2011 Honda CR-Z

With a base sticker price of $19,950 including handling, the 2011 Honda CR-Z offers an attractive price point for this two-seat gas-electric model. And that is good news for two reasons: the car is affordable and unlike its Insight sibling, isn’t so hard on the eyes.

With a planned August 2010 debut set, the CR-Z expands Honda’s hybrid line to three models: the CR-Z, the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Insight. That latter model has managed to sell despite looking everything like a badly designed Prius. Not that the Toyota Prius is beauty itself, but the current generation Toyota hybrid is much improved in looks and economy over previous generation models.

In the Honda CR-Z EX, at least drivers won’t have to apologize for driving something unattractive.

Nicely Equipped

Honda reports that its latest hybrid model will feature a 1.5-liter i‑VTEC 4-cylinder engine works paired with its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to supply power and offer efficiency to the CR-Z. And, to show that it won’t easily be confused with other hybrids, a sport-focused, six-speed manual transmission is used, the first for any mass-produced hybrid.

Optionally, an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available and includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Yes, sporty hybrid driving has arrived at Honda.

You can also choose one of three driving modes when operating the Honda CR-Z: sport, normal or economy. The latter is likely to appeal to hypermilers; the former to people who want to at least pretend that their Honda is fast. Likely, most CR-Z drivers will leave their settings on normal and drive.

The CR-Z comes nicely equipped as an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, are among the included features.

Want more? Then opt for the CR-Z EX which adds a 360-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with seven speakers – including a subwoofer – Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and other amenities.

Honda has figured out that styling is important to drivers as is including all the features you may want in any car of this size.

Fuel Economy

What about fuel economy? How will the Honda CR-Z compare?

Well, base fuel economy is NOTHING to shout about: the CR-Z will achieve 31 city and 37 highway. Compare that figure to the gas only Ford Fiesta which delivers 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.

You have to choose the Honda CR-Z EX model in order to receive hybrid like fuel economy although at 35 city and 39 highway, those numbers don’t turn heads either.

Honda got the styling and price right, but its latest hybrid model still pales in comparison to the five-passenger Toyota Prius which achieves 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway. Even the Ford Fusion Hybrid offers 41 mpg city; 36 mpg highway.

Then again, the CR-Z is its own beast…a much better looking dedicated hybrid than anything Honda has built to date. That, and its low price, will likely stimulate sales for the CR-Z, perhaps giving Honda a much needed edge in its quest to challenge Toyota.

Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Swan song for the Honda Ridgeline?

Car based trucks aren’t my favorite kind of vehicle although I must say that the Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero were two vehicles that at one time sparked my interest in this limited segment. The Subaru Baja, discontinued in 2006 also fits in, as does the Honda Ridgeline, a midsize truck introduced for the 2006 model year.

Innovative Ridgeline

I don’t compare the Honda Ridgeline to competing pickup trucks, but I know that some people do. With its unibody construction the Ridgeline is a far cry from a Chevrolet Silverado or a Toyota Tacoma, but that sort of thing doesn’t matter to the average buyer. It still can carry 1500 lbs of equipment and haul up to 5000 lbs, numbers that are pretty impressive. Plus, the Ridgeline offers a car like ride, a traction control system, dual action tailgate and a nifty trunk placed inside the bed of the truck.

Is the Ridgeline innovative? Yes, absolutely. Is it a strong seller? Nope.

Early on, Honda could expect to sell four to five thousand Ridgelines per month, enabling the Japanese automaker to reach its goal of 50,000 units annually. But sales have fallen off significantly in the past year as the model enters its twilight years. Next year marks the sixth year of the current generation Ridgeline which means that come year seven a new model will need to hit the market.

Ridgeline R.I.P.

Only problem here is that Honda isn’t committed to keeping the Ridgeline alive. Importantly, sales peaked in 2006 and have been declining since. Yes, the entire truck segment has narrowed considerably, but Honda is only averaging about 1000 units sold per month and those are leaving showrooms with an uncustomary Honda discount included.

