News Opinion (Page 83)

The viable future of long-range electric is tied to battery module size and cost, that’s a given. Longer range equates to size, weight and MSRP proportionately. Honda opts for shorter range, affordable access.

Like an old friends that shows up for a long weekend, “with just a little work done,” the notable changes for 2017 Acura MDX Advance are subtle, but welcomed. “Good looking and capable” pretty much sums it up for me.

We spend a week in the seat of Honda’s reinvented compact SUV, and walk away with a lesson in segment refinement, and how to produce measurable engine performance through turbocharging, while preserving exceptional fuel efficiency.

With old-school turbocharged engine detractors obsessing over the new-age fuel efficient, high-torque output 4 cylinder engine technology, I’m here to tell you, not only is the 4-cylinder turbo engine the future I.C.E. of choice, Honda’s 2017 CR-V is a much improved performer because of it.

Looking to the initial purchase MSRP, ( manufacturer's suggested retail price) and ongoing cost of maintenance and operation, Kelley Blue Book then factors in predicted residual value and acknowledges one midsize car offering above all others. “Best” in this application means affordable.

Positioned slightly above the entry level Civic Hatchback LX, the not so bare-bones Civic Hatchback Sport returns us to the age of the manually shifted Honda performance hatchback of yesteryear, with a twist, it’s civilized, full efficient, comfortable, and you can have it all for under $22K.

Here we are, just over a month into 2017 and BMW have dropped the bombshell of the all new exclusive 5 series touring, more space and more tech, but IS IT all new?

Well, have you driven one? This week U.S. News and World Report rated 2017 Honda HR-V “Best Subcompact SUV for the Money.”

That headline took me several attempts to land on. Archimoto’s founder Mark Frohnmayer’s unique take on electrified personal transportation, may look simple enough. But once behind the handlebars, my imagination took over as to the “what if” of this equation. Arcimoto SRK Trike brings motorcycle inspired adventure to the EV segment.

Volvo’s Hybrid SUV flagship comes standard with a steep learning curve, and it’s pricey. Granted while not for everyone, even the well heeled of Volvo’s discriminating loyal, may find that this hybrid fails to meet individual "superior hybrid" expectations.

With industry-wide car sales slowing a bit, Volkswagen's diesel repurchase program may prove the law of unintended consequences. It was instituted to get cheating diesel vehicles off the road and in doing so it may also keep the sales recovery going.

The Dieselgate scandal took another step toward winding up in th United States as Volkswagen agreed to pay up to $4.04 billion to take care of repairs 78,000 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesels affected by the diesel cheating scandal and buybacks to another 22,000 that cannot be repaired.

The Genesis line of vehicles from Hyundai is lining up to take on the big boys in the luxury car market and here's why.

Someone did it again: As I scanned the internet Saturday night, a click-bait caption hooked me, "Honda's 2017 Ridgeline pickup is cool, but is it really a truck?" I went in for the kill.

Hyundai's Elantra GT or as it's known in Europe the i30 may not be as elevated as some of its competitors, but being a happy medium in the market may sometimes win out in the end. Here's why the 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT could be a strong contender this year.

The introduction of a longer Tiguan at the Detroit Auto Show has some wondering whether VW will ever make good on its promise to let the U.S. handle its own marketing.

I predict that within 20 years, probably sooner, hands-on-the-wheel driving will be a rarity, and possibly banned within city limits, as America Honda and other makers present a safer hands-off driving future.

Coming off of a record year for American Honda, Acura RDX end of year sales numbers ended up in the plus column, a bright spot for Honda’s premium car and light truck division.

In an internet soundbite Honda Sphere driven by 10th generation Civic and CR-V SUV, on the heels of American Honda’s record sales year rolls in a surprise or two -- something few of us saw coming.

Honda’s luxury performance division experienced a sales bump or two in 2016. Although MDX and RDX continued to sell well in the 2 and 3 row premium SUV segment, car sales were a bit flat, despite the introduction of NSX hybrid supercar. No worries!

2016 was an epic year for American Honda Motors fans as the big “H” powered forward on the reinvention of its entire lineup including Civic Coupe Si, Hatchback and the reinvented Ridgeline Pickup. What’s coming from American Honda Motors in 2017

At the end of every year, periodicals publish lists of stories. In the auto world, you can have many different "top" stories from "top reviews of 2016" to "top truck stories of 2016" to "top racing stories of 2016." Here is our list of the 10 top auto news stories of 2016.

According to USA Today and others: In the name of precautionary safety measures, Honda announced a second row seat related safety recall for Odyssey, the # 1 selling minivan in North America.

Although I was very impressed by the 10th generation Civic Coupe, exceptional Pilot revamp and not too distant cousin Ridgeline Pickup, there was yet another late year reveal that captured my imagination while reinventing the Civic brand.

One could say that cutting edge design, new innovation, and exceptional standard feature value drive sales for North America’s fastest growing brand. For me, it’s the dedicated people working behind the brand; people like Lyle Sweeter.

Looking at the ever-rising costs of Dieselgate, you have to wonder, why Volkswagen did it to itself? It was at the top of its game, battling tooth-and-nail with Toyota for World Number One and suddenly the wheels came off when the world found out, VW was a cheat.

With 2017 CR-V SUV sales firing up at dealerships the 3rd week in December, I thought we’d take a closer look at Honda’s next best seller.

The second week of December brought an unprecedented “Polar Blast” to the Pacific Northwest, leaving many front, rear and all-wheel-drive cars and light trucks in the driveway. Civic anyone?

Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) makes MDX and TLX all-weather traction superior.

According to Honda: Odyssey is the best selling minivan in the U.S., 9 out of the past 10 years. It’s also one, if not the highest safety and consumer satisfaction rated minivans in the auto industry. So why change it?