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New Accord Hybrid will get 50 mpg, Honda says

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, which is built in Marysville, has a range of 673 miles.

The new Honda Accord Hybrid will have a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 50 mpg when it goes on sale later this year.

Honda released the fuel-economy figure yesterday for that vehicle, which is being assembled in Marysville.

“It’s an impressive number,” said John O’Dell, senior editor for Edmunds.com. “To have a good-size car with decent fuel economy is a good thing.”

The gas-electric hybrid will have an EPA fuel-economy rating of 50 mpg in the city,

45 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 47 mpg. It will have a driving range of

673 miles, which is the most in its segment.

As is often the case with hybrids, the city rating is higher than on the highway because the vehicle uses the brakes to help charge the battery in stop-and-start situations.

The Accord’s fuel efficiency is the same or better than other midsize hybrids. The closest competitor is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which has a rating of 47 mpg in the city and a combined rating of 47 mpg.

The Accord Hybrid is the first hybrid assembled in Ohio by any major automaker. Honda spent $18.8 million and added 50 jobs in Marysville to add hybrid production, the company said.

“We are extremely proud of that 50 (mpg) number,” said Steve Rodriguez, engineering project leader for the Accord Hybrid. “It’s great to be part of that.”

He pointed to several engineering decisions that helped to reduce the vehicle’s weight and improve its fuel economy. For example, the Accord Hybrid has a rear bumper beam made of aluminum instead of steel, he said.

Pricing for the vehicle has not yet been disclosed.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets guidelines for automakers to test vehicles and come up with the fuel-economy figures that appear in the window sticker.

In some cases, the companies get it wrong and have to revise the numbers. That is what happened this summer with the Ford C-Max hybrid, following complaints from customers. Ford dropped the rating on the compact crossover from 47 mpg to 43 mpg and agreed to compensate buyers for the error.

“People should never take the EPA mileage rating as gospel,” O’Dell said. “It’s just a guide.”

Check out the Route 23 Honda Inventory here.

2013 Honda Accord Sport's Sweet Engine, Quality Interior More Than Make Up for Short List of Shortcomings

The 2013 Honda Accord Sport features a high quality interior designed lo last, room for five adults to sit comfortably, and the reliability of being the latest among a decades-long favorite model. Add in the buttery-smooth 189-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission, and the Accord remains a stellar pick.

 

The evening before I was scheduled to return the 2013 Honda Accord Sport after a weeklong test, I stopped by the home of my friend and automotive guru, for his counsel and once-over. He listened to the engine idle, with the same diligence as a pediatrician and a stethoscope. He stepped inside and, as is customary, touched every surface, knob, and fabric. When opened the cubby underneath the radio controls, he noted the slight heft in the compartment’s open-close action, and smiled.

"You may not realize it now," he said, “but once you give it back, you’re going to miss the little things about how this car

works."

Generations of Accord owners have been convinced by its interior quality alone, and the latest model is no exception. All major touch points are constructed of, or covered in, materials that immediately look and feel like they will withstand the test of time. The neatly laid-out instrument panel and center stack are complemented by a multifunction steering wheel with redundant controls and voice commands. A two-tier display is standard across the model line, as are dual-zone climate control, a rear-view camera, an integrated trip computer, and a USB audio input. While many of its competitors use optional, advanced infotainment systems as a major draw, the exemplar Accord is perhaps the one with the fewest options.

Inside, the 2013 Honda Accord features a two-tiered instrumental panel as well as a multifunciton steering wheel with controls and voice command functionality.

The back seat has room for three adults, making it a five-seater capable of more than short, local trips. The flat seats, covered in slippery cloth, are the biggest disappointment, but leather upholstery on higher-trim models helps to remedy the problem.

