Honda Cars : Honda Fit Repeats at Top of Consumer Reports Best New-Car Value List | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Analysis of performance, reliability, and owner cost finds small cars and family sedans deliver the most bang for the buck
YONKERS, N.Y., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite the influx of new vehicles into the small- and budget-car marketplace, the Honda Fit remains on top in Consumer Reports list of best value small cars. The Fit also re-emerged as the best overall value among some 200 different vehicles that were analyzed.

"A low price doesn't necessarily make a car a good value," said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. "A cheap vehicle can wind up costing you more money over time or can be disappointing down the road. We think real value is what you get for your money."

Consumer Reports mined its performance, reliability, and ownership cost data to calculate value scores for some 200 different vehicles ranging from small cars like the Honda Fit to luxury sedans such as the Jaguar XJL.

Scores were calculated based on the five-year owner cost for each vehicle along with Consumer Reports road-test score and the organization's own predicted-reliability. Five-year owner cost estimates factor in depreciation, fuel costs, insurance premiums, interest on financing, maintenance and repairs, and sales tax. Depreciation is by far the largest owner-cost factor. In short, the better a car performs in Consumer Reports road tests and reliability ratings, and the less it costs to own over time, the better its value.

Overwhelmingly, the best values come from Japanese automakers, including most of the top models in each category. Of the 48 best values in Consumer Reports lists, 34 are from Japanese brands. Six models come from European brands (mostly Volkswagen), five come from American ones (mostly Ford), and three are from South Korean automakers.

In all, 11 different categories of vehicles were evaluated including small cars, family sedans, upscale and luxury sedans, sporty cars, wagons, minivans, small SUVs, midsized SUVs, large and luxury SUVs, compact pickups, and full-sized pickups. Within categories, models are ranked by value score, above or below the average.

Overall the report finds that small cars and family sedans provide the best value. In addition to the Honda Fit, the Toyota Prius hybrid, diesel-powered Golf TDI (with manual transmission), Scion xD, and Toyota Corolla also made Consumer Reports list of best values in the small car category. Most scored at least twice as high as the average model and higher than any other model in Consumer Reports' analysis. Even the lowest-scoring small car, the Chevrolet Cruze, is close to average in overall value.

Best Value Small Car: Honda Fit
Worst Value Small Car: Chevrolet Cruze 1LT

The family-sedans category is led by the four-cylinder Nissan Altima, which scored 75 percent higher than average. That's followed by the four-cylinder Kia Optima, the Subaru Legacy, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and the four-cylinder Honda Accord. Again, even the lowest-rated family sedans have value scores that are slightly better than average.

Larger and luxury vehicles are among the worst values overall. The best large and midsized SUVs, for example, tend to earn about the same value score as the lowest-ranked family sedans. Large or luxury sedans and SUVs also usually score at only about 70 percent of the average.

There are exceptions. The top-scoring upscale sedan, the Lexus ES 350, earned a value score that's almost one and a half times the average, for example. The ES is comfortable, quiet, roomy, and reliable, and it's a nicer overall car to drive than the four-cylinder Altima family sedan. But its cost per mile is a relatively high 77 cents, and its five-year owner cost is $11,000 more than the Altima's. That drops its value score slightly below the Nissan.

Best Value Upscale & Luxury Sedan: Lexus ES 350
Worst Value Upscale & Luxury Sedan: Jaguar XJL

The analysis also revealed wagons and small SUVs tend to provide better value than larger SUVs or minivans. Among wagons, the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI with manual transmission is the top scorer, offering almost 70 percent more value than the average car. Other good choices are the Mazda5 microvan and Subaru Outback, with almost one and a half times that of the average value.

Best Value Small SUV: Toyota RAV4 (base, 4-cyl.)
Worst Value Small SUV: Jeep Liberty Sport

The top small SUVs are even better values than wagons. Leading that class are the four-cylinder Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester, with scores that are 84- and 70-percent better than average. Midsized SUVs represent less of a bargain because of their higher purchase prices and fuel costs. Even the best midsized SUVs in the chart scored only a little better than average. Among luxury SUVs, only the BMW X3, Acura RDX and MDX, Infiniti EX, and gas and hybrid versions of the Lexus RX had above-average value scores.

