Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Jazz Hybrid

The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, retaining the normal boot area and allowing the "Magic Seats" to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions. This means that the seats still fold entirely flat to provide a surprising 831 litre of space or the seat bases can be folded up to sit vertically, so as to accommodate tall items within the car.

The IMA hybrid system is shared with the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, taking advantage of the proven reliability of this important technology. With almost two decades of development and 10 years of sales behind it, the Honda IMA system has proven itself to be a flexible and dependable system, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z‘s exterior styling is formed around a "one-motion wedge" concept with a low bonnet line and wide stance giving the car a confident, athletic look. Signature Honda design features, such as the split level rear glass hatch and aerodynamic, shallow raked roofline have been referenced in the design of the sleek coupe and then combined with a curvaceous and deeply sculpted exterior form.

The overall power output of the engine and IMA system is 124 PS and a healthy 174 Nm of torque. The peak torque figure is identical to that of the 1.8-litre Civic and arrives at just 1500 rpm, a level where previously only turbocharged engines deliver their maximum. Even with torque levels directly comparable with a Civic, the Honda CR-Z emits 35 g/km less CO2 than its conventionally powered cousin. Other harmful exhaust emissions are also very low and the Nickel Metal Hydride battery pack can be recycled through Honda dealers, at the end of the vehicle's life.

HONDA S2000

Naming a sports car an "S2000" was not an auspicious start for Honda's open-top pocket rocket. It probably sounded way cool at the time, but it's SO four years ago. And yet the little roadster still has its supporters. Earlier this year, Car and Driver magazine included the Honda in their "10 Best Cars", calling it "pure and involving". Me, I call it old and aggravating.

To be sure, the S2000 looks the biz. While I preferred the original car's angular front, Honda's designers nailed the basic shape. It's aggressive, in an elegantly restrained sort of way. In the right color, in the right light, the S2000 sings a siren song to lure even the most Euro-centric enthusiast into its cabin. And then… Cue the Psycho shower scene violins. My God, is the S2000's cockpit a nasty place to spend your time. I'm not against– nor a stranger to– cheap and cheerful car interiors. The S2000 is neither. Admission starts at $32k, and the cockpit is an ergonomic and aesthetic disaster zone.


The S2000's cabin is small in every conceivable direction. Pop the top and you trade one problem for another; the metal roof catches rattle incessantly, just inches behind your head. That's after you press the starter button– on a four-cylinder engine? If only the rest of the switchgear lived up to the supercar pretensions. The S2000's rotary dials and cheap plastic switches wouldn't seem out of place in a '78 Toyota Corolla.



The sound system is particularly lame. Buyers intent on stunting and flossing, or determined to listen to a CD at highway speeds, will note that the S2000's four-speaker ICE has all the fidelity and bass response of a shower radio. Sensibly enough, Honda decided to hide the head unit behind a piece of metal effect plastic (a substance about as convincing as wood-grained polymer). Why they decided to mount a duplicate set of audio controls on the dash is anybody's guess– unless most Honda drivers are left-handed.

OK, so, here's the perceived wisdom on the S2000: its motorcycle-derived VTEC (Valve Timing and lift Electronic Control) technology creates a dual personality two-seater. Keep the revs low, and you can trundle around town like a myopic Accord driver. Blast the 2157cc engine to its 8000rpms redline, and look out Dale Earnhardt Jr., here I come! The Honda's zero to sixty sprint time of 5.4 seconds seems to confirm the theory.


The reality is more complex. It's certainly true that there's not a lot going on below 3000rpms. In fact, there's nothing going on below 3000rpms. If you don't mind driving down the mean streets of your local metropolis in an accelerative dead zone, then fine, it's a wonderful city car. On the other hand, there's a brief bit of well-mannered urge sheltering between 3 – 5000rpms. Keep the S2000's engine on the boil in that narrow power band and you can make perfectly placid progress, with a pleasant oomph aftertaste.


Above 5000rpms, well, that's a different story. I suppose the general idea is to hang on until 5850rpms, when the high-lift long duration cams come on song, then cane it to the 8000rpm redline. Two problems. One, the S2000's engine note lacks character, texture or tonality. And what it lacks it aural appeal, it makes up for with sheer volume. I reckon only a stone deaf driver could withstand the brutal din coming from the S2000's engine at full chat. North Korea uses less effective torture devices. Two, we're not talking about a nitrous-injection power boost. The additional hearing damage yields roughly 10% more go. So why bother? Shift at five and change and you're straight back into the meat of the powerband. Excluding a reverse gear that likes to play hide-and-seek, the S2000's six-speed gearbox offers nothing but quick slick shifts. So you can continue forward thrust without delay or diminution or waking every baby within two miles of your dual exhausts.

Anyway, no matter how you generate your speed, the S2000 rewards your efforts. The RWD roadster is 'front mid-engined' with a compact double wishbone suspension and 16" Bridgestones. It corners with minimal body roll, prodigious grip and tremendous feedback. Aided by an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, the S2000 slices through corners with consummate ease, flick flacking like a sports bike. The previous model's tendency to swap ends in extreme situations has been replaced with at-the-limit understeer. Which is just as well, considering how easy it is to approach those limits.


If Honda upgraded the S2000's cabin and sonically tuned the engine, the Nipponese convertible would be an irresistible alternative to its newer, fresher challengers. As it is, the S2000 is a great car that constantly screams for forgiveness.

ACURA RSX

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to honor the Acura RSX, whose life was cut short by overlapping products and muddled brand identity. Since 2002, this, the US version of the fourth generation Honda Integra, has enjoyed strong consumer support and numerous awards from erstwhile auto critics, including two consecutive year’s on Car and Driver’s 10Best list. But we are not here to debate the value of ad-sponsored gongs or mourn the passing of a beloved automobile. We are here to celebrate a life well lived.


Until it ceased production this summer, the Acura RSX was an upgraded seventh generation Civic coupe. To differentiate the two models, Acura’s brandgineers gave the RSX a lower and wider stance than its Honda counterpart. It also blessed the RSX’ snout with a vertical crease, bisecting the model’s nose from bumper to windshield, forming an aerodynamic point. The model’s steeply raked windshield starts an arc that terminates down the rear of the steeply raked rear window. The lift back design reveals the RSX for what it is: a longish three-door hatchback. Overall, the RSX’ clean and uncluttered looks lacked both brand identity and charisma, a lethal combination (ipso facto).



