The Honda Element was designed with active people in mind, and to that end was simple and inexpensive, with a spacious, accessible, and easy-to-clean interior. “Active lifestyle” people are more likely to spend their discretionary income on their active pursuits than their cars, after all.

Pros: Extremely functional, solid construction, good gas mileage for a roomy SUV
Cons: Gas Mileage is worse than expected

The 2008 Honda Element represents the sixth year of this small SUV’s model cycle. Although Honda’s funkiest vehicle has aged well, we’d also suggest checking out newer rivals like the Scion xB and Toyota FJ Cruiser, both of which make more of a styling statement these days. In addition, the Scion has a much lower price tag and is apt to be a bigger draw for twenty-somethings paying off college loans. Practical-minded shoppers would also be wise to investigate the Element’s more conventional competition, including the Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 and even Honda’s own CR-V. Their normal doors make entry/exit an easier affair, and all of them have an extra fifth seat (and in a few cases, a sixth and seventh) and a longer list of available amenities. Some also offer V6 engines with considerably more power than the Element’s four-cylinder.

You can checkout the 2008 Honda Element reviews at thecarconnection.com for more. They give more details on honda element reviews and you can get more pictures there

Popularity: 1% [?]

This is Honda’s second take on a hybrid-only car, to be shown in concept form first at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The production version of the second generation “Cadillac of hybrids” (as John Travolta’s character called it in the movie Be Cool) the Honda Insight will on sale in April 2009.

Honda UK’s environmental manager John Kingston said earlier this week that this car will change customer’s perception of hybrids thanks to real economical savings compared to just that mostly “green” feeling that other hybrids give.

The 5-door, 5-seater hatchback car will locate the battery and control unit beneath the cargo space. Like Honda’s previous IMA system it will feature an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for assistance. Honda also claims significant cost and weight reduction with the new car, allowing the hybrid to reach more customers.

The new Insight Concept will be displayed alongside Honda’s two other alternative fuel/hybrid cars - the Honda CR-Z lightweight

Popularity: 4% [?]

Honda Civic engines are very reliable if properly maintained. Honda Civic offers audio controls in the rear-seat armrest, a feature that is very rare in cars of similar class. Honda Civics now have the immobilizer system so they should not be penalized with the rest of the 2 door older Civics. Insurance companies should come under more scrutiny for their rating policies and practices.

Honda Civic engine is easy to maintain and is proven to be durable provided good maintenance. Honda Civic SIs have been noted for their ‘zip’ in the past, making novel racecars with a little modification, but this newest model hardly needs to be modified. With an amazingly tight turning radius, good balance and low center of gravity, the Honda Civic SI handles beautifully even at fairly high speeds.

Engine choices were a 1.6-liter good for 106 hp in the DX and LX or 127 hp in the VTEC-equipped EX. There was also a higher-fuel-economy coupe, the 115-hp HX. Engine choices include a powerful, yet efficient 140 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, and a high-revving 197 horsepower 4-cylinder engine in Civic Si models. A smooth-shifting 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission is available, with the Si sporting a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission. Engine modifications included twin Keihin carburetors, a freer flowing exhaust manifold, longer duration cam (15 degrees), domed pistons (bumped compression up to 8.6:1), and strengthened crank bearings. Handling was increased with a set of stiffer springs (30%), shorter stiffer struts and 13″ wheels wrapped in 155-80-13 tires. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 8% [?]

The US domestic market Honda Accord (and our Asian version as well) is known as the Honda Inspire in Japan, because the Japanese Accord follows the smaller and sportier European Honda Accord.

Soon after the US market Accord was unveiled, comes the Japanese 5th generation Honda Inspire. There are two variants - the 35iL and the 35TL, and both come powered by the new 3.5 liter i-VTEC V6 engine with cylinder deactivation. The J35A is a SOHC motor and produces 280 PS at 6,200rpm and 342Nm of torque at 5,000rpm.

This engine features a cylinder deactivation system called Variable Cylinder Management. It allows the engine to either run on the full 6 cylinders, or either 4 or 3 cylinders, depending on driving conditions. This means either a 2.3 liter V4 or a 1.75 liter inline-3 engine. A little green ECO light denoting economy mode will light up on the dashboard when VCM is activated.

The front of the new Honda Inspire is similiar to the US model Accord, featuring HID-equipped headlamps and a bold trapezoidal grille. The rear is slightly different, with two extra strips of red taillamp area on the bootlid stretching from the taillamps to the number plate holder. This is probably what our Asian Honda Accord’s rear end will look like, instead of the USDM rear end design.

Safety features include a standard airbag system which includes driver and front-passenger i-SRS airbags, front-seat i-side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The body uses Advanced Compatibility Engineering which ensures the passengers are protected during a collision. The top of the range 35iL model has Honda’s CMBS (Collision Mitigation Brake System) and E-pretensioners.

CMBS determines if there is a danger of a collision and alerts the driver. If a collision is imminent, CMBS activates the brakes to reduce speed automatically. E-pretensioners retract seatbelts automatically before a collision occurs.

The new Honda Inspire is bigger than its predecessor not only on the exterior but on the interior as well. or rear passengers, the tandem distance (a measure of the distance between front and rear seats) has been increased by 25mm and the floor lowered to provide a more natural seating position. Knee space has also been increased by 35mm, while the couple distance for front occupants has been widened by 40mm.

A thinner floor frame and slender fuel tank are employed along with optimized exhaust system layout to achieve a 15mm reduction in floor height. The trunk has been made 54mm longer to create a spacious 510 liter capacity.

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Popularity: 2% [?]