Honda Civic

2022 Los Angeles Auto Show promises electricity, tradition

The Los Angeles Auto Show has lots of bright lights and bling, concept cars and customized cruisers from yesteryear. It’s the annual first major industry showcase uniquely held at the end of the calendar year. Global debuts of the newest Aston Martin, Hummer and Porsche are fine. Concept cars are great, although many may never be made for consumers. The latest electric vehicle innovation are the industry’s future. But much was made of the Bollinger, Byton, Canoo and Elio and none have been manufactured. The 115th The Los Angeles Auto Show will be held Nov. 18-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Charge Cars, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, ElectraMeccanica, Fiat, Genesis, GMC, Hummer, Hyundai, INDI EV, Jaguar,

Read more

2022 Honda Civic: Still reigns as top compact sedan at age 50

Technology overload and extraneous warning lights and sounds. Mood lighting and champagne flutes in mini back-seat refrigerators. Paddle shifters standard in family sedans with continuously variable transmissions? Where will it all end? How about with a 2022 Honda Civic? It’s not a return to automotive simplicity with roll-up windows and cigarette lighters. Rather, it’s an iconic car, now in its 11th generation. It’s 50 years old, with 12 million sold. It cost less than $31,000 for the top-line model, about two-thirds of the average price of a new car in the United States. With its new mature appearance inside and outside, the 2022 Honda Civic moves higher on the list, maybe to the top of the list, of the industry’s

Read more

Pickup truck owners beware: theft on the rise

Pickup truck owners get the best of all automotive versatility. But there’s also a dubious consideration — theft. According to newly released statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, four of the top-10 most stolen vehicles in the United States are pickup trucks. At the top of the stolen list for the second straight year is Ford F series pickup truck. Theft of the country’s most popular vehicle increased 13 percent from 2019 to 2020, with 44,014 reports of stolen. The most “popular” year for the full-size pickup truck’s theft is 2006. Pickup Truck Theft: Ford Tops List Trucks on the most stolen vehicle list also include the 10. Dodge Ram 1500 (11,991); No. 7, GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (13,016)

Read more

#212, 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost named Car of the Year

Early in 2021, a teenage boy witnessed a colleague and me exit a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a local sandwich shop. He approached us, looked at my friend and said: “Excuse me, sir. What kind of job do I need to get to afford a car like that?” A few hours later while waiting in the Ghost at a stoplight two men in a vehicle to my right that may not have made it to its destination, caught my attention. Before the light changed, they uncorked a jubilant dance of synchronized hand signs and body gestures. I didn’t know what the display meant, but I’m certain it was a good thing. Far more expensive vehicles exist. But the Ghost, with

Read more
,

2022 Honda Civic: Best got better at age 50

Fifty years ago, the Honda Civic was introduced as a two-door or four-door subcompact sedan, a three-door or five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. It had starting cost of about $1,400 and weighed 1,411 pounds. Simultaneously, not much and everything has changed. The debut Civic’s four-cylinder, 61-horsepower engine, was propelled by a four-speed manual transmission. It advanced from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 10.5 seconds and it had a top speed of 90 mph. The new Civic had a spacious interior, and it quickly built a reputation as environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and reliable. The 2022 Honda Civic, the debut of the car’s 11th generation, designates the brand’s 50th anniversary. It does so in grand fashion, particularly with the sport

Read more
,

2021 Honda Accord Hybrid: The best gets better

In its sixth decade, the Honda Accord is part of a small fraternity of vehicles that changed the automotive industry. Unveiled in 1976, the Accord was joined by the Toyota Camry six years later. The vehicles’ rivalry has continued since, with the carmakers’ healthy competition a constant in the always-in-flux family sedan segment. Key Takeaways Six decades of evolution pay off: The 2021 Accord Hybrid continues Honda’s rivalry with Toyota Camry, now in its 10th generation with refreshed styling and a sport sedan personality. 212-hp hybrid system erases stodgy reputation: The combined four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor deliver adequate power while achieving an estimated 43 mpg combined. Manual transmission is gone: Honda joined the growing manufacturer trend of eliminating

Read more
,

Pickup trucks again sweep top-3 auto sales in 2020

It’s no surprise. Pickup trucks remained the country’s most popular vehicles in 2020. The Ford-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pickup 1500 ranked first through third overall among the top-10 best-selling vehicles last year, according to the car engine iSeeCars.com. The study looked at over 12.9 million vehicle sales in 2020 to determine the most popular vehicles throughout the United States. The data was tabulated nationally, state and metro area. “The Ford F-150 has been America’s undisputed best-selling new vehicle for over 40 years, and the popularity of pickup trucks help contribute to its high volume of sales,” said Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst. Three compact SUVs made the list: the fourth-ranked Ford Escape, fifth-ranked Nissan Rogue and eighth-ranked Chevrolet Equinox.

