Honda Cars Online

2012 Honda Civic

2011-01-04T06:16:00.001-08:00

2012 Honda Civic

The 2012 model of the Honda Civic is one of the most expected cars of 2011. It seems that the Japanese builder will launch a concept version of the car in January, at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. Honda also released a few sketches of the concept that will be revealed. The car seems to have a very sleek and aerodynamic profile, which will probably have a big impact on the car’s handling.
Honda also announced that the ninth generation Civic, which will be offered as a 2012 model, will hot the dealerships in spring 2011 the latest.

Honda CR-Z Petrol Variant

2011-01-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

Honda CR-Z

Honda reportedly has plans to bring out a CR-Z with a new turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. According to Autocar, the engine is currently in the development phase at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre.
Incidentally, the CR-Z is presently available with a hybrid engine option that combines a 112 bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 14 bhp electric motor.
As is the case with many automakers, Honda will aim to promote turbocharging to achieve high horsepower as well as conserve fuel. With forced induction and Honda’s patented VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is expected to deliver an output similar to a 2.0-liter engine. Further, this engine is expected to be used in the Honda Jazz/Fit, Honda Civic and Honda Accord.

2011 Honda Fit Gets Standard Features

2011-01-01T23:58:00.001-08:00

2011 Honda Fit

Honda Motor Co. has announced several updates and added some new features to the 2011 Honda Fit. Some of the new updates for the 2011 Honda Fit include Vehicle Stability Assist or VSA as standard equipment, along with more comfort and convenience features.

The company said that the new features that are added on the Fit include cruise control, remote entry, a USB audio interface and VSA. Along with the carpeted floor mats, the Fit Sport also gains VSA for 2011. The new 2011 Fit is offered in four new colors: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Celestial Blue Metallic and Vortex Blue Pearl.
Under the hoods, the Fit features a 1.5-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that is tuned to deliver a rewarding combination of power and fuel economy. The new vehicle comes with an option of five-speed manual transmission and a five-speed automatic transmission. 1.5-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine generates a power of 117 hp at 6,600 rpm and a torque of 106 lb-ft. at 4,800 rpm.

2011 Honda CR-Z Priced From $19,200

2010-06-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

The base model of Honda's all-new 2011 CR-Z has been priced at $19,200, which doesn't include a $750 destination fee. The sporty hybrid coupe will get a price bump to $20,760 for the EX trim and top out at $23,210 with navigation and a continuously variable automatic transmission.

While more expensive, the CVT increases fuel economy from 31/37 miles per gallon in the city and 35/39 mpg on the highway. There's no doubt that Honda was eager to push the starting price below the $20,000 threshold (and below its own Insight), making the CR-Z the cheapest hybrid available.

2011 Honda CR-Z Price

2010-06-25T02:52:00.000-07:00

2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid will go on sale in America from August, starting from just $19,200, with $750 destination charge. That’s a very good price for a sporty coupe, but the fact is that CR-Z is not sporty! It’s got a 1.5-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine with 125 hp. It’s just a good-looking hybrid car.

The CR-Z can be had with a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It also has a 3-mode drive system which allows the driver to configure the vehicle’s responsiveness for Sport, Normal or Econ (Economy) driving modes. Driver efficiency tools include Eco Assist and Eco Scoring, which together can help drivers find improvements to efficient driving styles, while also comparing economy achievements to previous trips as well as the life of the vehicle.

The car is comes with two trim levels. The standard CR-Z features an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control. While the CR-Z EX also gets a 360-watt AM/FM/CD high-power audio system with seven speakers – including a subwoofer – Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition.

A fully loaded CR-Z EX with navigation costs $23,210.

2011 Honda Odyssey

2010-06-25T02:47:00.000-07:00

Honda has released a new version of their best-selling Odyssey MPV in America and they say that it will redefine the whole concept of minivan! And they’re kinda right, because despite being a van the Odyssey looks like fun. That’s mainly due to the new crazy design, and the fact that it’s 1.6 inches lower and 1.4 inches wider than the old model.

Underneath that sleek and trendy design, you also get a lot of practicality and convenience. It’s a proper seven-seater and the Honda says that the view for the third-row seats is also improved. All of the rear seats also fold completely flat into the floor, making a huge cargo area. The cabin also features a very nice entertainment system for the rear passengers, with high-definition connectivity and split-screen viewing.

2011 Honda Odyssey Pictures and Details

2010-06-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey seeks to redefine the concept of the minivan with its aggressive stance and sporty "lightning-bolt" beltline. The lightning bolt not only provides an exclusive appearance, but also adds increased visibility for third-row passengers. New interior features add more convenience for families, while available entertainment technology introduces high-definition connectivity and split-screen viewing. Currently the best-selling minivan in the U.S., the all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is set to go on sale in the fall of 2010. Compared to the previous Odyssey, the 2011 model's lower roofline (-1.6 inches versus 2010 Odyssey EX) and wider track (+1.4 inches) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy and also translate into more interior width.