It would be easy to argue that its interior is the latest Accord’s sweet spot, but then you turn the key and feel its harmonious pairing of engine and transmission. A buttery-smooth 189-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine practically sings as it revs higher, and provides more than adequate power for city and highway driving. My test car was equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which mimicked the gearing of a traditional automatic transmission, despite its gearless nature, without any of the vacuum-esque hum of less sophisticated transmissions.

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, unique to the CVT Sport, allow for punchier upshifts and downshifts that do their best impersonation of a manual gearbox. Should you yearn to row your own gears, a 6-speed manual transmission – one of the best in the business, let alone the segment – is standard on all four-cylinder Accords.

Over several hundred miles of mixed city and highway driving, the Accord returned fuel economy as high as 36 mpg, and closer to 30 mpg overall. The CVT also matches and exceeds the fuel economy of the manual transmission.

Steering and braking performance is another area where the Accord excels over its competition. Careful chassis tuning helps it avoid the floaty numbness in the corners that is endemic to most midsize sedans. The Accord is more eager to play, and less nervous about reaching its limits, than others of its ilk, as substantiated by several hot track laps earlier in the year. Off the track, that level of performance rewards city and freeway-bound drivers in spades, in terms of confidence behind the wheel at any speed.

If this sounds like high praise, it is – but the Accord is not without subjective shortcomings. Its exterior styling is worth the postage on a letter home, but that’s about it. Inoffensive lines are reminiscent of the Hyundai Genesis sedan, albeit one sharper and more squared-off, but owners will still likely lose theirs in crowded parking lots. A complementary rear exhaust pipe, as well as 18-inch wheels that fill out the wheel wells, brighten the Accord’s otherwise plain bodywork, but do not exude much sportiness. Cabin noise is slightly louder than expected. And the digital screen could benefit from much more functionality on models not equipped with navigation, given its prominence in the cabin.

By any estimation, the Accord Sport is one of the best values for money, among its peers, at approximately $25,000 for the base model. Compare that against the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry, which tend to offer fewer features, power, and refinement per dollar, and the Accord makes even more sense.

It is attention paid to the small touches – from the treatment of the HVAC bezels to the sophisticated hum of the engine – that give this perennial bestseller a marked edge over its competitors.

It’s interesting calculus for a model that is Honda’s bread and butter, but part of the formula that makes the Accord proficient and accomplished from the first look.

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'America's Got Talent' Host Nick Cannon Stars in New 'Best Yourself' Honda Civic Ad Campaign

As 'America's Got Talent' host and hubby of Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon might have a full slate of responsibilities, but that TV personality is ready to add Honda spokesperson to the list. Cannon will debut a new ad campaign for the 2013 Honda Civic on 'America's Got Talent' on August 11.

Looking to hook the smartphone generation, Honda is taking a different route. Lining up "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon, the Japanese automaker will debut a new ad campaign for its redesigned Civic sedan during the August 11 broadcast of "Talent."

"In the entertainment business, much like the auto industry, there is always pressure to adopt the latest trends," Cannon said in a statement.

"I've built my career by staying true to myself and my personal beliefs, and it's the same commitment that I saw in Honda and their development of the 2013 Civic that drew me to this project."

The campaign focuses on individuals working toward their goals, whether playing the violin, shooting hoops, or completing math problems. Beyond the ad's "America's Got Talent" debut, Honda will push the campaign on social media, inviting users to share how they plan to push themselves and achieve their goals.

The 2013 Honda Civic builds on a 2012 model refresh, adding air conditioning, USB, Bluetooth, and a backup camera as standard features. The 2013 sedan model starts at $18,165, with the Si Coupe model featured in the ad campaign starting at $22,515.

INTERNATIONAL: 2015 Honda Fit Mugen Leaked in Japanese Brochure

Although pictures of the new Honda Fit (called the Jazz in some overseas markets) have been released on Honda’s website along with some details, its catalog with more variants has not. At least, until now. The leaked catalog shows some versions of the Honda Fit Mugen high-performance model. Featured in the catalog are an extroverted body kit, spoiler, bumper fins, and other elements. Seventeen-inch MFZ wheels complete the package.

The new Honda Fit will be more powerful than the current model, featuring more than just 177 horsepower. It will still feature the same fun-to-drive qualities as the current Fit, and it should still be thrifty at the gas pump.

In other models of the 2015 Honda Fit, which goes on sale in Japan a year earlier, the car will be available in Sport Hybrid trim, featuring the Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive. The Fit Hybrid will be powered by a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Regenerative braking further helps with mileage, replenishing the battery for more time between charges.

The all-new Honda Fit is set to be released on September 5 of this year in Japan and should be making its way to the U.S. in early 2014 as a 2015 model. More information about the new Fit, as well as a full catalog, will be released as the launch date edges closer.

If this version of the Fit were to be released in the US would you buy it?

Check out our Fit Inventory & come in for a Test Drive!

Honda Reveals Next-Generation Fit, Teases Crossover and Hybrid Models

Honda has released first official images of the new 2015 Fit, set to begin production in Mexico next spring, along with information teasing an expanded model range.

The new Honda Fit looks sportier and substantial, but it still appears to have the tall, upright greenhouse that gives the current version its great visibility and interior space. Honda promises nicer interior materials, along with the latest infotainment and connectivity features. The new Fit will use a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine from Honda's fuel-efficient Earth Dreams powertrain family, along with a continuously variable transmission. A six-speed manual may also be an option.

The company also plans to introduce one or more SUV-type models based on the Fit, such as previewed by the Urban SUV Concept. At least one Fit-spinoff will include a hybrid variant using Honda's new i-DCD full-hybrid system.

Whenever we test a new small car, it always gets compared to a Honda Fit. That's because every version of the Fit that we've driven has delivered an impressive blend of space, efficiency, sportiness, and value. It sets a high standard. We hope the next-generation Fit lives up to the reputation, but based on the automaker's hit-or-miss launch history (ahem, Civic), there is no guaranty.

Interested in a Honda Fit? Check out our Fit inventory!

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2013 Honda Civic Si Sedan: Video Review

In 2012, Honda launched a brand new Civic that was widely viewed as a step backward for the perennial small car all-star. Honda quickly moved to dramatically refresh the Civic lineup for 2013, upgrading both the design and feature set. We drove the sporty 2013 Honda Civic Si Sedan to test some of these new standard features, such as a rearview camera and BlueTooth HandsFreeLink.

Honda LaneWatch™ Blind Spot Display Wins A 2013 VIP (Very Innovative Products) Award from Good Housekeeping

Innovative system helps the driver locate objects in the right-side blind spot

Honda's LaneWatch™ blind spot display has won a Good Housekeeping 2013 "Very Innovative Products" (VIP) Award, the only automotive product to earn this distinction for 2013 and one of only nine innovative new product winners overall. 

Good Housekeeping's 2013 VIP award winners were chosen from more than 1,500 new products evaluated by the scientists and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute during the past year in the magazine's state-of-the-art product-testing laboratory. Before any product can be named a VIP award winner, it must also pass the Research Institute's evaluations for performance and safety.

Debuting on the all-new 2013 Accord, which recently achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) new TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, and now also available on the versatile 2013 Crosstour, LaneWatch uses a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to display real-time images of the vehicle's right-side blind spot on an 8-inch color dashboard display. The image appears when the right turn signal is activated, or when a button on the end of the turn signal stalk is pressed.

"LaneWatch is an intuitive visibility technology that represents the sort of innovation that consumers have come to expect from Honda," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Automotive products don't often win Good Housekeeping's VIP awards, and that makes it even sweeter to have LaneWatch listed among the best new consumer products of 2013."

The typical field of view for a passenger-side mirror is approximately 18 to 22 degrees, but the LaneWatch field-of-view is about four times greater, or approximately 80 degrees. The system helps the driver to see traffic, as well as pedestrians, bicycles or other objects in the vehicle's blind spot. To help make judging distance easier, the display has three reference lines. Drivers are encouraged to visually confirm roadway conditions prior to changing lanes.

What's your take on Honda's #LaneWatch ?

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2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

So what's new for 2014 you ask? The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is an all-new model!

Introduction

Honda recently redesigned the Accord for its ninth generation, improving the sedan's interior and exterior styling. For 2014, the Honda Accord gains a new model, the Accord Plug-In Hybrid. With this new addition to the lineup, Honda becomes one of the few automakers to offer a midsize family sedan in a plug-in hybrid configuration.

Unlike Honda's other hybrids such as the Insight, the Plug-In has an all-new hybrid system that's capable of accelerating the car using pure electric power. And as its name implies, the Plug-In can be recharged externally, thereby minimizing gas usage. Honda says the Accord Plug-In provides about 10-15 miles of pure electric range, after which point it switches over to normal hybrid operation. In regular hybrid mode, this Accord earns EPA estimates of 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Like the standard Accord, the plug-in hybrid offers similar features and comes in one well-appointed trim level based on the standard Accord Touring trim. That includes LED headlights, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system and monitoring of vitals like charge status, charging stations and even enabled remote charging controlled by smartphone apps. Honda says a full battery charge on a 120-volt outlet will take three hours, while charging on a 240-volt outlet takes less than one hour.

For now Honda will only sell the Accord Plug-In Hybrid in California and New York, so consider yourself lucky if you're interested in the car and happen to live in one of those states. We've yet to fully test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In, but check back for a complete evaluation in the coming months.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes in one well-equipped trim level.

Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, foglamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, special "bio-fabric" upholstery, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), driver memory settings and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Electronic features include Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, voice recognition, a navigation system and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an iPod/USB interface and smartphone app integration (HondaLink). Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and a blind-spot monitor are also standard.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. Together, they send a total of 196 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor.

The Accord Plug-In Hybrid offers three driving modes: full electric, gas/electric (switches when battery capacity depletes to a specific threshold) and gasoline (for higher speeds or under high demand for acceleration). Additionally, two sub-modes tailor the Accord Plug-In's hybrid mode. "HV" acts as a conventional hybrid, blending gasoline and electric power for optimum fuel efficiency, while "HV Charge" does the same, while feeding energy back into the battery.

The EPA estimates stand at 47 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure and forward-collision warning systems are also standard.

Of note is the LaneWatch blind-spot system, which instantly switches the 8-inch screen's display to a low and expansive view of the passenger side of the car when the right turn signal is engaged. A camera in the right-side mirror dedicated to this function provides a confidence-inspiring view, and acclimating to catching the view in the center-dash display is quick and natural.

Interior Design and Special Features

With a few exceptions, the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid features an elegant and well-constructed cabin trimmed with high-quality materials that you could almost mistake for an Acura. The center stack embraces the spirit of legibility with an effective three-tier layout, capped at the top with an 8-inch display.

Despite the new Accord's slightly smaller exterior dimensions compared to the previous generation, its interior room remains impressive. There is plenty of leg and shoulder space for front occupants, and rear-seat passengers should be quite comfortable and happy. Road and tire noise -- often among Honda's traditional weaknesses -- are noticeably reduced in the 2014 Accord thanks in part to two active noise-cancellation systems plus improved aerodynamics.

We're also fond of the visibility afforded by the Accord cabin, which offers a lower beltline, slimmer roof pillars and a generous amount of glass. Unfortunately, the presence of the plug-in hybrid's battery pack means the rear seat does not fold down, thus limiting the Accord's cargo usefulness. The trunk, at 8.6 cubic feet, is also considerably smaller than the regular Accord's.

Driving Impressions

We've yet to test the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, so check back for impressions on the car's new plug-in hybrid powertrain and handling capabilities.