Honda Rated Most Reliable UK Car Manufacturer

Honda has been rated the UK's most reliable car manufacturer in the What Car? and Warranty Direct reliability study.

Honda has been rated the UK's most reliable car manufacturer in the What Car? and Warranty Direct reliability study. The Japanese motoring giant out-performed its rivals to hit the top of the What Car? league table thanks to a rock-bottom nine per-cent first year failure rate.

Furthermore, the capable HR-V and CR-V sports utility vehicles were rated first and second in their sector, and the Civic came third in the small hatchback category.

What Car? Editor In Chief, Chas Hallett, commented: 'the success of Honda in this year's reliability study is very impressive - especially as this is Honda’s sixth overall win as the UK’s most reliable car maker. Reliability is key for car buyers. The car makers at the bottom of the study have a lot of work to do to catch up with Honda'.

What Car? is not the only prestigious title to recognise Honda's exceptional reliability. The 2011 Which? Car Survey named this dependable constructor the Most Reliable Brand. Furthermore, this year's JD Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study saw Honda retain the number two spot in the overall league table – the highest-placed volume manufacturer. Sounds like hassle-free ownership is virtually guaranteed. Excellent work.

By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk

Source;
http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/honda-rated-most-reliable-uk-car-manufacturer_32297

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Honda Rated Most Reliable UK Car Manufacturer

Honda has been rated the UK's most reliable car manufacturer in the What Car? and Warranty Direct reliability study.

Honda has been rated the UK's most reliable car manufacturer in the What Car? and Warranty Direct reliability study. The Japanese motoring giant out-performed its rivals to hit the top of the What Car? league table thanks to a rock-bottom nine per-cent first year failure rate.

Furthermore, the capable HR-V and CR-V sports utility vehicles were rated first and second in their sector, and the Civic came third in the small hatchback category.

What Car? Editor In Chief, Chas Hallett, commented: 'the success of Honda in this year's reliability study is very impressive - especially as this is Honda’s sixth overall win as the UK’s most reliable car maker. Reliability is key for car buyers. The car makers at the bottom of the study have a lot of work to do to catch up with Honda'.

What Car? is not the only prestigious title to recognise Honda's exceptional reliability. The 2011 Which? Car Survey named this dependable constructor the Most Reliable Brand. Furthermore, this year's JD Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study saw Honda retain the number two spot in the overall league table – the highest-placed volume manufacturer. Sounds like hassle-free ownership is virtually guaranteed. Excellent work.

By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk

Source;
http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/honda-rated-most-reliable-uk-car-manufacturer_32297

Read more »

Honda tops British brand reliability poll

Japanese and Korean carmakers dominate a new list compiled by British warranty specialist MB&G of marques that have generated the fewest claims over the past year, giving an indication of brand reliability.

Honda took top spot, followed by Lexus, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Suzuki. Kia took sixth place followed by Hyundai, Subaru, Mazda and Nissan.

It is no coincidence the top 10 most reliable cars are Japanese and Korean manufactured, with many cars including Toyota, Honda and Nissan manufactured in Britain. They have had a reputation for reliability for many years, which is demonstrated by these results.

“Our survey only looks at frequency of claims and not the average value of the claim, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The average claim value is affected by labour rates and parts prices and can also vary by region,” a spokeman for MB&G commented.

The average age and mileage of cars being handled by MB&G is increasing, but the corporate/SME market generally resists extending warranties beyond the one provided by the manufacturer.

Source;
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/41737/honda-tops-british-brand-reliability-poll

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Honda tops British brand reliability poll

Japanese and Korean carmakers dominate a new list compiled by British warranty specialist MB&G of marques that have generated the fewest claims over the past year, giving an indication of brand reliability.

Honda took top spot, followed by Lexus, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Suzuki. Kia took sixth place followed by Hyundai, Subaru, Mazda and Nissan.

It is no coincidence the top 10 most reliable cars are Japanese and Korean manufactured, with many cars including Toyota, Honda and Nissan manufactured in Britain. They have had a reputation for reliability for many years, which is demonstrated by these results.

“Our survey only looks at frequency of claims and not the average value of the claim, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The average claim value is affected by labour rates and parts prices and can also vary by region,” a spokeman for MB&G commented.

The average age and mileage of cars being handled by MB&G is increasing, but the corporate/SME market generally resists extending warranties beyond the one provided by the manufacturer.

Source;
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/41737/honda-tops-british-brand-reliability-poll

Read more »

Honda is the brand with fewest warranty claims, study says

UK warranty specialist MB&G states that the companies that filed the fewest number of claims for the past year are those from Japan and Korea. Honda has received the top spot in this study. MB&G noted that as drivers have decided to keep the cars until they’re in their fourth years or even up to six years, there are some drivers who will be surprised with the type of maintenance costs that they’d have to incur.

Kevin Pearce, a director of MB&G, said that modern day cars are “reliable” but that errors are more common in the fourth or fifth years and if “the mileage reaches 70-100,000 miles.” He explained further that the cars feature plenty of electronic equipment that controls the engine management automatic gearbox and a small software error can often create issues.

Of course, there’s wear and tear that have to be considered. MB&G says that the average age and mileage of cars being is increasing, but generally, the corporate/SME market doesn’t like to go beyond the warranties. Pearce said that each year, tens of thousands of warranties are being processed. The average age of those cars are also increasing quite significantly. Pearce added that for now, there are more drivers who would drive around, thinking about purchasing a warranty for “extra peace of mind.”

Source;

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-is-the-brand-with-fewest-warranty-claims-study-says/

Read more »

Honda is the brand with fewest warranty claims, study says

UK warranty specialist MB&G states that the companies that filed the fewest number of claims for the past year are those from Japan and Korea. Honda has received the top spot in this study. MB&G noted that as drivers have decided to keep the cars until they’re in their fourth years or even up to six years, there are some drivers who will be surprised with the type of maintenance costs that they’d have to incur.

Kevin Pearce, a director of MB&G, said that modern day cars are “reliable” but that errors are more common in the fourth or fifth years and if “the mileage reaches 70-100,000 miles.” He explained further that the cars feature plenty of electronic equipment that controls the engine management automatic gearbox and a small software error can often create issues.

Of course, there’s wear and tear that have to be considered. MB&G says that the average age and mileage of cars being is increasing, but generally, the corporate/SME market doesn’t like to go beyond the warranties. Pearce said that each year, tens of thousands of warranties are being processed. The average age of those cars are also increasing quite significantly. Pearce added that for now, there are more drivers who would drive around, thinking about purchasing a warranty for “extra peace of mind.”

Source;

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-is-the-brand-with-fewest-warranty-claims-study-says/

Read more »

Lexus, Honda top J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, Ford plummets

Despite being caught in the undertow of Toyota's recall and safety issues last year, Lexis tops J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS) as the best brand in the survey being released today. Even better, Lexus' flagship LS sedan had the fewest problems of any vehicle in the first 90 days of ownership.

Meanwhile Ford, which was fifth last year and the only mass-market brand in the top five, fell to 23rd this year. It had 116 problems per 100 vehicles,up from 93 last year and worse than the industry average of 107 owner-reported problems. Its Lincoln brand dropped from No. 8 to 17 this year, with 111 problems.

Power attributed Ford results partly to two specific issues about which owners have complained: complicated communications and other controls and a dual-clutch automatic that some owners found balky and unpredictable. (Drive On friend Greg Gardner of the Detroit Free Press explained the complaints and predicted the IQS rating fall in a detailed story here.)

Power also said new technologies were an increasing problem for all makers. While the overall industry average improved to 107 from 109 problems last year, the IQS scores for models all-new or with major redesigns was 10% worse: an average of 122 problems, up from 111 last year. Carryover or lightly freshened models, by contrast, improved to 103 from 108.

"Exciting models with the latest features are crucial for winning over today's demanding consumers," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, automakers must not lose their focus on the importance of these models also achieving exceptional quality levels. Expected reliability continues to be the single-most-important reason why new-vehicle buyers choose one model over another."

Honda, Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Mazda rounded out the top five nameplates in the IQS survey, which is one of the most closely watched measures of quality in the car industry.

With Ford's fall, you have to go to ninth place before the first U.S. brand shows up -- Cadillac.

Only it and GMC were above the industry average of 107.

Land Rover showed the biggest improvement.

The worst brands for quality? That would be Dodge, followed by Mitsubishi and Suzuki. Still the gap between best and last isn't all that great. Lexus had 73 and Dodge had 137 per 100 vehicles -- and the study doesn't take into account whether the problem was as simple as a rattle in a glove compartment or as bad as a cracked engine block.

Overall, cars had fewer problems, but the number of issues increased slightly in new models.
"Automakers must not lose their focus on the importance of these models also achieving exceptional quality levels. Expected reliability continues to be the single-most-important reason why new-vehicle buyers choose one model over another," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power.

Only seven all-new or redesigned models rank among the top three of their respective award segments, compared with 17 models in 2010, and only one launch model receives a segment award this year vs. five launch models in 2010. Just one-fourth of redesigned models perform better than the outgoing previous-generation model did in 2010, and eight all-new models perform above their respective award segment average.

Honda picked up seven segment awards for the Accord, Accord Crosstour, Civic (in a tie), Element, Fit, Insight (in a tie) and Ridgeline.

Lexus receives four segment awards for the ES, GS, GX and LS models. For a second consecutive year, the Lexus LS has the fewest quality problems in the industry with just 54.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/lexus-toyota-gm-ford-jd-power-initial-quality-survey/1

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Lexus, Honda top J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, Ford plummets

Despite being caught in the undertow of Toyota's recall and safety issues last year, Lexis tops J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS) as the best brand in the survey being released today. Even better, Lexus' flagship LS sedan had the fewest problems of any vehicle in the first 90 days of ownership.

Meanwhile Ford, which was fifth last year and the only mass-market brand in the top five, fell to 23rd this year. It had 116 problems per 100 vehicles,up from 93 last year and worse than the industry average of 107 owner-reported problems. Its Lincoln brand dropped from No. 8 to 17 this year, with 111 problems.

Power attributed Ford results partly to two specific issues about which owners have complained: complicated communications and other controls and a dual-clutch automatic that some owners found balky and unpredictable. (Drive On friend Greg Gardner of the Detroit Free Press explained the complaints and predicted the IQS rating fall in a detailed story here.)

Power also said new technologies were an increasing problem for all makers. While the overall industry average improved to 107 from 109 problems last year, the IQS scores for models all-new or with major redesigns was 10% worse: an average of 122 problems, up from 111 last year. Carryover or lightly freshened models, by contrast, improved to 103 from 108.

"Exciting models with the latest features are crucial for winning over today's demanding consumers," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, automakers must not lose their focus on the importance of these models also achieving exceptional quality levels. Expected reliability continues to be the single-most-important reason why new-vehicle buyers choose one model over another."

Honda, Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Mazda rounded out the top five nameplates in the IQS survey, which is one of the most closely watched measures of quality in the car industry.

With Ford's fall, you have to go to ninth place before the first U.S. brand shows up -- Cadillac.

Only it and GMC were above the industry average of 107.

Land Rover showed the biggest improvement.

The worst brands for quality? That would be Dodge, followed by Mitsubishi and Suzuki. Still the gap between best and last isn't all that great. Lexus had 73 and Dodge had 137 per 100 vehicles -- and the study doesn't take into account whether the problem was as simple as a rattle in a glove compartment or as bad as a cracked engine block.

Overall, cars had fewer problems, but the number of issues increased slightly in new models.
"Automakers must not lose their focus on the importance of these models also achieving exceptional quality levels. Expected reliability continues to be the single-most-important reason why new-vehicle buyers choose one model over another," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power.

Only seven all-new or redesigned models rank among the top three of their respective award segments, compared with 17 models in 2010, and only one launch model receives a segment award this year vs. five launch models in 2010. Just one-fourth of redesigned models perform better than the outgoing previous-generation model did in 2010, and eight all-new models perform above their respective award segment average.

Honda picked up seven segment awards for the Accord, Accord Crosstour, Civic (in a tie), Element, Fit, Insight (in a tie) and Ridgeline.

Lexus receives four segment awards for the ES, GS, GX and LS models. For a second consecutive year, the Lexus LS has the fewest quality problems in the industry with just 54.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/lexus-toyota-gm-ford-jd-power-initial-quality-survey/1

Read more »

Honda Owner Nears One Million Miles

The average American driver racks up 13,476 miles per year on their odometer. That makes “Million-Mile” Joe, of Norway, Maine, well above average; Joe has accumulated nearly one million miles on his 1990 Honda Accord over the last fifteen years. That works out to be nearly 4,700 miles of driving per month, meaning that Joe drives as much in a season as the average American drives in a year.

A former automotive service technician turned insurance claims adjuster, Joe is meticulous about his car's maintenance, and keeps detailed records of all services performed. He’s got notebooks full of data, and Honda reports that he’s taken nearly 700 pictures of his odometer to document the mileage. If nothing changes, Joe is on schedule to cross the one-million-mile mark this September, and Honda will be documenting his progress on their Facebook page.

Joe bought his Accord as a six-year-old used car in 1996 with 74,000 miles on it. His obsession with keeping records didn’t start until he crossed the 300,000 mile mark, but it’s safe to assume that Joe followed the car’s maintenance schedule religiously even if he didn’t document it. As remarkable as Joe’s achievement is, it really highlights the fact that manufacturers publish recommended maintenance schedules for a reason; stick to them, and you may have a million mile car in your own garage.

Source;
http://news.discovery.com/autos/honda-owner-nears-one-million-miles-110617.html

Read more »

Honda Owner Nears One Million Miles

The average American driver racks up 13,476 miles per year on their odometer. That makes “Million-Mile” Joe, of Norway, Maine, well above average; Joe has accumulated nearly one million miles on his 1990 Honda Accord over the last fifteen years. That works out to be nearly 4,700 miles of driving per month, meaning that Joe drives as much in a season as the average American drives in a year.

A former automotive service technician turned insurance claims adjuster, Joe is meticulous about his car's maintenance, and keeps detailed records of all services performed. He’s got notebooks full of data, and Honda reports that he’s taken nearly 700 pictures of his odometer to document the mileage. If nothing changes, Joe is on schedule to cross the one-million-mile mark this September, and Honda will be documenting his progress on their Facebook page.

Joe bought his Accord as a six-year-old used car in 1996 with 74,000 miles on it. His obsession with keeping records didn’t start until he crossed the 300,000 mile mark, but it’s safe to assume that Joe followed the car’s maintenance schedule religiously even if he didn’t document it. As remarkable as Joe’s achievement is, it really highlights the fact that manufacturers publish recommended maintenance schedules for a reason; stick to them, and you may have a million mile car in your own garage.

Source;
http://news.discovery.com/autos/honda-owner-nears-one-million-miles-110617.html

Read more »

Honda stays ahead of compact pack with 2012 Civic

Detroit, heed this warning.

Do not underestimate the 2012 Honda Civic.

It was the single most important vehicle shown at the New York International Auto Show this week.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus are spectacular compact cars partly because Chevy and Ford engineers benchmarked the Civic. For a decade, the Civic has been the best compact car around, and while others have gained ground, this Honda remains near the head of the class.

It is a nameplate that has been around a lot longer than any American compact car, and don't let anyone fool you: Honda Motor Co. has a lot riding on this little car.

Honda has not raised any eyebrows with many of its recently launched vehicles. The new Accord is dull. The Crosstour is confusing, and the current face of Honda's luxury brand Acura continues to bring the brand ridicule. If Honda had messed up the Civic, it would be time to get out a fork and turn the brand over.

But there was no mistake made with this new vehicle.

Now, as the new Civic arrives, it faces a much tougher climate. The Cruze, the Focus and the Hyundai Elantra have garnered well-earned praise from consumers and the automotive press, including myself.

Although the Civic is no longer alone, underestimating it would be a serious mistake.

Here's why:
Variety: The 2012 Civic offers almost every model variation. There are sedans, coupes, gas-electric hybrids (with lithium-ion batteries), a compressed natural gas model and even a performance Si model. New to this lineup is the Civic HF, which focuses on higher gas mileage.

This follows on the heels of other carmakers such as Chevrolet, Ford and Hyundai, which offer similarly branded vehicles. No other compact, however, comes in as many different variations as the Civic (the only model missing is a hatchback, which is a mistake).

Pricing: With so many different models, the Civic offers a price for just about anyone:
Civic DX sedan (5-speed manual): $15,805
Civic LX coupe (5-speed manual): $17,655
Civic LX sedan (5-speed auto): $18,655
Civic EX sedan with navigation (5-speed auto): $22,005
Civic Si coupe (6-speed manual): $22,205
Civic Si sedan (6-speed manual): $22,405
Civic Hybrid: $24,050
Civic natural gas: Price not released

All of this pricing is on par with much of the competition, which means Honda is certainly in the hunt for compact consumers.

Performance: While I have not driven the new Civic, I expect it to provide performance on par with all of the serious competition. The previous-generation Civic has a quiet, well-tuned ride, with enough power to speed along the highway and enough handling chops to zip through city traffic. This model introduces a new electric power-assist steering system (EPAS), the next-generation vehicle-stability control, improved aerodynamics and a stiffer body for improved handling. Tuning on the steering will be important as EPAS can sometimes create a numb feeling that leaves a driver disconnected from the road.

Additionally, the performance-oriented Si model features a new 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 201 horsepower. It's only four more ponies than the 2-liter engine, but tuners around the world can rejoice that their beloved Si now has peak horsepower over 200. (The Si also features a lower height, a limited-slip front, and 17-inch aluminum wheels that all could add to the driving experience.)

It's Honda's 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that will do most of the heavy-duty work for the brand, and even this engine has undergone a number of improvements to make it more efficient.
It produces 140 horsepower and provides gas mileage from 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway for a DX sedan with a five-speed manual transmission to 41 mpg on the highway for the HF model.

One disappointment with the new Civic comes with the lack of a six-speed automatic transmission, though Honda says this five-speed is more refined and updated. Nearly every competitor has one now, as six-speeds have become the industry norm. It will be interesting to see whether that missing gear hinders its performance in any way.

Exterior styling: While many new compact cars offer extravagant styling, the new Civic does not look dramatically different than the previous generation. But don't mistake this car as simply a refreshed vehicle; it has been redesigned throughout. At first glance, there doesn't seem as dramatic a difference between generations.

Many of the exterior changes were devised to improve the Civic's aerodynamics. They include new mirrors, wipers pushed below the hood line and other changes you can't see at first glance, such as underbody aero panels.

This seems to be a closely followed plan by Honda, which only dramatically changes the Civic's styling every other generation. How much that will affect the Civic will be told over the next year.

Honda's conservative approach to styling follows the lines of the Cruze, whereas the Elantra and Focus are more dynamic.

The winner here is the consumer, who now has a clear choice between dramatic good compacts and more familiar small cars.

Interior styling: The Civic evolves its interior design from the previous generation, with a new two-tiered instrument panel and entertainment system, known as i-MID. Honda has nailed one of the most important parts of any new system by giving it a nonsensical name that starts with a standalone lowercase vowel — i or e — and a full-color screen to display all of the information.

More importantly, the Civic adds more volume inside, increased by 3.7 cubic feet. The previous-generation Civic was comfortable; this one should be even a little more so.

Civic's biggest selling point still reliability

So from the sounds of it, the new Civic is improved inside and out. Whether that adds up to this vehicle becoming the next benchmark will be decided by consumers.

The compact car segment has drastically changed the past 12 months, and everyone wants an edge over everyone else. The real edge for the Civic coming out of the gate is that it's a Honda, which to many consumers means it's as reliable as a late spring in Michigan.

That wasn't always the case for the Civic. Thirty-nine years ago, when the little Civic arrived, Honda had to issue a recall because rusting was so bad the cars were considered unsafe in accidents. Now, Civics are among the safest choices of any car picked.

The competition certainly has gotten stiffer, but to sneer at this Civic too early would be a serious miscalculation. No one should do that.

Source;
http://detnews.com/article/20110423/OPINION03/104230361/Honda-stays-ahead-of-compact-pack-with-2012-Civic#ixzz1KpJ7Sjxy

Read more »

Honda stays ahead of compact pack with 2012 Civic

Detroit, heed this warning.

Do not underestimate the 2012 Honda Civic.

It was the single most important vehicle shown at the New York International Auto Show this week.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus are spectacular compact cars partly because Chevy and Ford engineers benchmarked the Civic. For a decade, the Civic has been the best compact car around, and while others have gained ground, this Honda remains near the head of the class.

It is a nameplate that has been around a lot longer than any American compact car, and don't let anyone fool you: Honda Motor Co. has a lot riding on this little car.

Honda has not raised any eyebrows with many of its recently launched vehicles. The new Accord is dull. The Crosstour is confusing, and the current face of Honda's luxury brand Acura continues to bring the brand ridicule. If Honda had messed up the Civic, it would be time to get out a fork and turn the brand over.

But there was no mistake made with this new vehicle.

Now, as the new Civic arrives, it faces a much tougher climate. The Cruze, the Focus and the Hyundai Elantra have garnered well-earned praise from consumers and the automotive press, including myself.

Although the Civic is no longer alone, underestimating it would be a serious mistake.

Here's why:
Variety: The 2012 Civic offers almost every model variation. There are sedans, coupes, gas-electric hybrids (with lithium-ion batteries), a compressed natural gas model and even a performance Si model. New to this lineup is the Civic HF, which focuses on higher gas mileage.

This follows on the heels of other carmakers such as Chevrolet, Ford and Hyundai, which offer similarly branded vehicles. No other compact, however, comes in as many different variations as the Civic (the only model missing is a hatchback, which is a mistake).

Pricing: With so many different models, the Civic offers a price for just about anyone:
Civic DX sedan (5-speed manual): $15,805
Civic LX coupe (5-speed manual): $17,655
Civic LX sedan (5-speed auto): $18,655
Civic EX sedan with navigation (5-speed auto): $22,005
Civic Si coupe (6-speed manual): $22,205
Civic Si sedan (6-speed manual): $22,405
Civic Hybrid: $24,050
Civic natural gas: Price not released

All of this pricing is on par with much of the competition, which means Honda is certainly in the hunt for compact consumers.

Performance: While I have not driven the new Civic, I expect it to provide performance on par with all of the serious competition. The previous-generation Civic has a quiet, well-tuned ride, with enough power to speed along the highway and enough handling chops to zip through city traffic. This model introduces a new electric power-assist steering system (EPAS), the next-generation vehicle-stability control, improved aerodynamics and a stiffer body for improved handling. Tuning on the steering will be important as EPAS can sometimes create a numb feeling that leaves a driver disconnected from the road.

Additionally, the performance-oriented Si model features a new 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 201 horsepower. It's only four more ponies than the 2-liter engine, but tuners around the world can rejoice that their beloved Si now has peak horsepower over 200. (The Si also features a lower height, a limited-slip front, and 17-inch aluminum wheels that all could add to the driving experience.)

It's Honda's 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that will do most of the heavy-duty work for the brand, and even this engine has undergone a number of improvements to make it more efficient.
It produces 140 horsepower and provides gas mileage from 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway for a DX sedan with a five-speed manual transmission to 41 mpg on the highway for the HF model.

One disappointment with the new Civic comes with the lack of a six-speed automatic transmission, though Honda says this five-speed is more refined and updated. Nearly every competitor has one now, as six-speeds have become the industry norm. It will be interesting to see whether that missing gear hinders its performance in any way.

Exterior styling: While many new compact cars offer extravagant styling, the new Civic does not look dramatically different than the previous generation. But don't mistake this car as simply a refreshed vehicle; it has been redesigned throughout. At first glance, there doesn't seem as dramatic a difference between generations.

Many of the exterior changes were devised to improve the Civic's aerodynamics. They include new mirrors, wipers pushed below the hood line and other changes you can't see at first glance, such as underbody aero panels.

This seems to be a closely followed plan by Honda, which only dramatically changes the Civic's styling every other generation. How much that will affect the Civic will be told over the next year.

Honda's conservative approach to styling follows the lines of the Cruze, whereas the Elantra and Focus are more dynamic.

The winner here is the consumer, who now has a clear choice between dramatic good compacts and more familiar small cars.

Interior styling: The Civic evolves its interior design from the previous generation, with a new two-tiered instrument panel and entertainment system, known as i-MID. Honda has nailed one of the most important parts of any new system by giving it a nonsensical name that starts with a standalone lowercase vowel — i or e — and a full-color screen to display all of the information.

More importantly, the Civic adds more volume inside, increased by 3.7 cubic feet. The previous-generation Civic was comfortable; this one should be even a little more so.

Civic's biggest selling point still reliability

So from the sounds of it, the new Civic is improved inside and out. Whether that adds up to this vehicle becoming the next benchmark will be decided by consumers.

The compact car segment has drastically changed the past 12 months, and everyone wants an edge over everyone else. The real edge for the Civic coming out of the gate is that it's a Honda, which to many consumers means it's as reliable as a late spring in Michigan.

That wasn't always the case for the Civic. Thirty-nine years ago, when the little Civic arrived, Honda had to issue a recall because rusting was so bad the cars were considered unsafe in accidents. Now, Civics are among the safest choices of any car picked.

The competition certainly has gotten stiffer, but to sneer at this Civic too early would be a serious miscalculation. No one should do that.

