2022 Honda Odyssey Exl on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2012 Honda NC700X

Honda Builds The Crossover Of Bikes
Here in the land of Harleys and highways that stretch to infinity, Americans don't care much for sensible motorcycles. Unlike the majority of global bike buyers, North Americans tend to choose escape over utility, performance over practicality - that's simply how it's been done in the land of the free, at least until a funny thing happened on the way to the global recession.
As bank balances thinned and fuel prices crept skyward, sales of puffed up sportbikes and cartoonishly endowed cruisers plummeted. Americans rediscovered that motorcycles could be used for tasks like workaday commutes and trips to the grocery store, not just for riding into a Marlboro Man-approved sunset, fringe in tow. As consumers matured, manufacturers slowly responded with bikes better suited for purposeful priorities.

Acura ILX headed for Civic-like early upgrades

The not-yet-ready-for-primetime 2012 Honda Civic saw it quickly returned to sender for refurbishment, now the Acura ILX is headed in the same direction in its very first year. Automotive News reports that the small, Civic-based sedan from Honda's luxury brand isn't meeting sales expectations, with an annualized rate of 22,000 to 24,000 sales instead of the 30,000 the company is after. More telling is that the ILX "is being outsold by the Buick Verano, Volkswagen CC and Audi A4," and, except for two months since it launched, it has also been outdone by the Acura TSX it is meant to replace.
Part of the cause has been the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine: its 150 horsepower to motivate a sedan that can weigh up to 2,970 pounds doesn't offer the kind of performance or value experience that buyers in the segment respond to. Another big issue is that the top-level 2.4-liter engine is only offered with a six-speed manual even though most buyers of the highest trim don't really want to shift their own gears. Lastly, the ILX might not put enough space between it and its frugal underpinnings - our first drive review pegged it as "the world's nicest Honda Civic."
An automatic transmission is on the way for the 2.4-liter, but it isn't clear when. And while Honda admits that the 2.0-liter is underpowered and Automotive News says it's on the way out, the company hasn't yet said how that situation will be corrected.

2015 Honda Jazz should Fit right in

When is a Honda Fit not a Honda Fit? When it's a Honda Jazz. In other markets around the world, our pleasant little Fit hatchback uses a jazzier nomenclature, but what you're looking at here isn't simply a rebadged version of the car we know and love. For starters, the Euro-spec Jazz uses a 1.3-liter VTEC engine from Honda's Earth Dreams line, tuned to produce 101 horsepower. (The US-spec Fit, meanwhile, cranks out 130 hp from its larger, 1.5-liter engine.) That powerplant is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable unit, and will be the only engine initially available at launch. From there, it's pretty much the same, save the small running lamps that flank the foglamps. The Jazz should fit nicely within not only the Honda lineup, but the booming subcompact class, with lots of onboard technology, excellent packaging (including the company's Magic Seat rear bench), and – we assume – a relatively affordable price point. Check out Honda's Euro-Fit in our fresh gallery of live shots, above. ALL-NEW HONDA JAZZ REDEFINES B-SEGMENT WITH ADDED SPACE, VERSATILITY, REFINEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - Third generation Jazz based on Honda's global B-segment platform - New 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine from Earth Dreams Technology series - Extra interior space, made versatile with Magic Seats® system - Bold, fresh exterior and refined cabin - New Honda Connect infotainment system - Advanced Driver Assist Systems enhance safety 24.02.2015 -- Arriving in Europe in summer 2015, the third-generation Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility. Occupants will benefit from increased refinement and advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a highly efficient and dynamic driving experience. While the newcomer retains the classic Jazz silhouette, it exhibits distinctive contemporary styling including a powerful new face and strong lines. The use of Honda's cleverly packaged new global B-segment chassis means that the latest Jazz is even bigger on the inside. The company's Magic Seats ® system ensures the interior offers unmatched versatility as well as class-leading space, with a range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers. High-quality soft-touch materials and thoughtful interior design provide a sophisticated ambience.