News & Reviews- Make: Honda

When you think of Honda, do trucks immediately come to mind? Such might have been the case back in 1963 when founder Soichiro Honda expanded beyond motorcycles to build the company's first-ever four-wheeled vehicle, a tiny mini-truck dubbed T360, but most don't conjure up images of pickup trucks or anything similar when they hear the brand's household name now.

In most markets throughout the world Honda is predominately recognized for its bestselling Civic compact car, ultra-popular CR-V compact SUV, Accord mid-size sedan, and more recently its bestselling (in Canada and the U.S.) HR-V subcompact SUV (congrats to Honda on this latest feat). Here in North America we typically opt for large trucks from the big three U.S. brands when it comes time to haul, with only a relative handful of buyers choosing an imported full-size pickup. This pattern changes in the mid-size (previously compact) truck market, however, a segment the imports introduced way back in the '60s and still dominate. Read Full Story

Take a look at the all-new 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback, and if you're old enough, you might fondly flashback to the 1970s, when the Civic CVCC first debuted in North America. It was a tiny affair -- dependable transportation for four normal sized adults, and chock full of the latest fuel saving technology that saw the Civic earn 48 mpg on the highway (yes Canada used miles per gallon back then, albeit with smaller imperial gallons).

Given the fact that pre-gasoline crisis of the 1973, gasoline was the equivalent of about 12 cents per litre. Yes, 12 cents. Due to the 1973 oil crisis, consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles was high, and leaded fuel was being phased out due to environmental and public health concerns. During this transition, the Civic had a trump card over other vehicles like Ford's Pinto and Chevrolet's Vega. The super efficient "stratified charge" CVCC engine debuted in 1975 and did not require a catalytic converter or unleaded fuel to meet Environmental Protection Read Full Story

I just spent a few minutes tallying up all the Civics loaned to me for weeklong tests and arrived at 23 since I started in this business more than 16 years ago, which makes it one of my most reviewed models ever. Thank you Honda.

This realization makes me grateful for the Japanese brand's support over the years, as well as for all the great memories with this special little car. I may not have gloated over its many permutations with the same fervour as I laud praise on this newest model, but to be completely honest even the worst Civic was better than most of its competitors. Of those 23 Civics eight were Coupes, which while a rather clumsy segue brings me to my latest test car. Therefore without further ado I add a ninth Coupe and 24th Civic to my ever-lengthening list.

If you've never experienced a Honda Civic, you're truly missing out. Even if you only drive premium branded sport/luxury models, take note there's something very special about this car that not only Read Full Story

If I told you I got more looks from passersby while driving an Accord than the majority of other cars I've driven this year, many of which have been brightly coloured near exotics, would you be surprised or knowingly nod in complete understanding that the car driven was the new ultra-stylish 2016 Accord Coupe? Not that the Accord Sedan isn't a looker as well, it's just so common that we've all grown accustomed to its handsome face.

Yes, the four-door Accord doesn't get the respect it deserves from enthusiasts, unfair being that it's one of if not the best mid-size sedan in the industry. It does everything asked of it and then some, but at least it gets suitably rewarded with strong sales and a high level of owner loyalty. Over the first five months of 2016 its Canadian sales have passed Ford's Fusion for second-place in the mid-size segment behind the Toyota Camry, although to be fair neither of these two competitors boost their sedan sales with a sporty two-door offering.
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