Autoblog

Leaked order sheet reveals Sport trim, CVT for 2013 Accord

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:59:00 EST

Honda is massaging the 2013 Accord line with more modern gearboxes and trims to match its more modern design (the non-conceptual version of which still has yet to be seen). In addition to the six-speed manual replacing the five-cogger currently offered on four-cylinder models, the folks at the Temple of VTEC forum have found an order sheet indicating a CVT will be available on mid-range LX, EX and EX-L models. For the enthusiasts hoping for the manual to return to the V6 sedan, no dice - the 6AT is what you'll get.

The sheet also omits the sedan's current SE trim slotted between the LX and EX, and in its stead is a Sport trim. It can be had with either the manual or the CVT, but it's not listed with the "navi" option. The coupe's trims remain the same. When we can put these specs together with the actual 2013 car, then we'll start to guess how it will far against its archfoe, the Toyotal Camry.

Leaked order sheet reveals Sport trim, CVT for 2013 Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda fêtes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Honda

There's nothing quite like a parade in small-town America. The floats made by kids at the local high school. The middle school's marching band. The people on stilts. The new Honda.

Wait, what? Well this was no ordinary parade. Sure, it had all those things, but the occasion wasn't Thanksgiving or Memorial Day. It was another milestone altogether: Joe LoCicero hit one million miles on his 1990 Honda Accord.

It's been an event that people (well, other people, anyway) have been monitoring on millionmilejoe.com. You see, while the average driver clocks around 14,000 miles on the odometer every year, LoCicero does more than four times that. He started keeping track when he reached 300,000 miles, so when he hit the big seven digits, it was a cause for celebration.

So Joe's town of Saco, Maine, put together a surprise parade, complete with an airplane banner and a float with a giant odometer made up of six people spinning giant hamster wheels. And at the end, Miss Maine herself gave Joe the keys to a brand-new 2012 Accord, courtesy of American Honda. Nice work if you can get it. Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the images in the gallery to see what you missed.

Continue reading Honda fêtes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model

Honda fêtes million-mile Accord driver with surprise parade, new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Middle East drifting daredevils go beyond the bounds of sanity... in family sedans

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Safety, Videos, Honda, Middle East

As a genre, automotive journalists have seen (and done) some pretty stupid things done in some pretty stupid cars. Collectively, we've been airborne in more vehicles than are worth counting, roasted enough tires to make Al Gore weep, and generally made asses of ourselves on closed-course manufacturer track days. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Surprisingly, all of that stupidity has been eclipsed by the efforts of a few determined motorists in the Middle East. If the comments on YouTube are to be believed, the drivers and passengers in the slew of workaday family sedans in the video after the jump are participating in something called hajwalah, wherein drivers throw their vehicles into an extended slide before eventually correcting and continuing along their way. We've seen videos like this before out of the Middle East, and we're thankful this one didn't end in a crackup and bloodshed the way some others do.

Crazy drivers can be found the world over, and normally, most aren't worth talking about. A few things are notable about this particular video, however. For one, the guys behind the wheel are kicking their vehicles around in what looks like full traffic in front of dump trucks and beside school busses. For another, none of them appear to be wearing seat belts. Finally, there's a smattering of small arms fire from open car windows at the same time.

We're nearly without the words to convey just how stupid this kind of driving is, but even we have to say, we didn't know that humble family-toting iron like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry could be pushed to such absurd slip angles - at least with such repeatability. Hit the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading Middle East drifting daredevils go beyond the bounds of sanity... in family sedans

Middle East drifting daredevils go beyond the bounds of sanity... in family sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 2.26M vehicles in U.S., China over gearbox fears

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:26:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Honda

Honda has announced a voluntary recall on 2.26 million vehicles around the world, 1.5 million of which reside in the United States. This recall concerns the automatic transmission software of the 2005-2010 Accord (four-cylinder), 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element, where the transmission's secondary shaft can be damaged if quick shifts are made between Reverse, Neutral and Drive (as a driver might do when trying to rock free a stuck vehicle from snow or mud).

The automaker states that, in this scenario, a secondary shaft can be damaged and a bearing can break, causing the engine to stall or lead to difficulty with putting the vehicle in Park. Honda's remedy includes an update to the transmission's control module software, easing the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage.

Honda has confirmed that no injuries or deaths have been reported because of the gearbox malady. Owners will be able to take their cars to dealers and have the recall work done free of charge, and Honda will begin its owner notification process starting on August 31. Follow the jump for the automaker's official release.

Continue reading Honda recalling 2.26M vehicles in U.S., China over gearbox fears

Honda recalling 2.26M vehicles in U.S., China over gearbox fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Ford, Honda, Kia

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T - Click above for high-res image gallery

The mid-size sedan battle rages on year after year. Perennial kings are dethroned while new challengers emerge boasting fresh styling and a bountiful list of standard features. Consumer Reports launched its June issue today, inside which the institute's testers have pitted four-cylinder versions of the Kia Optima and Honda Accord against each other to determine which is top dog, and then ranked them both against their peers.

As it has here at Autoblog Towers, the 2011 Kia Optima drew big praise from the Consumer Reports crew. In fact, the Korean squeezed out a higher rating than the veteran Honda Accord. It may have only beat the Honda by one point (81 to 80), but this represents a significant win for Kia. The opinion of Consumer Reports is highly valued by a large number of car shoppers, and this victory ought to push the Optima further onto the radar of the American car-buying public. Despite beating the Accord and earning a "Very Good" rating, however, the Optima is still nowhere near the top of the heap in Consumer Reports' ratings of four-cylinder mid-size sedans. The Nissan Altima (a perennial CR favorite) still holds the top spot with a rating of 91, neatly trumping the Optima in sixth place and the Accord in seventh.

One vehicle that didn't do so well in the June issue of Consumer Reports? The 2011 Ford Explorer. Three mid-size sport utility vehicles were rounded up for testing: the Explorer, Volkswagen Touareg TDI and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Of the 19 mid-size SUVs that Consumer Reports has rankings for, the Explorer came in at 17 with just 65 points. The Touareg TDI, meanwhile, landed in fourth place with a score of 82 and the Highlander Hybrid beat all with a top rating of 89.

If you won't get the latest issue of CR in your mailbox, check out the official press release after the jump for more details.

UPDATE: The information in this article has been corrected concerning which vehicles were compared against each other in the June issue of Consumer Reports and where they ranked overall.

Continue reading Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED

Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

LoJack says the Honda Accord was the most stolen vehicle of 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Theft prevention and recovery company LoJack knows a lot about stolen vehicles. It also knows a lot about getting those vehicles back. In 2010, the company says that fully 90 percent of vehicles equipped with its car tracking hardware was recovered.

LoJack has been at this game for a while, and last year, it started to release its own Vehicle Theft Recovery Report. The second annual report is hot off the LoJack presses and the data is ... not surprising, if you own a Honda.

In 2010, the most stolen and recovered vehicles were: (last years rank in parenthesis)

10. Chevrolet Tahoe (7)
9. Nissan Maxima (New)
8. Nissan Altima (8)
7. Dodge Ram (New)
6. Toyota Corolla (6)
5. Cadillac Escalade (5)
4. Acura Integra (4)
3. Toyota Camry (3)
2. Honda Civic (1)
1. Honda Accord (2)

LoJack also breaks down its stolen and recovered information by year, make and model. Honda claims all five top positions for 2010. There's more interesting data in LoJack's 2nd Annual Vehicle Theft Recovery Report. You can read all about it by hot-wiring your mouse and clicking past the jump.

Gallery: Lojack's Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles of 2010

[Source: LoJack]

Continue reading Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report

Car thieves still love Honda according to LoJack annual report originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KBB reveals 20 most researched cars of 2010

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

KBB.com names its 20 Most-Researched vehicles for 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of the most researched new vehicles for 2010, as well as brands that hold the greatest market share of interest. The Honda Accord, Civic and Toyota Camry claim the top three spots -- not a surprise if you've been reading this list the last few years. Since 2004, the same three vehicles have garnered the most attention at KBB.com.

While it's not a surprise to see those three, it's a nice change of pace for a few newcomers to the list. The Hyundai Sonata was 29th overall last year, but has risen 24 spots to claim the title of fifth most-researched vehicle for 2010. Not everyone rose this year, of course. Two notable vehicles, the Toyota Prius and Corolla, dropped a few spots compared to 2009.

It's not all bad news for Toyota, however, because KBB.com also takes a look at each brand's market share of interest among new car buyers. Toyota leads the way at 13.4 percent, with Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan rounding out the top five in that order.

Here's how the Top 20 Most-Researched Vehicles for 2010 breaks down:

1. Honda Accord
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Honda CR-V
5. Hyundai Sonata
6. Nissan Altima
7. Honda Pilot
8. Ford Mustang
9. Toyota Highlander
10. Toyota RAV4
11. Toyota Sienna
12. Honda Odyssey
13. Chevrolet Equinox
14. Toyota Corolla
15. Ford Fusion
16. Ford Escape
17. Toyota Prius
18. BMW 3 Series
19. Chevrolet Camaro
20. Volkswagen Jetta

Be sure to click past the jump to read the full release from Kelley Blue Book.

Gallery: Kelley Blue Book's Top 20 Most-Researched Vehicles for 2010

[Source: KBB.com]

Continue reading KBB reveals 20 most researched cars of 2010

KBB reveals 20 most researched cars of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda recalling 10,800 Accord and Pilot models over potential suspension failure

Zach Bowman — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Honda

2011 Honda Accord Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has announced another round of recalls for the 2011 Accord. Both the coupe and sedan, along with the 2011 Pilot, have been discovered to be susceptible to a failure in the front suspension. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the bolts that attach the front dampers to the suspension may not have been properly tightened.

In addition, the spindle nuts on the Pilot and Accord V6 may be loose as well, and both issues could cause a loss of steering. NHTSA says that 10,823 units are impacted by the recall. That number joins the 9,300 Accord and CR-V models that are currently being investigated for possible oil leaks due to an improperly cast portion of the engine.

According to USA Today, the newest problem is due to a malfunction in the software that controls the machines that tighten bolts at the factory. Dealers will inspect and replace the damper bolts and spindle nuts if necessary free of charge, and owners can expect to be notified as soon as December 23, 2010. Hit the jump to have a look at the recall notice for yourself.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Accord Coupe

Gallery: 2011 Honda Accord Sedan

[Sources: USA Today, NHTSA]

Continue reading Report: Honda recalling 10,800 Accord and Pilot models over potential suspension failure

Report: Honda recalling 10,800 Accord and Pilot models over potential suspension failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: NHTSA reviewing Honda Accord Hybrid sudden acceleration claim

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Safety, Honda

2005 Honda Accord Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary investigation in to mid-2000s Honda Accord and Civic hybrid models after receiving a complaint that originated from a fatal crash in July of 2005. In this instance, the driver of a 2005 Accord Hybrid said that she was driving over rumble strips on the side of a highway, and when she tried to apply the brakes, the car sped up and caused her to cross into oncoming traffic. NHTSA reports that the resulting accident caused the Accord's passenger to die, while the driver sustained disabling injuries.

It's no surprise that NHTSA is being particularly careful these days when receiving complaints citing unintended or sudden acceleration, especially after the series of Toyota recall fiascoes earlier this year. Using NHTSA's crash database, the Accord driver found 22 other incidents similar to hers, all of which involved Honda Accord and Civic hybrids. NHTSA plans to further research this individual complaint before starting an official investigation into these Honda vehicles. Hat tip to Frank W!

Gallery: 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid

[Sources: Bloomberg, AutoWeek]

Report: NHTSA reviewing Honda Accord Hybrid sudden acceleration claim originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA releases second batch of crash test ratings under new system

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota

For the 2011 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. The new test is known as the NCAP, or New Car Assessment Program, and the first batch of cars were evaluated earlier in the year. Ten more vehicles have been subjected to the NCAP, and the results are promising... for most.

General Motors received high marks for its Lambda triplets - the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia - with all three netting five-star ratings. Not all GM products received a gold star, however - the aging Buick Lucerne only received a three-star rating under the new test procedures. Honda's Accord sedan also received a five-star rating, however its main competitor, the Toyota Camry, didn't fare so well. Both the gasoline- and hybrid-powered Camrys only received three stars.

During the first batch of testing the average score was four stars, so the five-star ratings here are good news for GM. Previously, only the Hyundai Sonata (after being revised and retested) and BMW 5 Series received the coveted five-star rating.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration plans to test 55 cars in total before the year is over, and the full results of the latest testing can be viewed at SaferCar.gov.

[Source: SaferCar.gov via The Detroit News]

NHTSA releases second batch of crash test ratings under new system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling Accord Crosstour over airbag issue

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is set to launch a recall of certain 2010 Accord Crosstour models to "inspect and potentially replace the front passenger airbag." According to Honda, the recall will cover about 3,340 units in total, some 700 of those in Canada.

The cause for the recall stems from recent testing which revealed a potential problem with the airbag modules not meeting the rules regarding protection of an unbelted, child test dummies in the front seats. They say no incidents have been reported, but Honda is recommending that children under the age of 12 be properly restrained in the vehicle's rear seat for now.

Honda will notify affected customers by mail but owners can also call their dealer or Customer Relations toll-free at 1-888-946-6329.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Canada NewsWire via Digital Journal]

Honda recalling Accord Crosstour over airbag issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevrolet sweeps HGTV Car Hunters Challenge

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota

Car Hunters Challenge - Click above to watch the video after the jump

One of HGTV's most popular shows is called House Hunters, where your average Joe and Jane Public take a look at two or three homes and ultimately end up purchasing their dream abode. Chevrolet wanted to get in on this game and its teamed up with the network to develop the Car Hunters Challenge. You see where this is going, right?

Cameras are everywhere and the supposedly unbiased reactions of the car shoppers are recorded. How are they able to get to the real opinions regarding the Chevy-supplied cars? Independent research company GfK is asking the questions, and the car buyers also look at equivalent models from Honda and Toyota. In the mid-size segment, the Chevy Malibu took on the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. A Chevrolet Equinox lined up next to a Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V for the compact crossover shoppers. In the mid-size crossover group, a Chevy Traverse duked it out with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

The Car Hunters Challenge ultimately ended up speaking with 70 people, but how did the Bow-Tie brand fair? It took a gamble on the entire project but walked away happy after 43 new-car shoppers gave Chevrolet vehicles the thumbs up. By our grade-school math, that equates to a D-. However, it's entirely possible they grade on the nursing school curve. Regardless, it's interesting to see an automaker take a risk like this and the see the results play in its favor.

You can catch the Car Hunters Challenge spots in commercial form during episodes of House Hunters or watch episodes on the web courtesy of the HGTV website. Take a gander at the trailer, available for viewing after the jump.

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet sweeps HGTV Car Hunters Challenge

Video: Chevrolet sweeps HGTV Car Hunters Challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety

Honda has announced plans to recall 383,000 Civics, Accords and Elements built in 2003 and 2004. Due to a fault with the ignition interlock system that normally prevents the key from being removed until the transmission lever is in Park, the affected Hondas could roll away on their own accord.

According to Honda, the interlock system can wear prematurely, allowing the key to be pulled regardless of the shifter position. If the parking pawl isn't engaged, the vehicle can roll away if parked on a slope.

While this has nothing to do with the sort of problems that Toyota has experienced, there is an interesting parallel regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's defect database. Toyota complained that there was insufficient detail in the database categories, resulting in the appearance that there were more incidents of unintended acceleration than there actually were. This Honda issue is purely a mechanical failure of the locking system and yet it is grouped under Electrical System:Ignition problems. This lack of detail makes it much more difficult and time consuming for engineers to sift through the data to find and prioritize issues to fix. As part of the follow-up to its recalls, Toyota has been talking to NHTSA about revising the database to make it easier to mine relevant information other automakers will likely be following suit.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda]

Continue reading Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Safety, Hatchback, Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Luxury

Consumer Reports picks the best cars for teens and seniors - Click above for high-res image gallery

The car-savy folk over at Consumer Reports have released a new list of its best picks for vehicles suited for teens and seniors. The group suggests parents looking to send their teens off to school with a newer vehicle should try to avoid the common misstep of assuming that a larger SUV is safer than its smaller, more efficient counterparts. Instead of opting for a heavy roller, Consumer Reports suggests that parents look toward cars with standard traction control and side curtain airbags - cars like the Mazda 3, Scion xB, Honda Accord or Nissan Rogue.