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

2010-05-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-08T01:42:00.000-07:00

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

Oklahoma will be getting natural gas-powered Honda Civic

2010-04-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

Honda Civic GX

Much to the chagrin of buyers in many states, the Honda Civic GX is currently sold only in the States of California, New York, and Utah. The reason? Infrastructure. The GX is natural gas powered and therefore requires natural gas filling stations, or home filling stations. Oklahoma has now been added to the list of states in which the car will be available for consumer purchase; it had previously been available in Oklahoma to commercial fleets.

Honda has made their decision in light of Oklahoma being the second leading state in natural gas production and the incentives offered by the State of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma will be getting natural gas-powered Honda Civic

2010-04-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Honda Civic GX

Honda has made their decision in light of Oklahoma being the second leading state in natural gas production and the incentives offered by the State of Oklahoma.

Honda To Discontinue 4-Door Civic Type R

2010-04-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

HONDA HAS today announced that it will discontinue production of the Japan-market four-door Civic Type R, killing any chance of the performance model joining its three-door sibling and the regular Civic sedan here in Australia.

While Honda has not revealed the specific reasons for the demise of the four-door Type R, the Japanese carmaker has also announced that it will launch a limited edition release of the three-door Civic Type R in the Japanese market.

Honda Stops Production Of Four-door Civic Type R

2010-04-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd says it will end sales of the four-door Civic Type R, following an announcement from Honda Motor Co. Ltd Japan that it will discontinue production of the car.

Currently, Malaysia is the only country outside Japan to sell the four-door Civic Type R.

"After having evaluated the model based on environmental performance, which is the new method of calculating emissions in JC08 mode, as well as current market demands, we believe that the time has come for us to discontinue production of the 4-door Civic Type R," said the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Honda Malaysia, Toru Takahashi in a statement here today.

To date, Honda Malaysia has sold 234 units of four-door Civic Type R since August 2007.

Is Honda Considering A Hotter Hybrid Sports Coupe?

2010-04-06T17:47:00.001-07:00

The 2011 Honda CR-Z hasn’t even hit U.S. showrooms, but rumors are already circulating about the automaker possibly crafting a larger, more powerful hybrid sports coupe.

Honda’s new CR-Z sports hybrid combines a small 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor to put out a total of 118 horsepower -- not too much for a sports car.

A Honda insider told Motor Trend, however, that a larger hybrid sports coupe is planned for the near future with CR-Z-crushing performance. Details of the powertrain are still iffy, but the source says a car was originally conceived to mate a V-6 with a hybrid system. Now, engineers are considering using a more efficient 2.5-liter I-4 instead of the six-banger. The V-6 system is still being considered for use in U.S.-spec minivans and SUVs.

Honda’s planned hybrid sports coupe is reported to be around the same size as the current Accord Coupe, providing seating for four. Although it will vastly outperform the CR-Z, the car will still be very efficient. One Honda engineer hinted that there are driver-selectable settings to aim for either performance of fuel economy.

Honda Settles Class-Action Suit Over Brakes

2010-04-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 sedan.

Honda has agreed to settle a class-action suit that claims the rear brakes in 750,000 late model Accords and Acura TSXs are wearing out more than twice as fast as they should.

The suit was filed in September, claiming that unreasonable wear was due to a defective design that caused “excessive force to be applied to the vehicle’s rear wheels.”

It covers 2008–9 Accords and 2009 Acura TSXs as well as a small number of 2010 models. The suit says the rear pads wear out in 15,000-20,000 miles when they should last at about 70,000 miles, that Honda has refused to provide repairs under the new-car warranty and failed to warn new buyers that the rear brakes would require such frequent repairs.

The suit attributes the problem to a new braking system that included four-wheel discs and an electronic brake distribution system that became standard on the 2008 Accord and 2009 TSX.

2012 Honda Odyssey Concept

2010-03-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

2012 Honda Odyssey Concept

2010 Honda CR-Z Price

2010-03-16T07:12:00.001-07:00

Honda (UK) has announced competitive new pricing and an impressive specification for its new CR-Z hybrid coupe, which customers can order through the Honda dealer network from this Friday, 5 March.

The CR-Z is the world’s first sporty hybrid coupe; a great looking car that’s exciting to drive and has all the benefits of advanced, low emission hybrid technology.

As well as Honda’s petrol-electric IMA system, the car features three driving modes, which allows the driver to adapt the settings of the car to suit their needs – to maximise economy or to dash in and out of traffic, for example.

