My Perfect Automobile » Honda

Best Mileage? Unexpected Champs

Larry Bell — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:54:32 +0000

Honda Fit

A recent review by Consumer Reports reveals that when it comes to fuel efficiency in cars, smaller does not always equal better. The study looked at non-hybrid, non-diesel cars. In many cases, sedans deliver better mpg and lower operating cost, over a five-year period, than small cars. In fact, both Nissan’s Altima and the Honda Accord get about the same mpg as the diminutive Toyota Yaris. All come in at, or slightly better than, 30 mpg. Honda’s base model Fit offers 30/39 mpg but the best “5-year cost per mile” of any car CR analyzed. The little Japanese model notched a 45-cents-per-mile cost for the period.

Best Mileage: Video

For more details about one of the key competitors on the Consumer Reports list, see the no-frills review of the 2013 Honda Fit, above. The car gets high owner satisfaction ratings for its large backseat, great visibility, easy-to-use controls, and enormous cargo space. While the base model is truly a bare-bones subcompact, most consumers who buy the car are looking for economy and utility, which Fit delivers in a big way. The base model offers a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine and rates 28/35 mpg.

Loaded with extras, especially compared to other base level subs, Honda’s little star has iPod input, side-curtain airbags, traction control and stability control. Except for the introduction of the EV version, there were no changes to Fit for 2013. Owners give the small car high marks for reliability and economy, which is exactly how Honda has positioned it in the market.

Best Mileage

Several non-intuitive reasons come into play when calculating mileage numbers. For one, larger cars have better aerodynamics than compacts and tend to feature more fuel-saving technology like hybrid-drive systems. Throw in the fact that bigger cars tend to be safer and you have one more reason for drivers to favor sedans over smaller models.

For more about the cars mentioned in this article, see the carmakers’ official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Honda Accord is Canada’s Car of the Year

Larry Bell — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:13:40 +0000

Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

A group of Canada’s top automotive journalists named Honda Accord the 2013 Car of the Year. A team of 80 industry writers looked at 180 vehicles and chose winners in each category. To net the top prize, Car of the Year, a vehicle had to have already won its specific category. Ford’s Fusion Hybrid won for Best New Family Car (over $30,000), while the Mazda3 SkyACTIV sedan took home honors for Best New Small Car (under $21,000). GM of Canada won the Best Technology award for its center-front airbag.

Honda Accord: Video

“It’s a plug-in hybrid without compromise, because that’s how it should be when you choose efficiency,” intones the narrator toward the conclusion of the short ad for the new Honda Accord Hybrid Plug-In. In less than two minutes, the succinct infomercial runs through dozens of features, options, and scientific wonders on the car, without missing a beat, and without having to exaggerate. Sleek, good-looking, and highly efficient, the plug-in boasts all the features of the standard model.

Honda Accord

The current generation of the Honda Accord has been called one of the best feats of automotive engineering in decades. The big win at the Canadian show marks another accolade for Honda’s popular line. The plug-in version for 2014 will no doubt draw on much of that goodwill. The sticker for the hybrid plug-in is slightly over $40,000 and is currently available in just two places in the U.S., namely California and New York. The car’s mpg-e is 115, a number that was revealed at the recent LA Auto Show. For those who want to drive in electric mode, the range is 13 miles. Accord Plug-In’s 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine offers rather impressive mileage all by itself, at 47 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.

For all things Honda, see the Japanese auto giant’s official corporate website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Honda Widens Fit EV Market

Larry Bell — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:19:30 +0000

Honda Fit EV

Honda Motor Co. announced that it would soon offer its Fit EV electric vehicle in New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Beginning last summer, the automaker placed the car in Oregon and California markets only. The Fit EV can travel 82 miles between charges, and is available for lease at $389 per month. The car is currently not offered for sale. A spokesperson for Honda pointed out that the East Coast rollout is part of a planned phase-in for the car, which at present is the company’s only all-electric vehicle.