Once inside, Steve Jobs himself would applaud the RSX’ no-brainer ergonomics. The car’s curved dash pod is blissfully, elegantly Spartan; free from the infestation of dials and buttons, bells and whistles that clutter most new cars. You get three Playskool knobs for your climate control, a few glove-friendly radio buttons for your BOSE blaster, a hazard switch and that’s all she wrote. Also delightfully absent: in-dash GPS, car phone, onboard computer and all the other electronic tchotchkes that distract enthusiasts from the art of driving.

The top of the RSX’ dash is lined with a substance of uncertain origin called “textured titanium.” While the dashboard’s clothing isn’t particularly attractive or sporty-looking, props to Acura for deploying a material that hasn't [apparently] been pumped from beneath Saudi sand or peeled off the butt of a dead cow. The front seats hug driver and passenger. The rear chairs are inescapable invitations to experiment with yoga; anyone taller than five feet will find themselves craning for comfort. I can’t imagine that many RSX buyers are overly concerned about cargo, but with seats up, the Acura can stash more stuff than a Mitsubishi Eclipse or Scion tC.


A suave demeanor and a thick Russian accent masked the enthusiasm of my Acura guide, Serguei. But his love for the coupe became evident the moment he hurled the RSX through a cloverleaf interchange. (He may not have many RSX left to sell, but sell them he does.) Once we made the changeover, the RSX’ thick steering wheel inspired immediate confidence. The variable power assist rack-and-pinion steering is razor sharp, delivering precise information on the front hoops, and outstanding control of same.


The coupe’s light curb weight (2734 pounds) and sport-tuned suspension (McPherson struts in front, double wishbone at the back) give the RSX superb flickabilty. The car stays flat through the corners, yielding moderate and predictable understeer when pushed. Yet the progressive-rate rear shocks float over small bumps without harshness, with the all-season 16’s delivering daily driver compliant comfort.


That said, there is no question whatsoever that this is the high-strung member of the Acura family. To wit, the RSX’ 2.0-liter engine produces 155hp @ 6500rpm. That may be as nothing to the Type-S’ sky-high 8100rpm redline, but caning the RSX involves regular forays to the iVTEC powerplant’s penthouse. Meanwhile, torque steer is virtually non-existent; there’s not enough torque to pull the helm sideways. In other respects, the RSX' smooth-spinning mill is impressive in the typical Honda fashion, achieving Low-Emissions Vehicle (LEV-2) standards while traveling 27 miles per gallon in the city and 34mpg on the highway.


The RSX’ brakes are its biggest disappointment. The four-wheel disk ABS-controlled binders tell the right story on paper. In practice, they struggle to get the job done. Under emergency stops, the left and right ABS channels do not appear to be synchronized, creating a disconcerting Jitterbug vibration. Pistonheads would be well advised to factor-in the price of a major brake upgrade when considering an RSX.

As is, the RSX is the perfect car for a driver that wants a sports car without a lot of horsepower (e.g. unmarried people that gravitate to careers that involve chalk and erasers, white shoes or telephone headsets). Rumor has it that the RSX may not be the last Acura to dabble in the sub-$30k segment. Although nothing has been officially announced, only a couple of model years are likely pass before Acura produces another small coupe. Acura is sure to festoon any new model with a raft of techno-baubles that blight the TL, which were artfully absent in the RSX. Until then, RSX RIP.

HONDA NSX

With its latest version of the hand-crafted NSX coupe, Honda has taken a great sports car and made it better. 

In manual models, the engine capacity is up from 3.0 litres to 3.2 litres for a lift in power and performance, and the manual gearbox now has six speeds for an even closer spread of gear ratios. In addition, 3.2 litre models get bigger brakes, handling refinements and improved aerodynamics. The result is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding driving experiences available today. 


However, building a limited production, advanced specification sports car largely by hand, inevitably means high production costs and consequently the Honda NSX experience isn't cheap. 


The NSX range starts at $206,790 for the manual coupe (tested) and $210,790 for the SportShift automatic. Prices for the NSX-T (removable roof panel) model are $216,790 for the manual and $220,790 for the auto. 


Naturally at these prices, equipment levels are comprehensive. Standard items include dual airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes, all leather interior trim, a high quality sound system with multi-stacker CD player, power operated seats, automatic climate control air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, mirrors and boot release, central locking, alarm and immobiliser. 


Built mostly from aluminium, the spectacularly-styled NSX displays high quality finish standards in its paintwork, panel fit and interior trim. It was surprising therefore, to see some untidy welding joints at chassis members in the test car's engine bay. 



With the cabin devoted to just two people, occupants have heaps of leg room. Head room could be a problem though, for anyone who's longer-than-average in the upper body. The seats are beautifully contoured to provide excellent support and good comfort. 


As expected, ride comfort is on the firm side, but not unduly so for a sports car shod with ultra low-profile (40/45 series) tyres. 


Luggage space is restricted to a rear compartment that won't cope with much more than just a couple of soft bags. Space under the front bonnet is taken up by the spare wheel, battery and other ancillaries. 

The combination of tilt/telescopic steering wheel, well positioned pedals, a left foot rest, plenty of seat travel and height adjustable seats, means the majority of drivers will be able to get very comfortable in the NSX. 


Parking the NSX isn't so easy; it has a big turning circle and a large bulky tail, and vision to the rear is only fair. Vision can also be distorted through some sections of the curved rear glass. 


The new 3.2 litre engine is just sensational. Not only does it deliver exceptional performance from 2,000 rpm right through to 8,000 rpm, it's wonderfully responsive and always eager to perform. The sound it emits when accelerated hard is pure music to an enthusiast's ears. 


The six speed gearbox has allowed Honda to lower the first five ratios for even better low speed response and although sixth gear is now higher at 0.77:1, the engine has enough power for the car to pull happily from as low as 80 km/h in sixth gear, if desired. For such a high performance car, the NSX is capable of achieving quite low fuel consumption figures when cruising out on the open road. 