Best Value Small SUVs: Toyota RAV4 (base, 4-cyl.)
Worst Value Small SUVs: Jeep Liberty Sport

Minivans generally get better fuel economy than most midsized or larger SUVs, have more space than all but the largest SUVs, and usually cost less. But as a class, subpar reliability drags them down. Even the most reliable minivan, the front-wheel drive versions of the Toyota Sienna, have only average reliability, which allows us to recommend them. As a result, they are also the only minivans that earned a better-than-average value score.

Consumer Reports analysis also showed that hybrids can be relatively good values because of a combination of good fuel economy, low depreciation, and above-average reliability. As a class, hybrids have an overall value that's at least one and a half times that of the average model, and on average they cost about 65 cents per mile to drive over the first five years.

The complete best and worst lists for all 11 best car values categories are available in the February Issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org starting January 3.

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit annually rates thousands of products and services. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.

SOURCE Consumer Reports
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honda-fit-repeats-at-top-of-consumer-reports-best-new-car-value-list-136580613.html

Honda Cars : Post-quake Honda says it now has lots of Fits, Insights for dealers | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda offered a terrific sign this week that it is finally getting back on its feet in the U.S. after the March earthquake and tsunami that drastically slashed production.

It is now telling dealers that they can resume ordering two of the most in-demand models -- the small Honda Fit and the hybrid Insight, Automotive News reports.

The two models, both made in Japan, have been among the most in-demand as gas rose to an average of nearly $4 a gallon. The Fit is the smallest car that Honda sells in the U.S. and comes recommended by Consumer Reports. The Insight is the brand's underrated hybrid, a competitor to Toyota's Prius.

"Honda's manufacturing operations in Japan are returning to nearly normalized levels by the end of summer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's U.S. sales operation in a memo to Honda dealers. Adding back Fit and Insight "represents a major improvement from the recovery timetable we provided you last month."

Honda stopped orders on the models after the earthquake. Honda didn't incur major damange to its factories in Japan, but it has been badly impacted by the shortage of parts that has hampered other automakers, including those in the U.S.

In fact, Mendel is downright bullish. Noting that other models like the Pilot SUV, Odyssey minivan and CR-V small crossover are coming back to normal production levels, he implored dealers, "it is imperative that you keep your foot on the sales pedal."

It won't be easy: Sales fell 22% in May compared with a year ago, the News notes.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/post-quake-honda-says-now-lots-of-fits-insights-for-dealers/1

Honda Cars : Video: 2011 Mazda2 - Good, but not quite (Honda) Fit | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

You know that the Honda FIT is a good car when it's used as a benchmark when comparing other good cars....

The subcompact Mazda2 isn't a bad car, but "not bad" isn't enough to take the world by storm. In today's competitive car market, there are plenty of really good cars to pick from.

Good fuel mileage is a big reason buyers go for small cars. The Mazda2 returned an average of 30 mpg overall with an automatic transmission and 33 with the manual in our testing. While that's not too shabby, it isn't outstanding these days. The larger and more comfortable Toyota Corolla compact returned 32 mpg overall in our tests with an automatic, and the midsize Hyundai Sonata GLS clocked in at 27 mpg overall.

Both of those cars are newer designs than the wee Mazda, and that's one of the 2's problems: Engine, transmission, and other technologies are advancing so fast that an older design just can't deliver the fuel economy of newer models. And the Mazda2 is an older design, having been on sale in Japan, Europe, and other markets for several years before being introduced to U.S. buyers earlier this year.

That leads to the other problem. There's good reason why carmakers bring certain models to certain markets and don't bring others. Roads, driving habits, and lifestyles vary tremendously around the world. The Mazda2 does not drive like it was designed for U.S. roads. That's because it wasn't.

The 2 is a kick to drive around town, zipping in and out of tight spaces and easy to park. On back roads, it's also entertaining to toss around. But the 2 isn't a fun cruiser. It's noisy on those highways we Americans rely on to get around so much, with a choppy ride, and it can feel a bit darty, requiring a lot of steering correction to stay on course.

