2011 Honda Pilot

The Pilot is Honda's mid-size crossover utility vehicle, offering a rugged look combined with a very passenger-friendly package and surprisingly good on-the-road performance.

Four-wheel-drive models can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

From a practicality standpoint, the interior of the Honda Pilot interior brims with cubbies, holders, and bins for accoutrements of all sorts.



The 2011 Honda Pilot’s strengths are a spacious third-row seat, lots of storage cubbies, and a powerful engine, but it can’t keep up with competitors when it comes to interior quality and braking performance.



Along with its spacious third row and excellent safety scores, the Pilot boasts a powerful V6 engine and impressive towing capacity. It also comes with three rows of seats (though it seats seven rather than the Pilot’s eight) and boasts a better 19/25 fuel economy rating.



At a glance, the "Honda Pilot" would seem to do a fine job as a family hauler. In sum, we think the Pilot is an adequate choice for a midsize or large crossover SUV. The 2011 Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV offered in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Each is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. The EX adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, painted body molding (versus black plastic), roof rails, heated exterior mirrors, an eight-way power driver seat (with two-way power lumbar), steering-wheel audio controls, tri-zone automatic climate control, an in-dash six-CD changer, and satellite radio. Optional on the EX-L is a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a voice-activated navigation system bundled with Bluetooth, an iPod interface and a 10-speaker premium audio system.



Powertrains and Performance

The Honda Pilot is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all Honda Pilot models are available with an all-wheel-drive system that automatically apportions power to the rear wheels -- up to 70 percent -- when front slippage occurs. This system also has a driver-selectable "lock" feature that routes maximum torque to the rear wheels at speeds below 19 mph.



Still the Pilot's EPA estimates of 17 city/23 highway mpg and 19 mpg combined (16/22/18 for AWD models) are merely average for this segment.



Safety

Standard safety equipment includes stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Honda Pilot earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with four stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety likewise awarded the 2011 Honda Pilot its top "Good" rating for both frontal-offset and side-impact crashes.



Interior Design and Special Features

Mimicking the Honda Pilot's utilitarian exterior styling, the interior features a rugged and blocky theme. The Honda Pilot also keeps stride with the competition with its roomy third-row seats.



Driving Impressions

In terms of performance, the Honda Pilot is burdened by a lack of power and a hefty curb weight. On curvy roads, the Honda Pilot also feels rather cumbersome. In our testing, however, that positive feel ran counter to the Pilot's rather long stopping distances.

2011 Honda Element

The 2011 His all about utility. An added plus, if you need more utility, is that the Element’s interior is easy to clean. Like the Honda Element, the Forester features a practical interior. It starts at a few hundred dollars less than the Element, and has all-wheel drive standard (an all-wheel drive Element costs about $2,000 more than the base Forester). Part of the Honda E’s appeal isn’t its practicality, but its styling. If you love the Element’s squared-off looks but don’t need its cavernous space and rough ride, check out the Kia Soul.



The 2011 Element comes in two trims, LX and EX, both of which are available in front- or all-wheel drive (Honda calls it four-wheel drive). Be sure to check for current Honda Deals that may be available on the Honda E. The "2011 Element" is little-changed from the 2010 model. If you like the Honda E, you'll need to buy one this year. Honda has announced that Element production will end after the 2011 model year.



Inside, the Honda Element is best described as no-nonsense. The Honda E has modest technical specs: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque; front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; and running gear that's evolved in part from the Civic and CR-V parts bin. The 2011 Element has a box-on-wheels design that imbues it with a lot more interior space than models that take up more parking space.



And with its suicide-door (front-hinged front door and rear-hinged back door) setup, high roof and low cargo floor, it's seriously spacious. While most other vehicles of the Honda E's size have five seats, the Honda seats just four, and the two backseats are quite small. The 2011 Honda Element comes with a rather basic set, though options like premium sound and a nav system can be had, along with a Dog Friendly Element package. Top crash-test ratings and a good set of safety equipment complete the Element's "get 'er done, safely" mindset.



The 2011 Element represents the final model year for the original box-shaped crossover; decreasing sales mean there won’t be a 2012 Honda Element. Except for a mild model-year 2009 facelift, the 2011 Element is the same shipping-container-shaped wagon introduced as a 2003 model. Should you buy a Honda Element?



