Edmunds Daily
Honda
November 3, 2009
Pricing has been set for the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour, which will be offered only in high-line EX and EX-L (leather seating) trims. Opting for the EX-L also means you have the options of all-wheel drive and a navigation system. Slated to go on sale November 20th, the Crosstour will range from $30,380 for the EX to $36,930 for the EX-L 4WD with Navigation.
We recently got behind the wheel of the Crosstour and came away with mostly good impressions of Honda's new niche market, luxury crossover vehicle. Please note that the preliminary specs and pricing data we currently have on the Crosstour are being updated, but the prices reflected in this blog are accurate.
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- John DiPietro November 3, 2009, 9:50 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Honda, Test Cars and Car Reviews
October 23, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: Honda CR-Z to Make it Stateside
Honda confirmed at the Tokyo Auto Show that the CR-Z concept coupe will go into production and debut in North America in the second half of 2010. This sporty two-seater will be Honda's latest expansion into the hybrid market and one of the first to have any sort of athletic leanings.
Green Car Advisor: Ford Focus EV Prototype Driven
Senior Editor John O'Dell just drove an electric Ford Focus Prototype and his first impressions are favorable - for the car. He notes that an EV charging infrastructure is needed to ensure widespread success, though. With any luck, utility companies have until 2011 to get these stations up and running - when the production Focus EV is slated to go on sale. This Focus will also be based on the European Focus platform.
Auto Observer: Dodge Has High Hopes for the Heavy Duty Rams
In the 1980's, the minivan saved Chrysler. Now, the company is looking to the 2010 Heavy Duty Ram pickups to pull them out from bankruptcy. The big Rams are the first new models to come out of Chrysler since narrowly avoiding its latest financial demise. Inside Line has a freshly posted First Drive of the Heavy Duty Rams, and the future looks bright thanks to a slew of improvements.
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- Mark Takahashi October 23, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Dodge, Edmunds Roundup, Ford, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels
- Technorati Tags:
- Dodge Ram, Edmunds Roundup, Ford Focus EV, Honda CR-Z
October 9, 2009
Making good on its promise to bring the production version of the Dog Friendly Honda Element Concept to market, Honda announced today that the Dog Friendly equipment group will be available starting on November 16, 2009.
The Dog Friendly accessory package (MSRP $995) is a dealer-installed options group that can be added to any 2009 or newer Honda Element EX model (the 2010 Element arrives in showrooms later this month). Honda gave us a sneak peek at this fetching 2009 Element EX with Navigation outfitted with the Dog Friendly package this week, so we rounded up all our doggie friends and friends with dogs and let them give it a spin. Three editors and seven dogs of varying sizes spent time with the Dog Friendly Element while it was here. Follow the jump to see what they thought.
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- Bryn MacKinnon October 9, 2009, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Honda
September 30, 2009
It's football season and that means the timeless American tradition of tailgating is in full swing. Here are five vehicles that would be good choices for tailgating. I sampled a wide selection of price ranges and decided that each should either have a tailgate or liftgate. Enjoy.
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- James Riswick September 30, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Ford, Honda, Toyota
September 25, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line: All-New 2010 Toyota 4Runner Debuts at Texas State Fair
Toyota chose to unveil the latest 4Runner in the truck capital of the world - Texas. The previous V8 engine has been discontinued, replaced by an even more powerful V6. An economical four-cylinder will also make its way back into the lineup. Returning is the 4Runners insatiable appetite for off-road terrain, as reported on Inside Line.
Green Car Advisor: Honda Shows-Off Segway Alternative Concept
The Tokyo Motor Show is known for its wacky concepts and this year looks to be no different. Honda took the wraps off its new U3-X mobility device, a single-wheeled electric personal mobility device that uses a complement of sensors, servos and motors to remain upright. Like the Segway, the rider leans in the direction they want to travel in order to get around. We just hope it's more comfortable than it looks.
Auto Observer: Fiat Plans a Busy 18 Months for Chrysler
Chrysler's Italian overlords have noted the lack of new models bearing the pentastar logo and have a rather ambitious plan to bring new models to market. Fiat supremo, Sergio Marchionne, wants makeovers performed to the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot compact crossovers and the newly resurrected Chrysler PT Cruiser. And he wants them ready by mid-2011, along with the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300. We suspect Red Bull will be big part of the Chrysler designer's diet.