Handling and road holding are of an exceptionally high order, so high in fact, that it's very hard to know what happens at the limit. It would take a very experienced race driver to explore the limits of this car and it's nice to know that in normal on-road driving the margins of security are way above what is needed to be safe. 


It's the same story with the brakes. In a word, they are superb, with tremendously powerful emergency stopping and a complete absence from fade under hard use. Normal braking requires only a light pedal effort and the brakes are progressive in their action.

Summary

The latest 3.2 litre Honda NSX rates up with the very best sports cars in terms of its performance, its handling and its braking capabilities, but at the same time, it's not a cantankerous beast to drive. 


Apart from one or two minor annoyances, the main points against the NSX are its price, the fact that you're never going to be able to leave it parked unattended in the street, and the difficulty of finding somewhere to legally enjoy its potential.

HONDA FCX

For a moment, after pressing the little red "Start" button, it seems like nothing has happened. Suddenly, a kaleidoscope of colors erupts from the multi-level instrument panel, followed by the soft whine of a compressor. Honda's new FCX fuel-cell vehicle has come to life.

As regular readers of TheCarConnection.com are well aware, virtually every automaker is tinkering with hydrogen technology, and for good reason. Whether you burn the lightweight gas in an internal combustion engine or feed it into a fuel cell stack, what you get on the "dirty side" is effectively no more than water vapor. In a world worrying about smog and global warming, hydrogen is seen, by many, as the ultimate clean fuel.


In recent months, we've had the opportunity to test a variety of hydrogen-powered prototypes, such as the Chevrolet Equinox fuel-cell vehicle and BMW's Hydrogen-7, which goes the internal combustion route. But Honda's FCX takes the technology to an entirely new level.


First seen at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda plans to begin leasing the FCX for $600 a month, and not just to carefully selected corporate fleets, but to everyday consumers. The costly experiment is also a risky one, exposing the Clarity to all the daily challenges faced by your typical motorist, from bad weather to fussy infants.


"The FCX Clarity is a shining symbol of the progress we've made with fuel cell vehicles and of our belief in the promise of this technology," proclaims American Honda president and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura. "Step by step, with continuous effort, commitment and focus, we are working to overcome obstacles to the mass-market potential of zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles."



While the first retail customers will still have to wait a few months, we were given the chance to take the FCX for a spin around Los Angeles, starting out in Santa Monica, then heading up the coast to fire-ravaged Malibu . During our time behind the wheel, we had the chance to put the fuel-cell vehicle through a variety of different situations, from city streets to open highways, charging up steep inclines and around twisty canyon roads. And our overall impression? Well, we'll get to that, in a moment.


A hydrogen-powered jellybean


Honda has actually applied the FCX badge to several vehicles. The outgoing model is a chunky-looking Japanese hatchback. The new edition is decidedly more stylish - and roomy. Honda has learned a valuable lesson from its Japanese rival, Toyota , whose Prius is a distinctive visual standout. You won't miss the Clarity, either, and during our drive, it seemed like everyone wanted a closer look.


The FCX is a futuristic jellybean, first impressions suggesting a cross between the new Honda Accord and the Prius. Toss in a dash of the Honda CR-Z concept vehicle that debuted in Tokyo, last month - at least the show car's split rear glass, which folds over into the tailgate. If we had any complaint, surprisingly, it was rear visibility, despite the sedan's expanse of glass.


Inside, the compact FCX would likely qualify as a full-size four-door; even with the driver's seat set to handle my 6'2" frame, there was plenty of legroom in the back. The sedan's instrument panel vaguely resembles that of the new Accord, with its stairstep layout. There's a huge, high-res LCD for the built-in navigation system, or to display the complex power system at work underneath. The instrument panel centers around a flashing, multi-color cluster that looks a lot like Tokyo at night, and can be nearly as distracting, as you struggle to understand what the various fluorescent readouts signify.

Our test car had a surprising number of little fit-and-finish problems, but we're willing to give Honda a pass, considering this is a prototype of an extremely low-volume, largely hand-built car. Nonetheless, we're hoping for typically Honda-level refinement when the first cars actually reach customers.


The FCX is extremely well-equipped, overall, with niceties such as dual-zone digital climate control, adaptive (radar) cruise control, voice-activated navigation, and a sweet AM/FM/CD/XM audio system with a jack for your iPod or MP3 player.



Oddly, while the doors and windows are power-operated, the seats are manual. Then again, maybe not, as weight clearly matters when you're going for maximum mileage.


In terms of safety, the FCX Clarity is equally well-equipped, with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, active headrests, and a radar-guided collision mitigation system.


Under pressure


Though it's extremely aerodynamic, the FCX uses a conventional steel body, with a steel chassis and aluminum subframe, rather than the costly, ultralight materials that could have been used. Even so, the numbers are impressive. The FCX delivers an estimated range of 270 miles on a tank full of hydrogen. Since it holds four kilograms of the stuff, that works out to an equated 68 miles per gallon. (The EPA considers a kilogram of hydrogen to equal a gallon of gas.)


A bit of a primer is called for here. A fuel cell "stack" consists of a series of permeable membranes coated with noble metals, including platinum, rhodium and palladium. The hydrogen passes through the membrane, in the process shedding an electron, the basic stuff of the electricity that runs a fuel-cell vehicle's electric motor. When the hydrogen combines with air, it forms water, which you can spot coming out of the FCX tailpipe as either steam or a spray of liquid.


The latest-generation Honda stack, along with the rest of the fuel-cell system, is about 400 pounds lighter than in the earlier FCX, the stack itself now about a fifth the size of early stacks. The overall drive system, company officials note, is roughly the same size as a comparable gasoline-electric drivetrain. It's also able to handle the worst heat a driver might experience in Southern California, as well as a low of -30 degrees Celsius (about -22 F).


Honda notably chose to go with a "low-pressure" fuel tank, storing those 4 kg of hydrogen at 350 bar, or 5000 psi. General Motors, with its new Equinox FCV, is opting for higher 700 bar/10,000 psi pressures, but that raises storage costs significantly, requires tremendous energy to compress the gas, and doesn't quite double the amount of hydrogen you can store in a given space. The industry is likely to keep the storage debate going for a number of years.


Firing up the Clarity is simple: just press the start button. It takes a few seconds for the system to come alive, but once it does, you simply shift into gear, with an IP-mounted contraption that vaguely resembles a BMW 7-Series shifter.


Step on the throttle and you're likely to be surprised by the Clarity's aggressive launch. The system produces 100 kilowatts of power, with a modest additional assist from the onboard batteries, which operate much like those in today's gas-electric hybrids. That works out to a seemingly modest 134 horsepower, but the numbers underrate the actual kick of an electric drive system, where you get maximum torque the moment the motor starts to turn.


From 0 to 30 mph, the FCX delivers some serious acceleration. It slacks off as you approach highway speed, but that doesn't mean it's a slouch. We were able to easily merge onto the congested I-10, in Santa Monica , and quickly soared to near 90 mph. Certainly, around town, the FCX Clarity will keep up with traffic.


Canyon agility

Later, as we headed up the busy Pacific Coast Highway toward Malibu , we were impressed with the agility of the sedan, which smoothly zipped from lane-to-lane. As we turned off onto Malibu Canyon Road , the fuel-cell vehicle shot up the steep incline without any hesitation, weaving and bobbing through the fire-ravaged canyon about as nimbly as the new Accord. Credit the Clarity's double-wishbone suspension - and Honda engineers who were able to package the hefty fuel cell components as low as possible. The stack, for example, is actually mounted below the sedan's center console.


One of the most striking features of any fuel-cell vehicle is the distinct lack of traditional powertrain noises. Instead, you suddenly discover all sorts of sounds normally muffled beneath, like controls and pumps - especially the compressor driving air into the fuel-cell stack.

HONDA CROSSTOUR

The 2012 Honda Crosstour® approaches the crossover SUV formula from a distinctively sleek, sporty and fuel-efficient perspective while also maximizing the interior's cargo capacity, versatility and premium feel.

The Crosstour's exterior design emphasizes a bold, aerodynamic look that also conceals an accommodating rear cargo area with a large, lift-over tailgate. Premium interior styling, appointments and details extend from the passenger compartment all the way through the cargo area. An under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle adds functionality, while reversible cargo floor panels accommodate dirty objects.
The Crosstour is available in two trim levels, the Crosstour EX and EX-L, with Real Time™ 4WD also available on the EX-L model. For 2012, new features on the Crosstour EX include auto on/off headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth®1 HandsFreeLink® and USB audio interface. Two new colors are also available on all Crosstour models: Twilight Blue Metallic replaces Glacier Blue Metallic, and Basque Red Pearl replaces Tango Red Pearl.
The Crosstour comes standard with a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) for power and efficiency. The engine produces 271 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM, while achieving an EPA-rated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 18/27/21 mpg2 on 2WD models. Meanwhile the Crosstour EX-L with Real Time™ 4WD delivers an EPA-rated city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 18/26/21 mpg2.

To maximize efficiency, the engine's VCM cylinder deactivation system is programmed to run on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders, based on current power requirements, and a technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. For true utility-vehicle capability, the Crosstour provides 6.2 inches of maximum ground clearance in addition to the available Real Time™ 4WD system.

Besides its new-for-2012 auto on/off headlights, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and USB audio interface, standard features on the Crosstour EX include projector-beam headlights, fog lights, 17-inch aluminum wheels with P225/65R17 all-season tires, a moonroof, body-colored power side mirrors with defrost, chrome door handles, auto up/down driver and front passenger side windows and rear privacy glass.
Inside are dual-zone automatic air conditioning with second-row ventilation, a 360-watt AM/FM 6-disc audio system with seven speakers, steering wheel-integrated audio controls, a compass and outside temperature indicator, cruise control, an easy fold-down 60-40 split rear seatback, a hidden removable utility box and more.
Crosstour EX-L adds 18-inch aluminum wheels with P225/60R18 all-season tires, leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, a memory driver-side seat and memory side mirrors with reverse tilting capability, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, Kevlar® cone audio speakers, front aluminum dome-type tweeter speakers, an auto day/night dimming rearview mirror, a HomeLink™ transmitter and a cargo privacy cover.
The Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System3 and the Real Time™ 4WD mentioned above are available together or separately on the Crosstour EX-L. The Navigation system includes a rearview camera with guidance lines integrated into the display.

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional safety equipment on the Crosstour includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, and active front seat head restraints.

HONDA CR-Z HYBRID

It’s tempting to think of the CR-Z hybrid as the second coming of the CRX, Honda’s light, tossable mid-1980s funster, what with the two cars’ stubby rear ends, two-seat layouts, and frugal intentions. At the CR-Z launch, in fact, Honda plopped us down in a cherry 1985 CRX Si and told us to go nuts. We did, and we’re sorry, Big H, but the CR-Z just isn’t quite as awesome.

Where the impish CRX used lightness and a stripped-down approach to deliver entertainment and efficiency, the CR-Z looks to a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The difference between the two paths is stark, or so goes conventional wisdom. With less weight and simplicity come fun and momentum-style hoonage, and with a hybrid powertrain comes, well, soul-crushing dullness. Somewhat shockingly, however, this hybrid is entertaining, even as it tries to marry the disparate concepts of sport and efficiency.


Nowhere is that conflict more evident than in the two transmissions. Opt for the six-speed manual, and the CR-Z delivers perhaps the most transparent hybrid experience available today, because you control the shift points and how quickly the gears are changed. Particularly with the three-mode adjustable drive system in sport mode, it’s a relatively fun little car. But go for the CVT, as Honda expects 75 percent of buyers to do, and besides being a downer of a person, you lose any sense of joy and immediacy. In the CVT’s manual mode—actuated via standard paddle shifters—you can wind through seven fake ratios, but the “shifts” into those ratios are slurred and slow. Moreover, although the four-cylinder is never sonorous even with the stick, the CVT causes an unpleasant droning.