We initially reported that the 2012 Element would kick off this crossover’s second-generation design. Bottom line, it’s clear the 2011 Element’s design appeals to a shrinking number of buyers. The 2011 Honda Element styling is unchanged, though the sporty-trimmed SC model is dropped, leaving behind base LX and uplevel EX versions of this slab-sided four-seater. On the downside, every rival has four conventional side doors. Element, by contrast, uses long front doors in combination with quarter-sized rear doors hinged at the back. You can’t open a rear door unless a front is already open and can’t close it unless a front is already shut. Except for their wheels, the 2011 E LX and 2011 Element EX models are virtually indistinguishable visually. Both use the same size tires on 16-inch wheels, though the EX comes with alloys and the LX uses steel wheels with wheel covers. Gone for model-year 2011 is the Honda Element SC model, which affected a “street custom” look with lowered ride height, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a monochromatic exterior color scheme.

Honda Civic Si Concept

The Civic Si Concept coupe and Honda Civic Concept sedan made their world debuts at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, providing the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring, the company announced.



"The Civic is known for providing a balance of 'just-right' packaging, fun-to-drive character and outstanding fuel economy, at a price that even first-time buyers can afford," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The redesigned Civic builds on this legacy and promises to be the best Civic yet."



The 2012 Civic embraces the company's vision as a "Civic for all people," a phrase originally expressed in defining the goal of the first-generation Civic. With the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic lineup intends to meet the needs of an increasing group of compact-vehicle buyers with a renewed vision of a "Civic for all people." The diverse vehicle range includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. Collectively the depth of the Civic line offers a compelling balance between fuel economy, low emissions and fun-to-drive performance unlike any other vehicle in the industry.



As a new interpretation of the current Civic's iconic "one-motion" mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance. The exterior styling of both Honda Civic concept models showcases the sedan's and coupe's clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights.The Honda Civic Concept sedan takes on a sophisticated presence with a front grille defined by crisp lines and a solid bar that integrates a chrome Honda emblem. The look of the Honda Civic Si Concept coupe conveys an aggressive demeanor with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roofline that flows smoothly into the trunk. The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe is exclusively equipped with a rear air diffuser, a center-mounted exhaust outlet and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Each concept model has 19-inch machined alloy wheels.



Powertrain Technology



The Civic's family of engines with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC®) technology become even more fuel efficient for 2012. The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.



Building on its emphasis on fuel-economy, most upcoming Civic models receive Honda Eco Assist™ technology, already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. The 2012 Civic is the first U.S. Honda model to employ Eco Assist technology in a gasoline-only powered vehicle. Eco Assist is just one example of how the new Civic can be customized and configured by the drivers to suit individual preferences.



Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model, which is the only OEM-built, dedicated CNG passenger car assembled in America. The increased availability of the Civic GX helps bring inherently clean-burning natural gas technology to an even broader audience while also supporting diversity in transportation energy resources.



Safety



The 2012 Civic continues to emphasize safety and is anticipated to score well in both the federal government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) vehicle evaluations. The 2001 Honda Civic Coupe was one of the first two passenger cars ever to earn the federal government's top 5-star crash safety rating for the driver and front- and rear-seat passengers in both frontal and side-impact crash tests.



All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda's exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

Honda Accord Crosstour

It’s big, slow, and awkward-looking, but it’s an Accord. Apparently, it looks better in person and in motion than it does in pictures. Nevertheless, based on looks alone, we would pick the Toyota Venza (it’s main rival) over it any day. But, hey, that’s just our personal taste. It probably drives very well.



But it’s not us that got intimate with the Crosstour – find out what Edmunds InsideLine thought about new crossover, and tell us what you think

2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe get Updates

Honda Accord Receives New Styling and Increased Fuel Economy for 2011



EPA fuel economy goes up to 23/34 city/highway mpg (+2/+3) on some models; more features and a new Accord SE Sedan model to debut



Set to go on sale in mid-August, the 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe receive significant updates including improved fuel economy, enhanced exterior and interior styling and the addition of a new leather-equipped Special Edition (SE) trim level. Available as either a sedan or a coupe in 4-cylinder and V-6 variations, the Accord offers a unique balance of style, performance, efficiency and value specific to each individual model.



“For 2011, the Accord evolves again with sharpened styling inside and out, fuel economy gains and a broader application of popular features,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Accord is designed to deliver a consistently rewarding ownership experience in the areas that matter most to sedan and coupe drivers.”



Improvements to vehicle aerodynamics, engine friction and transmission gear ratios all contribute to fuel economy improvements. The EPA fuel-economy ratings1 for Accord 4-cylinder sedan models equipped with an automatic transmission improve by 2 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 3 mpg on the highway, for a city/highway rating of 23/34 mpg.



The 2011 Accord Sedan’s exterior expresses a more upscale and powerful presence with a new style for the front grille, front bumper and rear deck lid, along with a new wheel design.



Building on the sedan’s design character, the Accord Coupe’s unique muscular stance is enhanced with a bolder front grille design, new front bumper shape, enhanced brakelight appearance and a new wheel design for V-6 models.



Striking a balance between value and luxury, the Accord SE Sedan offers the additional features from the popular Accord LX-P with the added luxury of leather-trimmed seating, heated seats, driver’s power-lumbar support and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.



New features on certain models include steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe, a USB Audio Interface on all coupe models and Accord EX and EX-L Sedans, and a rear view camera on sedans equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation2 System™. Additionally, Accord EX-L V-6 models receive a two-position memory system for the driver’s seat. Additional interior updates on all models include new seat fabrics on models with cloth seats, an updated instrument panel design and more-refined accent points throughout the interior.



Interior styling on all models provides attainable luxury with generous standard equipment, world-class ergonomics and intuitive vehicle controls. The front seats are designed to provide generous lateral support and to complement the Accord’s sporty side. The fold-down, rear seatback offers cargo-carrying versatility and also includes a lockable pass-through for long items like snow skis.



New for 2011, the most frequently used climate-control buttons are now positioned on the left side of the control stack, closer to the driver for ease-of-use, and less-frequently used buttons are now positioned on the right side. Vehicle clock adjustment is also made easier by more prominent control lettering.



A 190-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine is standard in the Accord EX and EX-L Sedans and Accord LX-S, EX and EX-L Coupes. The 2.4-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine in the Accord LX, LX-P and SE Sedans produces 177 horsepower.



The available 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6 engine produces 271-horsepower and takes advantage of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology that can deactivate up to half of the cylinders while cruising to improve fuel economy. Preliminary EPA fuel-economy ratings3 for the 2011 Accord V-6 Sedan are 19 city/30 highway mpg, an improvement of 1 mpg in highway driving.



The performance-oriented Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission has a unique 3.5-liter V-6 VTEC engine (without VCM) that provides a performance-tuned valvetrain, intake and exhaust system to broaden the torque curve in the low- to mid-rpm range for enthusiast-level performance.



A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on 4-cylinder models and a 5-speed automatic is available. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on V-6-powered models. A 6-speed manual transmission is available exclusively on the Accord EX-L V-6 Coupe.



For safety, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE®) is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment.



The double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension inspire confident handling performance while also providing a comfortable ride. The 2011 Accord Sedan comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, or 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels depending on the model.



Three audio systems are available – all with MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) playback capability and an auxiliary input jack. The standard system provides a single-disc CD player, six speakers and 160 watts of power. Radio Data System (RDS) displays information broadcast by participating FM radio stations that often includes call letters, station type (searchable by genre) and programming information. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls come standard on every Accord. The Accord EX Sedan and LX-S Coupe add a 6-disc in-dash changer.



A premium 270-watt audio system comes standard on Accord EX Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models, and includes a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer. XM Radio® is standard equipment on all Accord EX-L models.



The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System (available on Accord EX-L) uses an 8-inch screen and an interface dial for user input. Features include the Zagat Survey® guide for restaurants, nightlife, hotels and attractions. Accord EX and EX-L Coupe and Accord EX-L Sedan models include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® as standard equipment for connecting wirelessly with compatible mobile phones.



The Accord Coupe (4-cylinder) has 17-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment, with 18-inch alloys standard on the Accord V-6 Coupe. All Accords feature four-wheel disc brakes.



Currently more than 95 percent of the Accords sold in the United States are produced4 at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc.’s Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio, and at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, in Lincoln, Alabama. The Marysville plant is the sole global source of the Accord Coupe.



1 Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.



2 Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include but are not limited to automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.



3 Preliminary mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.



4 Honda products are produced using domestic and globally-sourced parts.



Third-party trademarks: The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license. Zagat Survey® is a registered trademark of Zagat Survey, LLC.