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- Mark Takahashi September 25, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Chrysler, Dodge, Edmunds Roundup, Honda, Jeep, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Chrysler, Edmunds Roundup, Honda U3-X, Toyota 4Runner
September 22, 2009
You probably can't find two vehicles that are more alike than the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight -- and not based on looks alone. Some of the most cross-shopped competitors, when you look at the tech amenities of the two hybrid hatchbacks-- and how much they cost fully loaded with all the bells and whistles -- they start to stand apart. Way apart.
First there's the huge discrepancy in price; a fully loaded Prius V costs $32,720 compared to the top-of-the-line Insight EX with Navigation that goes for $23,770. So you would think that tech-wise you'd get much more for your money with the Prius. But that's not always the case, as we found in a recent feature story in which we compared the two cars' tech amenities side by side.
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- Doug Newcomb September 22, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Audio and Electronics, Car Tech Tuesdays, Honda, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Bluetooth, Honda Insight, navigation, safety, Toyota Prius
September 11, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: 2010 Audi R8 Spyder: Exposed!
Images of the 2010 Audi R8 Spyder have leaked out, less than a week before its official unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Our keen eyes spotted a few unique differences from the coupe. Can you spot them too?
Green Car Advisor: 2010 Honda CR-V on Sale Now
The 2010 Honda CR-V has been slightly revised, and is now available at dealerships nationwide. Aside from a few cosmetic changes, the CR-V's 2.4 liter engine has gained 14 more horsepower and a 1 mpg boost in fuel economy in both the city and highway. Pricing starts at $21,545.
Auto Observer: Ford Poised To Grab Medium-Truck Share with New Power Stroke Diesel
When Ford debuts its 2011 Super Duty F-Series trucks next spring, the 6.7-liter V8 turbodiesel will most likely steal the spotlight. Ford's new Power Stroke diesel engine has been redesigned from the ground up, and will offer a substantial boost in horsepower and torque.
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- Ron Montoya September 11, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Audi, Edmunds Roundup, Ford, Honda
September 1, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
IL News: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Revealed
Honda released the first photos of its new Accord based crossover. Bearing little resemblance to the current Accord, this CUV will offer more room and cargo capacity, while retaining a car-like ride. The Crosstour will be positioned at the top of the Accord lineup, and is scheduled to launch this October.
Green Car Advisor: Clean Cities Initiative Parcels Out $300 Million for Alt Fuel Vehicles
The Department of Energy's Clean Cities program issued $300 Million in federal grants to promote alternative fuels. The purpose of the program is to reduce diesel emissions and other exhaust fumes in major cities. Each state and municipality has its own project that the program will subsidize.
IL News: 2010 Nissan Rogue Priced
The Nissan Rogue remains unchanged for the 2010 model year, but the price has slightly risen by $120. The Rogue S FWD starts at $21,140. Nissan is also offering a $1,040 value package that bundles a number of options at a reduced rate.
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- Ron Montoya September 1, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Edmunds Roundup, Honda, Nissan
August 26, 2009
Toyota's Corolla was the most purchased car under the Cash for Clunkers program.
The Department of Transportation is tooting its own horn. Claiming overwhelming success for the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government is crowing about the 690,114 sales the program spurred, the fuel economy gains made, and the American jobs restored.
But there's the nagging fact that vehicle transaction prices actually rose during the program, as some manufacturers and dealers cut back on their own incentive offerings. Customers taking advantage of the program still got great deals -- just not as great as if they'd been able to simply tack the C4C rebate onto the market prices that existed before the program.
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- Joanne Helperin August 26, 2009, 3:44 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Vehicle Incentives and Rebates
- Technorati Tags:
- C4C, CARS Program, Cash for Clunkers, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla
Not content to wait for the Federal government to begin phasing in stricter roof-crush requirements in 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) already conducted its version of the test for micro and minicars.
The results? The tiny Smart ForTwo has the strongest roof, the Chevy Aveo, the weakest. Full results are at right. (G = Good, A = Acceptable, M = Marginal.) None of the cars tested ranked "Poor."
Stronger roofs are expected to cut down on the deaths and injuries suffered in vehicle rollovers. Although rollovers aren't the most common form of crash, they are the most lethal, killing some 10,000 people each year.
So the IIHS is getting tough. Starting with the 2010 model year, a vehicle must earn a "Good" rating in the roof crush test in order to qualify to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick -- an important award that automakers use to tout their safety chops. The new requirement will drive some automakers to improve their roof strength ahead of the federal requirement, which won't be fully phased in until 2016.
