New Honda Vehicles Overview
2011 was a tumultuous year at Honda and the Japanese automaker is looking to start off 2012 on the right foot with redesigns of a few of its most popular models, the Civic and CR-V.
The entry-level Fit starts things off and the diminutive five-door hatchback offers a surprising amount of interior room for a car of such small stature. It also gets additional sound-proofing for 2012 which improves the cabin experience.
Honda gave the Civic compact coupe/sedan a redesign for the new model year, with updatedstyling and improved mpg ratings which bring the Civic more in-line with the competition. Although it isn’t a radical departure from the previous model (engine options remain the same), Honda is hoping that these improvements along with some new technology in the cabin are enough to keep the Civic at the top of the totem pole. The Civic Hybrid receives the same series of updates and also improves its own fuel economy to 44 combined mpg (an increase of 2 mpg).
Unchanged for 2012 (save a USB port now being standard) is the mid-size Accord. The Accord is available in two forms: a sedan, which features so much interior room that the EPA calls the Accord a full-size car, or a sportier coupe version. The hatchback Crosstour (formerly the Accord Crosstour but now standing alone) also returns sporting V-6 power and a slew of new standard features including Bluetooth® connectivity and a backup camera.
Like many of the other minivans on the market, the Odyssey minivan was redesigned last year and this up to eight-passenger people mover still sports a few unique styling cues, including that lightning-bolt beltline that improves third-row visibility.
Honda also offers a pair of hybrids with completely different aims. The CR-Z, which debuted last year, looks to prove that a hybrid can offer an engaging drive in addition to great fuel economy and the sport coupe is still the only hybrid on the market to offer a six-speed manual transmission. The efficient Insight hatchback goes the other direction, putting a premium on fuel economy (42 combined mpg) and a low base price.
Getting the most changes for 2012 is the CR-V compact crossover SUV. The CR-V adds a few handy new features, like rear seats that fold forward for more cargo space with the pull of one handle, a new “Econ” button that maximizes fuel economy, and a standard rear view camera (a segment exclusive).
The midsize Pilot crossover rounds out Honda’s SUV offerings (the Element was discontinued). It features seating for eight, a new front that is highlighted by a new grille, and a V-6 that offers ample power to go with cylinder deactivation technology which improves fuel economy.
And last but not least is the Ridgeline pickup truck. The Ridgeline is less of a pickup in the traditional sense and more like an SUV with a truck bed. As such features a more comfortable cabin than you’d find in most trucks.
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