Meanwhile, the publication points to a number of models for seniors that offer good visibility and easy access, including the Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Azera and Subaru Forester XT Limited. As you might expect, CR notes that each of the vehicles on the list can boast at least average reliability and carry the publications' Recommended label.

Interestingly enough, the only vehicle that Consumer Reports recommends for both driver types is the Honda Accord. Check out our galleries of the winners below and hit the jump to peruse the full press release.

Gallery: Consumer Reports Best Cars for Teens

Gallery: Consumer Reports Best Cars for Seniors

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors

Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's Marysville, OH plant builds 10 millionth vehicle

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda

Less than 28 years after becoming the very first Japanese brand to begin producing cars in the United States, Honda turned out the 10 millionth car from its Marysville, OH factory on Tuesday. Marysville began car production in November 1982 with the second generation Accord, and so it's fitting that the landmark vehicle was also an Accord sedan. These days, Marysville also produces the Acura RDX and TL, but over the years the Accord has accounted for 8.5 million units of the total production volume.

Eighty-four percent of the vehicles sold by Honda and Acura in North America in 2009 were produced here. The nearby Anna engine plant will also celebrate a landmark this week with its 25th anniversary on Thursday. Congrats, Honda!

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda's Marysville, OH plant builds 10 millionth vehicle

Honda's Marysville, OH plant builds 10 millionth vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda releases info and images of revised 2011 Accord

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Honda

2011 Honda Accord Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has unveiled updates to its new Accord Coupe and Sedan for the 2011 model year. Chief among the changes are improvements to the car's aerodynamics, reduced engine friction and revised transmission gearing that all add up to increased fuel efficiency. According to the automaker, four-cylinder sedans equipped with an automatic transmission now achieve 23 miles per gallon in the city (a two mpg improvement) and 34 mpg on the highway (a three mpg improvement).

Styling updates are mostly limited to the front fascias, which now appear to be more in line with the blocky look of the Accord Crosstour... for better or for worse. Brake lights and bumpers also get slight revisions, and new wheels are optional on V6 models. The Coupe gets optional steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a USB Audio Interface, while all models with navigation get a rear view camera system.

Sadly, most models are still equipped with five-speed transmissions, both automatic and manual - save for the EX-L V6 Coupe, which gets a six-speed stick. There are a slew of additional detail and package updates, and you'll find them all in the press release pasted after the break. We've also created a high-res image gallery of each model that you can browse through below. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2011 Honda Accord Coupe

Gallery: 2011 Honda Accord Sedan

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda releases info and images of revised 2011 Accord

Honda releases info and images of revised 2011 Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cars.com American Made Index ranks Toyota Camry #1 again

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Toyota

2010 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's that time once again for Cars.com to release its annual American Made Index. What constitutes an American-made car, however, is just as debatable now as it ever has been. That being the case, there are a number of notable changes since the last time the crew released its list.

First and foremost, the Toyota Camry is (somewhat ironically) still at the top of the American Made Index. But second place is a bit of a surprise, with the Honda Accord making a debut appearance in the runner-up position. Notably, it takes the place of the Ford F-150, which falls off the list entirely.

Why the sudden change? It seems the Accord now boasts a 75-percent American parts percentage (which is the minimum allowable to make this list) as it is now being assembled in two separate plants based in the United States. Ford's F-150, however, saw its American parts percentage fall from 80 percent down to just 55 percent - a scenario Ford calls "pretty common."

Ford does make a good presence on the AMI list, though, with both the Escape (third place) and Focus (fourth place) making a comeback after a brief disappearance the last time around. General Motors earns fifth place with the Chevrolet Malibu, which is GM's only vehicle on the latest AMI edition. Chrysler nabs number seven with the Dodge Ram 1500 and nine with the Jeep Wrangler.