For details on the minicars test results, click here. To learn how roof crush tests are conducted, click here.
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- Joanne Helperin August 26, 2009, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Safety, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, MINI, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Chevy Aveo, IIHS Roof Crush Test, IIHS Top Safety Pick, Minicars, Smart ForTwo
August 13, 2009
The 2010 Honda Insight after its IIHS front crash test. The car is totaled, but the "driver" is OK.
Today the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that three small cars, the 2010 Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, and Kia Soul, have earned their "Top Safety Pick" award after extensive crash tests. Including the three new winners, only 10 small cars earn the Institute's highest rating. In order to qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.
Cool crash test video after the jump.
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- Joanne Helperin August 13, 2009, 3:38 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Safety, Honda, Kia, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Crash Tests, Honda Insight, IIHS Top Safety Pick, Kia Soul, Toyota Prius
August 6, 2009
Ouch, that still hurts! The 2009 Honda Accord sustains $1,507 in rear corner damage -- better than the 2007 Accord.
In new, low-speed crash test results, none of the six midsize sedans tested by the IIHS scored "Good." The 2009 Mazda 6 was judged "Acceptable," the 2009 Hyundai Sonata and 2009 Honda Accord were "Marginal." The 2009 Nissan Maxima, 2010 Ford Fusion, and 2009 Chevrolet Malibu? All rated "Poor."
The 3 and 6 mph tests were designed to see how the cars' bumpers protect fenders, headlights, trunks, grilles and other parts from costly damage. The lowest estimated repair cost from the test was $742 on the front of the Mazda 6; the highest was $3,494 on the rear of the Chevy Malibu. Repair costs are influenced by both the price of replacement parts and the complexity of repairs.
"Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons. There's nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic," says Joe Nolan, Institute senior vice president.
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- Joanne Helperin August 6, 2009, 10:25 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Maintenance, Car Safety, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan
- Technorati Tags:
- Bumper Test, Crash Test, Honda Accord, IIHS, Midsize Sedans
July 26, 2009
While Edmunds is the world's best one-stop shop for automotive information (why else would you be here?), sometimes the automakers' websites can provide additional vehicle detail that we can't. IC's hosts arm wrestle over what their favorite automaker websites are to visit.
Mr. Romans: An honorable mention goes out to Subaru, as it has enough confidence in its products to prominently display reviews and rankings taken from Edmunds and other auto-reviewing websites. But Porsche is my favorite as it's a great fantasy diversion for financially limited people like me. I can spend hours creating dream cars on the Porsche car configurator -- and then just about have a coronary when I realize that my dream 2009 Cayman S costs $92,585. That's about the time I'll slink over to the entertainment section and download computer wallpapers and listen to audio clips of revving Porsche engines.
Ms. MacKinnon: Brent, my faves are a little more modest than yours. Plus, I have a tie: Toyota and Honda. They're both easy to use, their designs don't feel cluttered, and you can get a lot of preliminary information with just a couple of clicks or mouse-overs. If I were a new car shopper, I think it'd be easy to feel overwhelmed by the flashier automakers' sites, but Honda and Toyota both have made the process less confusing.
This is actually the last Idle Chat post. It's being retired in favor of bigger and better things on Edmunds Daily, which may or may not include constant updates on the Jonas Brothers. Idle Chat was hosted by Brent Romans and Bryn MacKinnon, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat lounge (read: some place they made up) they pontificated on a topic that was kinda about cars.
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- Brent Romans July 26, 2009, 12:00 PM
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- Honda, Idle Chat, Toyota
July 23, 2009
Sometimes you just need a cheap car. You just want a low monthly payment on a car that will get you from point A to point B. Leasing is usually the best way to achieve that low payment, especially if you don't want to have to spend a lot at the start.
The Honda Civic has long been a popular compact car with the buying public. Edmunds' editors note the Civic's high build quality, sporty driving dynamics, rock-solid reputation for reliability and impressive fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, the purchase price for one can often be discouraging for many budget-minded buyers.
However, the very attributes that make the Civic an appealing choice also help to bolster a higher-than-average resale value. That high resale value, coupled with lease incentives, means you can get now get into a Civic on the cheap. How cheap? Find out after the jump.
