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This was probably the first time I’ve gotten downgraded and it wasn’t on my part. I rented a compact (icon showed a Nissan Versa) at LAX to keep costs down and was given what could be considered a subcompact. Their number of cars was slim. I felt I was downgraded in more than one way. I had seen these cars at auto shows and didn’t pay much attention to them. At the time, they were the only car sold in North America that I knew of being sold with a 3-cylinder engine. The guy at the rental lot didn’t believe it and lifting the hood – to count manifold ducting – is what convinced him. Spark plugs which depended on a coil are no longer in the sides of engines as they once were. Getting into the car told me that this would be a little challenging in terms of comfort and motoring. As for the instrumentation, that part is easy. The center pod has the minimum – speedo, tach, fuel gauge, info square, and lots of idiot lights. The center stack is also simple, with infotainment above and climate control below. In this infotainment system, they are able to fit in Android Auto, and the display was small, but big enough to work with. As for songs, there is very noticeable delay if skipping forward or backward to tracks you want to hear. The system has to think and think. I’m not at all a sound expert, having found "The Immigrant Song" very trying, so I was just glad to have this feature. Pulling away instantly tells you that this is basic transportation and that it’s not a particularly able vehicle. To get the most out of this vehicle and keep costs low, the 1.2 liter 3 cylinder is paired to a CVT automatic unit. I was not able to see a turbocharger under the hood nor does the price point call for it. Pulling away also foretells the noisiness of the engine. There is no graininess as much as there is loud revving that’s especially noticed when accelerating to maintain speed on a hill or up a grade. I don’t even want to think about how this car would fare on the Grapevine, especially with several passengers. The car is small, so it’s nimble and easy to park. Tire drone and wind noise intrude, with the suspension sending jolts into the cabin on any pavement less than perfect. In terms of parking, with the small camera to boot, it's a snap ... almost even fun. There is nothing wrong with the finishes, really, except that they are spartan and not aesthetically pleasing. At this price point, the fabrics are the tough kind, which aren’t that comfortable, but usually durable. The spartan nature extends to the rear cabin where the windows are fixed and do not go up and down. That said, only the front passenger windows do and there was no “A” that I could see. Power locks and power side mirrors are also included, as is a tilt wheel. Anymore, these come standard on all cars. That’s where the niceties end. The console has no armrest above it and the front cupholders and one rear cup holder are too far forward and too far back for the driver. The trunk is bigger than that of a Spark, but, for the luggage I had, the trunk was not that much more usable and I couldn’t stand up the standard and rollaboard pieces side by side. Surprisingly, it has a remote fuel release. Great … and I mean it. And it has auto lamps and cruise control, both which work well. The air conditioning did not blow cold enough so the temperature had to be lowered and the fan speed raised. I’ve done fine in rented Fiestas and Sparks, and even Sentras, but this car was a challenge. Three cylinders are finding their way into European cars and some rentals over there were smooth and powerful enough that I was surprised there was a 3-cylinder engine under the hood. That didn’t apply to this vehicle. Fuel economy is reported to be spread across a broad range. In the first tank (9.2 gallons), the mpg, mostly on city, it came in at 30 mpg. A Malibu can get that. This car had less than 5,000 miles. On its one highway trip to be taken where it would be dropped one way, it came in at about 44 mpg. I would have liked to have seen 35 in town and 50 on the open road. Incidentally, the only time this car is at its best is at about 50 to 60 mph and when the pavement is level, so fuel economy seemingly goes up and rpm are at around 2,500 rpm. The car’s selling point is its budget price and it isn’t even as cheap as I remember it being. This car epitomizes simple A to B transportation and, as far as trips go, it could be used for nearby weekend getaways but not for long hauls with people sitting in the back or more than 2 small pieces of luggage. It’s meant for someone who needs the bare essentials and has a budget aimed at getting those … and get a new car at the same time. I suspect that maintenance costs, with fewer moving parts, niceties, and smaller items such as tires, would be low. I would have much preferred a Fiesta, or even a Spark, which were the bottom of the food chain for the domestics, and, comparatively, not all that bad, really, so that speaks to what driving the Mirage was like. - - - - - Edit: photos forthcoming

I hated it for what it wasn't... a comfortable luxury vehicle. But for what it was meant to be, it was fine. Besides, the Prologue is mostly GM tech and interior bits.

Never doubt folks ability to do the dumbest thing posible. I am really thinking electric for a future vehicle. Although RAV 4 or RAV 4 Hybrid are in my sights at the moment. I never thought I would see you look at another Honda product as much as you hated Albert's CRV.

As they should. Companies without CarPlay/Android Auto should be adding it, not companies with it, removing it.

Of note, Rivian is rumored to be adding CarPlay and Android Auto on the R1 refresh.

GM. It is an incredibly consumer-hostile move they are taking with their stance on phone projection. This will probably swing me to the RAM electric when it's time. I still have a reservation, but I'm inclined to cancel it now.

GM or Motor Trend? I assume GM? If so, deservingly so. I just cannot comprehend WHY they would get rid of such a feature that everybody loves. I know it's all about the dollar, but this seems like the wrong direction by a long shot.

Oh I'm going to blast them for that.

My bad, missed the original context. because of the substantial cost difference, I fill up almost exclusively at Costco and Sam’s. Around here that can save me 35c to 50c a gallon. On 27 gallons that makes a big difference. The downside is that there’s almost always a wait.

Good morning ... ... a quick quiz - 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count. Match the following: 1. state governor a. b. 2. to the vehicle they are likely to pilot a. b. - - - - - Don't think too hard now.

Someone wasn't thinking on this sign...

This is what Motor Trend wrote today on this. It sounds atrocious and that sucks. Soooo many aspects of this truck seem perfect, but the actual infotainment seems like shet. "The one thing missing from the equipment list will be a deal-breaker for some shoppers. GM’s latest infotainment system doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Instead, the 17.7-inch screen runs Google Maps, Google Assistant, and your favorite music streaming app natively. It all works well enough that we’d embrace the change if it didn't mean you'll eventually need to pay a second monthly payment on top of the monthly payment for the truck itself. After a three-year trial, you'll need to a subscription (currently $15 a month) to stream music on downloaded apps like Spotify and after eight years basic Google services such as navigation and voice commands will stop working unless you pony up for an OnStar plan (the exact cost is unclear right now). Apparently the only thing built in to Chevy's Google Built-In features is a method for processing credit card payments. As a workaround, you can stream music from your phone over Bluetooth like it's 2009 again—or buy a different truck." https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-chevrolet-silverado-ev-rst-first-drive-review-2/ Ford/Lincoln have not said this, unless there is newer news. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both on the Lightning and Mach-e.