Honda Civic

Ford F-150, 2014: Soon it’ll be a natural gas

The Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the United States, will join several of its siblings and will be offered with a natural gas option beginning with iconic truck’s 2014 edition. The option, however, won’t be cheap. The automaker noted the 2014 F-150 will make it the only company with a full-size pickup that can come configured from the factory for natural gas. Ford’s natural-gas lineup has included the small Transit Connect, E Series vans and the Super Duty pickup and chassis cabs. Honda is the only manufacturer currently producing a standard production gas car with its Civic CNG. The current equivalent of natural gas, according to industry groups, is $2.11 a gallon — nearly half the current pump prices

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2013 Toyota Corolla: still a desirable, economical compact sedan

The 2013 Toyota Corolla continues the solid reputation of all Corollas, first sold in America in 1968. The front-drive compact Corolla is arguably the world’s top-selling car. Corolla rivals have come and gone, but they currently include the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Mazda 3. A sporty Corolla has been offered on and off during the past decade with a larger, more powerful four-cylinder. But it’s never fit the Corolla’s economy car image and thus has never sold very well. It’s gone for 2013. The refined 2013 Corolla likely will be the last version of the latest generation of Corollas. A larger, redesigned 2014 model with a longer wheelbase and more room is scheduled to arrive this summer.

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Honda Civic Si, 2013: Coupe or sedan, it’s a sports car (video)

With the 2013 Honda Civic Si, there’s no transmission choice. The coupe and sedan only have a six-speed manual transmission option, which is a good thing. It further complements the once basic, competent Civic in its transition into its current sports car-like coupe or sedan. My weekly driver was the 2-door, 4-seat coupe. In addition to 17-inch wheels, the re-tweaked Civic has a new front grille, a new rear design and a host of other more subtle upgrades, including better-constructed seats. The more handsome sculpted design is matched with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 201 horsepower engine. Driving the 2013 Civic is surprising since its personality — handling to acceleration — is more like its upscale relative, Acura. Which makes a lot

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2013 Honda Civic Si: New sporty look rekindles iconic reputation

Despite its lofty, top-10 perennial yearly sales status and more than 40-year longevity, the ninth generation Honda Civic was hastily introduced in 2012 among quickly increasing competition. Some critics called it a disaster, other were more kind with descriptions like ill conceived. As a result, for second straight year, Honda re-did the Civic for 2013. It’s not a new generation, but there are enough changes everywhere on the car that the Civic’s fall from grace was a one-year-and-out ordeal. The Civic is back strong and in its proper and well-deserved place among the most successful cars in history. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s a toss up most of the time. The convenience of an automatic transmission, particularly with continuously

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Five top gas mileage, wallet-friendly cars for 2013

Once limited to niche brands, odd designs and ill-conceived marketing, carmakers in recent years have integrated hybrid, alternative fuel vehicles into the automotive mainstream lineup. Now, nearly every major manufacturer offers at least one hybrid and another alternative fuel car in its fleet. Combined with higher mileage gas-engine cars, the auto industry flush with improved fuel efficiency. Hybrid anxiety is passé. Alternative fuel cars formerly designed and operated as if related to moon vehicles or military craft now largely look and drive the same as their gas-only siblings. The “greening” of the automotive industry occurred primarily for three specific reasons: increased influence from the environmental movement, pending federal regulation for improved gas mileage and wishful collective public desire for less

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2013 Chevrolet Volt: Slick, practical, fuel-stingy engineering marvel

The electric-gas 2013 Chevrolet Volt’s electric-only operating range has been extended three miles to an EPA-estimated 38 miles, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. Many drivers can’t control terrain or temperature, but driving techniques must be altered, which may not be easy for many Volt owners. No, they’re “not in Kansas anymore.” Total Volt range with the help of a small range-extending 84-horsepower gas engine is an estimated 382 miles under good conditions. The twin-overhead-camshaft engine calls for premium fuel and has a 9.3-gallon tank capacity. The Volt’s propulsion system combines pure electric drive and the sophisticated gas engine. Its long-life battery consists of a lithium-ion battery pack that supplies energy to an electric drive unit to propel the

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Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Sonata among top-10 best used cars

The automotive industry had a lot of surprises in 2012, not the least of which was a recent yearly record for used car sales. More than 40 million used cars sold last year, the highest total since 2007, according to a report on Cars.com. The used car totals by CNW Market Research detailed that for every new sold in 2012 , nearly three used cars sold. The numbers prompted Cars.com to rekindle its former annual list of the top-10 used cars available for around $10,000. The list includes cars seven years old or newer and selected with some safety and reliability criteria. The top-10 list includes some expected vehicles, like the always-reliable Honda Civic, and there are surprises like the

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How to buy the best used electric vehicle

It’s been about 15 years since hybrid and electric cars first entered mainstream global automotive market. Which means, led by the Toyota Prius, car buyers in the market for second- electric cars now have an expanding versatile selection. Toyota introduced the Prius in 1997 and its global sales have now surpassed four million, far exceeding all hybrid and electric sales combined. As a result, used Prius models, which now also include the Prius Liftback, Prius C, Prius V and Prius Plug-In Electric, are plentiful and logically a best choice among shoppers seeking a used electric car. There are plenty of parts and plenty of mechanics who know Toyota intimately. Of course, there are other choices. In 2011 more than 30

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Honda Accord, 2013: Family sedan turned luxury car

Now approaching middle age, the Honda Accord has been among the top-selling cars in the United States for nearly 25 years. The first generation was launched on May 7, 1976 as a three-door hatchback with 68 horsepower, a 93.7-inch wheelbase and weighing about 2,000 pounds. For 2013, after several manufacturers began to match the Accord’s quality and offer better warranties, Honda acquiesced and debuted a complete redesign. Among a vast array of other attributes, the Accord now has a 109.4-inch wheelbase and weighs 3,559 pounds. The Accord, available in more than a dozen configurations and as a coupe and sedan, has come a long way, including the V6 Touring edition, my weekly driver. It features a 24-value, 3.5-liter, V6 with

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Honda Civic Natural Gas: A Weekly Driver 2012 Top 10

Thirteen years after its unceremonious debut in California as the Civic GX, the rebranded Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle turned age 1 in 2012 and it remains 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 of the Year” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. A decade ago, the EPA first

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The Weekly Driver: 2012 Top 10 Cars of the Year

For the sixth straight year, The Weekly Driver presents its top 10 cars of the year. Plenty of well-known auto sites announce best cars of the year lists at the beginning of the model year, which is sometimes still in the previous calendar year and sometimes before a car is available to the public. The Weekly Driver waits until the end of the calendar year. That makes more sense. It affords time to balance what might seem like a sure top-10 selection early in the year against cars reviewed at the end of the year. We admit in some instances, 2012 models were driven in late 2011. The Weekly Driver test drove 36 cars designated as 2012 models with full

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Ford F-150 will again lead U.S. vehicle sales 2012

With the end of the year near, the automotive industry will soon again tally its numbers and the best-selling car list will reveal how much has changed and how much the habits of the public have changed in the past 12 months. Just as it has been for many years, the Ford F-Series will again be the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2012. The Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pickup will again likely be in the top 10 and the Toyota Camry should retain its perch as the country’s best-selling car. But will green cars be represented in the top-20 for 2012? And will the Hyundai Sonata continue its strong sales year in December to not only boost Hyundai’s

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LA Auto Show: Honda, Subaru, Toyota among 12 carmakers in new green technology showcase

The Los Angeles Auto Show for several years has been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s green car technology. The selection of the Green Car of the Year is a highlight of the year’s first major car show. But this year, under a new category, approximately 25 vehicles from a dozen manufacturers will participate in the Green and Advanced Technology Ride & Drive. The program will offer a preview and media test drive sessions of the latest in-car innovations and fuel-efficient vehicles. The participating vehicles will represent the latest evolutions of electric, hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell. The latest driver assist platforms featured will include front crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control, radar-based object detection systems, blind spot monitoring

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Honda Accord’s dubious honor: most stolen car in the United States

Nearly one million vehicles are stolen every year in the United States, which breaks down to one about every 33 seconds. But those two statistics, while staggering, only tell part of the story of car theft, particularly among the most popular stolen cars brands — Honda and Dodge. One reason for the massive problem of stolen vehicles is that owners make it easy for those in the car theft occupation. Consider: * 50 percent of all vehicles stolen are unlocked. * 25 percent of all vehicles stolen have a purse of wallet in plain sight. * 15 percent of all cars stolen have the key in the ignition. Also: * 33 percent of all vehicles stolen are in California and

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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, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio. The base price of the Honda Civic CNG it is priced about $7,000 more than a

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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 100 in Africa, a Honda spokeswoman said — pushing the total more than 490,000 units. There have been reports of

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