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- Lee Scott July 23, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Deal of the Week, Honda
- Technorati Tags:
- Deal of the week, financing, Honda Civic, Incentives & Rebates, leasing
July 21, 2009
Smeared greasepaint reveals how curtain airbags can protect a driver's head from hitting hard surfaces.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) usually tests 4-door family cars, but recently responded to public demand by conducting front, side, and rear tests of 2009 coupes, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Scion tC, all small models, plus the midsize Volvo C30. The 2009 Ford Focus and 2009 Volvo C30 took top honors.
In the side-impact test, which simulates being struck by a pickup or SUV, all five cars were judged "Good" or "Acceptable. Notably, while the other four coupes were rated "Good" in the frontal offset sets, the Scion tC was rated only acceptable.
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- Joanne Helperin July 21, 2009, 12:01 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Safety, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Volvo
- Technorati Tags:
- Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, IIHS Crash Test, Scion tC, Volvo C30
July 14, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Inside Line News: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Pricing Announced
Nissan's newest convertible will retail for $100 more than the outgoing 350Z. The 370Z Roaster will be offered in four trim levels, and can reach upwards of $42,500 for the Touring model with the seven-speed automatic transmission.
Green Car Advisor: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Should Reach U.S. Shores Next Year
Honda's newest hybrids will be making their way to Japanese showrooms in February 2010. In the U.S. however, only the sporty, three-door CR-Z hybrid will be sold later that year. Honda currently has no plans to bring a hybrid Fit to the U.S.
Auto Observer: GM's Lutz Already Making 'Em Nuts
Bob Lutz's recent comments on the future of the Pontiac G8 have caused quite a stir at General Motors. But this comment may have deeper implications in terms of which direction the new GM is headed.
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- Ron Montoya July 14, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Buying, Edmunds Roundup, General Motors, Honda, Nissan
- Technorati Tags:
- Bob Lutz, Edmunds Roundup, Genral Motors, Honda, Nissan
July 1, 2009
Run-flat tires are a mixed blessing, for all the reasons listed here
. Some owners of Michelin's PAX run-flats that came with the "Technology Package" on Honda Odyssey Touring and Acura RL models certainly didn't like them. They filed a class-action lawsuit, contending that Michelin and Honda failed to disclose that the run-flat tire systems lasted half as long as radial tires and that the tires are expensive to repair and replace.
Yesterday a U.S. District Court judge in Maryland agreed, and the two companies will now have to pay plaintiffs between $2,000 and $5,000 as compensation for replaced tires. Additionally, the companies will give plaintiffs a $110 rebate on purchases of new tire or tire repair kits, or a $300 rebate on the purchase of a new Odyssey or RL. Michelin also chipped in a 3-year/36,000 mile extended warranty on the tires.
The total cash payout to the plaintiffs will be $83,000. The total that the companies will have to pay to the attorneys for the plaintiffs? $3 million.
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- Joanne Helperin July 1, 2009, 2:35 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Safety, Honda
- Technorati Tags:
- Honda Odyssey, Michelin, PAX Run-Flat Tires
June 26, 2009
Karl on Cars: Mini E -- First Impressions
We've added a Mini E to our long-term fleet. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer regales us with his initial impressions.
AutoObserver: Obama Signs Cash for Clunkers Legislation
It's official -- President Obama has signed long-gestating Cash for Clunkers legislation. Our Cash for Clunkers FAQ Page offers salient details regarding this bill, and we've published a list of eligible vehicles. You'll also want to take a look at how manufacturers like Honda and Ford have reacted to the passage of this important new legislation.
Inside Line: Launched -- 2010 Kia Denim Soul
In honor of the late, lovely Farrah Fawcett -- who wore denim better than anyone on the planet -- we're noting the launch of a new, special-edition Kia: the Denim Soul.
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- Warren Clarke June 26, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Edmunds Roundup, Ford, Honda, Kia
- Technorati Tags:
- Cash For Clunkers, Ford, Honda, Kia Soul
June 5, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor: Toyota to Begin Leasing Plug-in Prius Hybrids
Toyota announced that they will begin leasing a plug-in version of their wildly popular Prius Hybrid before the end of the year. Worldwide, there will only be 500 initial examples available, with 150 coming to the U.S. Sadly, these leases are intended primarily for government and corporate use. The plug-in Prius will utilize more expensive and efficient lithium-ion batteries than can be charged via a standard household outlet.
Inside Line: 2010 Honda Pilot Price Increases, But Only Slightly
Even though there are no significant changes for the 2010 Honda Pilot, prices have edged just a bit higher. Depending on which model you choose, the price will hop $150 - $300.
Straightline: Pricing Announced for the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
The drop-top version of Infiniti's G37 will set you back a cool $44,715 for the base model -- about $7,000 more than the standard coupe variant. Like most Infiniti/Nissan products, options are bundled in large, expensive and inflexible packages, so look for prices to climb quickly if you want a few added features.
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- Mark Takahashi June 5, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Edmunds Roundup, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, Infiniti, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Convertible, Honda Pilot, Hybrid, Infiniti G37, Plug-in, Toyota Prius
May 26, 2009
Older car buyers are a diverse bunch. Still, there are certain themes that reveal themselves when analyzing their needs. These themes tend to be dictated by the physical challenges that many face in their golden years.
The choices listed in our top 10 vehicles for seniors stand out for the skill with which they address these themes.
Our mix of vehicles covers all the bases. There's a minivan for seniors who need extra passenger capacity, and there are compact cars for those who appreciate the parking convenience that smaller vehicles provide. Our list also includes technology-laden luxury cars, a couple of spacious full-size sedans and an innovative SUV.
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- Warren Clarke May 26, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, Automotive Technology, BMW, Car Buying, Car Safety, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Tuesday's Top 10 List, Volvo
- Technorati Tags:
- car buying advice, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Seniors, Toyota
May 8, 2009
One of the most popular questions we get is, "What is the definition of a hybrid?" Recently, Edmunds' Director of Testing, Dan Edmunds, broke it all down and demystified the technical jargon in a new article.
Briefly, the most basic definition of a hybrid is a vehicle that uses more than one form of onboard energy to achieve propulsion. In practice, that means a hybrid will have a traditional internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, as well as one or more electric motors and a battery pack. Some of the terms associated with hybrids are motor-generator, start-stop, regenerative braking, and electric drive.
Those terms are defined in his article, along with the three "hybrid layouts":
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- Joanne Helperin May 8, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Cadillac, Car Advice Articles, Chevrolet, FAQ Friday, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Parallel Hybrid, Series Hybrid, Toyota Prius
May 7, 2009
For as long as it has had sliding doors, the Honda Odyssey minivan has been at the top of its class. In the last huge minivan comparison test, the Odyssey finished first with Inside Line's editors saying, "brimming with clever touches, the eminently comfortable and polished Odyssey is the alpha dog of minivans." Honda's "alpha dog" has now been bestowed with some pretty doggone good incentives too. Read about them after the jump.
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- Lee Scott May 7, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Deal of the Week, Honda
- Technorati Tags:
- Deal of the week, Honda Odyssey, incentives and rebates
April 22, 2009
Toyota released its pricing for the 2010 Toyota Prius this week, and the new hybrid goes on sale next month. The pricing structure differs from the prior year in that there is only one trim level available, but with five levels of equipment combinations (Prius I-V).
The Prius II has an MSRP of $22,000. According to Toyota, this level offers more standard equipment than the 2009 base model Prius, for the same price. Toyota expects this equipment level to be the most popular, and has aggressively priced it to compete with the 2010 Honda Insight EX, which offers a similar list of standard equipment.
We didn't forget to mention the Prius I, which has an MSRP of $21,000. Toyota has not revealed the details about this model, nor is it yet available. Though the Prius I is expected to go on sale later this year, it is not yet known how widely available it will be. This equipment level is the most spartan and exists primarily to compete with the Honda Insight LX, which begins at $19,800, and went on sale last month.
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- Ron Montoya April 22, 2009, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Honda, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Pricing, Toyota Prius
April 20, 2009
Wednesday is Earth Day, and in recognition, Edmunds Inc. takes today off. That isn't a joke. We think it has something to do with the fact we burn 1.3 million gallons of gasoline per year in the pursuit of vehicle testing. Yet, Face-Off rests for no one. Instead, we'll be arguing the virtues of two green vehicles that burn completely different types of alternative fuels.
Taking time away from their eco-themed respites, Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed takes up the mantle of the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX, while Automotive Editor James Riswick defends the honor of the clean-diesel-burning Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Donning hemp-sewn T-shirts and chained to a redwood, their thoughts were dictated to Associate Editor Mark Takahashi who uncomfortably sat on a nearby log fending off squirrels.
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- James Riswick April 20, 2009, 9:00 AM
- Categories:
- Face-Off, Honda, Volkswagen
April 14, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogosphere.
