Preview New 2010 Honda Crosstour

As if by the world’s spirits, Honda unveiled its all-new 2010 Accord Crosstour the same week I drove the Toyota Venza. The two cars are vastly different in their styling, but obviously target the same empty nesters who want extra utility in their comfy sedans. Based on the benchmark Accord, Crosstour promises all of its sister’s excellence with even more functionality.

“Our concept is to broaden the appeal of the Accord line-up by leveraging traditional Accord strengths of fun-to-drive performance and handling while also adapting to dramatic shifts in the light truck marketplace,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Accord Crosstour accomplishes that by offering a modern interpretation of a [Crossover Utility Vehicle] while integrating the refinement and efficiency of a premium sedan.”

Styling is a more advanced take on the current Accord, Insight, and FCEV that is being leased in California. The front features Honda’s new three-plane grille and strong facia. A character line runs from the front wheels and inverts to form strong rear fenders. The arching roofline gives the car a fastback look while concealing a large amount of cargo space. Interior photos have not been released, but I would not expect the Crosstour to venture far from the Honda norm.

Berkman continued, “We know SUV buyers like the commanding view of the road that comes with a high eye-point and like the comforts of living with an SUV. This vehicle meets the needs of buyers looking for those attributes yet at the same time want an image that is different from a conventional SUV.”

As a premium version of the Accord, Crosstour will occupy a space at the top of the model’s hierarchy in terms of luxury, space, and price. It should be exactly what a generation of upwardly mobile trendsetters requires. Final prices will be released when the car goes on sale later this fall, but expect the Crosstour to start around $26,000 and top out near $40,000 fully-optioned.

Review: Honda Accord – Honda Making a Good Vehicle Even Better

By Kelly Foss, www.car-data.com

How do you improve on one of the most popular and highly regarded midsize cars on the market?You work from the existing successful foundation and upgrade almost everything about the vehicle.That’s precisely what Honda has done with the new Accord.

For 2008, the new Accord is again offered in 2 body styles, the 4 door sedan and the 2 doorcoupe. This time around however the vehicles have increased somewhat in size putting them at theupper edge of the “midsize” segment. The sedan has a 2.3 inch increase in wheelbase, 1.1 inchincrease in track width, 3 inch increase in length, 1.1 inch increase in width and its .9 inchestaller. The ever handsome and correct interior is also noticeably larger and spacious nowmeasuring 120 cubic feet. The styling of the new Accord gives it more presence on the road and alarger look and feel.

The model offering has been revised. The LX continues as the introductory trim level with a newLX-P offering some Plus features. The EX is also present but for 2008 Honda introduces an EX-Lmodel which includes more Luxury appointments.

Engine upgrades match the trim levels as the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder base engine has 177 horsepowerin the LX but 190 horsepower in the EX models. The optional 3.5 V6 has 268 horsepower this year.Though a manual transmission is offered, almost all models are sold with the 5 speed automatic.The engines have improved in efficiency and the V6 now offers a VCM cylinder deactivationtechnology. It delivers satisfying power and an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 city in 29 highway.This is impressive considering these are based on the new much more stringent 2008 fuel economyestimates. PZEV ultra low emissions models are also available.

Honda Accords have been equipped with double wishbone front suspensions in the past giving thevehicle it’s very fine handling characteristics.

Happily, Honda has opted to retain this pricey technology much to the joy of the new Accordbuyers. other upgrades the 2008 model include 4 wheel disc brakes, standard ABS brakes and VSAvehicle stability control on all models plus larger tires and wheels.

Other upgrades include and enhanced audio system which now includes an MP3 and aux. input jackand steering wheel audio controls. For those navigation system customers, the new model has beenupgraded with voice command and an 8 inch screen.

The styling is a matter of person taste. Comments range from “handsome” to “dignified” to”substantial”. The Accord has strong lines and a mostly angular shape. Honda is known more forbuilding practical reliable vehicles and the new Accord follows that path. The 2008 model has astarting price just above $20,000 which is a $600 increase but includes $1,400 in additionalstandard equipment.

