Honda’s Hot New Hybrid a Blast from the Past
 By Jim Bray

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?

Honda invited a gaggle of writers including me to a special introduction of the car in Edmonton, Alberta, timed to coincide with the Honda Indy Edmonton, which made for a wonderful and exciting long weekend. Before hanging out at the race, we were given the opportunity to drive the CR-Z on a variety of roads and even on a large karting track they’d taken over for the purpose.

Honda Accord Crosses Over
 By Jim Bray

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.

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Still Good Choices for Economy Cars
 By Jim Bray

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!

Focusing on a Ford and a Honda you Really “Odyssey”
 By Jim Bray

“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.

CR-V, GS 450h: Not New, but Still Relevant in ‘09

 By Jim Bray

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.

Honda’s Ridgeline Keeps on Trucking
 By Jim Bray

Well, many people do, actually, and thank goodness for them or Detroit’s big three might have dug themselves into an even deeper hole than they have, if such a thing is possible. 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 – as well as some creative mimicry the type of which the Japanese did so well back in the days when they were playing catch-up in the car market.

Variations on an Automotive Theme: Honda Civic Hybrid, Acura CSX Type S
 By Jim Bray

What’s even better than a garden variety Honda Civic? How about a gas-sipping hybrid or a souped up, luxurious version.

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.

The souped up, more luxurious version is the Canadian-spec Acura CSX Type S, a little rocket that’s mostly analogous to the Civic Si sedan, but with different logos, grille, tail light treatment and other goodies thrown in to send the up market Civic a little bit more up market.

Entry Level Honda a Good Fit
 By Jim Bray

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.

Looking for a Minivan?
 By Jim Bray

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.

I took a 2008 Odyssey for a week near the end of its life, the last writer to get it before retirement (the van, not me, alas). And as it turns out, when I was finished with it, it truly was ready for the automotive equivalent of the old folks home which, if it were actually to exist (and other than the difference in brand name), should by all rights be called “the old Volks home”. I’ll tell you about that later.

Pilot—ing a Straightforward, Unassuming Honda SUV
 By Jim Bray

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.

Variations on an Automotive Theme: Honda Civic Hybrid, Acura CSX Type S
 By Jim Bray

What’s even better than a garden variety Honda Civic? How about a gas-sipping hybrid or a souped up, luxurious version.