Pricing

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

Honda CR-Z Specifications and Prices Unveiled

2010-03-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

Honda has announced recently its new competitive pricing and remarkable specification for the new Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe. This is Honda’s first ever sporty hybrid coupe which customers have been able to order from March 5th 2010 and has caused excitement due to its hybrid technology and great design.

There are three driving modes which allows for the driver to adapt the setting of the car to their needs so whether they need to drive economically or switch to then drive in heavy traffic they can do so with ease.

The prices of the Honda CR-Z are as follows-:

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

All models come with Climate Control, Six Speaker CD player and an engine start button. The S grades have heated door mirrors, rear dimming mirror, electric window and daytime running lights.

2011 Honda CR-Z First Drive Test

2010-03-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

2011 Honda CR-Z
Honda's once-proud sporting image has taken a beating lately. Its last foray into Formula 1 was a disaster, made even more embarrassing by the fact its former team swept the championship the year after it pulled out -- with Mercedes engines. The on-again, off-again NSX supercar program is now truly dead, along with the iconic S2000, both killed in favor of channeling resources toward good, clean family transport like the Fit, Civic and CR-V. But now an unlikely hybrid sports coupe with a 6-speed manual gearbox -- a world first for a hybrid drivetrain -- is set to inject some passion back into Honda's performance heritage. It's called the CR-Z.

The production CR-Z's exterior is nowhere near as taut and tight as that of the concept Honda revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, which sent the blogosphere into a frenzy of anticipation: Was Honda bringing back the CR-X? While the production CR-Z lacks some of the muscularity of the concept, it still looks like nothing else on the road; that large, imposing grille and upslanting headlights start a design motif that finishes with a bold swish for a C-pillar and a sculptured rear deck.

Many readers will remember the wedge-shaped CR-X of the early 80s and see some strategic resemblances. But as project leader Norio Tomobe pointed out at our drive session: "We were not aiming for a modern day CR-X. We wanted to create a totally new type of hybrid sports coupe that would take us into a more discerning and environmentally-conscious 21st century. The fact that's it's a hybrid just adds another intriguing dimension to the sporty mix. If it reminds you of the CR-X then that's purely coincidental."

Honda 3R-C Concept - Auto Shows

2010-02-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Honda has been delving deep into the weird lately, but at least this latest concept is something you sit in, rather than on (the unicycle), or next to while it plays a trumpet—oops, that’s Toyota’s robot; Honda’s Asimo only walks and shakes old people’s hands. Never mind.

The three-wheeled 3R-C will debut at the Geneva auto show, where it will share floor space with the decidedly less weird EV-N. Like the EV-N, the 3R-C is an electric vehicle, although this one only holds one occupant, rather snugly it appears—kind of like an electric sock you drive. The batteries are said to sit low in the vehicle, keeping the center of gravity close to the ground.

Honda Is Top Car Maker

2010-02-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

A new study released by Consumer Reports finds the best all around car makers in its annual auto issue.

Honda took the top spot for the fourth straight year.

Subaru followed in second, Toyota took third and Hyundai landed in fourth.

The worst of the pack was Chrysler.

The ratings are based on road test and reliability score.

Other categories were ranked as well. Here is a list of the top cars in different categories:

Best Family Sedan - Nissan Altima
Best Small Sedan - Hyundai Elantra SE
Best Sporty Car - Volkswagen GTI
Best Small SUV - Subaru Forester
Best Family SUV - Chevrolet Traverse
Best Car Overall - Lexus LS 460L
Best Sports Sedan - Infiniti G37
Best Family Hauler - Mazda5
Best Green Car - Toyota Prius
Best Pickup Truck - Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L AWD

2010-02-16T13:58:00.001-08:00

The new Honda Accord Crosstour looks weird. Its nose is too long, its roofline a little too low, and the back-end comes from outer space, with no known automotive predecessor. If an elephant sat on an SUV, you might end up with something like the Crosstour. But weird is not necessarily bad.

The 2010 Crosstour is undeniably functional, the rear hatch having inserts that lets it be either a large cargo space or a traditional closed trunk. And once in the driver's seat, the car feels like a Honda Accord, until you look in the rear view mirror. With its horizontally bisected rear glass, the view out the back looks the same as in a Prius or Insight.

The Crosstour that we reviewed was in EX-L trim, with the surprising addition of all-wheel drive. As we drove it up a rocky embankment to position it for a photo shoot, it began to feel like a capable off-road vehicle, high enough from the ground not to bottom out on a ridge. With the Crosstour, Honda is stepping into Subaru's market, offering a car-like all-wheel driver with enough cabin room for weekend ski trips.

An Acura interface
In EX-L trim, the cabin features wood trim, leather seats, and generally soft plastics covering every surface. The effect falls a little short of luxury, but it is nicely done overall. Familiar to us from many drives in Acuras was the large knob in the center of the stack, below the navigation LCD. This knob works as a joystick and dial to make selections onscreen. The Crosstour dashboard and steering wheel also suffer from button overload, a disease caught from Acura as well.