According to the April 9, 2010, issue of “PickupTrucks.com,” unnamed sources have told this popular truck blog that Honda will not replace the Ridgeline when it comes to the end of its life cycle, which would take it to 2012.

That makes sense because with not enough interest from buyers, investing in a next generation model seems unwarranted. Plus, better to let it die when it should than to drag out its lifespan ala the Ford Ranger.

2011 Honda CR-Z

It has taken several years to bring it from concept to reality, but the wait has been worth it: the Honda CR-Z was officially unveiled this week at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

2007 Tokyo Concept

The CR-Z, which first appeared in concept form at the 2007 Tokyo International Auto Show, demonstrates that a hybrid car can look good and be fun to drive. Honda, which has delivered up a pair of ugly Insights to the world over the past decade or so, can now be forgiven. The two passenger CR-Z is sporty, stylish, and as expected highly fuel efficient, perhaps the perfect blend for any hybrid car.

Powered by a the a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system, the 2011 Honda CR-Z represents what the automaker says is the company’s sixth unique version of IMA technology. The first, of course, was the 2000 Insight, certainly not my favorite model.

“The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “It’s the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy.”

High Tech Interior

Besides the stylish exterior, the interior offers a clear departure from the Insight.

Honda describes the cabin as offering a high-tech appearance and ergonomically intuitive controls. The instrument panel meters illuminate with a three-dimensional, vibrant blue color theme resulting in a multi-layered appearance. Set against a textured pattern of black materials and aluminum-style trim accents, the upper portion of the dashboard extends toward the driver to provide a wrap-around cockpit environment.

The Honda CR-Z offers premium, sporty cloth seats designed to provide top notch lateral support as well as everyday driving comfort. Behind the front seats, Honda notes that a “mid-ship console” makes good use of cargo space, while a hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.

Honda, which has been building at least 75% of its US retail vehicles in America for many years now, will do the same with the CR-Z. Recently, Honda reported that 83% of its models sold in the US in 2009 were built in the states, a phenomenal percentage for a “foreign” automaker.

Three Mode Driving

The CR-Z, which goes on sale later this summer, will introduce Honda’s new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available.

Manual transmission models are expected to achieve 31 mpg city/37 mpg highway while CVT cars should return 36 mpg city/38 mpg highway. Honda says that the CR-Z will max out at 122 horsepower/128 lb-ft torque. Two trim levels will be offered, a standard CR-Z and what Honda says is its feature rich CR-Z EX model.

Honda has yet to set a price for the 2011 CR-Z with that announcement expected just in advance of its release this summer.

Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The Honda Insight is back and is uglier than ever. Still, the popular hybrid model is a finalist for the 2010 Green Car of the Year award and is my pick to win the award. An official announcement will be made on December 3rd at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

I still can’t get all that excited about the so-called green car segment. A number of the models are just plain ugly while some just cannot justify their premium price. With a sticker price of around $106,000 the Lexus LS hybrid is the worst of the lot, followed by the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid which weighs in at around eighty grand and three tons!

Green Car Journal

Anyway, cars emitting fewer pollutants while delivering outstanding fuel economy remain an important part of the market and not every green car is a hybrid in the first place. To that end, Green Car Journal (GCJ) has named its five finalists for their 2010 Green Car of the Year award, with the announcement of the winner slated for the Los Angeles Auto Show this December.

The Top 5 finalists for the 2010 Green Car of the Year award are the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and VW Golf TDI. GCJ will announce the winner on the L.A. show’s second media day.

Handicapping The Finalists

So, who do I think will win the award? Well, if previous makes who won are discounted by the judges, then you can eliminate the Toyota, Mercury and Volkswagen, pitting the Honda against the Audi. Personally, I think the Insight should place fifth for two reasons – it is ugly and Honda could have done a much better job on interior layout. But, given that it retails for about $20,000 it may do quite well, perhaps knocking off the Audi.

