Honda CR-V

2018 Toyota Camry: Watch the debut live from Detroit

When you sell more than 400,000 units of a car in a year, you get to have bravado. That’s how and why the 2018 Toyota Camry is just a tease — for now. The carmaker has announced the new edition of the best-selling car in the United States for many years will be unveiled in January at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, often called the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota’s only preview image of the new Camry is a close-cropped, three-quarter low-angle rear view. Sure, it’s a partial view. But it appears the usually conservatively styled sedan has been modernized. While the Toyota Camry had a long reign in its top-selling perch, its sales have decreased more than nine

Read more

Original Honda N600 restored, honors brand’s success

With its perennially top-selling Fit, Civic, Accord, and CR-V, it’s easy to appreciate the Honda lineup. Consistency rules. But not every Honda offering has been a success and some models, like the Civic Natural Gas and Crosstour, while innovative, failed. But perseverance counts in the automotive industry, and there’s at least one Honda enthusiast who’s thrilled to share his experience and passion for Honda. Tim Mings, a Los Angeles-based mechanic, and his team restored a 1969 Honda N600, the first Honda sold in the United States, star in video series, “Serial One.” The 12-part documentary chronicles the step-by-step renovation of the N600. It’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is 1000001. https://youtu.be/ETI5FGAUeos The series finale showcases the restored “Serial One” and revisits

Read more

Stop driving older Honda, Acura models

If you own an older Honda or Acura, the government is urging you to stop driving it because its Takata airbags have a 50 percent chance of exploding in a crash. The warning applies to about 313,000 models of the Honda Accord (2001-2002), Honda Civic (2001-2002) Honda CR-V (2002-2003), Honda Odyssey (2003), Honda Pilot (2003), Acura TL (2002-2003) and Acura CL (2003). Takata inflators that can explode in a crash have been linked to 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries in the United States. Auto safety regulators said eight of those deaths occurred in Honda and Acura vehicles subject to the warning. “With as high as a 50 percent chance of a dangerous air bag inflator rupture in a

Read more

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Top rival for Honda, Toyota

As the smaller of the two Hyundai Santa Fe offerings, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is the five-passenger version of the Santa Fe that several years ago replaced the now-defunct Veracruz. The Santa Fe Sport is classified as a small crossover sport utility vehicle, but each year since its debut it seems to get bigger and worthy of a medium-sized designation. Although not a new generation, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has refreshed styling inside and outside as well numerous updates: a height adjustment for the power passenger seat, a larger five-inch standard display and an available seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Offered in base, 2.0T and 2.0T Ultimate trims, my test vehicle

Read more

Honda recalls 1.7 million vehicles in Takata airbag mess

Honda has ordered a massive recall and stop-sale notice to its U.S. dealerships. The reason: An estimated 1.7 million of the manufacturer’s vehicles, including the Honda Fit and Honda Ridgeline models years from 2007 to 2015, could have exploding Takata airbag inflators. According to the manufacturer, dealers have been warned they could face “legal exposure” for unrepaired vehicles if the order is violated. Honda Dealers Responsible The recall and stop-sale order covers the 2007-11 CR-V crossover, 2011-15 CR-Z coupe, 2009-13 Fit, 2013-14 Fit EV, 2010-14 Insight hybrid and the 2007-14 Ridgeline. The manufacturer’s actions were first reported by the website Automotive News. Honda reported driver-side airbag inflators in these vehicles may experience “over-pressurization” due to exposure to high temperatures and

Read more

Ford, Toyota dominate 2015 U.S. car, truck sales — again

As has occurred yearly since nearly the invention the the automobile, the Ford F-Series was the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2015. The iconic pick-up truck, manufactured since 1948, had a 3.5 percent increase in sales last year from 2014. The Ford F-Series was the country’s best-selling vehicle for the 34th straight year. It sold 780,354 units in 2015, and it also led a top-three sweep of trucks as the top sellers in the country. The Chevrolet Silverado was the country’s second-highest seller with 600,544 units sold, followed by the Ram Pickup, with 451,116 units sold. The Chevrolet Silverado had 13.4 percent sales increase from 2014 to 2015, while the Ram had an increase of 2.6 percent. The

Read more

2016 Honda HR-V: Compact SUV adds to brand’s legacy

The 2016 Honda HR-V, the newest and smallest of the manufacturer’s successful lineup of sport utility vehicles, debuted last year. It joined the increasingly competitive subcompact SUV segment that includes newly en vogue vehicles like the Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-3 and Fiat 500X. The Honda HR-V (Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle) also joined the Honda CR-V (Compact Recreational Vehicle), and the Honda Pilot in the manufacturer’s SUV lineup. The Honda Element, a fourth SUV option, ceased production a few years ago. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in three trims, my weekly driver was the top-line EX-L. Like all Honda vehicles it featured a lengthy list of standard equipment. It’s complemented by a 1.8-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and a

Read more

TheWeeklyDriver.com names Best 12 Vehicles of 2015

For the ninth straight year, TheWeeklyDriver.com has selected its Best 12 Vehicles of the Year. Ford, Honda and Hyundai each have two vehicles on the 2015 list, which this year has expanded from the usual top-10 list to a dozen selections. As editor and publisher of the TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004, I fully reviewed 38 cars and trucks with 2015 model years. I also drove a half-dozen other cars briefly at manufacturer preview days. This year’s list has expanded to a dozen vehicles for one simple reason: Manufacturers keep making better machines. For the first time since the end-of-the-year list began, our list includes a pick-up truck. For the 2014 list, we selected a single top vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Read more

