honda

With its historical association to the CR-X, Honda's CR-Z elicited much enthusiasm from the tuner crowd, a group that doesn't generally favor hybrids. But the CR-Z is far from a typical hybrid, most of which are suburban commute cars with no attempt at sport looks or handling. But it also shows little advantage from its hybrid engine, never a strong point from Honda.

Ultimately, the CR-Z is a mixed bag. It handles very well, but the engine generates little power, and it takes a while to hit 60 mph. It employs a hybrid system and can turn off … Read more

We drive the Honda CR-Z, and await the new VW Golf R; ratting out speed traps gets kinda legit; the VW that sounds like a guitar; and Google plays smashmouth with the auto nav industry.

? Navteq buys Trapster

? VW gets Fender audio system

? VW Golf R returning to the U.S.

? CR-Z gets a K engine transplant

? Google video suggests the end of in-car GPS

? CNET's LOLCars gallery

Honda's 2011 CR-Z hybrid is about as sporty as it gets when it comes to hybrid vehicles. Granted, that isn't saying much. I mean the hatchback's 1.5-liter, IMA-boosted power plant only outputs 122-horsepower and manages a combined 34 EPA-estimated mpg. Ford's Fiesta manages similar numbers without the burden of hybrid trickery and complexity. So what's a self-respecting Honda tuner to do to improve the output of the CR-Z's engine room? How about a 200-horsepower engine swap?

Enter LHT Performance and Honda's 2-liter K20 engine, a mill a bit more befitting a sport … Read more

Honda released a sketch today teasing the Civic concept it will show off at the 2011 Detroit auto show. Concept sketches are not entirely reliable, but this one shows the standard Honda grille bracketed by deep-set headlights.

The artist chose to show the coupe, emphasizing the sporty lines. The angle of the beltline from front to rear is very reminiscent of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language.

One notable element is the roof, which appears to be glass. We would not expect Honda to offer a glass roof standard, but it may be an option. Also interesting is that the … Read more

LOS ANGELES--American Honda Motor Co. is expected to look for new derivatives to build on its CR-V platform, after killing its slow-selling Element crossover.

The CR-V is scheduled for a redesign next summer. Honda executives have said the automaker enjoys the flexibility of the CR-V platform and what it can provide in terms of spin-offs.

Honda's decision, confirmed last week, to kill the Element after the 2011 model year comes after seven straight years of declining U.S. sales. The quirky, boxy crossover was designed to attract young buyers, but didn't.

The Element, based on the CR-V crossover, … Read more

With its typical midsize sedan looks, the Honda Accord blends into traffic like a messenger bag at a gadget convention. It's a sensible car for urban commuters, providing hassle-free transportation and plenty of room for the family.

Keeping to the beaten track, the uses Honda's proven V-6. Its five-speed automatic was perfectly serviceable 5 years ago, and Honda saw no reason to change it. The navigation system also looks 5 years old, though, and that is not a good thing. But Honda makes up for it with a good-sounding stereo and an iPod port, almost modernizing the car. … Read more

With its small engine, the Honda Fit gets excellent fuel economy and produces few smog-causing pollutants, but at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda showed it could make the Fit even greener. On display was a concept version of an electric Fit, dubbed the Fit EV.

Using an electric motor similar to the one it developed for the Clarity fuel cell vehicle and a lithium-ion battery pack, Honda says the Fit EV will drive for 100 miles between recharges and hit a top speed of 90 mph. The driver can select between three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. … Read more

Anyone who has ever been on a road trip knows how hard long hours on the road can be on a car, especially the interior. Road trips for me generally include one dropped/knocked-over/exploded beverage, fast food droppings, wrappers, and complimentary toys and and other bits of consumables ground into the car's interior.

A new publication "In Your Car: Road Trip through the American Automobile," chronicles market researcher Kelley Styring's 30-day, 5,800-mile cross-country research study of American drivers and their messes.

Styring, who wrote "In Your Purse: Archaeology of the American Handbag," … Read more

Although maligned as a boring, suburban family hauler, the minivan offers undeniable utility. The new Honda Odyssey rolls out as a very tech-friendly vehicle with new looks that may be hard to take for some. We like the angular styling, but found the rear section, which looks like it's falling off, disconcerting.

Tech highlights are the ultra-wide-screen rear-seat LCD, which includes an HDMI input, the first installation we've seen in a production car, and an advanced voice command system that not only lets you dial phone contacts by name, but also request specific artists and albums from an … Read more