ranks as the No.7 top-selling sedan and No. 21 best-selling vehicle in America this year (up 6 percent) and two years into its sixth generation, Elantra has garnered more than 2.9 million sales since its launch in the U.S. That handshake refers back to Hyundai’s badge, its slanted, stylized “H” logo that Hyundai says, expresses two people shaking hands.

A favorite of those organizations who bestow awards to carmakers, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra has again been named a top compact family sedan in AutoPacific’s annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, and has once again earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ honors.

Last year, Elantra began its sixth edition with two trims (SE and Limited) and expanded during the year with Value Edition and Sport trims. In this sixth incarnation, Elantra’s demeanor has changed to an arguably more conservative design style from earlier looks, as the "fluidic sculpture" design that persisted across the Hyundai portfolio since 2011 is gone. The car is now more like a fastback, with its roofline sloped from the windshield to the rear of the car, and it has less curves overall with pentagonal head and tail lights, a hexagonal grille, and redesigned body panels and bumper emphasizing straight lines along the body.

And new for this year, Elantra’s trim lineup grows to six with the additions of the 35mpg ECO turbo and the tech-adding SEL. Also this year, the line-up adds a variety of improvements now available on most trims including; blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, four-wheel disc brakes, heated outside mirrors, auto headlamp control, 7-inch Display Audio system AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM with six speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tires, new machine gray exterior color choice and several trim-specific upgrades.

The 2018 Elantra is packed with a wealth of standard amenities including remote keyless entry; iPod®/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks; multifunction trip computer, six airbags: advanced dual front airbags with Occupant Classification System, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags; driver's blind spot mirror; dual-power and heated bodycolor side mirrors; motor-driven power steering; Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System and Anti-lock Braking System with Brake Assist.

Elantra’s sculpture is confident, elegant and rounded, from its chiseled front end, eye-slit headlights and prominent grillework to its sloping rear window and abrupt rear. That artistic aesthetic comes in a compact package that measures 179.9 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 56.5 inches high, on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The vehicle is confident, with a curbweight of 2976 lbs. for a sedan with an automatic transmission.

Elantra power comes from a Nu 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson Cycle DOHC 16-valve engine that puts out 147 horsepower and 132 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA estimate (automatic transmission) of 29mpg in the city driving and 38mpg on the highway. My week of mixed-use testing yielded a surprisingly high (for the niche) average of 32.0mpg.

Two0 Elantra trims offer other engines: the Eco trim employs a 40mpg, 128-hp turbo engine and the Sport trim utilizes a 201-hp turbo engine.

The Elantra ride is worthy of higher-segment comfort and quietness, but handling is vague and displays some challenging understeer during autocross maneuvers. Uphill grades are conquered with good acceleration in mid ranges, and my track tests showed an 8.4-second dash from zero to 60mph and a 16.5-second quarter-mile.

The Elantra Limited cabin is refined with intuitive design and lighting. Its standard leather seating surfaces offer a premium look and feel. Elantra provides adequate front headroom of 38.8 inches and 37.3 inches in row two. Front legroom is a comfortable 42.2 inches in row one, but a tighter 35.7 inches for second-row passengers. Shoulder room is generous throughout with 56.2 inches up front and 56.3 inches in the rear.

Available in six trims, The 2018 Hyundai Elantra in Base SE trim with a manual transmission starts at $16,950 – automatic is $1000 extra; the Elantra SEL starts at $18,850 (adding rear view camera, 7-inch touchscreen and Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®); the Value Edition at $19,850 (with leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity key with push-button start and hand-free smart trunk); Eco starts at $20,550 (with the 40mpg 128-hp turbo engine); Sport starts at $21,600 (with its 201-hp turbo engine and LED lights); and the Elantra Limited, as was my test ride, started at $22,100 (and that includes an automatic transmission and the 147-hp engine, leather inside, HID headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels).

The Ultimate Package added $4350 for a Navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen, Infinity® Premium Audio with eight speakers including center channel and subwoofer; Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology; 4.2-inch color TFT instrument cluster display; power sunroof; heated rear seats; Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection; Smart Cruise Control; Lane Keep Assist System and more. An Interior Light Kit was $250; Cargo net, tray and trunk hook added $185; mud guards added $95 and Freight added $885 for a final invoice of $27,865 before Hyundai promotional opportunities are deducted.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

The Nissan Sentra was launched in 1982 as a subcompact and was enlarged to a compact in 2000. In North America, Sentra serves as Nissan's compact car despite being rated as a mid-size by the EPA. The Sentra brand was created to “help consumers to understand that it was quite safe even though it was small, and the word Sentra is supposed to sound like central as well as sentry, which, according to Nissan, “evokes images of safety.”

For 2018, the Sentra adds automatic emergency braking as standard equipment. The Sentra S gains a rearview monitor and 5-inch color touchscreen, while the SV grade gets new 16-in aluminum wheels and dual-zone automatic climate control. Intelligent Cruise Control is standard on SR 1.8 and SL models, and the previous NISMO and SL Tech packages are made standard on those trims.

Outside, Sentra has a more sporty and refined demeanor than most people expect from a compact, and its exterior design reflects Nissan's design language, a look shared with the current generations of Maxima and Altima, featuring bold front and rear fascias, grille, fenders, hood and signature boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights. Sentra SR and SL grades offer LED low-beam headlights with LED signature accents.

Once Sentra was a sub-compact, but it is firmly entrenched as a midsize now, weighing in with a curb weight of 2880 lbs. and measuring 182.1 inches in length, 69.3 inches in width and 58.9 inches in height on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 6.4 inches.

The 2018 Sentra's fuel efficiency and power comes from an advanced 1.8-liter cast aluminum inline-four cylinder engine that puts out 124hp and 125 lbs.-ft. of torque. With sequential multi-point fuel injection coupled with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission as with my test Sentra, the system is EPA rated at 29mpg/city and 37mpg/highway and my week of mixed-use driving achieved an average of 33.9 mpg.

Sentra performs economically, with slow, steady acceleration that make uphill grades and passing at speed a challenge. On the track, a sprint from zero to 60mph took a lackluster 9.6 seconds, and a quarter-mile lasted 17.6 seconds. Handling was predictable, with vague steering and some body-waver during tight cornering at speed, but the independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar works well with the torsion beam rear suspension with integrated stabilizer bar for a smooth, compliant ride.

Inside, the 2018 Sentra features ample roominess, and the intuitive interior layout emphasizes driver control and upscale seat comfort for all occupants. The high-quality interior design features materials not usually found in compact vehicles, including soft-touch instrument panel and door armrests, and available leather-appointed seating.

Standard interior features include a 6-way manual driver's seat, 4-way manual front passenger's seat, front center console with padded armrest and cupholders, rear seat armrest with cupholders, air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter, tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows with driver's one-touch auto up/down with auto reverse, power door locks with auto-locking feature, remote keyless entry and remote trunk and fuel-filler door releases.

With seating for five, Sentra offers a roomy 42.5 inches of front legroom and a comfortable 37.4 inches or rear legroom. Headroom is average up front at 39.4 inches and tight in the rear at 36.7 inches. Shoulder room exceeds niche expectations at 54.7 in row one and 53.9 for row two.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2018 Nissan Sentra a “Top Safety Pick” vehicle safety rating, scoring it “Good” in all five of the “Top Safety Pick” categories. Sentra comes equipped with such inclusions as Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags equipped with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor. Above, standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags help protect front and rear passengers.

The 2018 Sentra starts at $16,990 for the base S trim model with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Sentra S with Xtronic CVT® trans starts at $18,275 and the S Midnight with spoiler and cosmetics starts at $18,770. My test SV trim Sentra based at $19,085, and added the Xtronic CVT® transmission, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, dual-zone automatic temperature control and Premium cloth seats. The SR trim comers in four variations ranging at bases of $20,500 to $22,985 for the Midnight Turbo edition. And Sentra offers an SL and two Nismo editions, maxing out at a base of $25,790.

My test SV, in Brilliant Silver over Charcoal premium cloth, added the SV Premium Package with the Nissan Navigation System, NissanConnect® Mobile Apps, SiriusXM® Traffic and Travel Link,Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature and sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and extension, for $990. The All-Weather Package, for $300, added heated front seats and dual power heated outside mirrors, and a Rear Decklid Spoiler added $340. Fog lights added $315; four splash guards added $190; and a $500 Electronics Package added colorful interior accent lighting, improved night-time visibility, and an Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink® and Compass that reduces glare from following vehicles and helps drivers find their way with its built-in compass. Carpeted trunk and floormats added $200 and a trunk net added $70. With destination and handling charges of $885, my 2018 Nissan Sentra SV stickered at $22,875.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.