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Honda CR-V, 2012: New design, more power, more features, same top SUV

It’s hard to imagine the Honda CR-V is 18 years old. But with its sibling, the Element, discontinued, the CR-V is now the Japanese manufacturer’s entry-level Sport Utility Vehicle. There’s plenty of competition in the SUV segment, so for 2012, the CR-V was redesigned. The exterior has deeper sculpting, a bolder front fascia and a more overall aerodynamic look. More standard features, increased horsepower and one mpg improved mileage estimates also debuted with 2012 edition. Key Takeaways Redesigned for 2012 with more power: The fourth-generation CR-V gained deeper body sculpting, a bolder front fascia, and five additional horsepower (185 total)

Counterfeit airbags concern prompts NHTSA consumer alert

Vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop not part of a new car dealership may be at risk, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The consumer safety agency become aware of the problem after the sale of counterfeit air bags that look nearly identical to certified, original equipment parts—including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers. Testing by the NHTSA showed consistent malfunctioning ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during

Toyota reveals massive recall involving 7.4 million cars, trucks dating to 2005

Toyota has added another massive component to its more than three years of quality control issues by recalling 7.4 million cars and trucks globally for potential fires involving faulty power-window switches and including 2.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The recall affects cars made between July 2005 and May 2010, including Camry and Corolla sedans and RAV4 sport-utility vehicles sold in Japan, North America, Europe, China, the Middle East and Oceania. Japan’s biggest automaker called the latest recall its largest in history. Toyota globally recalled 7.7 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 because of faulty floormats, but the

Honda offering $3,000 in free gas to 2012 Civic natural gas model buyers

Honda is offering its biggest incentive for its least marketed car. Buyers of the 2012 Civic Natural Gas prior to January 2, 2013 will receive a $3,000 fuel card. The prepaid card will be good only at compressed natural gas stations run by Clean Energy Fuels, a nationwide retailer of CNG fuel, and will only given to those who buy the car at participating Honda dealers. Honda has 199 dealers in 36 states accredited to sell and service the CNG-burning Civic Natural Gas model. The new promotion, which launched Oct. 9, is available at 19 dealers in California, Washington, Utah,

Dodge Journey, 2012: Carlike SUV offers subtle ride, good cargo space

The Dodge Journey mid-size four-door hatchback crossover was substantially upgraded for 2011 to address shortcomings. It had everything from a redesigned suspension and sharp new interior to a more powerful V-6. The handsome 2012 model is virtually unchanged from 2011. Moreover, there are few changes for 2013. Grab a reduced-price 2012 Journey if it appeals to you. But avoid the standard 173-horsepower four-cylinder engine because it’s underpowered for the Journey, which is heavy at approximately 4,000 pounds. Moreover, this rather noisy engine works with a dated four-speed automatic transmission. The other choice is the quieter, smoother 283-horsepower V-6, which provides

2013 Volvo T5 S60: Sporty, quick-steering, traditionally solid, safe

Automotive Reviews, Sedans

Some may still think the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 sedan is among the first sporty Volvos sold in the United States because of the automaker’s long-lingering stodgy image. Volvo actually has built several sporty cars since it offered its conservatively styled 1956-58 PV444 family model here, complete with a strong dual-carburetor engine and a stick shift with a floor shifter. It was a practical auto, but could beat sports cars on race tracks. However, most sporty Volvos have flown under the general public’s radar. It generally was known as a conservative model with a heavy emphasis on safety features. The

Honda recall now nearly 2 miillion in one week after CR-V window woes

Honda is recalling about 500,000 CR-V sport utility vehicles pushing the Japanese manufacturer’s potentially faulty vehicle total announced in the past week to more than nearly 1.1 million. Honda‘s latest call includes CR-Vs built between 2002 and 2006 and sold on the three continents because of issues with the vehicles’ power window switch. The company discovered rain water may enter the power window switch on the driver’s door, which could eventually cause the switch to overheat and catch fire. The automaker is recalling about 220,000 CR-V sport utility vehicles in Europe, around 268,000 units in the U.S. and less than

Hyundai sets price for 2013 Azera, joins siblings with slight increase

The success of Hyundai continues, but in 2013 the Hyundai Azera will join siblings Elantra, Equus, Geneis 5.0 R-Spec, Santa Fe and Tucson with a slight price increase. The 2013 Azera will have a sticker price of $33,125 (including an $825 destination charge), a $250 increase from 2012. The new Azera is a carryover model from 2012, and with the 2013 model it’s priced less than 2013 Nissan Maxima but higher than the 2013 Chrysler 300 and 2013 Ford Taurus.The new prices for the Elantra, Equus, Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, Santa Fe and Tucson have already been announced. As a new