The Prius is compelling and has won before because this is only the fifth year of the award with the Toyota Camry Hybrid named the winner in 2007. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid won the first award in 2006 while the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid won in 2008.

No VW This Year?

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI was last year’s winner, the first “clean diesel” to win the award.  I’m thinking that the judges won’t give an award to a diesel again this year, therefore look for the Honda Insight to be named the 2010 Green Car of the Year. Yikes.

See Also — Green Car of the Year Award Set

Built in Indiana and now available for export throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, the Honda Civic clearly demonstrates that American manufacturing quality is, indeed, quite good. Less than a year after opening its newest American manufacturing facility, the Honda Civic is now being exported abroad.

How’s this for an interesting twist? Honda, which was one of the first Japanese manufacturers to import their vehicles to the US from Japan, is now exporting American built Civics to other countries. Moreover, these vehicles are being sent out from its newest plant – located in Greensburg, Indiana – which only came online in November 2008.

This isn’t the first time that Honda sent its American built cars abroad (beyond North America) as the Accord was sent to Taiwan as far back as 1987. Honda is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the U.S., with fourteen plants.

High Quality Standards

Thousands of Honda Civic sedans are being sent to Mexico and 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries from Greensburg. Previously, those sedans were built and sold in America exclusively, with more than 50,000 Greensburg Civics rolled out so far. Honda officials expressed confidence in the quality standards of the Indiana facility sayings that it is “world class” and that the automaker would “soon be proving it around the globe.”

Greensburg has been a shining light for Honda, an automotive plant that does everything including metal stamping, plastic injection molding, painting, subassembly and final assembly.  Even Civic engines are made stateside at the company’s engine plant in Anna, Ohio.

American Production Hums

While the US market has certainly been a place where Japanese vehicles are exported to, Honda says that more than three million automobiles, light trucks, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles and power products (including lawn mowers) have been built in the US for export globally. Honda first began US production in 1979, soon after Volkswagen got started (1978-1988) and before Toyota set up its initial operating plant in America.

Greensburg recently received another important distinction: the plant is now the lone production source for the Honda Civic GX sedan, a compressed natural gas-powered (CNG), near-emissions vehicle. As of right now, Honda is the only major car manufacturer producing a CNG powered car, a fuel source that is cheaper than gasoline, emits far fewer emissions and is domestically produced. Unfortunately, CNG pumps are few and far between, making Civic GX unpractical for most drivers.

Source: Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC

A bold grille, lower to the ground appearance and higher ride profile are some of the standout features of the Honda Accord Crosstour. Available for sale this fall, the Crosstour goes where few crossovers dare to tread. Will that prove to be a bane or a boom for Honda?

Last week, Honda took the wraps off a new model – the Accord Crosstour – and the collective gasps coming from much of the automotive writing community could have shaken L.A. But, I didn’t turn up my nose when I saw the first pictures of the Honda Accord Crosstour; in fact, this crossover reminds me of another stylish Honda model that I’ve driven, the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity.

What Honda Had To Say

Honda’s Erik Berkman, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. had this to say about the Crosstour, “Our concept is to broaden the appeal of the Accord line-up by leveraging traditional Accord strengths of fun-to-drive performance and handling while also adapting to dramatic shifts in the light truck marketplace. The Accord Crosstour accomplishes that by offering a modern interpretation of a CUV while integrating the refinement and efficiency of a premium sedan.”

Wedge shaped C-pillars and an aggressive rear stance are just a few of the styling attributes of the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. Honda says the model's unique cargo area will offer much more carrying room than a conventional sedan.

Honda has developed a Facebook page to gauge customer reaction and has updated its Future Cars page on its website. Honda plans to begin selling the Accord Crosstour this fall, positioning it as the flagship of the Accord family.