Green Car Advisor
American Honda Motor Says It Still Hopes To Close FuelMaker Deal
FuelMaker Corp., the company that manufactures the Phill home refueling station for the Honda Civic GX, is facing a potential bankruptcy. This technology is important to the future of the GX, the only natural gas vehicle being sold in the U.S., and as such Honda is trying to facilitate the sale of FuelMaker to a company that has similar interests. Despite this potential setback, Honda remains committed to the GX, and will continue to promote the vehicle.
Edmunds Daily
GM Recalls Mid-Size Cars Made Between '97 and '03
Chrysler Recalls 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Wrangler
The last thing these companies need is more bad publicity, but with these recent recalls, General Motors and Chrysler hope to get ahead of a few critical safety issues. GM is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles equipped with its 3.8 liter V6. Chrysler is recalling 4,336 of its 2009 Jeep Cherokee, Wrangler, and Commander models. Follow the links to get all the details and the list of models affected.
Inside Line
2010 Cadillac SRX First Drive
The redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX is facing an uphill battle as it tries to compete with the class leader Lexus RX. Cadillac engineers say that the SRX has a different balance than the RX, and that it is more fun to drive. Inside Line's Daniel Pund drove the SRX at a press event and gave us his early impressions. Pricing for the Cadillac SRX has not been announced, but is estimated be in line with the RX's price- around $36,000 to start. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime this summer.
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- Ron Montoya April 14, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Buying, Car Maintenance, Chrysler, Edmunds Roundup, General Motors, Honda
- Technorati Tags:
- Cadillac SRX, Chrysler Recall, General Motors, green cars, Honda Civic, Jeep Wrangler
This new weekly feature for Edmunds Daily about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America's Car Show on satellite radio. April is National Car Care Month!
Dear Tom,
Please help my sister and I settle a disagreement. Which of the following is the proper procedure for using the emergency brake?
(A) Stop the vehicle. With a foot on the car brake, put the emergency brake on, and then put the car in park. (B) Stop the vehicle, put the car in park, and then put the emergency brake on. Many thanks.
--Tammy and Cher from LA
Tammy and Cher,
(A) Stop the car, apply the e-brake first, and then put the car in park. By following this procedure, when the car is put into park there will be no excessive stress placed on the parking pawl (a spring-loaded pin that locks into a slotted plate inside the transmission). On a side note, use the emergency brake frequently, even when parking on a flat surface, to keep it working properly. Best to you both.
much more Q&A...
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- Ron Montoya April 14, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Maintenance, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Brakes, maintenance tips, Tom Torbjornsen
April 7, 2009
Thanks to lower gas prices, fuel economy isn't the be-all and end-all that it once was with car shoppers. Still, those with any kind of foresight know that change is the only constant. Fuel prices might be agreeable enough today, but historically, they've shown themselves to be as unpredictable as hormonal teens.
Shoppers taking a longer-term view when it comes to gas prices will want to check out our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient sedans.
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- Warren Clarke April 7, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, Nissan, Tip of the Day, Toyota, Tuesday's Top 10 List, Volkswagen
- Technorati Tags:
- Ford Fusion Hybrid, Fuel Economy, Honda Insight, Sedan, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta Diesel
March 10, 2009
Honda has released pricing on the 2010 Insight hybrid and it's coming in about $800 higher than anticipated. But it's still considerably less than the Prius.
At $20,470 (including destination), the Insight LX stickers $2,250 less than the present -- 2009 model year -- Toyota Prius. The 2010 Prius doesn't go on sale until June and hasn't been priced yet.
For more details on the new Insight's pricing, check out this piece on Green Car Advisor.
For details on how the Insight compares against the popular Prius, check out our comparison test.
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- John DiPietro March 10, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Buying, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels
- Technorati Tags:
- 2010 Honda Insight
March 4, 2009
Nobody likes those red circular down arrows. They're depressing, and although the three brands on the left have grown used to them, the numbers beneath those arrows should come with a Costco tub of Prozac.
Automakers sold 691,073 vehicles in February, down 40.9 percent from the 1,168,729 they sold one year ago. That marked the lowest level of car sales for any February since 1967, a year in which there were only 103 million registered drivers -- half as many today. There were also significantly fewer Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans on the road (that's the understatement of the day), so imagine the market share difference between 42 years ago and today.
Edmunds Auto Observer has the whole depressing sales story: Fearful Americans Hunker Down, Steer Clear of Dealer Showrooms.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
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- James Riswick March 4, 2009, 10:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota
