Honda

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

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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.

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Lighter, faster, more fun

A guy in a shopping center parking lot looked over at me and said, “Nice car.” He then pointed to his identical 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata parked about 50 feet from my test vehicle. “You’re taller than I am,” I replied. “Is it hard for you to get in and out of the car?” “I’m 6-4 and it is, but it’s worth it,” the guy responded. And so it is for Mazda MX-5 enthusiasts. The best-selling roadster in history has a new generation for 2016 and it’s among the most talked about vehicles in the industry. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its new lighter and slightly less powerful approach, the 2016 Mazda MX-5, a two-seat roadster, is powered by

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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

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2016 Honda Odyssey: Best minivan gets better

It’s hard to believe the Honda Odyssey is well into adulthood. The 2016 Honda Odyssey marks the 23rd year of the top-selling minivan. The 2016 Honda Odyssey features a 3.5-liter, 24-valve engine with 248 horsepower. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It has 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.9 seconds and comfortable seating in three rows for seven adults. The interior and exterior designs are sleek, modern and ultimately non-minivan-like. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I last drove the Honda Odyssey two years ago when the 2014 model featured a makeover and made an already top-rated minivan more popular. The 2016 edition is unchanged from 2015, which remained much the same as the 2014 edition. 2016 Honda Odyssey Has A

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2016 Car of the Year? Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda?

The Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Civic and Mazda MX-5 Miata, three longstanding vehicles with loyal followings in vastly different new and used car markets, have been named finalists for 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Honda Pilot, Nissan Titan XD and Volvo XC90 were name finalists for Truck of the Year in the recent announcement the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. The 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The finalists were chosen from short lists of 10 cars and 12 pickups and SUVs created by a jury of 53 automotive journalists. Chevrolet Has Two Cars Considered For Car of the Year The BMW 7 series, Cadillac

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Honda, Mazda, Tesla among 2016 Best Cars of the Year

The perennial best-selling Honda Accord, the innovative Tesla Model S 70 and the iconic Ford Mustang are among the 10 Best Cars for 2016, according to Car and Driver. And there’s a surprise: Mazda is the only manufacturer with two cars on the list. The authoritative automotive magazine announced its annual list Nov. 18 on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The list features a diverse group of vehicles, all priced between $18,000 and $80,000, the maximum price in the publication’s guidelines. Eddie Alderman, the publication’s editor-in chief, said “10 Best involves more than drawing up lists of our sub-$80,000 favorites. Every year we enter our weeklong evaluation looking for new and improved combinations of virtues: value and

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Mercedes-Benz, Honda models among 10 cars gone in 2016

New year car models used to be available for the first time in September. But manufacturers now debut cars for different reasons at the different times of the year. While some 2016 models are still pending, some 2017 models have been available for months. But consumers beware. If you’re considering a 2016 model, it may no longer be available. Honda to Toyota, Mercedes Benz to Nissan, some models of prominent cars ended their tenures after their 2015 models. Here’s a list of 10 well-known cars available as 2015 models, but defunct as 2016 models: 1. Mercedes-Benz M-Class — The German manufacturer’s midsize SUV has been replaced by a sleeker-looker models, the GLE-Class. 2. Honda Crosstour — It was funny looking

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2016 Honda Fit: Hatchback shines as best car value in U.S.

Nearing its 10th year of availability in the United States, the Honda Fit is quickly accelerating its way toward the iconic stature of the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla. More than five million units have sold in eight countries since the vehicle debuted in Japan in 2001. After a year’s hiatus, the 2015 Honda Fit was redesigned and featured a more aggressive and stylized exterior appearance for the debut of is third generation. It also featured more standard features, increased cargo space and better gas mileage. For the 2016, why mess with new success? Honda didn’t, and the new Fits remains largely unchanged from its one-year older sibling. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2016 Honda Fit is a five-seat

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Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit among top-5 cars less than $20,000

For several years, the average price of a new car in the United States has hovered around $30,000. But it wasn’t too many years ago when the $30,000 plateau was the starting point of entry level luxury vehicles. But what if the average new car buyer can only afford to spend $20,000? Are there new 2015 vehicles with price tags of $20,000 worth purchasing? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose models are among the best-selling in history — all have quality new vehicles available with starting prices of less than $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, quality automobiles. Several quality cars have starting prices of less than $15,000. And some entry level cars have

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Honda Civic gets sporty

Honda has introduced, via YouTube, the 2016 Honda Civic sedan, the 10th generation of the enduring compact car. The sedan trim is among several new Civic models that will debut in the fall of 2105. The coupe, high-performance Si models, a 5-door hatchback and the first Civic Type-R model for the U.S. market will also be unveiled later this year as part of the new chapter in the Civic’s 43-year history. The 2016 Honda Civic will feature two all-new engines – including the first application of Honda turbo engine technology in the U.S. These powerful and fuel-efficient new engines combine with a sophisticated new body and chassis design to deliver incredibly responsive and sporty performance with a higher level of

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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

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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.

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2016 Honda Accord: Five cool new features for sedan icon

Manufactured since 1976 and soon debuting in its 10th generation, the 2016 Honda Accord remains among the most popular and reliable vehicles in the United States. The new edition will be available at dealers in August and it will showcase a new exterior and interior and a good share of new technology. The new features of the 2016 Honda Accord can be grouped into five distinct categories. Here’s the list: New, Modern Wheels A host of new designs will be available, including 19-inch options. The new choices will provide the vehicle with a more aggressive appearance. Bright Lights At Night With new angles taken from its higher-end relative, the Acura, the new Accord will have new new LED headlights and

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2016 Honda Accord

With an emphasis on technology and safety, the 2016 Honda Accord will debut in August. It will have new exterior and interior look and will be the first Honda to offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Further advancing, the vehicle’s modernization, the 2016 Honda Accord sedan and coupe will have HD Radio, heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors an several additional upgrades. The 2016 Accord’s facelift will mean sportier, more sophisticated styling, front and rear. The front restyling will be more sharply creased and with a intricately structured bumper fascia with outside edges that tuck into intake-like meshed areas that house new LED fog lights (Sport trim and above). A new aluminum hood features sharper character lines

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10 cars To Drive 200,000 miles? Meet Toyota, Honda

Since the average price of a new car in the United States hovers at around $30,000, it’s safe to assume more consumers are considering keeping their current cars longer. It’s probably a good idea, too, since Consumer Reports has released a list of 10 vehicles likely to drive at least 200,000 miles. The list has some obvious and some surprising choices and it’s lead by a sure bet — the Toyota Prius. It’s the top-selling hybrid, of course, and the Prius family of cars is expansive. The Prius C is the smallest Prius offered and the lineup extends through several editions of the Prius hatchback and continues to the largest in the family, the Prius V. The Consumer Reports’ list

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