Honda Announces Limited Edition Civic Type R Mugen 200 for U.K.

2010-02-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Honda’s announced a Civic Mugen for the masses. We’re big fans of the hardcore Honda (track test video here), but its 20-strong production run and £38K price hinder its success somewhat. This Civic-Type R Mugen 200 should remedy that.

While the standard Type-R’s 198bhp 2-litre VTEC engine remains, there are aerodynamic and styling mods similar to those of the full-strength Mugen, including tweaked bumpers and skirts, 19in ‘Lightning’ alloys and the obligatory Championship White paint scheme. The Mugen 200 also benefits from the fitment of a limited-slip differential. It’s the same one that transformed the Type-R White edition we ran on our long-term fleet, that car now effectively off sale.

Honda Small-Size Vehicle Concept at Auto Expo 2010, New Delhi

2010-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Honda has announced today that it will unveil the concept model for its new small-size vehicle at the Auto Expo 2010 that will be held in New Delhi, India from January 5 ~ 11, 2010. Honda is targeting India and other emerging nations with the small-size vehicle which will compete against the Tata Nano and Toyota EFC (Entry Family Car).

Honda is also expected to showcase its new hybrid concept – CR-Z Concept 2009, which made its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009.

Honda’s Humanoid Robot, ASIMO is also scheduled to be showcased at the aptly named Honda booth “Inspired by Dynamism – Truly Honda by Nature”

Honda HSV-10 Caught in Action at the Suzuka Circuit

2009-12-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

Honda HSV-10 Picture

Camera-wielding fans captured images of the Honda HSV-10 GT racer on the Suzuka circuit. The car is slated for a March racing debut.
Honda has yet to unveil any further details on its HSV-10 GT racer, but thanks to a fan on the ground at Suzuka Circuit it's now possible to watch videos of the multiple NSX successors in action on the tarmac.

Four different HSV-10, or Honda Sports Velocity, vehicles were caught at Suzuka, meaning the Japanese automaker will most likely be using all four in the upcoming 2010 season of the Super GT Series. It's not yet known what drivers will be piloting the four racing cars, but there is confirmation that the GT500-class cars will wear the numbers 8, 18, 32 and 100 when they debut.

The video above is just a quick tease of the HSV-10 hitting a corner on the circuit; both YouTube users UltimateSnakeProject and scivi1600 have many other videos uploaded on their respective channels.

As already announced, Honda will use a 500-plus-horsepower front-mounted 3.4-liter V8 under the hood. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via the same six-speed sequential manual transmission that both Nissan and Toyota are using in their Super GT vehicles.

2010 Honda Civic

2009-12-17T07:19:00.002-08:00

We’ve done an article on the 2010 Honda Civic before, so check that out too

We generally buy cars since we like it and that that is the best the automaker can give us at that point in time. Then they come along giving us a facelifted version with some tweaks making the engine smoother and sharpen the styling.

Then you ask yourself, why the hell did they not incorporate these things in the first place? In India, as far as I can remember, only 2 cars have survived the test of time when it comes to facelifts- the Honda Civic and the Suzuki Swift.

Ever since their launch, these cars have remained largely the same and still hold on their appeal because of the way they look. So these cars are all-appealing throughout their lifetime and only when their next gen car comes, do we get a considerable new car.

Honda will unveil the next generation (ninth) Civic in 2010. Here is an exclusive rendering of what reports suggest the future car may looks like. It will be based on the OSM Concept unveiled by Honda at the British Motor Show.

2010 Honda Civic - new rendering

2009-12-17T07:19:00.001-08:00

Honda will unveil the next generation (ninth) Civic in 2010. Here is an exclusive rendering of what reports suggest the future car may looks like. Based on the OSM Concept unveiled by Honda at the British Motor Show, the future little Honda will likely look more aggressive in its European form and hopefully this look will s----over into North America.

Although Honda has not announced plans to bring the hatchback version of the Civic back to the U.S., we chose this rendering to give us all something to drool over. For Euro Civic fans, sources indicate that the future Civic hatchback will carry over the current single strip light cluster at the rear, but the split rear screen has been dropped to improve visibility.

Honda currently makes two different versions of the Civic. Just like the Accord, the car offered in Europe is a different design and rides on a different platform. The last two generations of the Civic in the U.S. have taken the car away from the youth and turned it into mom and pop’s second car. Gone are the days of the performance-oriented double-wishbone front suspension (2001), instead we get more interior room. It may be reliable, but it lost most of its passion.

The true hope is that with the 2010 update, we will get back the hatchback or at least something similar to the sporty design from our rendering of Honda’s own OSM Concept. Honda make it dependable, but make sure it has a pulse.

2010 Honda “Acura” NSX V10

2009-12-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

American Honda President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura announced the release of the Acura NSX will be in 2010 “We are developing it without any delay, so most probably we will have it in the period we already promised”. It had previously been promised earlier and many expected the new NSX to debut alongside the Nissan GTR at the 2007 Tokyo Show but it was not to be.

I need to decide which sports car i should buy soon? May be in 2020 when i have the budget, or may be at that year i will by a flying car!

The 2010 Honda Insight: A Toyota Prius copycat?

2009-12-17T07:07:00.000-08:00

I have a 2007 Toyota Prius and I love it! Not only do I get 46 mpg on average, but I also get to drive it on the carpool lane, by myself!

I also pay attention to the competition between Honda and Toyota. Remember how Honda used to call the Toyota Prius shaped like a “Cheese Wedge”? See this Honda commercial from September 2007:

“The Honda Civic Hybrid: All the gas mileage, all the style, none of the hype.”

Fast forward a year and a half. Honda announces the new 2010 Honda Insight, and it looks very similar to a … Toyota Prius. Looks like the “Cheese Wedge” shape is not so bad after all!

Left: 2009 Toyota Prius. Right: 2010 Honda Insight. Image from Edmunds.com

Honda sets Canadian pricing on 2010 Crosstour

2009-12-16T00:56:00.000-08:00

Honda's new Crosstour will be in dealerships starting Nov. 24 with a starting price of $34,900 for the EX-L model in two-wheel drive. That's a fair distance from the starting price of the Toyota Venza at $28,900, but the Crosstour comes with a bigger V6 engine and a raft of other luxury features (such as leather interior) not found in the base Venza, which starts at $30,600 with a V6.

All Crosstour models feature a 271-horsepower, 3.5-litre V6 engine. There is also an EX-L four-wheel-drive version and a top-of-the-line EX-L Navi trim with Honda’s satellite-linked navigation system.

Standard features on the Crosstour EX-L include leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, and leather gear shift knob, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second row ventilation, 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with XM Satellite Radio, USB audio interface and seven speakers, 60-40 split rear seat back, 18-inch aluminum wheels, sunroof, power seats with memory function, fog lamps and more.

“With the recent price reduction on our existing Accord sedans and coupes, the pricing for the all-new Accord Crosstour is designed to make this vehicle an attractive option for Canadians wanting car-like handling and performance with the functionality of a sport utility vehicle,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.

Pricing for Crosstour in the models is: EX-L two-wheel drive (MSRP - $34,900); EX-L 4WD (MSRP - $36,900); and EX-L 4WD Navi (MSRP - $38,900) with a satellite navigation system, rearview camera and Bluetooth.

2009-11-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Those would be, Honda speculated, folks beginning a family or folks whose kids have flown. Crosstour is intended to be their new best friend.

You're forgiven if you can't quite place the type of vehicle. Is it a coupe-ish, utility-ish, what-ish ... ?

No. It's a hatchback. Period.

It sits 2 inches higher off the ground than the Accord sedan on which it's based, for foul-weather and bad-road ground clearance, and it offers very basic all-wheel drive as an option.

It is what in the European market is called a five-door – a four-door sedan with a hatch making the fifth door. You can say the same about the BMW X6 or Honda's Acura ZDX. Remarkable, really, that after years of hatch rejection, the industry's inching back toward what's always been the best, most practical way to configure a sedan.

Besides the obvious – a sharply sloping roofline – Crosstour differs from the Accord sedan several ways: beefier grille, nifty blue instrument pointer lighting, 299 to 487 more pounds than similar Accord sedans, 2 inches wider than the sedan outside (though, strangely, an inch or so less inside). And it's the only Accord to offer AWD, though a more primitive type than, say, the Subaru Legacy provides.

The sloping rear roof makes the 2010 Accord Crosstour distinctive, unlike, say, the flat-roofed Toyota Venza based on the Camry sedan. But the styling is color-dependent. A white test car looked as if it had been eating bonbons on the couch all day. A dark gray tester looked trimmer.

The hatch is handier than a trunk, and space behind Crosstour's back seat is twice that of an Accord sedan trunk.

Honda's brought its best cargo-consciousness to the stowage area. Under-floor bins ape the feature in the Honda Ridgeline pickup. A big removable and washable center bin is flanked by two smaller ones. The covers of all three tubs can be reversed, offering carpet or a durable hard-plastic surface.

But there's no stash site for the covers if you overfill the bins. You have to leave them loose in the car or in your garage.

The all-wheel drive, which Honda calls Real Time, is like that on its Element and CR-V small SUVs. Mainly a front-drive system, it transfers some power to the back wheels when, and only when, the fronts slip, Honda says.

Honda, Hyundai, Toyota Tops in Fuel Efficiency

2009-11-26T20:01:00.002-08:00

Honda has the most fuel-efficient U.S. fleet with an average of 23.6 mpg, followed by Hyundai and Toyota in second and third place, respectively, according to preliminary figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Hyundai averaged 23.4 mpg and Toyota had 23.2 mpg — close on the heels of Honda. Volkswagen came in fourth with 22.3 mpg, while Nissan and BMW tied for fifth with an average of 21.6 mpg. Of those, only Toyota and Nissan offer both full-size pickups and SUVs.

Highlighting the gap that has plagued the Detroit Three’s gas-guzzler habit, the American automakers finished in the last three slots of the study. Ford averaged 20.5 mpg, GM had 19.9 mpg and Chrysler had just 18.7 mpg.

The official figures won’t be released until October or November of next year, but the final verdict seems to be an average of 21.1 mpg for all vehicles sold in the 2009 model year. This is a one-tenth improvement on 2008’s average and a 0.5 mpg improvement from 2007.

These EPA figures are based on real-world fuel-economy rankings and sales versus the EPA ratings on window stickers, which are based solely on the EPA’s testing methods.

Honda tops list for fuel efficiency

2009-11-26T20:01:00.001-08:00

2010 Honda Insight hybrid
The Environmental Protection Administration says Honda has the most fuel efficient fleet in the U.S. for 2009, with a fleet-wide average of 23.6 mpg. Hyundai is in second place, with 23.4 mpg, edging out Toyota, which used to be in first place, by a slim margin, at 23.2 mpg.

The rankings are based on 2009 model vehicles sold for the first ten months of this year. The numbers include the Cash for Clunkers rebate program this summer, which gave buyers a tax rebate of up to $4,500 to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle than what they were driving. Imports topped the list then, too.

I'm pretty sure that Honda's number one fuel efficiency ranking was boosted by the re-launch earlier in 2009 of the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid, which may or may not have stolen sales from the 2009 Toyota Prius, the best-selling hybrid on the planet. But let's give some credit to Hyundai which has no hybrid for sale in the U.S. to boost overall fleet-wide fuel efficienty numbers, just a garage full of energy efficient and affordable gas-powered cars.

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour priced from $29,670

2009-11-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

If you’d like a new way to carry your motorized sleigh full of goodies over the river, snow banks and slush to Grandma’s house, consider the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, which had an official on sale date of Nov. 20 with an MSRP of $29,670. Delivery and handling will be another $710.

Obviously a cross-over vehicle, thus the purposeful use of the word “cross” in the vehicle name, it appears as a cross of the sedan and the old Accord station wagon from years ago. Of course, using imagery of the ages old wagon or beach wagon to some and the minivan to others brings up instant images of scorn and worse.

Thus, Honda adds the verbiage to include the versatility of an SUV with the refinement of a premium sedan to create a different CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle. (This is the exact blend of change that Subaru brought out with its Outback years ago, and that helped Volvo conquest sales from those who demanded the SUV to keep up with the neighbors and did go camping and hiking but found the rough ride and image too much to take after a few years.)

The Accord Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels ideal for dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.

Power for all Crosstours comes from a 3.5-liter, 271 hp, i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that generates 254 lb-ft of torque at 5,ooo rpm. The 2WD models have 18/27 mpg numbers.

The VCM cylinder deactivation system runs upon 3, 4 or 6 cylinders, depending upon power requirements. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Those wishing for better traction or not living in a snow belt and not the sun belt can select Honda’s Real Time™ 4WD drive. EPA numbers from Honda dip a bit to 17/25.

Standard EX fare includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning with 2d row vents, 360-Watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with 7 speakers, 60-40 split rear seat back, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/65 R17 all-season tires, hidden removable utility box, cruise control, moonroof, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows, rear privacy glass, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, compass and outside temperature indicator, projector beam headlights with auto-off, fog lights, chrome door handles, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, and more.

EX-L: The upscale trim line adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear shift knob, auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 R18 all-season tires, auto on/off headlights, memory driver-side seats, memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, cargo privacy cover, HomeLink™ transmitter, Kevlar® cone speakers, aluminum dome-type front tweeter speakers and a USB audio interface.

Options: Available features exclusive to the Accord Crosstour EX-L include the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System 3 and Real Time 4WD, available together or separately. The navigation system includes a backup camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Safety is bolstered with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints.

The Accord Crosstour is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant.

Model Transmission MSRP1 EPA

City/Hwy/Combined2

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX 5-Speed Automatic $29,670 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $32,570 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 2WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $34,770 18/27/21

Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L 5-Speed Automatic $34,020 17/25/20

Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L Navi 5-Speed Automatic $36,220 17/25/20

Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

1-MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $710.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

2-Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle. 4WD models achieve city/hwy EPA fuel economy of 17/25 miles per gallon.