Heavy, Man
At 160.6 inches long, the CR-Z is 16 inches longer than the original CRX, but it doesn’t look like that much with the two cars side by side; for modern reference, the CR-Z is an inch shorter than Honda’s own Fit . It’s not as light, however, with Honda estimates putting the CR-Z around 2700 pounds. We measured the bigger Fit at 2500 pounds with a manual, and a CRX Si we tested 25 years ago weighed in at a svelte 1840. Of course, beyond the hybrid system, the CR-Z includes a boatload of stuff unavailable on the original CRX: airbags, a couple of decades’ worth of crash-worthiness improvements, and doors thicker than a Trapper Keeper, to mention a few. Still, from behind the wheel, you never shake the sense of extra weight.


At the heart of the CR-Z is the 1.5-liter four-cylinder from the Fit, here making 113 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. It mates to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system as seen in the Insight , which is comprised of a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and a 13-hp electric motor. Combined output stands at 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque (123 lb-ft with the CVT). Acceleration isn’t scorching by any means, but the CR-Z doesn’t feel poky like the Fit or Insight. Helping foster that sense is the sport mode, activated via a button to the left of the steering wheel. In sport, throttle sensitivity is increased, the steering tightens, the electric motor provides more assistance on manual-equipped cars, and in CVT models, the “gear ratios” are optimized for acceleration. There are also normal and econ modes, and the latter dulls throttle response, retunes the CVT for fuel-economy gains, turns down the fan speed and minimizes compressor use for the A/C, and reduces power and torque by four percent except in wide-open-throttle situations.




The mileage returned by the CR-Z isn’t as stellar as you’d expect in a hybrid this small, at 31 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a manual and 35/39 with the CVT. (The EPA tests were run in normal mode.) Would those numbers be the same if the car were lighter with no hybrid gadgetry? Let’s just say we got 32 mpg from that 1985 CRX Si. But before you start ranting about how disappointing the numbers are—“I’ve seen 167 mpg in my Prius! Uphill and into the wind! Rarghargh!”—remember that Honda has the Insight and upcoming Fit hybrid to appeal to the hypermiler crowd. The CR-Z is a sporty car with green leanings more than anything else, and that likely guided the engineers’ efficiency targets.


A Great Ride and More Steering Feel Than Expected

The chassis plays a big part in making the hybrid experience transparent. The brakes are a touch grabby, but they have only the slightest hint of hybrid-style sponginess, and the transition from regenerative to conventional braking is essentially seamless. The linearity of the brakes is good, too. The electrically boosted steering has more feel than we expected, and turn-in is eager in normal mode and quick in sport. Where the CR-Z impresses most is in ride quality. Generally, when something has the wheelbase of a Matchbox car, you can expect to be revectored as you hit midcorner bumps, plus a jarring, crashing ride—the sportiest Minis being prime examples. The CR-Z exhibits very little of such behaviors, though, with part of the credit going to the standard 16-inch wheels and relatively tall sidewalls of the 195/55 Dunlop SP Sport 7000 rubber. That’s not to say the CR-Z is firmly planted all the time. Pitch this Honda hard into a corner with stability control disabled and lift off the throttle, and the back will swing around (and quite quickly due to the short wheelbase), so you need to be ready to dial in some opposite lock. Blame the weight of the batteries, which live between the rear wheels. The handling would benefit from a firmer suspension—it would shore up slight body roll, for one thing—but at the expense of compliance. Such a strategy would certainly alienate a good chunk of buyers, a large majority of whom will find the current setup to be sporty enough.


The CR-Z comes in three flavors: base, EX, and EX with navigation. Honda says pricing will start under $20,000 with destination charges and top out at just below $24,000 when the car goes on sale in late August. (Update: Official pricing has been released . A base model will cost $19,950 and a top-spec EX with navigation and the CVT will be $23,960.) Standard across the range are stability control, power mirrors, power locks and windows, keyless entry, automatic climate control, cruise control, a tilting and telescoping steering column, USB and auxiliary inputs, LED taillamps, and the three-mode drive system. EX models get HID headlamps, fog lights, aluminum pedals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an upgraded audio system with a subwoofer. The rear cargo area will accommodate a couple of golf bags with the rear bulkhead folded down and two suitcases with it up, not too bad considering the car’s diminutive size. To the CR-Z’s credit, too, it has the best interior among Honda’s cheaper offerings, with cloth door inserts, a soft-touch dash covering, and attractive switchgear. It’s certainly better than the cost-cut, hard-plastic-riddled cabin of the Insight.


Who Will Buy It?

We admit to wondering who’s going to buy this car. If fuel efficiency is the goal, better mileage (and practicality) can be found in the Toyota Prius and the Insight, which are EPA-rated for 50 and 41 mpg combined, respectively. And those in the market for an inexpensive sporty car can also shop the conventionally powered Mini Cooper and Scion tC, while perhaps pocketing some savings. The Mini in particular isn’t much off in efficiency, either, being rated as high as 32 mpg combined. Further, all those CVT buyers will effectively negate the CR-Z’s reason for being, its sportiness. Without that, you’re left with a less-efficient two-seat Insight that can’t carry as much stuff. Sounds dicey, even at Honda’s stated U.S. sales goal of 15,000 per year.


Meanwhile, we await word of a CR-Z Si. If it does happen, we’d prefer such a car to be created by ditching the hybrid stuff, which adds roughly $2000 to the cost of the regular CR-Z; further chassis tightening; and bumping the 1.5’s output by 20 hp and 20 or so lb-ft. Honda, on the other hand, appears to lean toward turning up the wick on the electric motor for an Si. At the very least, the base car shows that a desire to build fun-to-drive vehicles still exists within Honda. After the death of the S2000, the big-ification of the Accord, and the introduction of off-target vehicles like the Crosstour, we were beginning to have doubts. Still, it’s sad that this is the second-sportiest U.S. Honda behind the Civic Si, and you could argue that in making this car hybrid only—instead of making the hybrid powertrain an option—the company still is trying to be all things to all people, and that it would be better served focusing on what led its success in the first place: making stuff that’s great and not merely good. Ultimately, although the CR-Z can be good, it’s a compromise. And that’s a shame, because it could be even better.

HONDA CR-Z

Introduction

A sporty hybrid? At first glance, the 2011 Honda CR-Z might seem a bit oxymoronic. After all, Americans expect their hybrid cars to be purely about fuel economy, with flowers, rainbows and unicorns coming out of the tailpipe. But Honda is hoping that people are ready for a car that not only gets very good fuel economy but also happens to be fun to drive -- a hybrid without the drive-induced narcolepsy, if you will.


You might recall that Honda actually tried this approach a few years ago with the Accord Hybrid, a V6-powered Accord that promised strong performance and enhanced fuel economy. Sales were slow, however, and Honda cancelled the car after a short run. Of course, those of you with an even longer memory will also recall the original Honda CRX, the CR-Z's spiritual predecessor that crystallized Honda's reputation for building fun and efficient cars from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s.


Like the old CRX, the CR-Z is front-drive with two doors and just two seats. Mechanically, though, the CR-Z is related most to Honda's current Insight hybrid, sharing its basic structure and suspension design. To bring some sport to that formula Honda made the CR-Z shorter by about a foot, widened the track slightly and reduced overall height by a couple inches. This trimming doesn't reduce curb weight by as much as you might hope (the CR-Z only weighs about 80 pounds fewer than the Insight) but it does make the CR-Z one of the most nimble cars you can buy.



Under the hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild-hybrid system. For more punch, the CR-Z starts with a slightly bigger gasoline engine than the Insight (1.5 liters versus 1.3) that produces 112 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is the same and generates another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft. Notably, Honda is offering a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the more hybrid-typical continuously variable transmission (CVT). The resulting fuel economy isn't exactly Prius-like, but it is still quite good, with the CVT variant returning an estimated 35 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.


The end result of all this is that Honda has indeed created a sporty hybrid. The CR-Z looks sharp and is fun to drive around town thanks to its small size and quick steering. There is certainly fun to be had on a curvy road, too. But when you push the CR-Z really hard, its dynamic limits are quickly reached via modest tire grip and notable body roll. Serious driving enthusiasts will likely be put off by this and perhaps down the road Honda will see fit to bring out a sportier Si version.


The two-door/two-seat layout makes the 2011 Honda CR-Z a near anomaly in the marketplace, but there are more conventional choices. The Mini Cooper presents the closest competition and it has a few advantages like a backseat (albeit a small one) and greater customization. Another option is the new Ford Fiesta. While it's a four-door, it's also small, economical and sporty to drive. Both these competitors can be had with features the CR-Z lacks, such as a sunroof, keyless ignition and heated leather seats. Scion's new tC will also be worth a look. Even so, we like the CR-Z and think that shoppers looking for a sporty urban runabout will be pleased.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The two-seat 2011 Honda CR-Z comes in three trim levels: base, EX and EX with navigation. The base model comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, hill-start assist (manual transmission), automatic climate control, full power accessories, manual seats with driver-side height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and a six-speaker CD audio system (with steering-wheel controls and USB/auxiliary audio jacks). The EX adds xenon headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors, metallic interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth and a seven-speaker premium audio system. The EX can also be equipped with a voice-activated navigation system. Notable dealer-installed features include 17-inch wheels, performance tires and satellite radio.


Powertrains and Performance
The 2011 Honda CR-Z is hybrid-powered by a team consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gas engine is good for 112 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque, while the electric motor chips in 13 hp and 58 lb-ft. Due to varying power peaks, the maximum combined output is 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a CVT with paddle shifters is optional. If the CVT is selected, torque output drops slightly to 123 lb-ft. All CR-Zs come with a three-mode drive selector consisting of Sport, Normal or Econ. Each adjusts parameters for throttle sensitivity, steering assist, transmission programming (CVT), additional IMA assist (manual transmission) and air-conditioning usage.


Official EPA fuel economy numbers haven't been released as of this writing but Honda estimates that the CR-Z will get 31 mpg city/37 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined with the manual and 35/39/37 mpg with the CVT.


Safety
Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active head restraints.


Interior Design and Special Features
While the 2011 Honda CR-Z sold in other worldwide markets will come with a small backseat, Honda chose to equip the American version with a flip-down rear parcel shelf instead. The idea is to apparently better tie the car to the original two-seat CRX. From a practical standpoint, having only two seats is disappointing, though it also means your friends won't constantly be hitting you up to be the designated driver either. Seat comfort is adequate.


The CR-Z's rear cargo divider can easily be lowered down to create a flat load floor and hide any items in the parcel shelf's bins. A multiposition cargo shade is also part of the deal. Maximum cargo capacity is 25.1 cubic feet, and two golf bags should fit with the divider lowered.


The centerpiece of the CR-Z's interior is certainly its futuristic-looking dash. The multicolor gauge cluster has a three-dimensional look and will display a green background when you're driving efficiently or blue when you're not. Selecting the Sport mode turns it red. A configurable display can also show other fuel-economy-enhancing tools. But some of our drivers have found the overall look of the dash to be a bit busy and disjointed. We're also not fond of the expansive use of hard plastic interior trim (the door armrests are notably uncomfortable) and the increased chance of sun glare from the EX model's polished metallic trim. A more serious problem is rear-quarter visibility, or more accurately, the lack thereof -- backing out of a parking spot can be a perilous exercise.

Driving Impressions
We'll put this out first: If you're expecting sharp handling like a Civic Si, you're going to be disappointed. The 2011 Honda CR-Z is tuned for a smooth ride, and its economy-minded twist-beam rear suspension simply isn't up to the task of providing sports car reflexes and compliance. But if you lower your expectations a little, you'll find the CR-Z reasonably fun to drive. The steering, though not hugely informative, is quick. There's also an enjoyable sense of nimbleness from piloting a small car that weighs just 2,650 pounds.

Power from the hybrid powertrain is certainly sufficient, and the burst of extra torque from the electric motor helps the CR-Z feel more energetic at low speeds than many competitors. How that power is doled out depends on which driving mode you've selected, as the difference in throttle response is vast. Sport provides a feel reminiscent of a classic, free-revving Honda performance car, while Econ transforms the CR-Z into a lethargic, deathly slow fuel-sipper. We think most folks will keep it in Normal most of the time. You can't really go wrong with the transmission choices, as the six-speed manual is easy to shift and offers a more mechanical feel than the one from the toylike Honda Fit, while the CVT keeps much of the car's sportiness intact thanks to its paddle shifters.

HONDA CIVIC TYPE S

Latest deal price: from £14,748  to £24,888 
On the road price: £16,325 - £23,220
For : Unique styling, modern interior design, sharp handling, excellent build quality, smooth and refined engine, practical cabin


Against: Poor rear visibility, heavy tailgate, crashy damping on really poor surfaces, speedometer can be hard to read for some drivers


Driving
As you'd expect, the Civic Type-S oozes engineering integrity. The six-speed gearbox has a light, accurate shift, while the clutch, brakes and throttle actions are all spot-on. Moreover, as we've said many times before, the 2.2 i-CTDi diesel engine is fantastic. It's free-revving, impressively refined and punchy. Against the clock, the Civic is potent - but it serves up its power in a smooth, commendable way, too. It remains our favourite diesel in this class, though the latest 1.8 petrol engine is a fair alternative. Like all Honda units, it thrives on revs, but is silky-sweet with it, even if it does lack the diesel's compelling torque. As for suspension, Honda's engineers have given the three-door a sportier edge. Spring and damper rates have been altered and the rear track is 20mm wider. The suspension remains supple over all but the worst potholes, and the Type-S is more composed and agile in corners than its key rivals. The steering is light, but the turn-in is positive and there's appreciable feel. It hints at the potential of the Type-R, and is fun to drive. Plus, stability control is standard fit, and the system works unobtrusively.



Marketplace

With its hidden rear door handles and angular shape, the five-door Civic is hardly a shrinking violet, but that hasn't stopped Honda trying to give the three-door even more impact. For starters, it boasts gunmetal-coloured trim around the wheelarches and sills, plus 17-inch alloys. The doors and rear panels are also unique, but overall, thanks to the five-door's adventurous styling, the Type-S isn't as different from its brother as rivals' three-door models are. Nevertheless, the Honda is still the most unique car in the segment. The Type-S is available with either the 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol engine or 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel - both offering 138bhp. Standard and GT trims are on offer, and rivals include the Citroen C4 coupe, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch and, of course, three-door versions of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.


Owning

The Civic has substance as well as good looks. By cleverly locating the fuel tank under the front seats, interior space has been maximised. The rear chairs offer excellent legroom, and a flat transmission tunnel means plenty of foot space for the middle seat occupant. The sweeping C-pillars are close to your head, and leave you rather hemmed in, so it's a good job GT models get a panoramic glass room to brighten things up. The rear chairs fold flat in one easy action, while the 485-litre boot capacity is fantastic. There's also an extra 70 litres under the floor, thanks to Honda doing away with the space wheel. This goes to show Honda spent a lot of time thinking about functionality - as well as ensuring the rest of the cabin is as bold as the bodywork. The split-level dash places the important information high up, with secondary data and most of the switchgear lower down. Some testers have found the wheel obscures the speedo, but this aside, the ergonomics are close to flawless, while the driving position is spot-on. Poor rear visibility and blind spots caused by the rakish A-pillars are a problem, but otherwise the Civic cabin is a great place to be, especially as the materials and build quality are class-leading. Retained values are very good too, while the Civic boasts reasonable insurance ratings, decent fuel economy and a five-star Euro NCAP crash test score. Service intervals are shorter than rivals' though, at 12,500 miles.

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R

Honda’s racy Civic Type R is a delicious thing. Beautifully-balanced on road, it also has one of the best engines to be found anywhere - its i-VTEC DOHC four.
In a ‘hot-hatch’ segment dominated by thumping turbos, Honda’s masterful Type R takes a different approach.


INTERIOR
Quality: The Type R creates a premium impression with black Alcantara and red fabric seats, machined aluminium gear knob, alloy pedals, monogrammed carpets and tight vault-like feel.
On the downside, the dash design is a mess of lines. Also, in our test car, there was an ill-fitted plastic corner trim in the driver’s door.


Comfort: With well-bolstered seats and a superbly damped elastic suspension, the Type R is a comfortable drive with few of the expected compromises.
Its egg-shaped back also provides lots of rear leg and head-room. One niggling debit is that the front seat-backs do not return to their prior setting after being tilted forward.



Equipment: Standard equipment includes CD (MP3 and WMA), iPod and USB integration, and aux-in. It also comes with a multi-function steering wheel (tilt and telescopic), cruise and climate control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, fog lights, and heated door mirrors.


Storage: Boot space is a useful 485 litres; that rises to 1352 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded into the footwell. The out-of-sight underseat area in the rear is also clever.
ON THE ROAD  


Driveability: It may not have the sling-shot feel of a turbo, but the 148kW Type R is an exhilarating drive. Hit the meat of the powerband at 5400rpm and it simply takes off, shrieking to an 8000rpm redline.
With the slickest of six-speed transmissions, on a winding road it is spine tingling stuff.

It’s made for the racetrack but with a nicely-weighted clutch, direct (electric assist) steering and a compliant ride, it is just as easy to enjoy poking around the suburbs.


Refinement: The on-road refinement of the Type R is a surprise. It is much quieter than a regular Civic over coarse road surfaces; wind noise is low, and it’s also free of mechanical harshness.


Suspension: MacPherson struts up front, torsion beam rear with stabilisers front and back. With a rigid chassis and superbly-tuned damping, Type R ‘rides’ the contours of the road and, as a sporting drive, it simply works.
Braking: There are ventilated 300mm discs up front, 260mm solid discs at the rear, also ABS and EBD.


SAFETY
Euro NCAP rating: 5-Stars (not rated in Australia)
Safety features: Standard are front, side and curtain airbags with double pre-tensioners on the front seatbelts and seatbelt reminder system. ABS, EBD, VSA, and other dynamic safety features are also standard.


WARRANTY AND SERVICING
Warranty: All Honda cars are sold with a three-year/100,000km warranty. The Honda Assured Extended Warranty adds an additional two years and 40,000km.

Service costs: Service intervals are every 10,000km, with service costs between $70 and $250 for the first 60,000km. (Indicative pricing only)
Service interval: 10,000km/12 months.


HOW IT COMPARES | VALUE FOR MONEY
The Civic Type R is priced at $39,990 plus on-roads (around $43k drive-away), but competition is tough.

HONDA CIVIC SEDAN

Honda sells so many Civics that if the car were counted as a brand, it would be the 12th largest in the United States. More Civics went to new homes in the U.S. last year than did Volkswagens or Mazdas. With sales numbers like that, it’s not too much of a surprise that Honda is playing a conservative hand with the redesigned 2012 Civic.

When the previous-generation Civic arrived in 2006, the swept-back windshield and the futuristic styling were a bit of a shock. It has taken us practically the car’s entire life cycle to grow accustomed to the look. Honda designers aren’t taking the same kind of chance again. What we see for 2012 is a careful evolution of the past Civic. Actually, it’s almost more of a devolution, a step toward conformity. All the subtle changes—the longer hood, the sculpted bumpers, and the larger taillights—make the Civic look more conventional than before. They also improve its aerodynamics. Honda claims a lower coefficient of drag, in part thanks to the styling revisions but also because of a smaller grille opening and a flat underbody.



Still Alien Inside
Inside, the Civic keeps the two-tier instrument display that puts the digital speedometer above the analog tachometer. Like the exterior, the interior is immediately familiar yet new. Plastic quality improved slightly, and there is interesting rice-paper-like graining on the door panels. Thinner A-pillars aid forward visibility, and new seats feel more supportive—mercifully, they have less-intrusive lumbar support. A new five-inch display is standard on all models above the most basic DX trim level. Dubbed the “intelligent Multi-Information Display,” the screen sits to the right of the speedometer and gives trip computer, audio, clock, and (on cars so equipped) navigation information.

Although the sedan’s 105.1-inch wheelbase is now 1.2 inches shorter, rear legroom increases by 1.6 inches. Overall length, height, and width all remain unchanged, but the Civic feels wider and more spacious inside. Honda claims shoulder room has increased by nearly three inches. The front passenger certainly feels farther away than before. According to the EPA, the new Civic sedan has 94.7 cubic feet of space inside. That works out to about four more than in last year’s car.


Civic coupes have an even shorter 103.2-inch wheelbase, 1.1 inches shorter than the outgoing model’s. Interior space falls slightly from 83.7 cubic feet to 83.2, or 82.6 with a sunroof. From the front seat, the coupe feels just as spacious as the sedan. The reduction in cubic feet must have come at the expense of the back seat, which we didn’t try to climb into. Would you?


Same Size but Drives Larger
Once we were under way, the impression of increased size and a more substantial feel continued. Tweaks to the strut front and multilink rear suspension yield more travel and a slightly smoother ride. Large impacts seem more distant than before and are absorbed by a unibody structure that is slightly more rigid. Not only is it stiffer, but it’s also slightly lighter than before. The greatest weight loss, 58 pounds, occurs in the EX-L sedan. Other versions are between 20 and 55 pounds lighter than they were last year.

Modifications to the electric power steering include a slower ratio and a rack that is more rigidly mounted. Compared with its predecessor, the new Civic turns into corners with less authority, which adds to the car’s larger feel. The electric power steering is very numb, providing less feedback than before. Overall, the car’s stiffer body, increased sound deadening, and sleepier steering are more about maturity than playfulness. There’s a greater sense of isolation from the road, and drivers who equate isolation with luxury will appreciate the changes. Drivers who relished the small-car—almost sports-car-like—personality of the Civic might be disappointed.



Don’t I Know You? And You?
With the exception of the performance Si model and the fuel-sipping hybrid, every Civic sedan and coupe (DX, LX, EX, and EX-L) will have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. (The natural-gas-burning GX also uses the 1.8.) Essentially a carry-over from the previous generation, the engine does enjoy a few changes that add a bit more torque down low and reduce internal friction. The four-cylinder still spins happily, but less of the noise enters the cabin. Without that noise, the engine doesn’t seem to be working as hard as it did in the ’11 Civic.


Another carry-over part is Honda’s five-speed automatic transmission, an $800 option on the lower two trim levels, DX and LX, and standard on all others. A few updates like reduced friction and more-eager torque-converter-lockup programming help boost fuel economy to 28 mpg city and 39 highway for automatic models. (Last year’s automatic returned 25 city and 36 highway.) Meanwhile, purists will be a little disappointed that the five-speed manual can only muster 28 city and 36 highway, up from 26/34.

Buyers seeking even higher fuel-economy numbers will want to consider the hybrid model or the new Civic HF. Available only as a sedan with the automatic, the HF adds lightweight aerodynamic wheels, a small trunklid spoiler, a few more underbody panels, and extremely low-rolling-resistance tires that bump highway fuel economy to 41 mpg; the city number rises by 1 mpg, to 29.

Pricing for the 2012 Civic is largely unchanged from the 2011 model’s. The cheapest version, the DX coupe, starts at $16,355; its sedan counterpart starts $200 higher at $16,555. The LX adds important items such as A/C, power locks, and cruise control, as well as $2050 to the sticker of both the coupe and sedan. For $20,455 (coupe) or $21,255 (sedan), the EX heaps a sunroof, an upgraded stereo, and another 12-volt power outlet on top of the LX. (EX coupes are available with the manual, but EX sedans only come with the automatic.) Another $1500 nets an EX with nav—and removes the option of a stick in the coupe—and $1450 more gets an EX-L—L for leather. If you want nav and leather, it’s going to set you back $24,205 for a coupe or sedan.


Nope; Guess I Don’t Know You
With the latest Civic, Honda has gambled that moving away from sportiness and towards quiet comfort will suit its buyers. Honda hasn’t hedged its bets into the boring realm of the Toyota Corolla, but it’s certainly an unadventurous effort. Aside from being quieter and more efficient, the new Civic doesn’t represent improvement as we define it. The Civic lacks the passion, soul, and entertaining driving dynamics of its predecessor. Mainstream buyers may not care, but enthusiasts surely will.