Falling sales and a weak D-sector could prompt Honda to leave the next Accord off the UK sales list
There is no “concrete plan” to replace the current Honda Accord in the UK, according to company insiders. Like other cars competing in the cut-throat mainstream D-sector, Accord sales have been hit as drivers are forced by CO2-based taxation to downsize into Golf-class cars.
The rising popularity of compact SUVs is also undermining the European D-sector. UK sales of the Accord have slipped from about 10,000 per year to about 2500.
Importing the Accord from Japan also seriously depresses the car’s profitability because of the strength of the yen against sterling.
Currently, 93 per cent of Honda’s UK sales are of cars made in Britain, resulting in the Accord becoming a niche model alongside the CR-Z and Insight hybrids.
Nice looking car, however I've always liked the Mazda6 styling....
We’ve been very anxiously waiting for the new Mazda 6 ever since we first saw the stunning Takeri concept. The Japanese manufacturer assured people that the upcoming production version of the Takeri, the all-new 6 would retain most of its design cues, and we’re very happy to report that they weren’t lying.
After one picture leaked onto the web last night, Mazda responded by releasing an additional three, showing the car from pretty much every angle. We are really impressed with how it turned out and we say that it’s the best looking sedan revealed in a while (a few years, actually).
According to Mazda, they will be officially revealing the car live one month sooner than anticipated, not at the Paris Motor Show, but at a similar venue taking place in Moscow next month (August 29th). It will, obviously, be shown in Paris as well, but Russia will be the first country to see the new 6 in the metal.
We hope this car is as good to drive as it is to look at, as well as being very efficient, as we’ve come to expect from Mazda. We applaud their design effort, and if it will be backed up by similarly good driving dynamics (which judging by the old model, it probably will, and some), there will be no reason for anybody to want another sedan.
Once upon a time, the behemoth you see here was a stock Acura NSX. Now, it’s a wild 850-hp winged monstrosity that will tackle the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in early August.
Cody Loveland’s Michigan-based firm, Lovefab, specializes in turbo kits for the original NSX, so it’s not that surprising to see his first venture into Pikes Peak’s unlimited class is based upon the Honda supercar. There’s little resemblance to the original product, and it’s understandable once you look at build photos of the car: virtually everything apart from the passenger tub and engine compartment has been chopped from the stock NSX structure, allowing room for new suspension, custom carbon fiber bodywork, and an insane engine package.
That engine is a heavily-modified 3.0 liter V-6 bolted to a pair of Garrett turbochargers. According to Lovefab’s website, the project’s originally aimed at a 1000-hp metric, but new press releases from sponsor HRE Wheels mention the car cranks out “only” 850 hp. The entire package still allegedly manages to put down 600 hp at the wheels when dyno-tested.
So, when will we see this beast in action? If you managed to show up to the West Michigan Honda Meet this past weekend, you already did. Automobile Magazine’s road test editor managed to snap photos as the LoveFab racer wowed crowds and made plenty of noise as it lapped Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan. Still, if all things go according to plan, plan on seeing this car compete in Colorado on August 12. Until then, enjoy the videos below for a taste of this mad machine in action.
While the BMW X3 and redesigned Acura RDX have moved up in Consumer Reports Ratings of upscale compact sporty SUVs, both vehicles earned a top spot by changing their powertrains in different directions.
The X3 has been powered by a six-cylinder base engine since its inception in 2004, but BMW opted to go smaller for 2013. It replaced the previous 3.0-liter inline six with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The new engine ekes out 1 mpg better overall fuel economy (23 mpg) than the old one. The turbo four is not as refined as the six, but it delivers the same 240 hp and comparable acceleration. Precision handling and a taut ride make the X3 drive like the best sporty sedans. Add to that a quiet and plush interior, and the X3 scores at the top of CR’s Ratings.
By contrast, Acura dumped the RDX’s rough and thirsty turbocharged four-cylinder engine in favor of a more refined 273-hp, 3.5-liter V6. The larger engine not only performs better but also contributes to a respectable fuel economy of 22 mpg overall. The sweet sounding V6 feels smooth and responsive, delivering effortless acceleration.
“The RDX had been a weak spot in the otherwise competent Acura lineup; the previous version wasn’t refined and had a stiff ride. But the engine upgrade, along with a roomier, user-friendly cabin and an improved ride, helps it score near the top of its category,” said David Champion, Sr. Director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center.
Another good choice is the Audi Q5 which features enjoyable handling and a well-trimmed interior.
Consumer Reports originally tested it with the uplevel 3.2-liter V6 but now tested it with its base engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that averaged a good 21 mpg overall on premium fuel. Shifting is very smooth from the responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Optional for 2013, is a potent 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that replaces the 3.2-liter V6, with a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel and hybrid expected later.
The full report and road test results on Consumer Reports’ latest tests are available on http://www.ConsumerReports.org on July 24th and in the September issue of Consumer Reports on newsstands July 5. Updated daily, ConsumerReports.org is the go-to Website for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news and car buying information. Check out CR’s ongoing Twitter feed at @CRCars.
Rounding out Consumer Reports’ foursome is the Cadillac SRX, which dropped its overtaxed 3.0-liter V6 and optional 2.8-liter turbo V6 for a larger 3.6-liter V6 that gets 18 mpg overall. Despite a power increase and impressive acceleration track times, the heavy SRX still feels sluggish in everyday driving. The interior is plush but driver visibility is problematic. Overall the Cadillac scored a respectable 72 in Consumer Reports Ratings, dropping a point because its revised suspension tuning hurt its emergency handling performance.
The RDX and the Q5 are Recommended because reliability is predicted to be average or above. The X3 four-cylinder is too new for Consumer Reports to predict reliability, and the SRX has shown below-average reliability.
Consumer Reports also tested two other turbocharged four-cylinder SUVs for this report: the Kia Sportage SX and the Ford Edge SEL. The Sportage gained a turbocharger to boost power; the Edge is another SUV that downsized from a V6 to a turbo four to save fuel.
The Kia Sportage’s stylish design stands out from the crowd of typical boxy SUVs. But if you want even more fun, you can buy the top-level Sportage SX with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 84 more horses than the standard four-cylinder, acceleration is much quicker. Handling is agile and responsive, with body lean that’s kept in check in the corners, but the steering is heavy and doesn’t give much feedback. The ride, which was already stiff in the base Sportage, becomes worse with the SX version. There is also quite a bit of wind noise and pronounced road noise.
From the outside, the tested Ford Edge SEL might look like any other Edge. But under the hood it’s missing two engine cylinders. That’s because this SEL has Ford’s optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the base 3.5-liter V6. The little engine moves this not-so-little SUV around with plenty of power There’s less engine noise, too: The four-cylinder turbo actually sounds more refined than the V6. Fuel economy is improved over the V6 but you can’t get all-wheel-drive with the EcoBoost four-cylinder. The six-speed transmission lacks refinement and handling comes up short on agility.
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
Above is the new pic of what the next gen Honda Fit/Jazz may look like and below is one that was floating around a while ago. If you don't already have Woody's site bookmarked, I'd highly recommend it, he's got a great site! Check it out if you haven't already; www.woodyscarsite.com
The all-new 2013 Honda Accord is at present being honed, tweaked and refined in efforts to put the spark back into the carmaker’s reputation among US motorists. Early images of the 2013 Accord have already made their onto the web, as the company prepares to do battle with industry heavyweights including the 2013 Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and the mighty Ford Fusion.
In order to earn a lead over the competition, Honda will have to afford the 2013 Accord more than just a few stylish tweaks and touches here and there. However, the Japanese auto giant has already admitted that efforts are being made not to be too heavy-handed with the new 2013 Accord, having learned lessons following the launch of the overly-modified 2012 Honda Civic.
According to company executives, the 2013 Honda Accord will be a “well-balanced product that is the best overall product in everything, whether we’re talking about interior packaging, content of the vehicle, the fuel economy of the vehicle.”
Motorists have also been advised to prepare for an Accord that is “One of the most feature-rich vehicles we’ve ever made.”
Honda-devotees across the US have voiced their concerns as to how well the company will be able to strike the necessary balance of incredible advancement without going overboard. Should the 2013 Honda Accord launch as a basic and predictable evolution of the current model, it will most likely struggle to compete with market-leaders from Ford, Kia and Hyundai.
However, the Accord certainly has a strong legacy to fall back on and initial demand is expected to be high.
Even at this moment, Honda’s according remains America’s fourth biggest-selling auto, falling behind only its sibling Honda Civic, the Nissan Altima and the unstoppable Toyota Camry.
The 2013 Honda Accord has some big shoes to fill, but one heck of a fan-base to capitalize on.
Honda Motor Co. is recalling certain Honda CRV compact SUVs from the 2012 model year, and Acura ILX sedans from the 2013 model year to fix a flaw in their door-locking mechanisms.
In a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the car maker said that if an occupant operates the manual or power door lock while someone is moving an interior front door handle, the cable connecting the door handle to the door-latch system may loosen. If this happens and the cable moves far enough from its proper position it could prevent the door from latching properly.
If the door is not completely latched it may open in a crash or during normal driving, increasing the risk of injury. The recall affects 172,837 vehicles.
Under the recall, which is to begin next month, Honda dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies free of charge. Honda said it will also replace the interior front door handles in certain CR-Vs. Owners may contact the company at 800-999-1009 (US).
For those of us in Canada that would like to know if their vehicle is affected by the recall, follow this link and type in your VIN number (instructions on the link); Honda Canada Recall Inquiry
Nicholas and Erin Ravelingeen, parents of two who are eager to replace their 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
Here's how the score broke down: 75% of the total was based on the experts' scores; 15% from the family's scores; and 10% was based on fuel economy. To help you make your own comparisons of these SUVs, we’ve pulled together a list of what you get for $25,000. It was evident when the smoke cleared that all six of these compact SUVs were strong contenders, each in its own way. With a firm $25,000 price point, consumers could get many useful features, but no one SUV had all of them. The top three finishers were extremely close in scores, which is a testament to how hard it was to pick a winner in this class. If you're in the market for a compact SUV, focus on your top concerns, and certainly one of these will work for you.
What they liked: Even though the Escape came with fewer features than its competitors (our broker got us a no-frills base version, but we couldn't have gotten a different engine without topping our $25,000 maximum price), as a driving machine, it won over more than a few of our reviewers. "The Escape's 2.5-liter feels spirited from a stop and has plenty of midrange punch," Geiger said. Jackson agreed: "The Escape excels in the vehicle dynamics category — the combination of ride, handling and acceleration — by managing to feel both composed and relaxed." Now, the new Escape ditches the pickup-truck look and feel of the previous generation, and that "unique" look (as Robinson said) appealed to our family testers, too. "I like this shape much more than the old one." Erin said. "The old one wasn't even a contender because of the shape." One area of concern for several judges was the look of the second-row seats, but Meier discovered that "the thin-looking rear seat has a reclining back, and it is surprisingly comfy and roomy for two." In addition, Thomas noted that the "the cargo area is quite large with a low load floor."
What they didn't: Here's where the no-frills come to roost. The "2.5-liter engine [is] not nearly as nice as the available EcoBoost engines," Robinson said, but he added: "To get the Escape that I would actually want to own, I'd be pushing 30 grand, and at that point, I'm looking at bigger vehicles." For Geiger, "the cabin is a disappointment: large, uneven panel gaps are obvious; hard plastic surfaces abound; and chintzy fabric makes the seats feel and look budget-grade." As usual, our Shootouts are about families and she noted a big fail in the second row: "There are no rear cupholders (except for the door-panel cubbies) and there's only one seatback pocket." Meier agreed. "There's just not enough useful storage for this segment." Clever underfoot storage in rear seats can't make up for the tiny console bin, lack of cubbies." For Thomas, his biggest complaint was one we're really feeling in a steamy Midwestern summer. "Someone will have to walk me through how the air-conditioning vents work. They don't shoot air in the direction you think when adjusting them, and there are two above the HVAC controls that shoot air only toward your lap. I had a hard time getting comfortable on the longest driving portions of my test." Meier felt his own pain in a sensitive location: "The front seats are not rump-worthy for a long drive."
The verdict: "The base model is a black-plastic austerity plan," Meier said. "You have to pay more to get the real redesign, including new state-of-the-art engines." Key Features
EPA-estimated 22/31 mpg city/highway; we observed 27.4 mpg combined (the second lowest mpg tested).
68.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (the second highest amount of combined cargo space in comparison)
Auxiliary input for audio system
Reclining second row
Only vehicle tested with wheel covers
Only vehicle tested without Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
Floor storage compartment in second row
No safety data available from NHTSA or IIHS yet
2013 Ford Escape Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $23,295 Monthly payment: $479.16* Cheapest car in Shootout Find a 2013 Ford Escape near you
What they liked: Clearly, all of the judges enjoyed how much they got for 25 grand. "Great value," Geiger said. "At this price point, we were able to get some pretty nice features: heated leather seats, a power driver's seat, hill descent control and satellite radio." "The price starts under 20 grand, and by the time you get to 25, you've got a ton of features for not a lot of price," Robinson added. "Amazingly well-dressed for the price," Meier noted. "It delivers on Hyundai's reputation for value for your bucks." Using those features was a little easier for Thomas in the Tucson: "Give me the Tucson's straightforward tech over the Mazda's touch-screen any day. Scrolling through iPod playlists, synching your phone and making calls was intuitive and natural." Of course, part of the equation is the driving. "The Tucson springs away from stoplights and has decent passing power," Jackson said. "Handling was top-notch in the Tucson," Thomas said. "It was one of the few crossovers that I could take at full speed through tight turns. For the family, with its 11-year-old SUV, the SUVs in this Shootout were revelations, and the Tucson was no exception. "This one and the Mazda never would have made it" onto their shopping list. "This really feels beautiful," Nick said. "I'm really surprised by this car," Erin added. The heated leather seats were something "we didn't think we could get at this price," Erin said.
What they didn't: Where the family saw beauty in the Tucson's design, Robinson saw "ugly exterior styling." Many of the experts' complaints revolved around a slew of issues. "Some of the controls feel cheep and light," Jackson said. "Road noise and tire roar in the Tucson are hard to ignore, making it one of the loudest SUVs in the class," Geiger said. "There's no hiding the fact the cargo area is small," Thomas said, a view that Robinson shared. Thomas continued: "It's too small for my family dog — let alone what we pack for a road trip — and it has a really high load-in height." For Meier, the "lack of visibility at the rear corners makes you see the value of backup and blind spot warning systems." The verdict: "The Tucson remains an excellent option in the class," Thomas notes, "but the class has gotten much tougher very quickly." Key Features
EPA-estimated 22/32 mpg city/highway; we observed 27.6 mpg.
Heated leather seats (only vehicle tested with feature)
Most-expensive vehicle of the Shootout
55.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (the smallest cargo area behind the second row amongst the competitors)
Roof rack
Five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (tied with Kia for the longest warranty)
Power driver's seat
Satellite radio
IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012
2012 Hyundai Tucson Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $25,820 Monthly payment: $531.10* Difference from cheapest car: $51.94 a month Find a 2012 Hyundai Tucson near you
No. 4 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, 740 Points
(See the scorecard, the Monroney sticker or research the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox) What they liked: "Being the biggest one in the group, obviously there's lots of cargo space, but even more importantly, there's lots of small-item storage up front as well," Robinson noted. "The interior has an 'almost-premium' feel." Jackson, a triathlete, picked up on that the Equinox "was the only SUV where I felt I could take a road trip in the second row thanks to the sliding rear seats.There's a huge second row and a large cargo area, too; most SUVs in this class make you choose one or the other." Meier called that sliding second row a "why can't do they do it all?" feature. For Geiger, the Latch anchors were a winning point for the Equinox. "They rank among the best I've ever used. They're completely exposed and have lots of clearance around them — hooking up a child-safety seat is a breeze."
What they didn't: The driving experience lagged its competitors. "This powertrain needs to go to finishing school," Geiger said. "It's slow, loud and the transmission's shifts are clunky and oddly timed." Robinson concurred: "The engine, while adequate in power, has a very rough feel to it." The family had a hard time with the concept of an Eco button. "When would you use that?" they asked. The idea that the transmission adjusted electronically for better fuel economy didn't impress them. It wasn't all about the engine, though. "On the highway the Chevy was definitely the loudest of the six with lots of road noise," Thomas said. "The seats did not provide enough support, especially for my thighs," Jackson found. And the stereo sent Meier off on a mini-rant. "The Equinox had an unexpectedly good audio with subwoofer at this price — and then there's no USB port for your iPod! Chevy should fire the bean counter whose cost-cutting will turn off those younger buyers you could have wooed with the good sound," he said. "Worse, putting a white plate in the black console reminds you where the USB would have been if you'd just paid more."
The verdict: "The Equinox is bigger than the rest of these SUVs, so it's very roomy inside, and it has one of the best rides of the group," Robinson said. "It's a great overall package that could just use a little more refinement in the powertrain." Key Features
EPA-estimated 22/32 mpg city/highway; we observed 27.1 mpg combined (the lowest mpg tested)
63.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012
Power height adjustment for driver's seat
Sliding, reclining second-row seat
2012 Chevy Equinox Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $24,355 Monthly payment: $500.97* Difference from cheapest car: $21.81 a month Find a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox near you
What they liked: "Getting a full navigation system with an upgraded stereo at a price in the middle of our range was a huge win for Kia," Thomas said. "Plus, the stereo sounded better than the rest, too." Erin also liked the nav system: "It feels really high-end." That wasn't the only advantage. "The Sportage definitely has an attitude," Geiger said. "Its exterior styling breaks the compact-SUV mold; it's the edgiest-looking one of the bunch. It also gets some brownie points in the storage department. A deep center console, coupled with under-floor storage with separate bins in the cargo area, mean there are plenty of places to stash stuff." "The Sportage has the crisp handling of the mechanically similar Hyundai Tucson," Meier said, "but its good ride and quiet interior are amazingly better than its stablemate." Jackson also liked its "immediate engine response," and the family raved about its spaciousness. "It's really roomy," Nick said after feeling cramped in the Tucson.
What they didn't: While some experts liked the aggressive styling, "that stylish high belt line may make shorter folks claustrophobic," Meier said, "and they sure won't be resting an elbow on the window sill." He also pointed out that the rakish roof leads to "very limited rear sightlines, and that means you'll need that backup camera and you'll wish for a blind spot alert system." For Robinson, "the interior quality doesn't seem on par with most recent Kias." "Like the Tucson, the cargo area is too small with a very high load floor," Thomas said. And that nav system that everyone raved about? "You've got a great nav system and you install it at an angle leaning backward toward the windshield? That leads to a lot of glare, and when it's sunny out, it is very hard to read the screen," Thomas said.
The verdict: "The sticker price and features wowed me, the family and likely other shoppers. If cargo space isn't a concern, the Sportage will be hard to ignore, Thomas said. Key Features
EPA-estimated 22/32 mpg city/highway; we observed 28.5 mpg combined
Navigation system (only one equipped as-tested)
54.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 26.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (least amount of maximum cargo space in Shootout)
Heated side mirrors
Cooling glove box (Only vehicle tested with feature)
Backup camera
5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (tied with Hyundai for longest warranty)
Satellite radio
IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012
2012 Kia Sportage Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $24,575 Monthly payment: $505.49* Difference from cheapest car: $26.33 a month Find a 2012 Kia Sportage near you
No. 2 2013 Mazda CX-5, 784 Points
(See the scorecard, the Monroney sticker or research the 2013 Mazda CX-5) What they liked: The CX-5 is the first Mazda to shed the “big grin” design language the automaker has been using for the last five years. “More than one person has described the CX-5 as ‘cute,’ ” Jackson said, even though this is the first Mazda to shed the “big grin” design language the automaker had been using for the last five years. “The interior has the richest look of any in our test,” he continued. “I kept thinking that we had to be in a model that didn’t meet our price level; it looked so nice.” But meet our price limit it did, a feat that Geiger also praised. “Low base prices and high fuel economy mean this car should appeal to penny-pinchers, and lots of features for the price (blind spot warning, backup camera and powerdriver seat) mean they’re getting a good value,” she said.
“I really like it,” Erin said about the interior. “It’s really streamlined but in a good way,” she said. Meier praised the “airy, spacious feel inside with classy trim and seat cloth and the straightforward gauges and controls,” he said. “You expect classy interiors from Mazda and CX-5 doesn't disappoint.”
Beyond that, Geiger favored the second row. “The backseat folds in a 40/20/40 split, which is useful for hauling different combinations of people and cargo. The seats also fold flat with ease, thanks to three cargo-area handles.” One of the reasons the CX-5 scored so high was its outstanding fuel economy. It was more than 2 mpg ahead of its closest competitor.
What they didn't: Part of that great fuel economy was because of, shall we say, reserved acceleration. Looking at the judges' scores, this category likely kept it from the top spot. "The CX-5's 2.0-liter engine has adequate pep from a stop, but it's on the loud side and takes awhile to gather steam," Geiger noted. "That famed Zoom-Zoom wasn't there in the handling department," Thomas said. "While it topped the CR-V and Equinox in that regard, the Escape, Tucson and Sportage all out-cornered it." Worse, Meier said: "The engine's thin power undercuts confidence in demanding situations." The CX-5's new stereo setup also raised ire. "The info screen looks outdated, and there's a navigation button even though there's no [factory installed] nav," Robinson said. Compared to the others in the Shootout, the CX-5's Latch anchors weren't super accessible. There wasn't a lot of clearance around the anchors, so the car seat's Latch connector has to be jammed in for it to hook on. One big point of contention: the clock. The family and a couple of judges could not understand why the clock was placed where it was, and while they all liked the look and layout of the dashboard, they thought the air-conditioning controls and the clock felt as if they were out of a different time period than the rest of the car. "It looks basic, basic, basic," Erin said. She also thought the center armrest was "unusably too low; actually, it's too far back and too low." Husband Nick was not as wowed as the expert judges. "I hate it. I don't know why!"
The verdict: "Mazda really needs the CX-5 to be a winner, and it's poised to be," Geiger said. "The CX-5 should appeal to a wide audience with eye-catching styling, a quality interior, plenty of convenience features and excellent-for-the-class fuel economy." Key Features
65.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
Power driver's seat
5.8-inch color LCD display with backup camera
HD Radio and satellite radio
Blind spot warning system (only vehicle tested with feature)
IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012
2013 Mazda CX-5 Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $24,690 Monthly payment: $507.86* Difference from cheapest car: $28.70 a month Find a 2013 Mazda CX-5 near you And the winner is...
What they liked: Perhaps the greatest compliment to be paid to our winner is that everything that came in our tester was standard for the trim level, and the combination of those features really pleased our judges. "Even just equipped with the standard tech features, the CR-V shined," Thomas said. "The Bluetooth and USB integration works well with a vibrant color display that's easy to read, and the stereo was one of my favorites." "The CR-V is loaded with convenience features that come standard," Geiger said. "Three of my favorites are the always-helpful backup camera, the cavernous center console box and the easy fold-flat seats with cargo-area release handles. Bonus: This was the only vehicle with a sunroof at this price point." Robinson loved the "great ergonomics and the CR-V's best interior layout." Perhaps betraying that they haven't been in the market since 2001, Erin and Nick were "totally amazed" by the conversation mirror (most commonly found in minivans) that lets parents check up on kids in the second row. "Mason, look! Mom can see you!" But that wasn't the only thing they liked about the Honda. They had barely begun their test drive when Erin exclaimed, "It drives like a dream." She also liked the CR-V's size: "This just feels like a car, and the Chevy feels big," she said, with "big" referring to a larger SUV.
What they didn't: The CR-V is one of the totally redesigned SUVs in this contest, but not everyone thought the Honda had improved on its looks. "The rear styling is pretty bad," Jackson said. "It's got the biggest butt of any of the SUVs here. Actually, the front styling ain't so hot, either." But it's not all about looks. "Handling is where the CR-V showed some chinks in the armor," Thomas said. "When taking corners, driver and passengers leaned more in the Honda than the other contenders." Geiger also had some issues with the driving. "Eco mode is a double-edged sword: I appreciate the potential fuel savings, but the system alters the throttle response and delays shifts points so the CR-V seems lazy," she said. While many praised the features included in the price tag, Robinson said the CR-V "still trails many others in technological and convenience features such as blind spot monitoring systems, push-button start, etc." Finally, Thomas was bugged by one little annoyance: "Considering how many great cubbies there are around the cabin, I would really like a better place to put my smartphone."
The verdict: "The Honda CR-V is one of the most well-rounded vehicles in this segment. It's a comfortable cruiser with a solid powertrain, a compliant ride and plenty of features," Geiger said. "The brand's history of strong reliability helps tip the scale." Key Features
EPA-estimated 23/31 mpg city/highway; we observed 30.3 mpg combined (the second best mpg tested)
70.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space; 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (largest cargo area in competition)
Second-most expensive vehicle of the comparison test
Sunroof (only vehicle tested with feature)
Backup camera
Pandora Internet radio (only vehicle tested with feature)
IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012
2012 Honda CR-V Payment Facts MSRP with destination fee: $25,425 Monthly payment: $522.98* Difference from cheapest car: $43.82 a month Find a 2012 Honda CR-V near you
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