3-The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on the Accord Crosstour EX-L model in the United States, except Alaska.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

2009-11-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut today at the North American International Auto Show. Utilizing the latest generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA®) hybrid technology and new, more cost-efficient production methods, the 2010 Insight defines a new stage in the evolution of hybrid technology.

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid is powered by an advanced 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, along with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system for exceptional fuel economy and fun-to-drive performance. The Insight’s IMA system incorporates a 10-kilowatt (13 hp) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU).

2009 Honda Civic Si Sedan

2009-11-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Honda has revealed its updated 2009 Honda Civic sedan model that will now come with new style, engine, technology, and safety features. Honda has said that the new 2009 Civic sedan model will come with redesigned exterior styling features, which would include a new front bumper cover, new grille design, and new headlight plus new taillight color combinations. The 2009 Honda Civic Si model will sport new alloy wheel designs. The 2009 Honda Civic Si model will come with new fog lamps.

On the engine front, the 2009 Honda Civic comes with a high-revving, 197-horsepower, 8000 rpm redline, 2.0 liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine; 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission.

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

2009-11-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

2009 Honda Civic range receives a mild facelift as part of its mid-cycle enhancement. The grille has been reshaped to fit in with the rest of Honda's vehicle range, the front bumper now incorporates a tri-opening look, and out back, the taillamp lenses are slightly more detailed than before. A chrome strip now spans the area between them on the trunklid as well.

The Civic Hybrid comes with an uniquely-styled wheels and gets standard stability control for 2009. The leather seating is also now available, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB interface for portable media players.

The 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 15 kilowatt electric motor produce a combined 110-horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque between 1000 and 2500 rpm. The Civic Hybrid is certified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) as Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) - the best-possible emissions rating for a hybrid vehicle.

2009 Honda Civic Coupe

2009-10-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Following on the heels of the unveiling of the 2009 Civic Sedan, , the wraps have come off the two-door version. As expected, the coupe shares the subtle design upgrades with its four-door counterpart and promises to continue offering Civic buyers a sporty alternative.

Up front, the 2009 Civic coupe features a new bumper, along with newly designed air inlets – three separate inlets replace last year’s large single inlet. A revised grille rounds out the changes for the front of the 2009 Civic. Out back, the Civic’s taillights have received a freshening. The base model will feature a 140 horsepower 1.8L four-cylinder that is rated at 36 mpg highway.

[Source: Honda]

2009 Honda Civic Si Sedan

2009-10-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

On the engine front, the 2009 Honda Civic comes with a high-revving, 197-horsepower, 8000 rpm redline, 2.0 liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine; 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission.

As the high-performance derivative of Honda models, the Civic Si is truly the hot rod of the Honda line-up.

2009 Honda Pilot

2009-10-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

The all-new, completely-redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot is set to debut at dealerships nationwide on May 22 with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price(i) (MSRP) starting at $27,595, plus destination and handling, for the well-equipped Honda Pilot LX -- the same as the 2008 model's price entry point, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

2009 Honda Pilot

Honda Considering Faster Model Updates To Beat Competition

2009-10-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

2010 Honda Accord Sedan

The new car market is starting to get just a little overcrowded with quality vehicles, and in a time where customers all around the world are cutting back on their spending, things like performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever.

Today, it’s hard to find a truly bad car and differentiating between brands, especially in the affordable car segments, is becoming more and more difficult for consumers with every new model roll out.

Honda concedes that this is a major problem and is considering speeding up planned model updates. Honda exec John Mendel said his company plans to beat the competition with new technology and by introducing models in new market sectors, but admits that there will likely have to be more model updates in order to improve quality, reliability and fuel economy.

"We don't have the gap that we had years ago," he revealed at a press event last week in Detroit. "There's nobody out there building junk any more."

For example, Honda has always had a reputation for good quality and fuel efficient cars but today many of its rivals are doing better. Take the Accord sedan, for example. The car is Honda’s top-selling model in the U.S. but Toyota, Nissan, Ford and General Motors all have similar models that are more fuel efficient on the highway.

Honda CR-Z concept inches toward production

2009-10-14T06:13:00.001-07:00

The CR-Z's truncated tail evokes the CRX subcompact of the '80s.

Another year, another car show, another opportunity for Honda to trot out its CR-Z compact hybrid concept. However for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, which takes place right in the automaker's back yard, Honda has updated the concept to reflect what we can expect to see in the production model.

So what can we expect from the production CR-Z? Well, the form factor is something of a cross between the CRX subcompact of the '80s and the Honda Insight hybrid. Under the hood, we can expect a 1.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder paired with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid tech that we've seen in action in all of Honda's other hybrid vehicles. Supplementing the available CVT transmission will be a six-speed manual gearbox option.

I know what you're thinking, oh CRX enthusiasts. When we last saw the Honda CRX in 1991, it was packing a 105-horsepower 1.6-liter four (or 150-horsepower if you were lucky enough to live in Japan) and a lightweight, tossable chassis. It's not likely the CR-Z's hybrid power train will output too much more than that; so with the additional weight and complexity, will the CR-Z be able to recapture the small car joy? Only time will tell.

Honda takes another crack at a sporty CR-Z hybrid

2009-10-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Honda, having already unveiled a version of the CR-Z hybrid sports concept, is about to give it another go. It will unleash a new concept version of the same car at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. From the looks of this one, they may have gotten it right.

The CR-Z is aimed at showing that social responsibility and fun can go together. That's news to us. We've always tilted more to the fun camp. The CR-Z would be the sporty alternative to the staid Insight sedan, which so far hasn't exactly lit up the sales chart in the U.S. At this point, Honda badly needs a hit hybrid if it wants to become known for them.

The real CR-Z, the one you can actually buy, is due to come to showrooms next year.

Honda Exec: Aim for 655,000 Unit Sales This Yr In Japan

2009-10-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

Honda Motor Co. is targeting sales of 655,000 vehicles in Japan for this fiscal year through March, up from its initial goal of 572,000 vehicles, said Hiroshi Kobayashi, chief operating officer for domestic sales, Friday.

The new target represents a 12.9% increase from the last fiscal year.

The stronger domestic sales are due to solid sales of the Insight hybrid vehicle, the Fit compact, and the Freed compact minivan, Kobayashi said at a news conference for the launch of the redesigned StepWGN minivan.

Honda EV-N concept is retro-adorable

2009-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

Honda EV-N Concept
When the curtain rises on the Tokyo Motor Show next month, Honda's green-themed display will include what it calls the HELLO! Zone, a showcase for electric vehicles. Why "HELLO! Zone"? Well, we have no idea, other than it reminds us of a certain feline and that the Japanese clearly have a thing for all-caps names and exclamation points. In the HELLO! Zone, showgoers can say, uh, "hello" to the excruciatingly neat, relentlessly cute EV-N concept. It's a retro-styled battery-powered car with a face of a pug puppy crossed with a Trabant and nifty concept-y features like swappable seat fabrics, a solar roof, and a "communications system" embedded in the black front fascia. Most importantly, however, the EV-N's passenger door contains one of those bizarrely kickass UX-3 super gyroscopic robot unicycles, which pretty much makes the EV-N the coolest electric car of all time. We think. Anyhow, when Honda unveils an ASIMO that can both drive the EV-N and then self-deploy on the UX-3, it's time to go hide under your beds, because that'll be the signal that their robot army is ready for world domination. But we digress.

Honda unleashes the goods on VFR 1200F

2009-10-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

Finally, after what seems like years of rumor, innuendo, spy shots and speculation, Honda has unleashed the goods on its new 2010 VFR 1200F, and it's pretty much what we've been expecting. Buried beneath the dual-pane bodywork and vacuum-molded cast aluminum chassis lies a 1,237 cc V4 engine that reportedly puts out 172 hp at 10,000 RPM and 95 lb-ft of torque at a high 8,750 RPM.

A 43-millimeter upside-down fork is fitted up front and adjustable for preload, while a single shock featuring Honda's Pro-Link system and equipped with 25 positions of preload is mounted out back. With a claimed weight of nearly 600 pounds, the new VFR is certainly no lightweight, and the highly anticipated dual-clutch gearbox and cylinder deactivation technologies appear to be additional-cost options.

On the positive side, we like the fact that the bike has its own unique look, and the single-sided swingarm sports a shaft drive. Expect the whole kit-n-kaboodle to be released at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, including the bike's retail price and official sale date.

Honda's 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon Offerings

2009-01-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Honda will also display an array of other models at this weekend's 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. The Japanese automaker's stand will see the presentation of the glitzy Life and the blacked out Crossroad Styling Study Models, a Racing Modulo Civic Type R competition vehicle, the Sports Modulo Civic Type R, Touring Modulo Accord, Touring Modulo Accord Tourer, Modulo Odyssey Absolute, Modulo Odyssey, Life, Zest Spark, Freed and the Fit Sports Neo. While Honda has yet to release any details on its Tokyo Auto Salon offerings, it did publish photos of the cars. Click through to check out our complete image gallery.

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid Official Specs

2009-01-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

The hybrid drivetrain is matted to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). As with the IMA, the Insight utilizes a set of batteries to store the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. The energy is then used to power the electric motor. Honda claims that the Insight achieves a combined fuel consumption in the European test cycle of 4.4 liters per 100 km (53.5mpg US) with CO2 emissions of only 101 g/km.