Honda Fit

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2013 Ford C-Max: Prius challenger shines (video review)

A decade after its debut in Europe, Ford unveiled the C-Max in the United States in the fall of 2012 as the carmaker’s hybrid-only line. It’s available as a gas-electric hybrid and the Energi, a plug-in hybrid. It’s not available in a gas-only model. Ford’s goal is simple: It wants to infiltrate the long-standing dominance of the ever-expanding Prius family. And the carmaker is onto something with the Ford C-Max. It’s easy to like because like other hybrids, it has a quiet push-button start and a quiet overall demeanor. But it also performs with the acceleration, steering, braking and overall feel of a non-hybrid. I drove the highest-end Ford C-Max SEL edition for a week and primarily during several weekday

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Ford C-Max hybrid, 2013: Can it challenge Toyota Prius clan?

Ford touts the 2013 C-Max as a hybrid that drives and looks like a “real car.” The marketing approach is a direct shot at the Toyota Prius, which despite its immense popularity still has plenty of detractors. The Prius still has a futuristic-looking exterior and it drives like . . . a hybrid. A decade after its debut in Europe, Ford unveiled the C-Max in the United States in the fall of 2012 as the carmaker’s hybrid-only line. It’s available as a gas-electric hybrid and the Energi, a plug-in hybrid. It’s not available in a gas-only model. Ford’s goal is simple: It wants to infiltrate the long-standing dominance of the ever-expanding Prius family. Ford is onto something with the C-Max.

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Ford Edge SE overtakes minivan dominance, tops lowest annual insurance rates

Minivans, once the go-to car for family versatility and insurance friendliness, have been overtaken in 2013 by crossovers and SUVs, including models from Ford, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai, according to a report by Insure.com. In its recently announced findings, the insurance website noted the Ford Edge SE has the country’s lowest annual insurance rate. “The SUV is the new minivan,” said Russ Rader, spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which performs crash tests on vehicles. “These are vehicles used largely by families. They’re going to the mall, taking kids to school and driving to sports practices on the weekends. They’re not getting into a lot of crashes.” The only small among the least expensive top-20 cars to insure

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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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Toyota dominates new ALG top resale value rankings

Toyota and its automotive Lexus and Scion families combined for nine top spots among 22 vehicle categories in the annual list of highest projected resale values offered by ALG, Inc. The Southern California source for automotive residual values provides the list for buying or leasing consumers. The reason: Depreciation is the largest percentage of overall vehicle ownership costs. Among mainstream brands, Honda was top-ranked for resale value, followed by Hyundai and Scion. Among premium brands, Acura was top-ranked followed by Infiniti and Audi. Toyota, however, had the most vehicles chosen at the top of their category Category Rankings Sub Compact, Honda Fit; Compact, Hyundai Elantra; Midsize, Honda Accord; Fullsize, Hyundai Azera; Sports Car, Scion FR-S; Alt-Fuel Vehicle, Toyota Prius c;

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Consumer Reports tabs hatchbacks as most reliable car segment

In addition to its yearly offering of best values in different price classes and fuel efficiency, Consumer Reports’ recent lists of best and worst cars included the category of most reliable vehicle by segments. The list makes sense for car buyers not shopping by social status or brand loyalty but in more general terms — the reliability of vehicle segments. It’s not true in every instance, but in many cases the vehicles among the country’s most fuel efficient segment is the same segment that’s the most reliable — hatchbacks. And how ironic? Consumer Reports in general terms reports the more expensive the vehicle segment, the less reliable the segment. In the new Consumer Reports listing, fuel efficient hatchbacks were overwhelmingly

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Honda Fit EV, 2013: Spacious compact gets leaner with industry-best 118 mpg

Seven years after its North American debut and rapid rise to the top of the subcompact class, the Honda Fit has a new title — most fuel efficient vehicle in the United States. Reclassified in 2011 to the compact classification, the 2013 Fit EV will soon be marketed with its recently announced EPA rating of 118 MPGe. It’s the highest number ever awarded by the EPA. The 2012 gas-powered Fit has mpg averages of 27 in the city and 33 on the highway. Key Takeaways 118 MPGe sets the EPA efficiency record: The Fit EV earned the highest MPGe rating ever awarded by the EPA at its launch, surpassing the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (112 MPGe), Ford Focus Electric (105), and Nissan

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Kia Rio, 2013: Versatile subcompact offers great fuel economy, value

The sub-compact segment in the United States is competitive, with every carmaker offering an entry as gas prices rise. But how does a manufacturer break from the pack and impress target buyers? Several dimensions standout — performance, ride quality, fuel economy, driving dynamics, options, styling, price. With the 2013 Kia Rio, the carmaker is concentrating on style, fuel economy, price and value. Driving Impressions Squeezing 138 HP and 123 lb-ft torque out of a 1.6L four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, the Rio is competitive against the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Chevy Sonic. Sink your foot to the floor and the Rio does what's expected: a slow ramp-up of power. It won't win drag races, unless it’s against