Honda brought the subcompact Fit to our shores a few years ago, and it, too, was a design not intended for the U.S market. But with much more interior room and a clever folding rear seat that turns it into a mini cargo truck, the Fit has been a hit with American buyers. It's one of our top-Rated subcompacts.

The Mazda2 entered the increasingly crowded subcompact category as a contender and outscored some others in our testing. But it isn't as Fit as some others.

Source;
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/12/video-2011-mazda2-good-but-not-quite-fit.html

Honda Cars : 2011 Honda Fit Receives More Standard Features; VSA Added to All Models | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

All I can say is carpted floor mats.... It's about freakin' time....
Accommodating, versatile and fuel-efficient five-door now includes standard VSA, USB, cruise control and remote entry on all models

11/29/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif.
The Honda Fit offers even more value for the 2011 model year in its already versatile, fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient five-door package. New for 2011, all models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) as standard equipment, along with more comfort and convenience features.

New features on the Fit (base model) include cruise control, remote entry, a USB audio interface and VSA. The Fit Sport (non-navigation) also gains VSA for 2011, along with carpeted floor mats.

The Fit Sport with Navigation (previously equipped with VSA as standard equipment) receives carpeted floor mats as standard equipment. Four new colors become available - Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Celestial Blue Metallic and Vortex Blue Pearl - and replace similar colors from the previous model year.

Compact on the outside yet spacious inside, the Fit stands apart from other entry-level vehicles with its multi-functional interior and emphasis on quality and refinement. The exclusive 60/40 split rear Magic Seat® offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations - tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode - in addition to the standard five-passenger mode.

The exterior design provides excellent outward visibility and contributes to the vehicle's aggressive, sporty stance. The 1.5-liter, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine is tuned to deliver a rewarding combination of power and fuel economy. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic transmission is available. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Fit Sport models equipped with the available automatic transmission allow for manual gear selection.

Compact on the outside with an overall length of 161.6 inches, the interior provides an impressive passenger volume of 90.8 cubic feet for its class and a rear cargo volume of 20.6 cubic feet. The rear Magic Seat provides convenient one-motion dive-down functionality and can fold flat into the floor to create a rear cargo volume of 57.3 cubic feet.

Safety highlights include the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, standard VSA, anti-lock brakes and more. Dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all models.

The engine produces 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. The Fit equipped with the available automatic transmission has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 28/35/31 miles per gallon . The Fit Sport with the available automatic transmission has an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/30 miles per gallon1. All manual transmission-equipped models have an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/33/29 miles per gallon.1

The front MacPherson strut suspension and torsion beam rear suspension settings are tuned to provide a sporty, refined and dynamic driving experience. Fifteen- and 16-inch wheels (Fit and Fit Sport, respectively) feature 175/65 R15 84S (Fit) and 185/55 R16 83H (Fit Sport) tires. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) uses 10.3-inch ventilated discs in the front and 7.9-inch drums in the rear.

The Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, USB audio interface2, auxiliary audio input jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), power windows, power mirrors and power door locks. The Fit Sport adds or replaces: carpeted floor mats, alloy wheels, an underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights and a security system.

The Fit Sport audio system provides six speakers. The Fit Sport is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition3, featuring a 6.5-inch screen and more than seven million points of interest.

Fit awards and accolades include being named to Car and Driver Magazine's "10Best Cars for 2011" list (www.caranddriver.com), a prestigious honor it has received in each of the five years that it has been on sale in the United States.

# # #
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 The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.

3 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. RDS not available on navigation models.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/2011-honda-fit-receives-more-standard-features-vsa-added-to-all-models

Honda Cars : Honda Accord and Fit Receive Car and Driver Magazine's "10Best Cars" Awards | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Car and Driver magazine has named the 2011 Honda Accord and the 2011 Honda Fit as two winners of its prestigious and highly competitive, annual "10Best Cars" award. Now in its eighth generation, the Accord has achieved "10Best" status 25 times in the 29 years that Car and Driver editors have been conducting the competition, more than any other vehicle in the award's history. The Honda Fit has been honored with 10Best status in each of the five years that it has been on sale in the United States.

"The Car and Driver '10Best' awards are among the most coveted awards in the industry," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These awards recognize the company's ongoing emphasis on performance, quality and safety, and Honda is honored to have its vehicles regarded so highly over the years."

Honda Car and Driver "10Best" Award History

Accord
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994,1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983

Civic
1996, 1991,1990, 1989, 1988

CRX
1988, 1985

Fit
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

Prelude
1998, 1997, 1996, 1995,1994,1993, 1992, 1986, 1985, 1984

S2000
2004, 2002, 2001, 2000

Source;

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/honda-accord-and-fit-receive-car-and-driver-magazine-s-10best-cars-awards

Honda Cars : Inside Line's Take: Honda Future Vehicles | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

2011 Honda Accord: The upgrades on the 2011 Honda Accord coupe and sedan are a little more sedate than we expected. There's no six-speed transmission as we had hoped. Instead, Honda changed the gearing of the five-speed automatic to improve mileage. The four-cylinder models are now expected to get EPA ratings of 23 city and 34 highway mpg when equipped with the automatic transmission. The V6 automatic is expected to get 19 city and 30 highway mpg.

The rest of the 2011 Accord's changes are styling updates on the exterior and some minor changes to the interior. On the outside there's a new grille, revised bumper, updated wheel design and a new trunk lid. Interior upgrades include shift paddles for V6 coupes and USB ports on all coupes and some sedans. Revised climate controls are also part of this year's upgrades.

2014 Honda Accord: A full redesign of the Honda Accord will most likely arrive in the 2013 calendar year. Honda Accord Crosstour

2013 Honda Accord Crosstour: Honda's version of the Accord wagon should be ready for a refresh by 2012. Honda CR-V

2013 Honda CR-V: After some minor upgrades in 2010, expect to see a full redesign of the CR-V in 2012. Honda delayed work on the CR-V's underlying platform in 2009, so this redesign could come as late as 2013.

2011 Honda CR-Z: This hybrid sport coupe is scheduled to go on sale in the fall of 2010. It features a 122-horsepower hybrid drivetrain and a six-speed manual gearbox. Its EPA mileage estimates are 31 city and 37 highway.

2012 Honda Civic: The full redesign of the Honda Civic is not expected to arrive until early 2011 after some last-minute changes to the design of the platform. Unlike most Civic redesigns of the last couple decades, this Civic will actually be smaller on the outside compared to its predecessor. So far, the only prototypes spotted in public have been four-door hatchbacks, a body style sold in Europe but not in the U.S. Honda Element

2012 Honda Element: After mediocre sales, the Element was expected to die off when the current model was ready to retire, but Honda says it is now planning to release a full redesign in the next couple of years.

2017 Honda FCX Clarity: Honda's hydrogen-powered sedan is currently being offered to a select group of consumers as a demonstration vehicle. If an actual production version ever makes it to market, it's not likely to happen until 2016 at the earliest.

2011 Honda Fit: A hybrid version of the Fit was planned for release in late 2010. Honda officials have said publicly, however, that the company is struggling to deliver the car at an affordable price.

2012 Honda Insight: This hybrid hatchback has struggled in the marketplace so expect to see a midcycle refresh sooner than usual. Honda officials have said publicly that the car is too small for American tastes, but that's not likely to change until a full redesign arrives in the 2017-'18 timeframe.

2011 Honda Odyssey: A fully redesigned Honda Odyssey is scheduled to arrive in late 2010. The new Odyssey is roughly the same size as the current model and uses the same engine. Most of the changes were reserved for the interior that features seats that slide sideways, an onboard refrigerator and the latest in electronic connectivity. Honda Pilot

2012 Honda Pilot: Given that the Pilot just had a full redesign in 2009, a midcycle refresh probably won't arrive until 2011 at the earliest. Honda Ridgeline

2013 Honda Ridgeline: After a mild refresh in 2009, the Ridgeline should get a full redesign by 2012.

Source;

http://www.insideline.com/honda/future-vehicles.html