The new Accord gives people wanting to buy a vehicle like this all the reasons in the world tojustify their urge to purchase. In the end, they’ve taken what is arguably the best midsize sedanavailable, made it even better and still offer it at a very affordable price.

2010 Honda Insight – Preview

By Casey Williams, www.car-data.com

Honda introduced the Insight two-seat compact in December 1999 as America’s firsthybrid-electric vehicle. It is hard to believe that it was almost nine years ago when one wasdelivered to my office before a lunch meeting downtown Dallas. The car looked like a GM EV1 meltedwith a spaceship. When I pulled up at the valet stand, the gentleman dropped his jaw and nearlydislodged his gum. It was a vision of the future. So is the second Insight, due to be unveiled inParis during October.

“The original Honda Insight pioneered hybrid technology in the U.S. and remains a symbol ofHonda’s commitment to innovative technology and fuel efficiency,” said Takeo Fukui, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach ofcustomers who want great fuel economy and great value.”

What the first Insight, nor the two generations of excellent Honda Civic Hybrids after it, wasable to do was offer the convenience of a four-door sedan and the futuristic styling that conveystechnology the same way Toyota’s Prius has. Like the Prius, the new Insight will grow to mid-sizeand open up with five doors. It will have class-leading fuel economy and performance. Sales areexpected to top 200,000 globally, with half coming from the U.S. market.

Honda will not stop its technology march with the Insight. Soon after it launches, the Japaneseautomaker will introduce a sporty hybrid, based on the CR-Z Concept from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.It has also become the first automaker to offer a fuel cell-powered vehicle – the Clarity – thatwas designed from the start to run on hydrogen. It is being test marketed in California, mostly tohigh-profile Hollywood types, but its future is bright. Altogether, Honda expects to sellapproximately 500,000 hybrids per year, or about 10 percent of its annual output.

History has shown the original Honda Insight allowed Toyota to take the lead in hybrid sales,but it was the first vehicle to break the 70-MPG barrier and set the standard for technology whenAmericans were firmly enthralled with their gas-thirsty full-size SUVs. Selling it as a two-seaterwas probably not the best choice. Honda will not make that mistake again.

2009 Honda Fit – The Fit Get Even Fitter

By Kelly Foss www.car-data.com

With the dramatic rise in fuel prices, the sub compact class of vehicles has become extremelypopular. To keep the heat on the competition, Honda is now introducing a totally new and improved2009 Fit.

The 2008 model was very good and was selling like gang busters, but the 2009 is even better.The 08 was long on function, but short on style. The new

09 model is totally restyled and now possesses some WOW styling. Fit continues with 2 trimlevels, the Base model and the Sport, which offers a higher level of equipment and options.

This vehicle is designed to yield lots of useful interior space from a pretty small car. TheSuper Forward Aero Form body design moves the windshield forward for better visibility and morespace. The 2nd row Magic Seat folds flat producing an uninterrupted cargo area with a one buttonmotion. The seat bottoms also fold up parallel with the seat backs giving a large and tall storagespace going from side to side in the vehicle. The rear doors open almost 90 degrees foroutstanding access. The rear cargo lift-over height has also been lowered allowing easier cargoloading.

The Fit’s interior is not only comfortable and efficient, but it’s also interesting and engaging. No boring flat gray door panels here. The seats have been redesigned to improve comfort.Standard equipment is generous for this price and class of car, and includes air condition, powerwindows, mirrors and door locks. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel as well as a driver’s footrest are also standard. The 160 watt CD audio system with auxiliary inputs is standard. Anavigation system with voice command, upgraded audio and USB inputs is available on the Sport model.

The body structure has been strengthened by adding more high strength steel and is now morerigid. This pays dividends in both crash safety and precise handling. The Fit has front, side andside curtain airbags standard plus ABS anti lock brakes and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.You can also get stability control on the Fit Sport model.

The Fit is powered by an improved 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine. It produces

117 horsepower and is offered with either a 5 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic transmission.The automatic has more leisurely gearing so not only is it easier to live with in the city but italso gets better fuel economy because the engine runs at lower rpm’s. If you can afford the extra$800, get the automatic. It has an EPA highway economy rating of as much as

35 miles per gallon.

