Honda Civic Coupe – Manual Dexterity
The 2012 Honda Civic Coupe is a great little car, comfortable, efficient and will undoubtedly be long serving for its owners. It also shows how much difference a manual transmission can make if you value a "fun to drive" factor.
I drove the new Civic sedan a few weeks prior to my session with the coupe and, while I liked the car a lot, I didn't like it nearly as much as I liked this coupe version, despite my preference for four doors. The basic difference between the two – besides the door count – was that the sedan was an automatic whilst the coupe was a manual. The manual-equipped coupe changed the way I think about the new Civic and reminded me of all the things I've loved about Civics past, right back to the 1976 two door I owned new. It made that big a difference. more...
Honda Civic 2012 – A New Generation Joins a Crowded Market
Honda's classic Civic is back with a new suit of clothes for 2012, the ninth such makeover since the car came to North America in the 1970's. And it appears Honda has chosen to play it safe with this latest iteration rather than push the envelope.
Nothing necessarily wrong with that, of course, especially since the Civic was a great car already. And there have certainly been copious changes and innovations over the decades since the Civic appeared on these shores as a two door coupe/hatchback. The car has definitely been a success story for Honda, and deservedly so. more...
Honda Civic Still Offers Good Transportation
The 2011 Honda Civic is proof that even a pretty basic car can still offer a decent driving experience.
The Civic, whose 2012 replacement was just introduced at the North American International Auto Show, has been going strong in North America since the mid-1970's. I had a 1976 hatchback for three years and, though it was more like today's Honda Fit than today's Civic, it was a fine car that served us very well. Okay, it rusted out to beat the band, but all Japanese cars did back then – they've come a long way since those days. more...
Next Gen Minivan a Honda You Odyssey
Minivans are the Rodney Dangerfield of the automotive industry: they get no, or little at least, respect. They're not particularly attractive, they're not the most lithe of vehicles nor are they the most subtle.
Still, as far as minivans go, the Honda Odyssey is arguably at the top of the heap and as it turned out Honda made it available to us just as Chateau Bray was descended upon by a Christmas crowd the likes of which we had never seen before. more...
What's New: Toyota Camry LE and Honda CR-Z
One's a new design and one's a respected mainstream car. And while both offer decidedly different driving experiences, they have in common the fact that they both acquit their makers' mandates well.
Toyota's Camry is one of the best-selling cars in North America, and with good reason: it's solid and dependable, comfortable and efficient, and it doesn't beat owners over their heads with a lot of gadgety technology.
Honda's new sporty hybrid CR-Z, on the other hand, is a terrific way to put some fun into the ordeal of driving "greenly" – saving some gas while still offering a lively drive. more...
Honda's Hot New Hybrid a Blast from the Past
Anyone who remembers the Honda CRX fondly will probably find a soft spot in his or her heart for the new CR-Z sport hybrid.
Honda bills the CR-Z as "the world’s first sport hybrid" but, first or not, what really matters is that this is a nifty little car, cute as a bug's ear, fun and efficient – and priced reasonably to boot.
For what more could anyone ask? more...
Acura and Honda "Cute Utes" Provide Good Rides
Whether you go up market or mainstream, the Honda Motor Company has an "entry level" sport utility vehicle they think you'll like. And they may be right. I certainly like both of them.
Not that Honda is alone in this, of course, but its CR-V and Acura RDX are both fine and compelling vehicles with a lot to offer. Choosing between them amounts basically to how much you want to be coddled, how much you want to spend and how sporty you want your vehicle to be. more...
Honda Accord Crosses Over
When is a Honda Accord not an Accord?
Well, if you smashed in the front and rear ends you might call it an "Accordion," but perhaps more relevant is the new Accord Crosstour," a crossover/SUV-type beastie that raises Honda's immensely popular car to new heights.
The rather bulbous-looking Accord Crosstour may be an answer to a question few have asked: How do you make a highly functional, if stylistically-challenged, vehicle even more functional – and stylistically-challenged? Honda has done this by creating a vehicle that works well, is nice to drive and which lets you haul more stuff than you can in a garden variety Accord. more....
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Still Good Choices for Economy Cars
I'd forgotten just what great little cars the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are. What used to be both companies' entry level – and bread and butter – vehicles have grown up over the decades, getting bigger in every way and far more sophisticated. And that isn't a bad thing; technology advances. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is that endearing simplicity and ease of use that Honda once used in its commercials: "We Make It Simple".
Both companies still do, at least in the lower end of the marketplace. And that's great! more....
Focusing on a Ford and a Honda you Really "Odyssey"
"Fun to drive" may not be everyone's priority, but if an everyday vehicle also has some of that factor built in it can certainly make life with it more pleasant. Such is the case with a couple of 2009 vehicles I drove recently that, while nowhere near "all new" or "all fun" are still worth a look if you're shopping for a compact sedan or minivan.
The sedan, the Ford Focus, is a pleasant and well-equipped, if "style-challenged" vehicle that performs better than you might expect considering its niche near the lower end of the market. And the minivan, the 2009 Honda Odyssey, is about as nice a way to haul people and their stuff as you can get. more....
Honda Insight
Maybe it can be thought of as a "Post-Prius".
The first Insight was a little two seater with no storage space (no get up and go, either) and which looked a bit like a squashed lady bug. The new one has a definite Prius influence, perhaps so people will know it's a hybrid, unlike Honda's other hybrids (such as the Civic) that look like their gas-only counterparts. It also has some "old Insight" cues, including the taillights and the two section rear window that's nearly horizontal on top and nearly vertical on the bottom. more....
Honda CR-V Update
One's a great example of the "cute ute" genre, and the other's a luxurious and eco-friendly road rocket.
And while neither the Honda CR-V and Lexus GS 450h features major upgrades for 2009, both of them continue to be excellent vehicles in decidedly different niches. I got to some quality time in each vehicle recently, which reaffirmed that both are my favorites of the vehicles I've driven in their respective "cute ute" and "hybrid" markets. more....
Honda's Ridgeline Keeps on Trucking
Who needs a full-sized pickup these days?
Well, many people do, actually. But many people's hauling and towing needs don't require a vehicle larger than some homes, and for them there's a wide variety of smaller-but-still-capable pickups. Honda's entry into this fray is the Ridgeline, a homely but homey vehicle that's not only a pretty capable truck, but which also showcases some nifty innovative thinking. more....
Entry Level Honda a Good Fit
Newly redesigned for 2009, Honda's entry level Fit is a wonderful little car, an excellent choice for people looking to buy in this market niche.
Time was when the Civic occupied this place in the car world but it has grown in size, price and features over the years until now it can no longer be considered alongside today's entry level competitors such as the Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris and the like. Rather, it competes with other "growing concerns" such as the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, VW Jetta, etc. Indeed, today's Civic is nearly "Lexus-like" compared to those Civics of old. more....
Looking for a Minivan? You Odyssey Honda's!
It may not be the most glamorous segment of the car biz, but minivans are still popular items with people who need the room and flexibility.
And in this niche, the Honda Odyssey is a fine entry, one of if not the best available. more....
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
What's even better than a garden variety Honda Civic? How about a gas-sipping hybrid?
The hybrid is a straightforward adaptation of Honda's terrific little sedan, with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system added on for "even greener" performance. more....
Pilot--ing a Straightforward, Unassuming Honda SUV
Though its name may be inspired by the high flying world of aviation, Honda's Pilot SUV is a decidedly down-to-earth vehicle. And though it may come off as a tad bland, it's really just a straightforward, no nonsense imagining of the eight passenger SUV niche. more....
Honda's Accord Reaches a New Level of Refinement
Fresh from an unfortunate uglification process, Honda's 2008 Accord has emerged as a fine new car that'll surely continue the brand's reputation for excellence and innovation.
It's just so darn great to be in, and to drive. more....
Honda CR-V – Reborn with a New Look, New Utility
In the world of "cute utes," Honda's CR-V has traditionally been one of the least cute. That tradition has been maintained in the new generation SUV.
Whether Honda wanted to include an uglification process in its CR-V makeover or not, the Japanese automaker managed to take what had been quite a boxy vehicle and make it boxy with weird-looking rear side windows. Interesting achievement.
And yet, despite any anxiety over its outward appearance, the CR-V remains a fine vehicle, very nice to drive and undoubtedly lovely to live with. It's very straightforward and performs as advertised – and how can that be a bad thing? more....
Honda Fit
Once upon a time, back in the 1970's, Honda made waves with its entry level car, the Civic. It was a little two door econobox that promised little more than providing an economical way to get around. And it sold.
That was a long, long time ago. Since then, the Civic itself has evolved steadily,
getting bigger, more fully featured, more technologically advanced - and more
expensive. This left a hole in the market niche once occupied by the Civic,
a place now occupied by such cars as the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. more....
Honda Civic Hybrid
It isn't as noticeable on the road as Toyota's Prius,
but Honda's new Civic hybrid is a fine little vehicle that
can save you some gas money if you drive it right.
On the other hand, since it looks mostly like the other
versions of the four door Civic, it doesn't make a political
statement the same way the Prius does, so if you're looking
to get noticed for your social responsibility, this may
not be the car for you.
That would be a shame, because this Civic does a nice
job of sipping gas while providing a comfortable and efficient
ride for a family and its stuff. more...
Honda Ridgeline a New Type of Truck
It looks like a truck, acts like a truck, and has a truck’s
utility. But it’s a Honda. What gives?
Honda calls its Ridgeline a new type of truck, and it’s
hard to argue with that assessment. Who, after all, has seen
a truck that comes with a trunk? Or the type of “magic
tailgate”
that used to be a standard fixture on North American station
wagons of the 1960’s, opening either sideways or down
in the traditional way, depending upon which latch you use?
more...
Honda's Sporty Accord
Coupe a Comfortable Rocket
The Honda Accord has consistently been one of the top selling
cars in North America. Having driven the newest generation's
four door sedan version several months ago, it isn't hard
to see why.
It's an excellent vehicle, refined and with terrific comfort
and performance. It's a tad dumpy-looking to these eyes,
however - not that that's the most important thing about
a car. Usually a new Accord strikes me as ugly, then grows
on me; this one has done the opposite. more...
Honda’s top-selling Accord has received a rejuvenation
for 2003 that’s destined to keep the car at the top
of the charts.
Now, I must admit that the last time I drove a Honda Accord
was many many years ago when I took the first generation
of the car out for a test drive. That Accord was fine; I
owned a ’76 Civic hatchback in those days and the Accord
was more of the same, just “Super Sized” a bit.
more...
Honda Element - Putting the
Box Back in the Econobox
Well, it appears that even Honda can have an off day.
The company’s new crossover vehicle is, if nothing
else, unique and interesting, but whether or not it’s
a success remains to be seen. As of this writing the Element
is still new enough that not many have been seen on the roads
around our world headquarters - and believe me, with the
way this thing looks we’d notice it if it were there!
That doesn’t mean it won’t sell, of course, and
being a Honda it probably will. And it will undoubtedly please
its owners. more...
Honda Civic SiR - To SiR, with Love
When pondering cars with a high “fun to drive quotient,”
one doesn’t normally think of the Honda Civic. After
all, while the Civic is a fine car, its focus is on economy
and practicality, not
“Whee!”
Unless one looks at the Honda Civic SiR (which is
“comparable” to the Si model in the US), which
is not your average Civic. Starting at about $26,000 Cdn
(the Si starts at about $19,000US) the SiR is a stylish three
door hatchback whose sleek body looks almost extruded in
one piece to maximize aerodynamics. It also comes with a
bigger engine and larger wheels than the garden variety Civic
sedan or coupe. more...
The second generation of Honda's popular CR-V is definitely
an easy vehicle to live with.
And, while it isn't the most handsome SUV there is, it has
enough inner beauty to almost make you forget about its relatively
plain exterior.
CR-V fits into the car-based "cute ute" category that also
includes SUV's like Toyota's RAV4 and the Hyundai Santa fe.
It's comfortable for four passengers, fits five without undue
fuss, and is probably nearly perfect for the suburban family
that wants roomy and safe transportation but which doesn't
plan to do a lot of heavy duty off roading. more...
Honda Civic Coupe Offers Sporty Feel
If the roly-poly Honda Civic sedan is too sedate for you,
why not go for the Coupe de grace?
The Civic Coupe is the more sporty of the two models, but
don't confuse its two door lines with sport performance.
Granted, it's a lot cooler looking than the sedan, but it's
basically the same car inside.
Not that that's a bad thing! more...
Hybrid Honda Helps Do Civic Duty
The Hybrid automobile has definitely arrived, if you don’t
mind paying the price.
Honda’s Insight was the first “mainstream” hybrid
car to hit the market, a technological tour de force that
blended the gas internal combustion engine with an electric
motor to provide extra oomph. Unfortunately, the Insight
was mostly impractical except as a novelty or as a commuter
car, thanks to its two seat configuration and lack of storage
space. more...
Insight: Honda’s Happy,
High Tech Hybrid
Honda’s most politically correct vehicle is a marvelous
commuter car that’s cheap to run and environmentally
friendly to boot.
The Insight is a “hybrid”
automobile that pairs a conventional – though very high
tech –
gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide what power
there is.
Blistering performance isn’t this car’s reason
for being; it’s the fuel economy.
The secret to the front wheel drive Insight is something
called “Integrated Motor Assist,”
which couples Honda’s all-new VTEC-E 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder
engine with an electric motor that seems to act almost like
a turbocharger, in that it comes on as a boost when the car
thinks you need an extra bit of “oomph.” more...
Doing Civic Duty with Honda
New for 2001, the Honda Civic’s seventh generation
feels like more than an entry level car.
I first drove the Civic in 1976. In fact, I owned one and
it was a wonderful little car for 48.000 miles. By then,
however, the front fenders had pretty well rusted away and
at 48001 miles it seemed the Civic was telling us in no uncertain
terms that it was retiring and went from being wholly dependable
to, shall we say, an interesting driving experience.
That was back in the comparatively early days of Japanese
cars, however, and a lot has changed since then. Today’s
Hondas are world class vehicles that can match their quality
and technology against anyone’s, and this Civic is a
prime example of that. more...
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