See the complete American Made Index after the break, and check out additional commentary from Cars.com here.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Source: Cars.com]

Continue reading Cars.com American Made Index ranks Toyota Camry #1 again

Cars.com American Made Index ranks Toyota Camry #1 again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda seatbelt lawsuit headed to U.S. Supreme Court

Zach Bowman — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on whether or not current federal regulations protect automakers from being sued under state product liability laws. According to The Wall Street Journal, justices will examine a California lawsuit that claims that Mazda should be held responsible for the death of a passenger in a 1993 MPV minivan. The passenger was riding in the middle seat, wearing a lap belt, when an accident occurred. The belt caused serious internal injuries that eventually led to death. The plaintiff's argument is that by not installing three-point seatbelts in the center row of the vehicle, Mazda failed to do everything in its power to protect the occupants of the vehicle.

It's important to note that three-point seatbelts didn't become a legal requirement in all seating positions until 2007. Before that time, regulations established in 1989 said that three-point belts were only required in outboard seats, so Mazda built the MPV to conform to the laws in place when the vehicle was built and sold.

The lawsuit was originally rejected after Mazda pointed to a 2000 Supreme Court case in which Honda was unsuccessfully sued after injuries occurred in a 1987 Honda Accord. In that case, the plaintiff said that Honda was responsible because it did not install airbags in the vehicle.

The Supreme Court will hear the case in the 2010-2011 term starting in October.

[Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg | Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

Mazda seatbelt lawsuit headed to U.S. Supreme Court originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parents magazine names 'Best Family Cars of 2010'

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 May 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Parents has worked up a lengthy list of its favorite family haulers for 2010, though you won't see too many minivans or SUVs on the roundup. Instead, the site broke down its selections into categories like sedans, hybrids and large vehicles and arranged its picks in no particular order. We certainly can't argue with cars like the 2010 Subaru Legacy or the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, though a few of those that made the cut had us scratching our heads.

Both the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight found favor among the Parents editors. Sure, we can respect trying to save some cash at the pump, but those hybrid hatches don't exactly have the space for the Boy Scouts level of preparedness that accompanies traveling with a toddler.

Other shockers include the loveable but quirky Kia Soul and the omission of the ubiquitous Toyota Camry in favor of the sportier Honda Accord. You can hop over to the Parents site to see the full list of 15 cars and CUVs for yourself.

[Source: Parents]

Parents magazine names 'Best Family Cars of 2010' originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 May 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising results

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota

Midsize sedans don't have it easy anymore. In addition to packing tons of features (technology, safety, comfort) into a relatively affordable package, these vehicles have to be relatively good to drive, functional and not too bad on the eyes. We've seen all sorts of family sedan comparisons, and now Cars.com dishes up its own eight-car test, featuring the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Suzuki Kizashi, Mazda6 and new Hyundai Sonata.

The eight sedans were not only tested by members of the Cars.com team, but by an actual family of four in an attempt to see what real-world drivers look for the most. The "real family" is comprised of Ben and Jill Tiernan of Los Angeles, as well as their two children, an infant and a toddler. The family drove the cars on highways and city roads, and took their time poking and prodding through the cabins of each tester. Ben and Jill's notes were also compiled and included in the end result data, with father Ben liking the Kizashi the best, while wife Jill raised her hand for the Camry.

What's more, the overall question of fuel economy was put into greater focus. Efficiency is one of the strongest selling points in this segment, and it's no secret that automakers tout the highway mileage numbers of these cars in an effort to attract buyers. Cars.com went a step above - not only noting the EPA estimated fuel economy, but recording what the cars' trip computers displayed, as well as calculating the actual at-the-pump fuel economy. The Hyundai Sonata's 35 mpg might be the highest number on monroney labels, but in the actual calculations, the Ford Fusion's 32.1 observed mpg trumps the recorded 27.8 mpg in the Sonata.

What's most interesting, though, are the end results. We won't spoil the final findings, but it's important to note that the Ford Fusion - a car which has garnered a ton of praise (Motor Trend Car of the Year, etc.) - came in dead last amongst the group, with the Chevrolet Malibu not falling very far behind. On top of that, Toyota's Camry is usually the top pick in these tests (Motor Trend would agree), but it doesn't take first place honors here. How does the well-received Honda Accord fare in all of this? What about newcomers Sonata and Kizashi? Read the full results for yourself at Cars.com.

[Source: Cars.com]

Cars.com hosts eight-car family sedan shootout with surprising results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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