2011 Honda CR-Z, Brake Override Both on Their Way to Honda Customers

Honda has run into a number of challenges so far in 2010, including sales that are lagging the industry and a major delay to its next-generation Honda Civic program. But the company is planning to turn things around by launching a number of potential customer satisfiers in the coming months, including the 2011 Honda CR-Z.

The all-new hybrid is slated to go on sale later this summer, and Honda will continue to build excitement around its launch by debuting it at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on June 15. The annual event is a major tradeshow for the video-gaming industry, providing an ideal venue for reaching the CR-Z's target audience.

With a design that Honda calls "evocative of video games," the CR-Z features a futuristic appearance, both inside and out. The exterior showcases a bold wedge-shaped look that gives the car an aggressive, forward-leaning stance, while the interior is a high-tech masterpiece that looks like it comes right out of a cutting-edge driving simulator.

Notably, the CR-Z also will bring Honda's hallmark approach to dynamic driving to a whole new segment. The industry's first sport hybrid coupe even offers a "Sport" driving mode that adjusts the CR-Z for performance driving. Once drivers engage the "Sport" mode, the car automatically optimizes engine throttle response, steering effort, electric-motor power assist functionality and more. Yet with a continuously variable transmission, the car still boasts an impressive EPA rating of 36 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

The CR-Z will be the automaker's second dedicated hybrid to go on sale in the U.S. in the past year, following the Honda Insight. The affordable, practical Insight can attain EPA ratings of 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway and is available with a base MSRP of under $20,000. The car has been gaining traction in the U.S. market, with sales up almost 160 percent through April.

2010 Honda Civic EX-L

An absolute stalwart in the Honda line-up, the Civic maintains its popularity as a practical and quality economy car even after almost 40 years on the market. But, as the latest 2010 Honda

2010 Honda Civic EX-L

Civic shows, popularity comes at a price. Offensive to none, the Civic is a perfectly average little car to which only the most particular person would turn up their nose.

The Civic received its last major update for the 2006 model year, acquiring smooth sides and hovercraft like overhangs. Honda did get a little radical with the instrument cluster, using a bilevel arrangement with the tachometer in the usual place, and a digital speedometer just below the windshield.

Nav needs update
Minor updates for the Civic EX-L model with navigation that we reviewed include the addition of a Bluetooth cell phone system and iPod integration. But the navigation system in particular highlights the aching need for Honda's next generation Civic, due to arrive as a 2012 model. Not only are the maps low resolution, with jaggy graphics, but the route guidance is poor and response time is slow.

Honda Recalls 167,000 Acuras

2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan

Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) said it would recall 167,255 Acura TSX sedans sold in the U.S. market to address the risk that power steering fluid could leak and cause an under-the-hood fire.

The recall, covering 2004-2008 model year Acura TSX vehicles with 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engines, comes after one fire was reported due to leaking fluid.

Honda and U.S. safety regulators said that over time power steering hoses may crack and leak.

U.S. safety regulators in a statement issued Friday morning said power steering fluid "leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire."

2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan

Honda will notify U.S. Acura TSX owners and its dealers will repair the Acuras for free, beginning on May 28, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a report.

The repair, Honda said, involves installation of a new power steering hose, O-ring gasket and fluid.

2010 Acura TSX Sports Sedan