2010 Honda CR-Z Test Drive

Honda CR-Z Test Drive.

When the Honda CR-Z was first shown as a concept car, not very many people would have expected the CR-Z to actually make it to production. However, it is. The hybrid sports car that Honda has created is in a class of its own and is the very first sport hybrid on the market. You may be comparing the CR-Z with other smaller sports cars such as the Mini Cooper, but the CR-Z stands out in both styling and functionality.

You might notice that the CR-Z resembles the old Honda CRX, the late 80’s and early 90’s compact sports car that was very popular and you can still see driving around the road today. They styling of the CR-Z is reminiscent of the CRX, but also brings the modern smooth and sporty look. If you are wondering why the back of the CR-Z is so flat like the insight, it is due to aerodynamics. Having the flat back drop down from the roofline reduces drag and in turn provides more fuel efficiency and

performance.

The CR-Z is available in three different trim levels (or sub models with different features) the CR-Z base model will have most features. The EX model which is the next level up will add HID (high intensity discharge), if you’re not familiar with these they are the ultra bright white lights like those on BMWs and Audis) headlights which is a first for Honda, also included is Bluetooth, and more. The highest model available is the EX w/Navigation, this model just adds Hondas satellite navigation system. All models will come with USB audio interface for iPods and other mp3 players.

The CR-Z is a two seat sports car and with Honda discontinuing the S2000 after 2009 the CR-Z is now the only two seat car available from Honda. This is somewhat of a negative because both Japan and Europe are getting the CR-Z with rear seats. The US model however uses the rear for storage. Having passengers in the back would be extremely uncomfortable for the passenger and reduce performance on the CR-Z considerably in both power and handling.

The CR-Z looks great on the inside. All the gauges and buttons are styled and colored to be very futuristic looking as well as easy to find/use. The CR-Zs speedometer changes its background color depending on which mode you have the car in; normal, econ, or sport, I’ll get to the modes later on. The driver and passenger bucket seats are very comfortable and sporty feeling, unfortunately an armrest for the center console is an additional accessory; it would have been nice if t his feature was included with the car. A nice feature in the glove box is a vent that can be opened when the air conditioning is on to be used to cool drinks.

The storage space in the rear of the car is actually quite large. You have the hatch area, as well as the separated ‘back seat’ storage areas. You also have the ability to fold the ‘seats’ down to have a larger flat storage area in the back. All CR-Z models come with a retractable privacy cover which can be used in two ways. Either up above to cover your belongings or there is also a mount where you can use it as a divider.

The CR-Z is available in both an automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission) with paddle shifters and a six speed manual transmission. The CVT CR-Z has set ratios when using the paddle shifters to simulate gears and give you more control over your driving experience; there are seven set ‘gear ratios’ on the CV-T. The 6 speed manual transmission is geared to be sporty in gears 1-5 and the 6^th gear is reserved for economic highway driving. The manual transmission also features hill start assist; this will help drivers while starting on a hill by holding position for half a second while the driver switches their foot from the brake to the gas pedal.

Although 122 horsepower seems like far too little to be considered a sports car, keep in mind that the MINI cooper that most consider to be a sports car only has 118 horsepower. Also, the CR-Zs electric motor helps boost the CR-Z and provides an incredible amount of torque for a small engine. The manual transmission has 128 ft/lb of torque, a 5 ft/lb advantage over the automatic CVT with 123 ft/lbs.

All CR-Zs have the three different mode selectors. These modes again are normal, econ, and sport. The normal mode is well, normal. The car feels and handles like a normal Honda car would drive like, responsive, smooth, and comfortable. When you switch to econ mode the car limits its self. Your gas pedal becomes less responsive and your power is cut dramatically so you get the very best fuel economy possible. The sport mode unleashes the car. The throttle and steering become very responsive; the car feels completely different from the way it drives, it feels like a sports car.

Overall the CR-Z is a fun to drive car which doubles as an eco car. Honda has succeeded in creating a fun to drive two seat sports car. If you are looking for a more rich driving experience the manual transmission is probably for you. If you are looking for a car that can get you around and occasionally give you the thrill you want, then the CVT automatic will do more than plenty.

PROS

• FUN
• Responsive handling
• Economic
• Futuristic style

CONS

• Only seats 2
• Center armrest is additional

2010 Honda Civic Test Drive

Honda Civic Test Drive

Not much has changed for the Civic for 2010, but still a solid car that continues to outsell the competition. The Civic is available in plenty of trim levels (sub-models) from the DX (not available in CA and most places. No A/C or stereo) DX-VP (base model for CA and most places) LX, LX-S, EX, EX w/ Navigation, EX-L, and EX-L with navigation. Each trim level adds more and more features, as you can see there is a Civic for almost every budget. Don’t forget that the Civic comes in both Manual and Automatic transmission and in a two door or four door. It is also available in the sporty Si model, but I won’t include that in this review.

The basics in all the Civics are the same. The current generation Civic has a sporty look and a sporty drive. The dash area and instrument cluster on the Civic is well laid out. The instrument panel is divided in two levels; the lower portion where most are familiar to seeing the gauges is made up of the tachometer, gear indicator, and odometer. The top section displays the speed temperature and fuel. The speedometer is digital, which is a handy feature that also makes the car feel more expensive and futuristic. The audio controls and climate controls are located in the center console where most of us are used to seeing it; these controls are simple and well placed.

The seats are comfortable and sporty. The semi bucket seat aids in holding your body in place while cornering, giving the driver more control of the car. The driver seat is height adjustable; it also reclines and of course goes back and forth. This adjustability in the seat plus the telescopic and tilting steering wheel gives a wide range of options to get you comfortable. The seat however does lack a lumbar support in all trim levels.

The Civic has plenty of passenger room. The front and back seats has lots of leg, hip, shoulder, and headroom. Despite being a small sedan, it is actually quite roomy. The two door Coupe Civic has a good amount of room in the back seat as well, just lacks a little headroom. EX and above models that have the moon roof loses only .2” of headroom, so don’t worry too much about that. In the past the space you lose was more significant, but not anymore. A family of 4 should be able to go on comfortable road trips in the Civic and a family of 5 should be comfortable for commuting and moderate distance drives. The rear seat does lack A/C vents, you can however receive enough air flow from the front vents to keep comfortable. Remember it is a smaller car.

The visibility of the road on the Civic is almost perfect, at every seat position there are no blind spots. The small windows on the sides of the dash almost look redundant, but while driving you will notice that they help. The rear window is large enough and at a good height to see other vehicles behind you.

Like I said earlier, the Civic is a fun sporty drive. The Civic is also surprisingly quiet, while driving, you can hear a small amount of road noise, and little to no engine noise. It is quiet enough to have a phone conversation easily without struggling to hear the person on the other side. The Civic hugs the road nicely. The automatic transmission seems to have a small amount of lag when stepping on the gas, but unfortunately this seems to be normal with all automatic transmissions these days. The Civics 140 Hp 1.8L 4 cylinder engine isn’t meant for power, but it still does a good job. No issues with the car going uphill. It’s definitely a car that you can commute in and have fun at the same time with.

The Civic is considered a ULEV-2 vehicle. Basically meaning, the Civic is a really clean car to drive. You can still help the environment a little without spending too much extra money going for a hybrid or electric car. The Civic is also very fuel efficient. The EPA (environmental protection agency) rates the manual transmission Civic with 26MPG city and 34MPG highway. The automatic transmission Civic receives almost the same, 25MPG city and 36MPG highway. Remember, this is the EPA rating and actual fuel economy depends on how you drive. you could easily squeeze more MPG out than the EPA says, or you could get less, depends on how you drive.

There is a Reason Honda has kept the Civic along for so long. It is a reliable and affordable pick for a commuter/ family car. Honda of course backs the car up with its standard 3 year/36k mile warranty. Also, if you are not familiar, Honda has no scheduled maintenance for the first 100,000 miles. The Civic receives top safety ratings and with Hondas ACE body structure, the Civic is a safe and fun pick

PROS

• Fun
• Fuel Economy
• Quiet
• Reliable

CONS

• No lumbar support

2010 Honda CR-V Test Drive

Honda CR-V Test Drive.

The CR-V has been around for a while, and has a proven track record of Honda reliability. The Popular Honda CR-V gets a slight update for 2010. There are noticeable changes to the outside styling on the hood, grille, and bumpers all around. The biggest change is in the engine; the engine received a 14 horsepower upgrade from the 2009 models, and makes a slight difference. Also, it has become 1 MPG more efficient.

There have been some other modifications as well. The EX and above models got new wheels, the cloth interior has different fabric with a new pattern, and two new exterior paint colors were introduced. The opal sage replaces the older green tea metallic color and Hondas popular polished metal metallic color replaces the beige. The front seat arm rests are now 3cm wider giving you a little more space for your arm to rest; seems like a little but it’s a noticeable improvement.

The CR-V is available in both 2WD (two wheel drive) and 4WD (four wheel drive) and available in 4 different trim levels for each drive train; LX, EX, EX-L, and EX-L with navigation. The LX model is the basic model. The LX still comes with standard convenience features such as power windows, power locks, remote entry, and cruise control. Each model adds a number of features; most notably the EX adds tinted windows, 17” alloy wheels, 6 CD changer, and a moonroof. The EX-L will add leather, power seats, heated seats, dual-zone climate control (driver and passenger) and more. The navigation models will add navigation of course, and Bluetooth.

Whichever model you decide to get, the interior space and the drive is the same. The space on the inside is large enough to comfortably fit people of any size. The rear seats are spacious with a good amount of legroom. The best part about the rear seats is they do recline to add comfort. The rear seats are split 60/40 and each of the 3 seats recline independently; the center seat contains an armrest and cup holders.

The trunk is spacious and plenty tall. The EX and above models come with a privacy cover that doubles as a shelf, but with only a 20lb weight capacity don’t expect it to hold too many groceries or your bowling equipment. A useful feature of the back seats is they do fold/tumble forward to open up your cargo space to hold larger items, or whatever you can fit in the space. Again the seats are split 60/40 so if you need to have a passenger in the back with part of the seats tumbled forward for cargo, you can.

The CR-V has a wide range of adjustability for the driver. The steering wheel is height adjustable and telescoping. The seat will adjust back and forth, recline and is also height adjustable. The CR-Vs gauge cluster is set around the digital information display; which displays your current MPG along with the option of showing the range, oil life, outside temperature, odometer and trip computer.

The CR-V is only available in a 4 cylinder engine unlike some of its competitors which are available with a six cylinder. For a car of its size you may think that a 4 cylinder is not adequate, but while driving, the 4 cylinder engine will do what you need it to do and save on some gas. However you will be using the entire engine to accelerate hard and you can tell its working. Despite the small engine, the CR-V does well. Honda has designed the CR-V to be economical enough to work as your daily driver, and have enough power to handle your occasional heavier loads. It does have a small towing capacity of only 1500lbs, this will be enough to tow a small trailer or some jet skis.

The ride of the CR-V is comfortable and smooth. I would say it would be fine for a small family of four to use to go on road trips or for a family of 5 to use for family outings. Three full size adults can fit in the back with a moderate amount of comfort. Shoulders will be touching but there is plenty of legroom. An added plus is that the seats in the rear are flat; this means no hump in the middle. The car is quiet and you can barely hear the engine unless you’re stepping on the gas. Road noise is moderate, but normal for a car of its price range.

Overall the 2010 CR-V looks a little more aggressive and sportier than the previous model. The 14 horsepower upgrade is noticeable and helps. The CR-V is a comfortable ride with plenty of cargo space for when you need it. There is a wide variety of models that will suit most people’s needs. The CR-V is well tested and has been proven in reliability and quality.

PROS

• Fuel economy
• Cargo space
• Comfort

CONS

• Power (only available in a 4 cylinder)
• Low tow capacity (1500lbs)

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Test Drive

Accord Crosstour Test Drive.

Brand new to Hondas line-up is the 2010 Accord Crosstour. This car would fall into the popularly growing category of cross-over vehicles. Combining SUV like utility with sedan size and fuel economy. The Accord Crosstour starts in the high-end level of the Accord Line. The lowest model available is the two wheel drive EX. All Crosstours come with Hondas 271 Horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Available in 2WD and 4WD; it gives consumers an option for versatility.

The styling of the Crosstour is very similar to what we are already familiar with. The front end of the car looks like the Accord Sedan, and the rear resembles the Insight. I urge you to go and see the car in person for yourself if it is one of the cars you are considering. Pictures of it online don’t do it justice. The Crosstour is of course larger than the Accord, and sits higher as well. Overall, you are at a height were it doesn’t feel any different from driving any other sedan.

The trim levels (or sub-models) starting with the lowest and cheapest, are EX, EX-L, and EX-L with navigation; all models are available in both 2WD and 4WD. All models come equipped with plenty of bells and whistles; including dual-zone climate control (driver and passenger), power moon-roof, and power seats. stepping it up to the EX-L model will add even more features; most notably Leather, 18 inch alloy wheels (rather than 17 inch on the EX) Bluetooth, and memory seats. The navigation model just adds the navigation system and a rearview camera. The rearview camera has the option of showing distance guidelines on the screen to help judge space; this is new to Honda models.

The storage space is more than adequate for a car of its size. The hatchback area is a decent size and could easily fit some golf clubs. There are convenient levers located in the back that effortlessly allow you to fold the back seats down. Also in the back are lights, which is a must have. The storage space is unique in that there is a removable storage bin underneath the cargo floor. Honda moved the spare tire underneath the car like you would see on larger SUVs and trucks to allow more room for storage. Also, the cargo floor can either be carpet or rubber by simply flipping over the covers to the hidden storage. Honda also put a durable scuff plate on the rear bumper; this way you won’t damage it sliding your larger items in and out.

The driver and passenger space is nice and roomy. I am not a large person (about 5’10” 170lb and athletic build) but there is more than enough room for people of all shapes and sizes. The backseat seats three. There is enough space to where three adults would fit back there comfortably for a limited amount of time. After about a half hour, you might want to get out and stretch. There is plenty of space for two adults to sit comfortably for the longer drives; the arm rest in the center help with this. Of course there is plenty of space for children.

The seats of the Crosstour really show how Honda put thought into engineering a fun car. The seats are bucketed and while comfortable, they really hold you in your seat when you are cornering to allow better control of the steering and other controls. Honda has also engineered another first into the Honda line. The feature of ‘Gear holding’ is added to the 5-speed automatic transmission. What this does is when you are going through a corner, say a freeway onramp, usually an automatic transmission will change gears as your speed increases, with gear holding, the Crosstour will stay in say third gear through the corner allowing you to get an aggressive drive out of the corner on to the freeway; yet another element that Honda has engineered to add to the fun-factor of the Crosstour.

Honda has also added what they call ‘Active noise cancellation’. Basically this system uses the cars audio system to cancel out some booming caused by the engine at low engine speeds that you would normally hear in the car to help make the ride as quiet as possible. As you are driving the car it is relatively quiet and you shouldn’t have any problems talking on your phone or using the built in Bluetooth. While the suspension on the car is more sporty and fun in the corners, it still offers a smooth ride that you would expect from a thirty thousand dollar car.

Overall, the Accord Crosstour is a nice car. It is loaded with features, it’s comfortable, and it has plenty of utility. The Crosstour is a fun car to drive, and with Hondas VCM (variable cylinder management) allowing the engine to run on 4, 3 or 6 cylinders it is economical for its size. The Crosstour isn’t for everybody. It is quite expensive, and targeted at the upper middle class. The Car is loaded with enough features and being backed with Honda reliability it is worth it if you can afford it.

PROS

• Fun to drive
• Cargo space
• Comfortable
• Available in 4WD

CONS

• On the expensive side
• Low towing capacity (1500lbs)
• No DVD entertainment system option

2010 Honda Insight Test Drive

Insight Test Drive.

The New 2010 Honda Insight is a great step up from the first generation of Insights. The first thing you will notice about the new Insight is its similar shape to the Toyota Prius. It is however more compact in size, and looks a bit more sporty. Supposedly, this shape makes the cars more aerodynamic, and helps save on fuel costs.

The interior of the Insight is nice, however if you are a larger person, it may be a little cramped for you. I am about 5'10" 170lb with an athletic build, for me there is just enough room to where I am comfortable. The seat is height adjustable, and the steering wheel is also adjustable in the traditional up and down, and telescoping. Finding a comfortable driving position wasn’t an issue on the Insight. One thing I did notice was the lack of floor mats. The passenger space is adequate for someone under 6’ tall I would say, same with the rest of the car. The backseat does offer a good amount of space, for children is more than plenty. Tall teenagers and adults may find the headroom lacking, and long rides uncomfortable.

The dash area is traditional enough to where you won’t spend days trying to figure out where everything is, but looks futuristic enough to remind you that you are driving a hybrid. The sport mode with the paddle shifters is a fun addition if you’re like me and enjoy a sporty driving experience. Most drivers will probably never use it though. The air conditioning vents are easily adjustable to any position you want, and the climate control settings are digital, with an ‘Auto’ setting.

The information display is very educational it shows the current MPG that you are getting while you are driving, as well as average MPG, also it shows your range with how much gas you have. Honda has the Eco guide scoring system on the Insight which will help coach and guide you to become a more economical driver. At the end of each of drive, you will receive a score on how economical you were driving during that trip. It’s a fun game and over time you will pass different levels. It seems like a gimmick, but it does get you driving efficiently and has some fun. The ECON button on the Insight puts the car in ECON mode which limits output of the Insight, and helps you save on gas by keeping the car driving in the most efficient way possible. While driving in ECON mode I didn’t notice a huge difference in performance while on the highway, driving through town while trying to accelerate quickly you will feel the difference.

The small hybrid engine still offers a good amount of pep. Getting on the freeway at spirited pace, you could tell the car was working a little bit, but it wasn’t struggling. At highway speeds the insight held 65mph without a problem and the gas pedal has just the right amount of resistance that your leg won’t fatigue. Steering wheel is solid enough to where you won’t struggle to keep the car straight. It is also responsive while cornering.

The suspension has a good combination of comfort and sport. While going through corners, the Honda Insight hugs the road and it doesn’t feel at all like you are driving a hybrid commuter car. While cruising you can feel some bumps in the road. It’s definitely not a luxury car. The CVT transmission makes it so you will not feel any shift shock. However if you use the sport mode with the paddle shifter, the CVT step down quickly when downshifting and it will feel as though you are driving a car with gears, but smooth gears. As with most cars in this price range, there is a fair amount of road noise. The road noise isn’t bad enough to where talking on your cell phone would be difficult, but you might need your in call volume up all the way.

Being a hatchback, there is good amount of trunk space. Also the seats fold down, so if you need the extra space you have it. However, the seats don’t lie flat, so you lose a little height that way. Since the car is small, I would say that the storage space available is more than most cars of its size.

Overall I would say the Insight is worth the price.

PROS

• Fun to drive
• Fuel efficient
• Cheap price for a hybrid

CONS

• Looks like a Prius
• Too small for bigger people