Kia Optima Hybrid, 2012: Stylish, efficient sedan improves Korean lineup

Twelve years after the Kia Optima debuted in the United Sates with little fanfare and few sales, the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and was available to the public one year later. The 2012 Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, nearly the same as the 2011 editions, use the same powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid. Key Takeaways Shared powertrain with Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: The Optima Hybrid pairs a 2.4-liter engine

Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Richards reunite for laughs, regrets in Volkswagen bus

Like other celebrities, Jerry Seinfeld is a car enthusiast, most notably via his collection of rare Porsches. But Seinfeld’s passion for cars and his friends has also resulted in the unique web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. In the recent season-finale, Seinfeld drives around Southern California in a 50-year-old Volkswagen Bus with friend and comedian Michael Richards. The 17-minute below video is funny. But it’s also poignant. Richards, Seinfeld’s neighbor Kramer on the the iconic program Seinfeld, candidly discusses his regrets in a 2006 rant when he used racial epithets during a nightclub performance. It ended Richards’ career. The

Honda recall: faulty power steering hose affects 600,000 Accords

Honda is recalling five model years of Accords totaling 600,000 units in the United States and Canada and dating to 2003 because the popular sedan has a faulty power steering hose that can leak fluid and cause a fire. The recall, which extends through the 2007 edition, is the result of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posting on its website that the Accord’s power steering hose can deteriorate with prolonged exposure to engine heat. In addition to a cracked hose and loss of power-assisted steering, the problem could result in an engine fire in Accords V-6 engines. Honda has

Acura MDX, 2012: Versatile SUV best in its class

Now in the sixth year of its second generation, the 2012 Acura MDX is the flagship midsize crossover Sport Utility Vehicle in Honda’s luxury brand. As the first crossover to offer third-row seating, it’s hard to view the modern MDX as a sibling of the Isuzu Trooper. But 12 years after its debut, the MDX (Multi-Dimensional Luxury) retains little resemblance to its long-gone utilitarian SUV beast of a relative. Instead, it’s firmly positioned as the top-rated vehicle in its segment. Key Takeaways Segment-leading luxury crossover in its sixth year: The second-generation MDX remains the top-rated vehicle in its class, offering

Pontiac Aztek, Ford Mustang (?) named to new worst all-time car list

When discussing automobiles, it’s hard to imagine a Ford Mustang and a Pontiac Aztek mentioned in the same sentence. It’s even more difficult to imagine the two vehicles on a top-10 list of the worst cars in history. But that’s the fun of car lists. The Pontiac Aztek, specifically the 2001 model, graces many bad car lists. And it’s often cited as the car that led to the manufacturer’s demise. But how did a 1974 Ford Mustang get a recent 10 Worst Cars list compiled by Ted Reed of the business site, www.thestreet.com? Regarding the Aztek, Reed quotes an often-used

Honda Civic Natural Gas, 2012: Only CNG car in U.S. turns age 1, still unheralded

Thirteen years after its unceremonious debut in California as the Civic GX, the rebranded Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle has turned age 1 as the only natural gas vehicle available nationwide. Honda initially marketed the car to government agencies and commercial users. But beginning in 2005 individual consumers could also lease the car. In the fall of 2011, the Honda Civic Natural Gas received its new name and was for the first time included nationally in Honda’s marketing campaigns. For nine straight years, the Honda GX and (and now the Natural Gas) have been rated first in the “Greenest Vehicle

Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion lead best mpg list for 2013 family sedans

Midsize family sedans comprise a huge chunk purchases amongnew car buyers, and gas mileage is a top priority whether consumers are considering Kia, Toyota, Ford or Hyundai. Ryan ZumMallen of High Gear Media has compiled a list of Best Mileage Midsize Family Sedans for 2013. The list includes a wide-ranging selection of gas and hybrid models as well as expected and surprising models that share at least one common trait — practicality. Here’s the list and a brief assessment of High Gear Media’s assessment of the 2013 Toyota Prius, the No. 1 most fuel efficient family sedan.“Despite the industry’s repeated

Audi Allroad, 2013: New luxury car has many shades of wagon, crossover, sedan

After a seven-year absence, the 2013 Audi Allroad makes its return to the United States as a luxury vehicle and as a unique combination of a sporty wagon and versatile sporty crossover. The reason for the Allroad’s non-specific categorization is multi-fold. How is it possible to categorize a front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon with a turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection and an eight-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode? The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like all Audis, the Allroad is a driver’s delight. I wish I would have had a