Honda CR-V has new motto: In for the long haul

If the popularity of vehicles made by Toyota and Honda need any additional proof, look no further than the latest longevity study by bankrate.com. Six vehicles manufactured by Toyota and four made by Honda comprised the top-10 of car owners keep at least 10 years. The site’s study looked at vehicles new in 2015 and sold between January 1 2015 to July 15, 2015. Honda CR-V versatility equals its longevity The Honda CR-V, a perennial top-10 selling vehicle, earned the top mark. While just edging the Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V models purchased in 2005 are still owned by 28.6 percent of their original owners. The Toyota Prius, which has dominated the hybrid market since its debut, was second in the

Read more

IIHS safety rankings for 2016: American cars shunned

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released its annual list of automotive safety awards. Japanese carmakers dominated the top picks while only one American vehicle received the top rating in the 2016 ratings. Among 48 vehicles that received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating, 23 were from Toyota, Honda and Subaru. Toyota and Honda, including their subsidiaries Scion, Lexus and Acura, were the top two automakers, overall. Volkswagen came in third with seven VW and Audi models on the list. The Chrysler 200 was the only vehicle from a domestic brand to get the top safety rating. To be a “Top Safety Pick Plus,” vehicles must get the top score in all five of the group’s crash

Read more

2016 Ford Escape: Versatile SUV remains pack leader

Now in its fourth year since a redesign, the 2016 Ford Escape continues the traditions of carmaker’s heavy presence in the sport utility segment. The Escape is the smallest of the manufacturer’s five SUVs, it’s now 17 years old and it’s well positioned in its highly competitive segment. The 2016 Ford Escape offers little new from its predecessors with the exception of an easier-to use, touchscreen interface and some additional chrome trim. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The compact crossover SUV market is among the most competitive in the auto industry. Stalwarts include: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Forester. All have loyal buyers and are worthy choices. The Escape, particularly since its

Read more

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: Underdog SUV improved

Thirteen years since its North American debut as the replacement for the Montero Sport, the Mitsubishi Outlander is vastly updated from its predecessor. Most notably, there’s improved fuel mileage, more attractive exterior and interior designs and a standard third-row seat that translates into seating for seven. Still, Mitsubishi has long been an automotive underdog. And with the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, the Japanese carmaker is making a further attempt to gain a slice of the ever-popular SUV market. The heavily revised Outlander now includes what Mitsubishi calls “Dynamic Shield.” The standard improvements include: a steering wheel headliner, rear folding seats, door controls, increased sound insulation, reinforced door glass, dynamic suspension and thicker weatherstripping. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s been two

Read more

Ford paces pick-up dominance in 2014 vehicle sales

Paced again by Ford F-Series trucks, sales of cars and trucks increased by about six percent in 2014 from the previous year with about 16.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The total vehicles sold marked the automotive industry’s best sales total in nearly a decade with the Ford F-Series accounting for 753,851 sales. The Ford F-150 sells about two-thirds of the popular trunk’s family of vehicles. Overall, sales of the Ford F-Series of vehicles fell 1.3 percent from 2013, but the ever-popular truck, which has led sales for nearly 40 years, was still the dominating top selection. Pick-up truck overall had a superior sales year in 2014. Beyond the Ford F-Series, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram pickup and GM’s

Read more

2016 Mazda CX-5: Versatile, sporty, fuel efficient

The Mazda CX-5 replaced the Mazda Tribute and Mazda CX-7 in 2012 as a 2013 model, and it has succeeded quickly in the popular compact SUV segment. For 2016, the Mazda CX-5 has been refreshed with minor interior and exterior upgrades, including improved materials quality, additional insulation and an improved technology interface. There’s also improved and additional equipment in option packages. Some former options, including Bluetooth and audio connectivity, are now standard to keep up with improved compact SUV offerings from other manufacturers. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its new features and options and its availability in three trims with either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, it’s likely the Mazda CX-5 will continue is impressive upward sales trend. The

Read more

2015 Honda CR-V: Best crossover SUV gets better

In its 21st year, the Honda CR-V is mature, a standard bearer in the sport utility market. The 2015 edition further defines the top-selling people mover. The 2015 edition isn’t a new generation, but there’s plenty new. For starters, the 2.4-liter, 185-horsepower engine is now the same as the Accord’s direct-injection, four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission. The exterior styling has been refreshed. And, so, too has the interior. New are a front console armrest, rear climate vents, a 7-inch touchscreen linked to the LaneWatch blind spot monitoring system on the higher-level trim. The Touring trim also has upgraded safety technologies. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2015 Honda CR-V is a five-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle. It’s available in

Read more

Say goodbye to three Honda models in 2015

Honda makes great cars. The Honda Civic, Accord and CR-V are annually among the top-10 best selling vehicles in the United States. But even Honda admits failure sometimes. Which is why at the end of the 2015 model year, three Honda models will be discontinued. Gone will be the Civic Hybrid, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and the natural-gas powered Civic GX. Honda has plans for a new plug-in hybrid and battery electric models. But in the meantime, here’s a look at the three departing Honda models: It’s a Natural Honda Gas The innovative Civic GX was arguably the least appreciated car in the United States. About four years ago, Honda made a concerted effort to market its natural gas vehicle.

Read more
Previous Next