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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.

2010 Honda Insight EX Navi Car Review for Women
 By Admin

Honda says the 2010 Insight is the “hybrid for everyone,” but trying to appeal to everyone is a bit too high a mark for this car. For 2010, Honda reintroduced the Insight, a designated hybrid hatchback, which has only the name in common with that of its predecessor, the first hybrid in the U.S.

Honda May Launch Electric Car In Japan, Europe, US
 By Admin

Tokyo-based Honda Motor, a manufacturer of cars, is considering the launch of electric cars in the US, Japan and Europe.

Reportedly the company said that the slow progress in setting up hydrogen fueling stations could limit the sale of its fuel-cell vehicles, and that it may need pure electric cars to meet tough regulations in California.

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour—It’s Not Ugly on the Inside
 By Admin

Honda has taken a public relations beating for the unusual appearance of its upcoming Accord Crosstour crossover. When photos of the Crosstour first appeared on the web, the reaction of the automotive press was overwhelmingly negative. The general public didn’t like it much better—the vehicles’ Facebook page filled with venomous comments within hours of its first appearance, and Honda was forced into damage control.  But press opinion may be changing. Mechanical details and interior photos have emerged, and press reaction has generally been positive.

Honda To Export U.S.-Built 2010 Civic Sedan
 By Admin

The line between import and export has grown incredibly hazy over the last decade, with more “foreign” carmakers building cars and pickups here in the U.S., often with many U.S.-built parts, and “American” carmakers shipping factories to Canada, Mexico and Australia.

2010 Honda Fit: No Changes, And That’s Quite Alright
 By Admin

Honda has put out the first word on its 2010 Fit, and it appears that there are few, if any changes to the hatchback model for the new model year.

Honda to begin production of the hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity
 By Admin

Honda FCX ClarityAgainst all odds, Honda is proceeding with its plans to start mass production of its hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity. A key market for hydrogen technology is the US but the Obama administration has not been highly supportive of a hydrogen network and has instead leaned towards electric car technology.

Honda’s Insight hybrid stalls in sales race with Toyota’s Prius
 By Admin

Honda’s Prius-killer is looking a lot like road kill.

When it debuted in March, Honda Motor Corp.’s retooled Insight hybrid looked to be the first serious challenger to the Prius, Toyota Motor Corp.’s ecological wunder-car. Graced with a low price, 40-mpg-plus fuel economy and the Japanese automaker’s reputation for quality, the Insight even looked like the Prius.

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. 

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