Honda Fit EV: Video

The review video below shows the Honda Fit EV in action, on the road. The driver honestly lists the features that he finds most convenient, and then tells us how it feels to drive the attractive electric Honda. Note that the car is still not available for outright sale in the U.S. market, but is only available as a lease. Honda wants to examine the cars and their driving data after the first round of users are through. That way, the Japanese automaker can tweak various systems and components, assess customer feedback, and develop a better product. The Fit EV is neither a sports car nor a luxury vehicle, but it looks stylish, delivers a solid ride, and handles well. Once Honda begins selling rather than leasing, the Fit EV is likely to be a big help to Honda’s bottom line.

Honda, Ford Expand Markets

Honda’s announcement comes on the heels of a similar move by Ford Motor Co. to expand its EV availability. Last week Ford announced that it would be pumping up its EV dealerships to the tune of 900 locations nationwide. At the end of 2012, Ford only had 200 or so dealerships that were certified to sell the Ford Focus EV, C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid

For more about Honda and Ford vehicles, see the automakers’ official corporate websites below:
http://www.honda.com
hppt://www.ford.com

Larry Bell

Honda Civic Wagon Set for Geneva

Larry Bell — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:52:04 +0000

Honda Civic Wagon

Honda Motor Co. will debut a Crosstour look-alike, called Civic Wagon, at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. The Civic Wagon will be available in European showrooms by the end of the year, as Honda executives have indicated that the concept is quite close to production. The new car will not, however, be introduced into the U.S. market, according to the company.

Honda: Video

The Honda Civic Wagon concept is set for debut in Geneva next month. In fact, Honda’s previous concept cars have done well among automotive reviewers and the public. A case in point is the astoundingly futuristic EV-STER, which had it world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show two years ago. Honda referred to the car as a next-generation sport electric concept. It featured just two seats, rear-wheel-drive, and was a convertible. The company had a full plate at the Tokyo event that year, also bringing out a four-wheel commuter EV called the Micro Commuter Concept, as well as a sleek, urban two-wheel EV called Motor Compo. Based on Honda’s history with concept cars, the Japanese automaker clearly uses the process as a way to test out individual components for use on other, more mainstream vehicles. Honda has also developed concepts straight through to production, so it is anyone’s guess what the Civic Wagon will morph into after its Geneva debut.

Honda Civic Wagon

The Civic Wagon will likely appear as both a gasoline and diesel production model, though no specific announcements have been made about a hybrid drivetrain. Production specs and details are scant at this point, though Honda did release a rendering of the vehicle, which will likely appear in Europe under the name Aerodeck. The Geneva Auto Show is open to the public from Mar. 7 until Mar. 17.

For more about Honda, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:

http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Honda ‘Gear’ Concept Unveiled

Larry Bell — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:45:56 +0000

Honda Gear concept car

A concept car that Honda calls a “back to basics” model was unveiled at the Montreal Auto Show late last week. According to the Japanese automaker, the Gear is reminiscent of various Civic hatchbacks that first cropped up more than four decades ago. The company’s intention with the Gear is to explore the many paths that subcompact design might take. For its part, Honda is saying nothing definite about the Gear except that its styling could show up on virtually any small Honda model any time in the future.

Honda Gear Concept: Video

The highly customizable Honda Gear was released as a so-called “pure” concept vehicle, which is another way of saying that the automaker is not making very much data available to the public for the time being. The Gear was one of the surprise unveilings at the Montreal Auto Show this past week, featuring recessed taillights and a unique front fascia design. From the looks of the car, courtesy of the short video clip below, it could emerge as an electric, hybrid, or a standard combustion compact. We will have to wait and see where Honda decides to take the bare bones, pared-down styling of the Gear.

Honda Gear Concept

The Gear is in fact smaller than the Honda Fit, and while no interior shots are available, Honda officials say that the inside of the concept micro-car can be almost endlessly customized. It even has a color scheme that switches with drive mode. The sleek, smooth two-door is one of the smallest concept cars at any auto show in recent memory, and the fact that it is from a major automaker means it is not just a pie-in-the-sky exercise. It will be interesting to see where the Gear next shows up, and whether it will appear as-is, or in an altered form.

