Reaching the end of the road brings some big discounts on these 3 rides

Article content

When the Unhaggle deals get hot, Graeme Fletcher looks at the combined discounts, resale value, and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. Here, we look at three vehicles that are either being phased out or replaced.

Article content

2020 Ford Fusion SEL Energi

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Reaching the end of the road brings some big discounts on these 3 rides Back to video

$36,930

$5,000

$750

$5,750

$1,880

$33,060

The Ford Fusion is the enigma. After announcing it would cease production in July of 2020, Ford reversed that decision and said it will continue production through 2021. This, however, is likely a brief reprieve as it’s expected to make way for a new Subaru-Outback-like crossover tentatively dubbed the Fusion Active. The Kia Sorento and Nissan Rogue, both with all-wheel-drive, already have the revamped 2021 models sitting on dealer lots, so there are some real deals to be found on the outgoing models.

Article content

All three 2020 vehicles arrive with forward collision warning with auto braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment. The Ford Fusion and Nissan Rogue also include lane-departure warning with keep assist and auto high-beams. All three also work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is a caveat for the Fusion — as with other Ford models the built-in navigation system does not work when CarPlay is active. Consequently, it’s a case of unplugging the phone or using cellular data for the mapping.

The 2020 Ford Fusion really only sees one key change — the Plug-In hybrid name replaces the previous Energi designation. The featured SEL model comes loaded with a comfortable 10-way heated power driver’s seat, refined materials and an instrument cluster that can be customized. It also arrives with Ford’s Sync3 infotainment system with a seven-inch screen and adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality.

Article content

The back seat accommodates two adults with ease; however, the intrusion of the back-end of the centre console and central tunnel rule out the middle position. The Plug-In’s biggest drawback is the cargo capacity. The regular gas-powered model has 453 litres of trunk space while the regular Hybrid has 340L. The Plug-In is capped at 232L.

The Fusion Plug-In arrives with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that makes 141 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque. Thankfully, the electric motor chips in with another 119 hp. The result is a net system output of 188 hp, although when in charge-depletion mode (think of it as a Sport mode) it rises to 195 hp. This gets it to 100 kilometres an hour in 8.1 seconds.

Article content

The nine-kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery, when fully charged, gives the Plug-In an electric-only driving range of 40 kilometres. This explains the combined average fuel economy number of 2.3 litres per 100 kilometres. Yes, it rises to 5.6 L/100 km when the battery is depleted, but that’s still a good number.

The Plug-In is just under 250 kg heavier than the regular gas model, and it feels it. Where the gas model has an almost sporty driving feel, the Plug-In feels soft and cushy. This works if you value ride comfort, but it doesn’t if you like to drive. The same applies to the brakes — the pedal tends to be mushy and, at times, grabby.

The 2020 Fusion SEL Plug-in hybrid arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $5,750 and a pre-tax price of $33,060.

Article content

2020 Kia Sorento EX V6 All Wheel Drive

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $39,195
Kia Canada Incentive*: $4,000
Unhaggle Savings: $250
Total Savings: $4,250
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,925
Total Before Tax: $36,870

The Kia Sorento was updated for 2019 and so it saw little change for 2020. The featured EX has a richly attired cabin with a leather-wrapped 14-way power driver’s seat, heated everything including the outboard middle row seats, a panoramic moon roof, power lift gate and a seven-inch infotainment touch-screen. It also has wireless cell phone charging and a 110-volt outlet.

The EX is a seven-seat ride, although as with most in the class the third row is for kids. The second row has enough space for three adults and there’s lots of cargo space — 320L with the third row up and 1,077L with it folded. Dropping the middle row opens up 2,066L.

Article content

The EX arrives with a 3.3L V6 that pushes 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic and a solid all-wheel-drive system. Under normal driving conditions it sends 95 per cent of the drive to the front wheels and 5 per cent to the rear wheels. However, it is smart as it automatically switches to a 50/50-split when pulling away. There’s also a lock mode for those more trying driving conditions — it automatically unlocks at 35 km/h and functions normally so it does not upset the handling. It is a proficient system that adds a great deal to the driving dynamics. The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 11.1 L/100 km.

The Sorento’s suspension takes a set quickly when pushed into a corner and the steering is fast to respond to input without feeling twitchy. The plus is Sport mode firms the steering feel, which improves the feedback. As three-row crossovers go, the Sorento is better than average in both the ride and handling departments.

The 2020 Kia Sorento EX V6 has a combined Unhaggle discount of $4,250 and a pre-tax price of $36,870.

2020 Nissan Rogue SL Platinum All Wheel Drive

Article content

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $37,998
Nissan Canada Incentive*: $5,500
Unhaggle Savings: $750
Total Savings: $6,250
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,960
Total Before Tax: $33,708

The Nissan Rogue entered 2020 without change. Inside, it’s nicely attired and comes with leather, a solid sound system with a seven-inch infotainment screen and navigation along with two of the most comfortable front seats in the class, which makes it a good long-distance companion.

This aspect is underscored by Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which is standard on the featured SL Platinum. The semi-autonomous system uses the steering to keep the Rogue centered in its lane while the adaptive cruise control maintains a pre-set speed and driver-adjustable distance behind the car ahead. It also includes a stop-and-go function that can stop the Rogue when needed and return it to speed when traffic begins to move.

Article content

The Rogue’s rear seat has generous proportions and there’s plenty of cargo space. With the rear seats upright it measures 1,112L and 1,982L when folded. Folding the front passenger seat flat then allows items up to 2,240-millimetres in length to be carried in the cabin, and with the lift gate closed.

The Rogue is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder. It sends 170 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque to the road through Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all four wheels. As CVTs go this one feels more like a regular automatic than many. Yes, it does drone under hard acceleration, but for the most part it keeps its cool. The all-wheel-drive system sees the Rogue put its power down efficiently, and it does so with minimal wheel spin. It also has a low-speed lock mode for those trying driving conditions.

Article content

The Rogue runs to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and has a posted average fuel economy of 8.7 L/100 km.

The Rogue is tuned to favour ride over handling. This, as mentioned, makes it a very good long-distance cruiser, as it is comfortable, quiet and refined at highway speeds. The downside is when pushed through a fast corner it tends to feels rather soft. The fact the steering has crisp feel and decent feedback does, however, save the day.

The 2020 Rogue SL Platinum has a combined Unhaggle discount of $6,250 and a pre-tax price of $33,708.

Transport Canada does not list any recalls for these three 2020 models.

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Ford Fusion Good ratings in all crash disciplines including the small front offset test on the passenger side, but it  gets a Poor for headlight performance. The Kia Sorento EX has Good crash ratings in all tests, but, again, a Poor rating for headlight performance. The Sorento SX is a Top Safety Pick because it earns better LED headlights. The Nissan Rogue SL Platinum is a Top Safety Pick with Good scores in all crash tests and an Acceptable for headlight performance thanks to its LED headlights.

The projected resale value of these three vehicles in 2024, after being driven an average of 20,000 km per year, is $13,250 for the Ford Fusion SEL Plug-In; $16,250 for the Kia Sorento EX V6; and $16,450 for the Nissan Rogue SL Platinum.