I’ve driven all the sub compacts in this past year and what is different about the Fit is itslevel of refinement. It is an inexpensive, high quality, reliable premium subcompact with superbresale value. What’s more, it’s fun to drive.

Tougher Looking 2009 Honda Pilot

by Chris Jackson – www.car-data.com

The SUV market is splitting rapidly, with crossover vehicles taking the place of minivans assuburban people-haulers, and body-on-frame vehicles playing up the advantages of being real trucksinstead of tall station wagons. In this increasingly specialized market, there’s not much room fora vehicle that attempts to please everyone while excelling at nothing.

Even so, it may come as something of a surprise which side the Honda Pilot has chosen. For itsall-new, second-generation incarnation coming in 2009, the Pilot is unabashedly a truck. A new,larger body has been squared off, and its suburb-friendly features are balanced by a standardtrailer hitch and an increased towing capacity to please buyers who need a vehicle sturdy enough totackle jobs heavier than grocery shopping. With much of the competition drifting toward “crossover”vehicles that are more carlike, Honda wants to play up the Pilot’s real truck skills as well as itsfamily-friendly elements.

The new vehicle is immediately recognizable as a Honda, but the Pilot sports a new, bricklikebody and a floating six-sided grille flanked by larger headlamps. The faux skidplate under thefront bumper remains. It looks significantly tougher than before, with a thick C-pillar thatcreates a distinction between the passenger and cargo sections of the vehicle. The tall, uprightdesign bears some resemblance to an old Isuzu Trooper, actually. The Pilot is bigger, too; the bodyis about an inch wider and 2.9 inches longer.

That added size is most apparent in the interior. The 2009 Pilot features more comfortableseating for up to eight passengers thanks to that improved interior room. It’s also a fulleight-passenger vehicle, with room for three adults across in each of the second and third rows. Awealth of LATCH connectors allows up to four child seats to be installed, in a variety ofconfigurations, making the Pilot a great toddler-playdate bus. Honda has also moved the gearshiftlever to the instrument panel, freeing up console space.

Varying tones and textures give the Pilot’s command center the appearance of having beenassembled from many disparate elements, but also make the controls easier to navigate; the soundsystem controls are a collection of frosted-teal buttons, while the climate control and informationcenter buttons look different. The center console features a retractable rollaway lid, largecupholders and an auxiliary sound system input. Naturally, satellite radio, a DVD entertainmentsystem and a navigation system are available. A USB jack and backup camera that displays in therearview mirror are also on the options list, and the new Touring model makes it easy to have allof the options. The Pilot Touring is a new top-of-the-line model. Like the Odyssey Touring minivan,the Pilot Touring batches all of the luxury options into a single package. Honda hopes to capturebuyers who want a “tougher” vehicle than the Acura MDX.

Behind the passengers, a clever rear cargo net stretches out above the load floor, allowing fortwo-tiered grocery bag carrying and extending the available space without folding the rear seat.Five grocery bag hooks are also spread through the cargo area; the Pilot’s a grocery-friendlysport-ute. A new split tailgate eases loading, and a power tailgate is available. The rear seatsfold easier thanks to repositioned latches and revised hardware, and both rows of seats fold flatinto the floor to open up an 87 cubic-foot cargo area.

The 3.5 liter V6 under the hood is exclusive to Honda’s SUVs, distinct from the 3.5 found in theAccord. A two-stage variable intake manifold with larger valves and a cold air intake are used toimprove engine breathing. This 250-horse engine is equipped with Honda’s Variable CylinderManagement (VCM) for improved fuel economy. Most buyers are familiar with the concept by now: onthe freeway, up to three of the cylinders can be shut off, conserving fuel, and the Pilot canactivate them when they’re needed for passing or climbing grades. The middle, four-cylinder modeincreases VCM’s flexibility, enabling it to extend the fuel savings to in-town driving as well.What’s notable about the new VCM system on the Pilot is that it’s smoother and quieter than before,with seamless transitions. The only evidence that it’s working from the driver’s seat is the ECOlight on the dash. Active engine mounts and active noise cancellation are used to help eliminatethe additional vibration caused by cutting off cylinders. The 16/22 fuel economy rating is an eightpercent improvement over 2008, and doesn’t affect the Pilot’s ability to tow up to 4500 pounds. ThePilot’s five-speed automatic transmission is equipped to handle the additional load of towing witha standard oil cooler. A trailer hitch is also standard equipment.

It’s equipped like a truck, but it doesn’t drive like you’d expect a truck to. The squared-offdesign is actually misleading; the new Pilot is more aerodynamic than before. Lightening trickslike an aluminum hood and magnesium engine components help to offset the size increase, and weighthas not gone up by much. Honda has also massively increased its use of high-strength steel in thePilot’s body, creating a much stronger safety cage around the passenger compartment. I didn’t testthis, of course, but a redesigned impact zone in the front distributes crash energy moreefficiently as well as being compatible with smaller cars. The Pilot earns five-star safety ratingsin all categories.

On the freeway, the Pilot is reasonably quiet, and better-behaved than its somewhat wobblypredecessor. This truck drives big, but manages to avoid being ponderous. I noticed a lot of tirenoise, especially over cracks in the road. The available all-wheel drive is a fully automaticsystem, and off-road ability is improved with a new Hill Start Assist. Pilot pricing begins around$27,600.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2009 Honda Pilot
Length: 190.9 in.
Width: 78.5 in.
Height: 72.7 in.
Wheelbase: 109.2 in.
Curb weight: 4504 lb.
Cargo space: 20.8 cu.ft. (all seats up); 87.0 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Towing capacity: 4500 lb.
Engine: 3.5 liter SOHC V6
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 250 @ 5700
Torque: 253 @ 4800
Fuel capacity: 21.0 gal.

Est. mileage: 16/22

Meet the Fast and Frugal Accord Hybrid

by Kelly Foss – www.car-data.com

The current Accord is a very successful and desirable model. It is smooth and quiet and performsas a class leader. The interior is roomy, the level of refinement is high and the car is a joy todrive. With the current high competition automotive environment, where new models and significanttechnology are being introduced constantly, you can’t leave models unimproved for very long. Thecurrent onslaught of hybrids even put more pressure on manufacturers. Fortunately for Honda, theyare one of the pioneers in hybrid vehicles.

Now Honda ups the ante and offers a hybrid version of the successful Accord. Observation showsthat there are some different philosophies with respect to how and where to apply hybrid technology. Toyota, the other hybrid heavyweight, looks down on anything other than their ‘full hybrid’technology meaning that the vehicle can run either on gas or electric. Honda’s approach is called a’partial hybrid,’ meaning that the gas engine is always running and the electric motors augment thenormally smaller gas engine when more power is needed.

With the new Accord hybrid, Honda has added their hybrid technology to the most powerful Accordmodel, the V6! That means when you start with their excellent 3.0 V6 which already hasclass-leading power and then add the huge torque of the electric motors, the hybrid is the fastestAccord model by a significant margin! Bottom line, with the Accord hybrid you have lower emissions,the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder Accord and the power of a supercharged V6.

Officially, EPA rates this hybrid at 29 city and 37 highway miles per gallon.

The Accord hybrid drives like the other Accords, only faster. The interiors are familiar; theexterior styling is the same except for a small hybrid name plate and some unique aluminum wheels.For hybrid lovers, this may be too much fun for them. Aren’t hybrids supposed to be slower andquirkier? Not always. If you don’t mind paying $30,000 for a car, the Accord hybrid may be just thething.

Personal Observations – I liked…

- The Accord is a great car to spend time in’the hybrid enhances that experience

- Better power, better fuel economy, better/less emissions

However…

- You can get a 4-cylinder EX for about $22K’is the difference in power and economy worth$8K?

- Hopefully, the more complex hybrid technology won’t degrade Honda’s excellent reliability