For more about Honda vehicles see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Toyota Prius c Voted ‘Greenest Car’

Larry Bell — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:45:36 +0000

Toyota Prius c

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named the Toyota Prius c ‘Greenest Car of the Year.’ The award rates cars based upon environmental and fuel-efficiency parameters. For the first time since the rankings have been compiled, conventional cars do not appear anywhere on the list, instead being replaced by a variety of all-electric, conventional hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Rounding out the top five, spot number two was filled by Honda Fit EV, while the original Toyota Prius snagged the number three slot. Toyota’s new Prius plug-in hybrid was number four, and the Honda Civic Hybrid was number five.

Toyota Prius c: Video

A production of Toyota Global, the video clip below provides an all-encompassing review of every vehicle on display at this year’s Toyota booth in Detroit. Of course, the entire Prius family of cars is the primary attraction, along with a handful of Toyota Racing vehicles, which are always crowd-pleasers. Many of the world’s largest automakers use events like NAIAS to show off their full lineup, though smaller companies just can’t afford the square-footage that Toyota, Ford, GM, Honda, Volkswagen, and others can. As you see in the clip, Toyota’s space includes concept cars, racing vehicles, production models, and everything in between.

Toyota Prius c

The lead vehicle analyst for ACEEE, Shruti Vaidyanathan, noted that carmakers are working to meet fuel economy standards and bolstering their green model lineups at the same time. He explained, “The vehicles at the top of this year’s rankings are proof that automakers are really ramping up their offerings. There are more hybrid and electric options on the market this year than ever before and the race for a spot on the greenest list is increasingly competitive. ” The ACEEE evaluators used a stricter, more accurate methodology this year in order to precisely measure each vehicle’s environmental impact.

For more about Toyota vehicles, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.toyota.com/PriusC

Larry Bell

Cadillac, Corvette, NSX Hybrid Generate Detroit Buzz

Larry Bell — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 22:58:57 +0000

Acura NSX hybrid concept

The North American International Auto Show will open its doors to the media just hours from now, and much of the automotive press is already focused on three vehicles; the Cadillac ELR, the new Corvette, and the Acura NSX hybrid. The world’s first green Caddy, and the first luxury hybrid from the makers of Chevy Volt, will be unleashed on a hungry media. About a year from now, the car is expected to go on sale. Though official prices are not confirmed, look for a sticker somewhere just north of $60,000 for the ELR, which isn’t bad considering the fact that buyers are getting a Cadillac, a hybrid, and a luxury car all at once.

Cadillac at Detroit Show: Video

If you can’t wait for the Detroit Auto Show to see the finalized version of Cadillac’s ELR hybrid-electric luxury car, then the following video clip will quench your curiosity. Thanks to some intrepid photographers, there is plenty of spy video of the ELR doing test runs in its camo paintjob and under deep cover. Some car enthusiasts are able to deduce huge amounts of information from such glimpses, but you will just have to see for yourself. There are some close up shots of the car as it drives a total of about a mile or so on some rather deserted roads. No doubt, the car’s Detroit debut will not resemble this undercover styling. Look for coverage right here on MyPerfectAutomobile when the real deal is unveiled in a few days at NAIAS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBfS4DIUI5k

Cadillac, Corvette, NSX

Honda will be showing off its 2016 Acura NSX. The two-wheel, all-wheel-drive sports car has three electric motors as well as a V6 combustion engine, all of which creates 500 horsepower.

The last entry of the “amazing three,” the newest version of Corvette, is expected to sell for just over $50,000. The famous car will meet throngs of global media representatives when it is unveiled at the show. The fresh-faced Vette will be in showrooms by the second half of this year.

For all the latest on the Detroit Auto Show, see the official NAIAS website for the event:
http://www.naias.com

Larry Bell

Best 2013 New Car Named by Consumer Reports

Larry Bell — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:27:13 +0000

Best 2013 Car Value: Toyota Prius Four

Consumer Reports has picked the Toyota Prius as the overall best value of model year 2013 vehicles. The Prius Four, the model chosen by the CR evaluation team, retails for $26,750. Ironically, Toyota edged out a tough competitor in the crowded “small hatchback” category. For the last four years, Honda’s low-priced, high-value Fit has topped the rankings, but not this year. Because reliability is one of the main ingredients of the rankings, the Honda Fit, almost ten-thousand dollars cheaper at $16,915, was pushed from its perch by the long-term reliability of the Prius. The Consumer Reports evaluation process includes estimated operational cost, reliability ratings, and road tests.

Best 2013 New Car: Video

For a thorough walk-around of the 2012 Prius, scroll to the video clip below. The reviewer spends ample time inside the vehicle demonstrating most of the features, does some close-up shots, and then wends his way around the outside of the Prius. For overall value, fuel efficiency, and attractiveness, the Prius does not disappoint. In fact, Toyota and Honda dominated the Consumer Reports rankings for best value in every category.

Best 2013 New Car

The Consumer Reports quality rankings are based on a five-year ownership cost, so reliability plays an integral role in the scoring. The five most-followed categories are Small Hatchback, Family Sedan, Large/Luxury SUV, Minivan/Wagon, and Small SUV. Toyota came out on top in four of the five slots, considering the company’s luxury brand, Lexus, was best in the Large/Luxury SUV category. The only ‘best’ that went to another carmaker was the Small SUV grouping, which was topped by the Honda CR-V EX.

For more about the Toyota Prius lineup, and other Toyota vehicles, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.toyota.com

For additional information about Honda cars and trucks, see the official website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Affordable Green Cars: Best of 2012

Larry Bell — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:20:41 +0000

Affordable and Green: Honda Insight EX

National Geographic has announced its list of most affordable green cars for the model year 2012. The five vehicles that made the cut included two Hondas, one VW, one Ford, and one Toyota. Ford’s Fusion Hybrid, the newest member of the lineup, has already been setting sales records for the U.S. automaker. The Toyota Prius v was singled out for its reliability, impressive 44/40 mpg, and low starting price of $26,400. Volkswagen’s Passat TDI was the sole clean diesel member of the rankings. It features 30/40 mpg and a starting price of $25,995.

Affordable Green Cars: Video

The video above takes us on a silent, but thorough, tour of the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, on display at last year’s New York Auto Show. The only CNG car on the list of affordable green cars, the Civic has won a rafter of awards, including the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image trophy and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2012 Top Safety Pick listing. In addition, the Green Car Journal named the Civic Natural Gas the 2012 Green Car of the Year. As you may notice in the clip, except for some slight design configurations to accommodate the tanks, the car look pretty much like the standard Civic. Fueled exclusively by compressed natural gas, the car produces virtually no emissions, and has earned HOV lane rights in several states.

Affordable Green Cars

Honda’s pair that made the top-five: Insight EX and Civic Natural Gas (see video). The Insight EX was the lowest-priced vehicle on the list, at $23,540, boasting a 41/44 mpg. The car scored points for its new navigation system, quiet cabin, and all-around good looks. The company’s Civic Natural Gas, with its 27/38 mpg-equivalent has a starting price of $26,155 and has collected more awards than any other vehicle on the list.

For official websites of the automakers mentioned above, see:
http://www.honda.com
http://www.vw.com
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.ford.com

Larry Bell

Honda Accord Plug-In First to Meet New Calif. Air Law

Larry Bell — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:57:34 +0000

Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

This week the 2014 Honda Accord plug-in hybrid became the first vehicle to receive the California Air Resources Board’s newest, and strictest, certification. Boasting a three-hour recharge time from a standard household outlet and a 115 mpg-equivalent rating, Honda’s newest plug-in model maintains the company’s record of achieving emissions standards before most other automakers do.

Honda’s Other Green Cars: Video

Honda is all over the map with green vehicles these days, and the following short review of its Fit EV gives a feel for what it is like to drive the car. CNN Money takes a look at the specs of the car, even offering a screenshot of the 123-horsepower electric motor. The summary focuses on how fun the car is to drive. In Econ mode, for example, we learn that the regenerative braking helps boost the range to around 90 miles, provided you drive with conservation in mind. In normal mode, the range goes down a bit, but you get more power in the tradeoff. The clip features some detailed views of the Fit’s dash, control panel, and seating. For a small electric car, there is plenty to like about the Honda Fit EV.

Honda Accord Plug-In

A spokesperson for the board noted that Honda consistently demonstrates proficient engineering expertise and commitment to green transportation. While facing vigorous competition from homeland rival Toyota, Honda has repeatedly produced environmental cars since 1996, including Civic, Accord, and the Civic GX, which runs on compressed natural gas. While the Toyota Prius remains the best-selling hybrid car, Honda’s latest array includes hybrids, EVs, and CNG-powered vehicles. California’s most recent emissions standard, known as SULEV20, calls for much lower levels of smog-related particulates from cars and trucks.

For more about Honda Motor Co., see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Honda Accord Plug-In Details Announced

Larry Bell — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:55:44 +0000

Honda Accord plug-in hybrid

Honda Motor Co. will release a plug-in hybrid version of its popular Accord by mid-January of next year. With a fuel efficiency rating of 115 mpg-e, the car aims to compete with Ford, Chevy, and Prius in the ever more populous hybrid vehicle marketplace. Honda’s plug-in Accord will qualify for California’s carpool lanes, and will feature an all-electric driving range of approximately 13 miles. Honda has equipped the car with a visible hybrid logo on the door of the charging port as well as on the vehicle’s rear bumper.

Honda Accord Plug-In: Video

Functional, clever, and attractive. Those are three words that describe the new Honda Accord plug-in hybrid, and you will likely agree after viewing the short informational clip below. The sleek dash controls provide all the data a hybrid driver needs, along with conveniently placed steering wheel controls. The luxurious seating and upholstery are par for the course in the Accord, and the new plug-in is no exception. Featuring three exterior color choices, the 2014 plug-in sports a lightweight aluminum hood, 17-inch forged alloy wheels, and various aerodynamic design tweaks. In addition, Honda’s freshest face will offer a rearview camera, a special, expanded-width driver’s mirror, blind-spot display, running lights and mirror-mounted LED turn indicators.

Honda Accord Plug-In

Accord Plug-In has a sticker price starting at $40,570. Later in 2013, Honda will release a non-plug-in hybrid Accord that is expected to achieve mpg in the neighborhood of 47 combined. The styling of both cars will be almost exactly the same, as the Japanese carmaker continues to build up the identity of its flagship model. Though nowhere near its rival, Toyota Prius, in total sales, Honda has strategically planned to add hybrid technology onto one of its all-time best-selling cars, the Accord.

For more information about Honda vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Honda Micro Commuter Prototype Arrives

Larry Bell — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 20:24:04 +0000

Honda Micro Commuter EV concept car

Honda announced this week that its newest EV concept, the Micro Commuter Prototype, would be marketed to small families as well as older drivers. With a maximum speed of 50 mph and a range of 37 miles, the tiny transporter uses a lithium-ion battery pack and features a charge time of under three hours. The MCP, according to Honda, has the equivalent of approximately 20 horsepower.

Honda Micro Commuter: Video

The creativity of Honda designers is on full display in this early video of the Micro Commuter concept, when it first started making its way around the auto show circuit late last year. In the clip, you might notice that the older version of the Micro was quite a bit different from the one in the most recent Honda press releases. This is par for the course in the concept car arena, even though much of the thinking behind the car apparently remains the same. With English subtitles, the video is narrated by a Honda spokesperson (in Japanese) who explains the company’s intentions throughout the creation of the Micro. Honda’s family of interchangeable batteries plays a significant part in the entire lineup of the automaker’s concept vehicles, from trucks, to passenger cars, to mopeds. And in typical Honda fashion, the battery packs can be used as power backup for household devices, in most cases.

Honda Micro Commuter EV

The car also features a tablet device, which is powered by solar energy cells that are attached to the roof. The navigation systems and audio functions are accessible by the tablet controls. One of the automaker’s primary goals with the concept was to explore onboard solar power for future models. The car will do initial testing in Japan next year.

For more about Honda cars and trucks, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell