Autoblog

Honda could halve its US lineup without crimping its sales much [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:13:00 EST

Taking a detailed look at the Honda lineup in the US, it isn't hard to see the strength of some models and the weaknesses of others. A recent report on Autoline Daily points out that its five core models - the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot - make up a full 93 percent of Honda's sales in the US. Through April, Honda has sold 419,798 vehicles, and 389,474 of them were from these core models; not to mention the fact that the Accord was the top-selling car in the US last month.

This means that Honda could technically cut six of its 11 models and only lose about 5,000 sales per month. Of course, this is just some data crunching and there is no reason to believe that Honda is planning to kill off any of its models in the near future. In fact, it seems to be committed to the Ridgeline, while Japanese-made models that may actually lose money for Honda still fill unique voids. Scroll down for the video report - fast-forward to the 1:43 mark for the Honda info.

Continue reading Honda could halve its US lineup without crimping its sales much [w/video]

Honda could halve its US lineup without crimping its sales much [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 May 2013 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Insight gets nicer

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

The Honda Insight is a hatchback with its spirit in the right place, but everything else about it has practically no spirit at all. Honda has finally seen to its lackluster hybrid by tweaking nearly everything about it. Its face has been given blue eyes courtesy of tinted headlight covers, and the grille and front spoiler benefit from a welcome sharpening. In back, a revised profile for the spoiler means improved visibility.

The Insight's sparse plastic interior is where TLC was most needed, and the loving comes via nicer seat fabric, "wood look paneling," and stitching that breaks up the synthetic expanses. There is also more room inside, and less noise.

Under the hood is the familiar 1.3-liter i-VTEC mated to an electric motor, but tweaks mean that it gets better gas mileage and now puts out just 96 grams of CO2 per kilometer when fitted with 15-inch wheels. You can find out all about the better, frugal-er Insight in the materials after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos.

Continue reading 2012 Honda Insight gets nicer

2012 Honda Insight gets nicer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrids rejoin California gridlock as HOV stickers expire today

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal

The vehicles are no longer novel, their yellow stickers have faded from years of exposure to the sun and, after six years of enjoying the privilege, it's now time for California's hybrid owners to suffer with the rest of us in the state's traffic-clogged non-High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

Starting today, July 1, some 85,000 yellow stickers issued to owners of certain hybrid vehicles in California expire. Now these hybrids have to fall in line with gas-guzzlers, truckers and the millions of other vehicles that sit at a dead stop in the "regular" lanes of California's highways and watch in envy as carpoolers whiz by at 55-plus miles per hour in dedicated HOV lanes.

Only three hybrid vehicles - Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid - qualified (rated 45-plus miles per gallon) for the yellow stickers. Now, owners who choose to cruise solo in HOV lanes in those gas-sipping hybrids will face steep fines.

Hybrids rejoin California gridlock as HOV stickers expire today originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online Find of the Day: K20-powered Honda Insight recalls '88 CRX Si

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Insight with K20A2 Swap - Click above for high-res image gallery

We miss the first-generation Honda Insight. The aluminum-bodied hybrid represented a no-holds barred quest for fuel efficiency with innovative weight saving techniques, an aerodynamic design and a tiny 1.0-liter gasoline engine. As a result, the two-door garnered an EPA-rated 70 mpg highway and 61 mpg city - a far cry from the 43 mpg highway of the much larger current car. Of course, the Insight of yore also begged to be modified, even if it wasn't done that often. Still, some tuners simply couldn't resist the thought of plopping a high-horsepower engine into a featherweight chassis, which is exactly what CincyStreetScene forum member Cheezoto did with his first-gen Insight.

A 210-horsepower K20A2 lifted from an Acura RSX Type S is now bolted in place of the old IMA lump and motor, and the seller promises the swap was done as cleanly as possible. There are no check engine lights, and the gauges, anti-lock brakes and cruise control all work as they should. The seller did the swap himself back in 2007, and the engine now has around 45,000 miles on it. The chassis, meanwhile, sits at a shave under 300,000 miles.

Surprisingly enough, the asking price is a reasonable $9,900. Considering that a non-modified 2000 Insight will set you back close to $9,000, we'd say this sounds like a deal. Head over to CincyStreetScene for a closer look.

Online Find of the Day: K20-powered Honda Insight recalls '88 CRX Si originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CR-Z, Crosstour, Insight sales hurting - Odyssey lone bright spot among new Honda models

Zach Bowman — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Honda, Earnings/Financials

2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has hit rough water with sales of its new CR-Z, Accord Crosstour and Insight models According to Automotive News, the three models are underperforming in a big way.

Take the Insight hybrid, which is falling 40,000 units short of even the most conservative estimates inside the company. Outsold 8-to-1 by its Toyota Prius rival, Honda has only managed to shift 19,325 units through November - the company originally targeted sales of 60,000 to 80,000.

Likewise, thus far this year, Honda has sold nearly 20,000 fewer Crosstour models than its biggest competitor - the Toyota Venza, selling just 25,927 units compared to the Toyota's 43,325. Need we remind you, Honda's original sales goal for the Crosstour was 40,000 units per year, a number we were deeply skeptical of after first driving the vehicle at its launch last November.

Although it hasn't been on the market that long, early sales for Honda's new CR-Z hybrid coupe aren't any more encouraging. Automotive News reports that Honda had conservatively intended to sell around 15,000 of the two-seat hybrids per year, but so far, only 4,373 have made their way off of dealer lots and another 3,000 are currently sitting in inventory. Thankfully, there is one bright spot in the Honda stable - the 2011 Odyssey. The minivan bowed in September, and it's performing well against a minivan segment that has heated up with a range of new competitors.

Automotive News suggests that the problem boils down to a change in Honda's image from a company with compelling products to one that plays it safe. Throw in styling that isn't for everyone and aging (but still selling) models like the CR-V and Accord, and you've got a recipe for decreased market share.

Honda, meanwhile, says that it doesn't focus on market share because that leads to bad habits (read: incentives), instead opting to focus on percentage-increases in vehicles sold. That's a fair strategy, but slow sales of key new models suggest that Honda needs to do some soul-searching. Might we suggest getting back to its roots as an engineering-driven car company?

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven Ewing / AOL.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

CR-Z, Crosstour, Insight sales hurting - Odyssey lone bright spot among new Honda models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

The slow-selling Honda Insight hasn't exactly stolen any of the Toyota Prius' thunder since its introduction last year, and with new green cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf ready to join the battle, the future of Honda's hybrid hatch doesn't look too bright. Still, the Japanese automaker has given the Insight a host of improvements for the 2011 model year, including a new base model that retails for $18,950 (including the $750 destination charge).

So, what do you ~~lose~~ gain with the base Insight? For starters, a downgraded stereo system is on hand, with a single CD player and two - yes, two - speakers. Audiophiles need not apply. Remote entry is standard on the base Insight, but if you want amenities like cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest and floor mats, you'll need to opt for the mid-grade LX trim. In other words, the new price leader is something of a municipal and fleet special. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the pricier EX now comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and can be optioned with navigation.

The Insight's 1.3-liter inline-four with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist carries over largely unchanged, with fuel economy rated at 40/43 miles per gallon, city/highway. 2011 Insight models are arriving at Honda dealers as you read this, and for the full details on what's new, follow the jump for Honda's press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Insight

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda boosts Insight fuel economy by lengthening start-stop ability?

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has not yet given up in the entry-level hybrid fight. There's the new, not-for-U.S. Jazz (Fit) Hybrid, for one thing, but the older Insight hybrid isn't being left in the dust, either. Autocar reports that some of the lessons from the Jazz are being applied to the Insight - most importantly that the "stop" time of the Insight's stop-start cycle can now be up to 90 seconds long in Eco Mode.

Because of "obscure patenting reasons" that made the system assume a worst-case humidity situation, the previous limit was just 30 seconds. This change can save a lot of gas in city driving. There are no new mile-per-gallon numbers to tout just yet, and the change isn't likely to affect America's EPA figures (the government agency's test cycle doesn't recognize the benefits of start-stop), but it's a nice, green upgrade nonetheless.

Honda has also apparently adjusted spring rates and made changes to the rear camber angles, the V-shaped rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts for a "better driving experience," explains Autocar. Wonder why Honda felt this was important?

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Autocar]

Honda boosts Insight fuel economy by lengthening start-stop ability? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Honda Canada not canceling Insight, Civic hybrids, will order as needed

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Honda, Canada

Remember the report from Quebec that suggested Honda Canada would be discontinuing the Insight and Civic hybrid for the 2011 model year due to poor sales? According to company spokesman Richard Jacobs, the two hybrids have not in fact been discontinued. Instead, Jacobs tells us that Canadian dealers currently have a six month supply of the Insight and Civic so it hasn't ordered any new cars from the factories in Japan.

"Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and will bring the products they want," says Jacobs. Both hybrids will remain available and Honda will be monitoring inventories and customer demand to determine when to order more units. Perhaps the launch of the CR-Z will get customers to reconsider its siblings as well.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Honda Canada]

Update: Honda Canada not canceling Insight, Civic hybrids, will order as needed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Canada discontinuing Insight and Civic hybrid

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Honda, Canada

It's no secret that the revived 2010 Honda Insight has been a huge sales disappointment in North America. The once-robust sales of the Civic hybrid have also evaporated in the last two years. Apparently, things are far worse for Honda's hybrids in Canada where higher fuel prices typically cause people to buy more efficient vehicles.

An unconfirmed report from a Canadian web site indicates that both the Civic hybrid and the Insight are being discontinued there. Checking the Canadian sales charts, the Civic as a whole is one of the top-selling cars in Canada with 31,604 units sold in 2010 through July.

While hybrid sales are not broken out by Honda Canada, we can do a little educated guessing. Since only 643 of those Civic sales were imports and the hybrids come from Japan, we can figure that those 643 were the hybrid models. Similarly, Canadians only bought 748 Insights in the same period. When it launched, Honda projected 10,000 annual sales in Canada. Evidently Canadians just aren't taken with hybrids - even the mighty Prius has only found 2,272 Canadian buyers this year.

Honda hasn't yet responded to a request for comment on the cancellation of these two models. Apparently, Honda Canada will still proceed with the launch of the CR-Z there, maybe leaving it as the company's only hybrid. A tip of the hat to Mario!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

[Source: Monvolant]

Report: Honda Canada discontinuing Insight and Civic hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Fit Hybrid to cost $18,600* in Japan

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Fit Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is finally set to launch the Fit hybrid in Japan this October and pricing is rumored to start at ¥1.59 million or about $18,600 at current exchange rates. That's a $4,700 premium over a standard gasoline powered Fit in Japan, but $3,500 less than the Insight, which makes it the cheapest hybrid available across the Pacific.

The Insight and Fit are built on the same platform, so the five-door Fit will likely use the same 1.3-liter mild-hybrid powertrain as its sibling. When we reviewed the Insight last year we concluded that its packaging sacrifices weren't really worth the price premium over the Fit. If the Fit hybrid were offered here, the starting price would likely be somewhere around $18,000 based on the current prices of the Fit and Insight. We checked with Honda officials and they still have no plans to offer the Fit hybrid in the United States.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Honda Fit Hybrid to cost $18,600* in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda R&D President says automaker "lacks confidence" in viability of EVs

Zach Bowman — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Honda, Electric

Honda EV-N Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Carlos Ghosn and Nissan may be plowing head first into the EV world, but Honda isn't so certain buyers are going to be willing to accept the range and charging woes that go along with driving an all-electric car. Tomohiko Kawanabe, president of research and development for Honda, has been quoted as saying that while his company is currently researching the possibility of an EV, he isn't going so far as to recommend them. We're not sure whether that means he won't recommend his company produce an electric car of its own, or if he just wouldn't tell his mother to cruise on over to the Nissan dealer to pick up a Leaf.

Either way, we'll probably see some form of plug-in hybrid or EV from Honda within a few short years. California has mandated that a certain percentage of vehicle sales must be either plug-in hybrid or EV starting in 2012. Given Kawanabe's chilly assessment of the EV game, though, odds are we won't be seeing anything like the adorable all-electric EV-N Concept on our streets. Chances are cars like the CR-Z, Civic Hybrid and Insight will come with a plug-in option and larger batteries instead.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept

Gallery: 2009 Honda EV-N Concept

[Source: Bloomberg]

Honda R&D President says automaker "lacks confidence" in viability of EVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 14:20:00 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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Honda: Insight "too small" and likely to miss sales targets, Fit Hybrid a 'struggle'

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo doesn't seem to think that the automaker will hit its worldwide sales goal of 200,000 Insight hybrids in its first year on the market. Why? In an interview with Bloomberg, Kondo is quoted as saying "I think we compromised too much on size in pursuing fuel efficiency" for the U.S. market, he said.

In total, Honda sold 130,445 units of its Insight worldwide in 2009. The car was first introduced in Japan in February and then in the U.S. in March. In the States, the car's second-largest market, Honda sold just 20,572 units in 2009 - a far cry from the 90,000 it hoped to sell here in the first year.

Further, in reference to the long-expected Honda Fit Hybrid, Kondo said:

There are plenty of people who think that the current Fit meets their needs already [when it comes to fuel efficiency]... a hybrid version might seem expensive. Our engineers are really struggling.

It remains to be seen whether the upcoming CR-Z can bolster Honda's sketchy hybrid positioning.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Bloomberg]

Honda: Insight "too small" and likely to miss sales targets, Fit Hybrid a 'struggle' originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to show Insight Sports Modulo Concept, more at Tokyo Auto Salon

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Honda, Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda Insight Sports Modulo Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the aftermarket scene, SEMA isn't the only show in town. Well, in that particular town - Las Vegas, that is - maybe, but not in the world. Europe's got Essen, and Japan's got the Tokyo Auto Salon. With the latter fast approaching, Honda has revealed what they've got up their sleeves for this year.

First is the Insight Sports Modulo Concept you see above. Based on the Insight hybrid, the concept demonstrates what Honda's Modulo customization range can do for the company's Toyota Prius rival. And if the idea of tricking out a hybrid seems strange to you, remember that this is the automaker that just gave us the CR-Z.

Alongside the Insight show car, Honda Access Corporation (the accessorizing division of the motor company) will also showcase tricked-out versions of its Freed minivan and Life kei car, and a handful of other customized vehicles Honda offers in the Japanese Domestic Market. Considering how popular Hondas are with the tuner crowd, that should come as no great surprise, but you can read about them in the press release after the jump and view them in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Honda Tuner Concepts for 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda to show Insight Sports Modulo Concept, more at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda to show Insight Sports Modulo Concept, more at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mean Green: Tommy Kaira slams Toyota Prius and Honda Insight

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda, Toyota, Design/Style

Tommy Kaira Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hybrids aren't exactly known for being the sportiest vehicles on the road, but that doesn't mean their owners don't want to look as good as possible behind the wheel. As such, perhaps it shouldn't be too surprising that Japanese tuning companies are jumping on the gas-electric bandwagon almost as quickly as the automakers themselves.

Chief among those hybrid tuners is Tommy Kaira, which has released a slew of new bodykit bits, suspension upgrades and wheel options for both the 2010 Toyota Prius (which we saw teasers of previously) and Honda Insight. We'll leave it up to you to decide if the add-ons add up to an improvement in the wedge-shaped hybrid hatchbacks. In any case, click here to see the whole kit and caboodle for the Prius and here for the Insight.

Gallery: Tommy Kaira 2010 Toyota Prius

Gallery: Tommy Kaira 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Tommy Kaira]

Mean Green: Tommy Kaira slams Toyota Prius and Honda Insight originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda warming up to idea of electric vehicles

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Japan, Honda, Electric

2010 Honda Insight EX - Click above for high-res image gallery

With offerings like the FCX Clarity and the Insight, it's been clear what technologies Honda favors for environmentally-friendly transportation. But a change in strategy conceded by CEO Takanobu Ito could see Honda focusing more energy on plug-in electric vehicles in the near future.

Although Honda takes the standpoint that battery technology has not progressed enough for widespread implementation in passenger vehicles, difficulty setting up hydrogen fueling stations have forced Japan's second largest automaker to reconsider its strategy. With regulations constricting, especially in California, Honda will reportedly be shifting its focus to electric vehicles for the American market as well as for Europe and its own home turf in Japan.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Honda warming up to idea of electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Honda, Toyota

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt about which automaker leads the hybrid vehicle race. Toyota - and particularly the Japanese automaker's Prius hybrid - outsells all other manufacturers combined. In total, Automotive News calculates that Toyota sold 144,351 hybrid vehicles in the first nine months of 2009, which actually represents a 28-percent drop from the previous year.

So far this year, Honda has come in second with its new Insight, but that position is currently in jeopardy. The 26,016 hybrid vehicles sold by Ford in the first nine months of the year represents an impressive 73-percent gain from last year. Honda has sold 29,958 hybrids so far in '09, representing a much smaller eight-percent increase. In both July and September, Ford actually sold more hybrids than Honda.

In other words, Ford, led by its Escape Hybrid and new-for-2010 Fusion Hybrid, is gaining on Honda at a very rapid pace. Moving on down the line, General Motors slots in at number four with 12,556 total hybrid so far this year and Nissan's 7,713 units make it the number five hybrid seller in the U.S.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced, diesels vs. hybrids

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Diesel

Last year, Volkswagen's new Jetta TDI was named the 2009 Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, which means that the Volkswagen Golf TDI has a bit of baggage if it wants to win the 2010 award. Regardless, the Golf was named one of five finalists today, along with the Audi A3 TDI, the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. Odd that the Mercury would be chosen above the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but so it goes. That makes it two diesels and three hybrids vying for top spot.

The Green Car of the Year award is given out by Green Car Journal, which narrows the field of green cars down to five and then turns over picking the winner to "jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club's Carl Pop." The winner will be announced in LA on December 3, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2010 Green Car of the Year Finalists

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced, diesels vs. hybrids

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced, diesels vs. hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. Common sense, right? Absolutely, but it's still helpful to see real-life data, as you'll see by checking out the results of a recent test performed by Consumer Reports. Not all cars perform the same at various speed limits, and as you might expect, America's most fuel efficient models are also the vehicles most affected by higher speeds.

A total of seven vehicles were tested by CR: a Acura TSX with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a new 2010 Honda Insight; a Lexus RX350; a Mercury Mountaineer with 4.6-liter V8; Toyota Camry and RAV4 with 2.5-liter four-bangers; and a Yaris with a 1.5-liter four.

As you're probably aware, today's hybrids are optimized for high fuel economy at city speeds and therefore lose much of their miserly ways on the highway. As it turns out, this was especially true of the new Insight hybrid, which lost over 15 miles per gallon moving the needle from 55 mph to 75 mph - the largest drop in the contest. Click here for the complete test results.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports tests fuel efficiency vs. speed; Honda Insight biggest loser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Inside Line presides over the battle of the fuel sippers

Chris Shunk — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Ford, Honda, Mini, Toyota, Volkswagen, Diesel

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Fuel efficiency has finally moved to the forefront of many consumers' minds after 2008's record fuel price spike and demand is higher than ever for miser-mobiles. Several vehicles have benefited from the green car movement, and the Inside Line crew corralled three hybrids, a diesel and a supersized go-kart in the ultimate test of fuel economy prowess.

The Toyota Prius, Mini Cooper, Honda Insight, Ford Fusion and VW Jetta TDI were assembled to compete for the best fuel economy in city, highway and back road driving. IL also measured the cost to fuel each vehicle and the amount of CO₂ each emitted during the test. The five vehicles were prepped to do battle, but ultimately it wasn't much of a fight.

The Toyota Prius won every conceivable category by a significant margin with amazingly similar fuel economy between 47 and 48 mpg in all driving tests. The Prius also took on all comers in regards to carbon emissions as the symbol of green motoring spewed .08 fewer pounds of pollutants during the test than the second place Honda Insight. Hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Inside Line]

VIDEO: Inside Line presides over the battle of the fuel sippers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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