Honda
Honda's website used to be among the best. But now they've added those horrid commercials that hog bandwidth and only serve to annoy.
Honda has just released the first official images of the new Venza fighter, called Crosstour.Along with the CR-V, Crosstour is another opportunity for Honda to snag another niche market. Not quite a stationwagon, nor a hatchback, it is really a fastback sedan.
The Element, on the other hand, takes the box to the extreme. One of the few true "rolling bricks" on the market, it also is available with AWD as an option. But in terms of practicality and maximizing usable space, it's pretty hard to beat.
The Pilot is Honda's real SUV, and it's a good one. Its styling screams full size SUV, but its unibody construction means it's still a crossover. It has competed in the Full Size SUV marketplace (despite its short 106.3 inch wheelbase) since its introduction 6 years ago, and Car and Driver has awarded it Best Large Sport Utility Vehicle in each of the preceding 5 years. That makes Honda the only manufacturer to be represented here with a full size sport ute.
Honda AWD Choices
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The Honda CR-V was all new for 2007, and remains as-is for 2010. There are 3 trim levels; the LX, EX and EX-L. Every AWD CR-V features a 5-speed automatic transmission with
Grade Logic Control, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control for added driveability and safety. Also included are 60/40 split rear sliding fold & tumble seats, an MP3/auxiliary input jack, cruise control and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Interestingly, the CRV EX-L (which is a luxury moniker, not a long wheelbase option) suffers 2 " of LOST headroom when compared to other CRV's. So the seating positions are very different; do yourself a favor and try BOTH to see if one fits you better. Upgrade to the EX-L and you'll get upgraded seating at a slight cost to headroom and cargo carrying area. Power is from last year's 166-hp, to 180 hp for the 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine. There is still no manual transmission option.
The 2010 LX model with AWD starts at
$22,795 |
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The new Honda Crosstour is being marketed as an Accord variant, rather than a completely new vehicle. It is only available with the all wheel drive option on the top end EX-L model, so the price is a bit steeper than I'd like to see.
Crosstour's rear seatback can be folded flat using levers in the cargo area. The rear seatback's 60/40 split lets the Crosstour carry both cargo, and either one or two rear-seat passengers.
Power comes from a very healthy 3.5 liter V6 with
271 hp. The 2010 AWD Accord Crosstour EX-L comes in at $34,020. |
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The Honda Element is a utilitarian but sporty AWD.The Element is only available with all wheel drive options on the EX or LX models. Both use the 2.3 liter 166hp motor. In addition to the entry level LX, the EX adds better audio, alloy wheels and some overhead storage. The EX comes equipped with better audio, more minor amenities, and nicer wheels.
The little changed automatic transmissioned AWD LX model jumps less than a grand this year to
$21,775 |
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The Honda Pilot is Honda's not so "mini" SUV. Since 2wd is standard on Pilot, you do have to specify the 4wd option. Powered by the same engine as Acura's MDX, the 250-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC VTEC V-6 engine, performance is very nice, thank you.
Overall it measures a couple of inches larger than a RAV4 in every dimension. In addition to the entry level LX, there are EX, EX-L and Touring variations for 2010. Sorry, no manual transmission options at all. The best dressed Pilot; the 4WD Touring version, steps out at $38,395, while the 4WD LX starts $300 more than last year's price at
$29,495. |