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2012 Honda Fit video review

The 2012 Honda Fit sport model features a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine with 117 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. The sport model also includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler keenly integrated into the hatchback and an optional navigation system. The Fit’s interior is space efficiency defined. There's 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space, as much as some compact SUVs. With all seats down, cargo space expands to 57.3 cubic feet. Although numerous subcompacts and compacts are averaging more than 40 mpg, the Fit doesn't fare as well, with averaged of 27 mph in city driving and 33 mpg in highway driving. The MSRP is $19,690.00 Videographer Bruce Aldrich, publisher of www.tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com, produced the video below. James RaiaA sports,

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Honda Fit, 2012: More competition but still tops among sub-compacts

The Honda Fit debuted in the United States in 2006 as a 2007 model and quickly found its front-of-the-pack position among the country's top sub-compacts. Nearly 30,000 units sold in the Fit's first year and by the end of 2008, sales had increased to nearly 80,000. A new edition arrived a couple of years ago and featured an improved four-way backseat configuration and an increase to 10 cupholders. More importantly, vision-improving triangular front side windows, increases in length and width and a nifty van-like windshield position were also introduced. Not much has changed for the Fit for 2012, except the addition of steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and an upgraded Bluetooth system with streaming audio capabilities and additional sound insulation. The Weekly

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Mazda2, 2012: keen handling lightweight among top sub-compacts (video)

The sub-compact car segment is increasingly popular among buyers on tight budgets and interested in saving money on rising fuels cost. The 2012 Mazda2 joins the Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio as top offerings in the class. A year after Mazda introduced the third generation of the "2," the 2012 edition remains the same. It's a 100-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder entry level sedan with a a five-speed manual transmission standard or a four-speed automatic optional. Videographer Bruce Aldrich (www.tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) produced this video and The Weekly Driver (James Raia) provided commentary. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.

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Mazda2, 2012: lightweight, efficient, fun-to-drive sub-compact

Mazda introduced the third generation Mazda2 in 2011. It featured new front and rear fascias and some interior design tweaks. The 2012 edition remains the same. It's a 100-horsepower, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, lightweight sub-compact positioned in the increasingly prominent segment. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic optional. Mazda factory options include an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a center console with an armrest. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Without any significant changes for 2012, the Mazda2 continues to offer two trims, Sport and Touring. I drove the latter for a week and quickly began to appreciate the car's handling and the upgraded offerings — leather-wrapped steering wheel to upgraded cloth seats to the improved sound system (two additional

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Hyundai Accent, 2012: New generation improves sub-compact leader

With the sub-compact car segment increasingly popular, Hyundai redesigned the entry level Accent for 2012. It's the fourth generation of South Korean manufacturer's smallest family member since its debut in 1995. The new Hyundai Accent sheds the bland, underachieving reputation of many entry-level machines. It was a wise move by Hyundai, considering the category is chock-full of quality cars — the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2, Kia Rio and new Chevy Sonic The new Accent includes a more powerful and efficient engine, a new four-door hatchback body style and an upgraded interior. Available as a sedan or hatchback, the new is three inches longer, includes a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and is available with a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual

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Chevrolet Sonic, 2012: Supple ride in automaker's best-ever economy car

The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is the best subcompact car the manufacturer has produced. But, looking at Chevy history, that may not be saying a lot. Its tinny, troublesome 1970s Vega is still remembered by many as being one of the worst small cars from Detroit. However, it’s a different auto world now. The Sonic is derived from General Motor’s German Opel Corsa and provides larger-car refinement and driving kicks. The front-drive Sonic replaces the lackluster Aveo and is Chevrolet's newest small car, although it feels larger inside than it looks from the outside. The Sonic is among the new crop of small, upscale U.S. cars. American automakers have finally learned how to make money with small family cars. Formidable

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Hyundai, Toyota shine among TheWeeklyDriver.com's 2011 Top-10 Cars

TheWeeklyDriver.com had its most successful year in 2011. We posted plenty of car news and automotive trends articles, and we incorporated a good supply of independently produced videos to complement the approximately 100 vehicles we reviewed. As editor and publisher of the site, I reviewed 29 cars and trucks in 2011. I drove more than a dozen other vehicles at press launches for several automakers, and I want to thank the nearly dozen manufacturers I worked with in 2011 for their continued support. Thanks also to Michael Dobrin Public Relations, Page One Automotive and STI Fleet, for their continued logistics and manufacturer liaison assistance. In July, I traveled to the Tour de France for the 13th time. There's no better

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BMW keeps streak, Honda, Ford get 2 spots on Car and Driver's 2012 Best Cars list

The BMW 3-Series extended its streak to 21 consecutive years while Honda and Ford landed two models each on Car and Driver magazine's 30th annual 10 Best Cars List. A total of 68 cars were eligible, all according the publication. For consideration, cars must be new or significantly updated from 2011 available by January 2012 and cost less than $80,000. "As in years past, the cars on this year's list represent the best overall vehicles on the market today," said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. "Out of 68 contenders, these are the ones that consistently perform the best, are a good value and are engaging, fun-to-drive vehicles." Of the BMW 3-Series, Car and Driver commented: "After 21 consecutive years

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