Honda’s Toyota Venza?

The Accord Crosstour also reminds me of the Toyota Venza, a bulbous crossover based on the Toyota Camry. Personally, I don’t like the style of that particular vehicle, but it has proven to be a strong seller for Toyota, so what do I know? Apparently, not all that much.

Prices haven’t been set for the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour yet. The Auto Writer will share that information with our readers when it is made known.

Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

A hybridized version of the subcompact Honda Fit will be hitting the market early, perhaps by Summer 2010. Honda is doing its part to challenge Toyota for hybrid supremacy and believes that customer demand will warrant the Fit's early release.

There isn’t much about the hybrid Honda Insight that I like. The first generation model was ugly and the current Insight isn’t much better to look at even with a rear seat offered.

But, sales of the Honda Insight are doing quite well so much so that Honda appears prepared to be firing up its challenge to Toyota by bringing out a hybridized version of its subcompact Fit next year, some eighteen months sooner than earlier announced.

Hybrid Fight Brewing In Japan

Japan’s Nikkei news service [subscription required] announced today in, “Honda, Toyota, Nissan Gear Up To Launch Hybrids By End Of ’10,” that Honda plans to move up its launch date to coincide with what its chief competitors will be doing, namely Toyota and Nissan. Nissan will already have an electric vehicle on the market next summer and Toyota is preparing additional Toyota and Lexus models for their fleet. No word yet if a Scion model will eventually see hybridization.

The hybrid Fit represents just one of three additional models that Honda is preparing to sell, with all three on the lower end of the price spectrum. Thus, the Fit hybrid will probably sell somewhere in the high teens, perhaps a few thousand dollars less than the Insight.

Sporty CR-Z Concept To Become A Reality

Introduced at the 2008 NAIAS, the concept Honda CR-Z will be the first of the three new models to be rolled out by Honda beginning in 2010.  That coupe offers a more interesting and futuristic design than the typical hybrid, not some sad looking tear drop design meant to scream, “I’m a hybrid!”

Of course, the recent pronouncements by President Barack Obama regarding fuel economy and emissions have caught the attention of all automakers who are now locked in a tight race to meet elevated fuel standards expected to be in place by 2016. Yet, if gas prices remain low or what is offered to the public are just plain ugly, no hybrid model will meet sales expectations especially if there is a prettier face sitting nearby.

Photo Credit: Honda

See Also — First Drive: Ford Escape PHEV

Honda assembly line workers in Greensburg, Indiana have reason to celebrate as the automaker launches the natural gas powered Honda Civic GX, representing the only natural gas passenger vehicle from a major manufacturer for the US market.

It isn’t a new vehicle for Honda as the Civic GX has been in production since 1998. But, it is new to the automaker’s Indiana plant, representing the only U.S. built natural gas vehicle that is currently being built in America by a major car manufacturer. Natural gas is abundantly available in the US and Canada, a clean burning “home grown” fuel.

Fifty State Legal, Generous Federal Tax Rebate Available

Last Wednesday, the first of what Honda hopes will be many Honda Civic GX units was rolled out, making it the cleanest internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA. Certified for sale in all fifty states, owners of the Honda Civic GX are eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit as a qualified alternative fuel vehicle. That will certainly help because with a base sticker price of $25,190 it carries an $8800 price premium over the base Honda Civic DX sedan with automatic transmission.

With a range of at least 220 miles and EPA fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 36 mpg highway the Civic GX is powered by a 113-hp, 1.8-Liter, 16-valve, I4 engine which is built at Honda’s engine plant in Anna, Ohio. The Civic GX has been on the market since 1998 and had previously been built at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio plant prior to production being shifted to Honda’s newest American assembly plant, Greensburg.

Fifty Year Anniversary For Honda

2009 represents an important milestone year for the Japanese automaker as American Honda Motor Company, Inc. was established fifty years ago in 1959.  The U.S. was the first overseas market for Honda which also became the first Japanese car company to build cars in the United States when its Marysville, Ohio plant opened in 1982.

Today, Honda is the second largest Japanese car company, ahead of Nissan though well behind Toyota. However, the automaker continues to gain market share in the US as its major competitors continue to stumble.

Source: American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

Related — Honda Reverses Course, Embraces Hybrids Over Diesels

Plans for building & selling a Honda Accord diesel variant that would deliver 52 mpg on the highway are now dead. Instead, Honda will focus on modifying its hybrid technology to power medium and large passenger vehicles.

Diesel technology is far from dead, but building a diesel powerplant to meet increasingly tougher US emission restrictions is becoming far less cost efficient than utilizing other technologies. For Honda, who announced in October 2007, that a 52 mpg diesel Accord was on its way to the US, the Japanese automaker has reversed course deciding to embrace hybrid technology instead.

That move is a blow to diesel enthusiasts who prefer an engine that offers improved torque and fuel economy never mind removing the need for tune ups. Had the Accord been introduced to the US as planned, it would have offered class leading fuel economy, even well above the 41 mpg (city) Ford Fusion Hybrid, the current leader in the midsize car segment.

Bending To EPA Pressure

But, offering a diesel in Europe and Japan isn’t the same as selling it in the US, where the Environmental Protection Agency holds full sway when it comes to regulating emissions output. Ever tightening restrictions put an increasingly heavier cost burden on developing diesel powerplants for the US market, costs that Honda isn’t willing to assume according to a recent article in the Automotive News.

Honda says that it will now modify its current hybrid technology, found in the Insight and select Civic models, to drive medium and large cars. In addition to Ford’s Fusion and Mercury Milan, the Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Malibu are some of the other midsize sedans currently offering hybrid technology. A few years back, Honda had a hybrid Accord on the market, but its expensive trim level and fair fuel economy (28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) worked against its success.

Limited Diesel Availability

Diesel technology is likely to find limited usage in the US via select German manufacturers including Volkswagen and Mercedes as well as being a powerplant of choice for select large pickup trucks including the Dodge Ram.

Beyond that, the costs for modifying existing diesel technology for the US market will likely stunt this segment’s growth, leading to additional hybrid and pure electric models being developed and sold instead cars like the Chevy Volt, a plugin electric hybrid Nissan as well as proposed new models from Toyota, Ford, Hyundai and Chrysler.

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

A Pricing Pull Back For The Prius?

Though pricing for the Toyota Prius hasn’t been announced for the US market yet, a $24,000 price point was hinted at until recently. That price is about two thousand dollars more than the 2009 model, but it appears that Toyota will choose to fight Honda with a lower price in the US market too.

Ever since rolling out a preproduction version of the Honda Insight at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show last November, Honda has been boasting that its all-new hybrid would be sold for thousands of dollars less than the Toyota Prius. With a base MSRP of $19,800 plus destination, Honda effectively lowered the floor to attract a wider range of buyers. Since going on sale in March, demand for the Insight has been strong, despite gas prices hovering below $2 per gallon.

Size, Mileage Edge To The Toyota Prius

While it is easy to compare the Honda Insight to the Toyota Prius, there are some important differences between the two models. The Prius is larger and more roomier than the Insight and delivers better fuel mileage. Insight EPA fuel estimates are 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway while the Prius will deliver 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway.

The Honda Insight was the first hybrid model to be sold in the US when the original two seater went on sale in 1999. Soon thereafter, Toyota entered the fray with the Prius and quickly surpassed Honda as the largest seller of hybrid vehicles in the US.

After the Insight was retired, Honda offered an Accord hybrid as well as a Civic hybrid, dropping the Accord model quickly due to lack of demand. Toyota continued to expand its hybrid offerings by rolling out a hybrid Camry and Highlander along with several hybrid Lexus models.

Related Reading — Next Gen Toyota Prius Unveiled