Read more
,

NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Honda Civic boldly new

With a redesigned exterior, the 2022 Honda Civic will mark the debut of the vehicle’s 11th generation. The new model will continue the legacy of the car unveiled in 1972 and perennially among the country’s top-selling vehicles. The new generation Civic was revealed as a prototype in mid-November 2020. It’s scheduled for release in North America in the spring of 2021. While many details haven’t been released, the versatile little machine is expected to include a hatchback, Si and Type R trim levels. 2022 Honda Civic Gets Makeover From early reports, the Civic will be one-inch longer than 2021 offering also appears wider and touting a lower riding profile. A manual transmission will be available on the hatchback, according to

Read more

#163, The Weekly Driver Podcast’s Cars of the Year

Welcome to the 14th annual Cars of the Year list, selected by TheWeeklyDriver.com. This year, co-host Bruce Aldrich and I announce the top-10 list on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce and I individually picked 10 vehicles from the nearly 40 cars and trucks in 2020 models I reviewed and Bruce drove. Neither of us was surprised. Our choices for cars of the year were nearly identical, including our No. 1 choice, the 2020 Corvette Stingray. Unlike many publications, we wait until the end of the year to announce our selections. A year’s perspective is important. Cars of the Year Here are The Weekly Driver Podcast’s choices for 2020 (with prices), followed by cars of the year

Read more

2020 Corvette Stingray chosen Car of the Year

The 2020 Corvette Stingray is rare in the automotive universe. Envisioned for decades and initiated eight years ago, the mid-engined sports car revitalized the faltering brand. It’s TheWeeklyDriver.com’s Car of the Year. Every new car is promoted with a mess of adjectives best-suited for romance paperbacks. The Corvette deserves the rabid praise. After years of diminishing sales, the new eighth-generation is unlike any previous Corvette, influenced by Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren masters. Specs are impressive: a 6.2-liter V8, top-speed of 194 mph and 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. It’s an exotic, equally well-suited on the track and as a daily driver. Top-line cost is $78,000, less than half of top competitors. Car of the Year Here are the remaining top-10

Read more

2020 Honda Civic Si: Drive it for the fun of it

Vehicles available with manual transmissions are far removed from their dominant heydays. But consumers who still appreciate driving a stick shift shouldn’t despair. The 2020 Honda Civic Si is among 41 of 325 new models offered with a gearbox and clutch. A decade ago, 37 percent of new cars had manual transmission options. It’s now about 13 percent, including the exceedingly fun-to-drive 2020 Honda Civic Si. The 2020 Honda Civic Si is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. Images © Gretchen Gaither/2020. The Civic Si is the performance-oriented option of one of the best-selling cars in history. Available as a sedan or coupe, the Si is offered in a single, well-equipped trim. 2020 Honda Civic Si: It’s for drivers

Read more
,

Quick shifts to automatic transmissions continues

Thirty-eight car nameplates offer manual transmissions for their 2020 models, Aston Martin to Volkswagen. Truck enthusiasts who like to shift gears have far fewer choices. In fact, only two manufacturers, Toyota and Jeep, offer a manual transmission in their fleets. Here’s the full list of cars with manual transmissions, either as standard or optional equipment, for the 2020 model year: Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M2, BMW M4 (all body styles), Chevrolet Camaro (all body styles), Chevrolet Spark, Dodge Challenger, Fiat 124 Spider, Ford Mustang (all body styles), Shelby GT350, Genesis G70, Honda Accord, Honda Civic (all body styles), Civic Si (all body styles), Civic Type R; Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra (GT hatchback only), Hyundai Veloster, Veloster N, Hyundai

Read more
,

Ford F-150 has dubious honor — most stolen pickup truck

Pickup trucks are stolen so often, it’s an automotive epidemic. At least that’s the one-word description of the data compiled by the National Crime Insurance Bureau (NCIB) in Des Plaines, Illinois. The Ford F-150 pickup was the third most stolen vehicle in the United States in the past five years. Via statistics through 2018, the Chevrolet Silverado was the fourth most stolen vehicle during the past five years. Pickup truck dilemma: lots stolen According to the NCIB, the reason older Ford F-Series and GM trucks are stolen at such a high rate is because in 2007 most vehicles began having anti-theft systems installed. Older pickup trucks are also more targeted because they can easily be dismantled and have parts sometimes

Read more

2021 Lamborghini Huracán defines super confidence

The Lamborghini Huracán powers along in the niche supercar market as well as any automotive beast. The Italian carmaker celebrated its 50th anniversary six years ago and it continues to expand its diverse lineup. The manufacturer’s reputation is defined by performance, craftsmanship and tradition. Yet, Lamborghini has found another reason to boast as loudly as its car engines roar. The carmaker sold 8,205 vehicles globally last year, 60 percent of which were the Urus, the brand’s three-year-old sport utility vehicle. Some supercar enthusiasts may still have strong opinions against the introduction of SUV supercars. But Lamborghini would be unwise not to focus on the auto industry’s most popular segment. The Urus reigns as the world’s fastest SUV. Fast is good

Read more
,

2020 Mazda 3: Handsome, understated; why low sales?

The 2020 Mazda 3 advnances the small sedan in its mid-teens and it has an identity complex. It’s an unheralded, worthy small sedan competing against more than a dozen rivals with bigger sales numbers. But it may have finally caught a break. With its simple, sporty design absent of sharp edges and angles, and a front end with a nod to a Ford GT Cobra, the 2020 Mazda 3 recently claimed world honors for automotive design. The other finalists were the Peugeot 208 and Porsche Taycan. The Mazda MX5 (Miata) claimed the award in 2016, starting the Japanese manufacturer’s global recognition that less is more. It’s an approach other carmakers should follow. Design, of course, does not make a car.

Read more
,

#135, Buying a new car like it’s 2019

If you’re interested in purchasing a vehicle, why not considering buying a new car that’s nearly two years old? There’s a huge inventory of 2019 vehicles available, particularly for consumers interested in Dodge. Here’s the deal. The covid-19 pandemic stalled production of 2020 models for carmakers and resulted in the temporary closing of many car dealerships. Sales suffered. But a positive emerged from the health crisis, and Julie Blackley, an analyst at iseecars.com, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the issue. Dodge Caravan: New Car, Nearly Age 2 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Blackley and she details the reasons why such large inventories of 2019 vehicles are available from

Read more
Previous Next