Source;
http://detnews.com/article/20110423/OPINION03/104230361/Honda-stays-ahead-of-compact-pack-with-2012-Civic#ixzz1KpJ7Sjxy

Read more »

2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Chart

This is just to piggyback an earlier post....
According to Consumer Reports Annual Automakers Report Card for 2011, Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, however, Ford posted the largest gain.

Consumer Reports said that Ford outpaced its Detroit rivals in reliability in recent years and that this year its average test score for all tested models increased from 60 to 70. The publication currently recommends 71 percent of the Ford vehicles it has tested.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota are at the top three for the third consecutive year with vehicles doing very well in Consumer Reports tests, remaining relatively trouble-free. Honda, including its luxury Acura brand, has had the best reliability record of any car maker and has made mostly good to outstanding vehicles. In fact, no Honda vehicle scored less than average in reliability.

Subaru, which has the highest average road-test score of 81, makes only half-a-dozen models but all do well in Consumer Reports road tests. Toyota, Lexus and Scion remain solid choices as well with reliability remaining better than average with an average test score of 74 for all tested models. Consumer Reports currently recommends 74 percent of the Toyota vehicles it has tested.

GM also improved its average road-test and reliability scores. Chrysler had the lowest average test score by far of 50.

Volvo is the only European make with an above-average reliability score. Volkswagen’s reliability has improved of late, but Audi’s reliability brings the combined automaker’s score down.

Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW are near the bottom of Consumer Reports Automakers Report Card Ranking with both getting below-average reliability.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/02/28/consumer-reports-report-card-2011-honda-subaru-make-best-vehicles-ford-improves/#more-75591

Read more »

2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Chart

This is just to piggyback an earlier post....
According to Consumer Reports Annual Automakers Report Card for 2011, Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, however, Ford posted the largest gain.

Consumer Reports said that Ford outpaced its Detroit rivals in reliability in recent years and that this year its average test score for all tested models increased from 60 to 70. The publication currently recommends 71 percent of the Ford vehicles it has tested.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota are at the top three for the third consecutive year with vehicles doing very well in Consumer Reports tests, remaining relatively trouble-free. Honda, including its luxury Acura brand, has had the best reliability record of any car maker and has made mostly good to outstanding vehicles. In fact, no Honda vehicle scored less than average in reliability.

Subaru, which has the highest average road-test score of 81, makes only half-a-dozen models but all do well in Consumer Reports road tests. Toyota, Lexus and Scion remain solid choices as well with reliability remaining better than average with an average test score of 74 for all tested models. Consumer Reports currently recommends 74 percent of the Toyota vehicles it has tested.

GM also improved its average road-test and reliability scores. Chrysler had the lowest average test score by far of 50.

Volvo is the only European make with an above-average reliability score. Volkswagen’s reliability has improved of late, but Audi’s reliability brings the combined automaker’s score down.

Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW are near the bottom of Consumer Reports Automakers Report Card Ranking with both getting below-average reliability.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/02/28/consumer-reports-report-card-2011-honda-subaru-make-best-vehicles-ford-improves/#more-75591

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Ford rises, but Honda still tops the Consumer Reports report card

I've been selling Honda's now for 9yrs, and other brands have come up and gone back down again, but one thing remains is Honda (and Toyota) are mainstays.
Consumer Reports said Monday that Ford made the biggest gains in its annual Automaker Report Card but that Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall.

The magazine said Ford's average test score for all models rose from 66 to 70 and praised the Dearborn automaker for performing better overall than its crosstown rivals. Ford finished fifth on the report card, with an overall score of 67.

"In recent years, we have seen that Ford has really improved in reliability," said Rik Paul, automotive editor for the magazine.

The company's Mustang was the top pick for sporty cars, placing a U.S. manufacturer at the top of that segment for the first time in six years.

Top picks in other categories include Honda's Fit for the new category of budget cars, Hyundai's Elantra for small cars and Nissan's Altima for family sedans. The overall score for each automaker combines the magazine's own road tests and reliability surveys.

Consumer Reports conducts more than 50 tests on every vehicle to compile its scores and calculates predicted reliability based on subscriber surveys for 1.3 million vehicles.

The influential magazine's report card is part of its annual automotive issue, which hits newsstands next Tuesday.

But even though Ford improved, Honda, Subaru and Toyota were the top three automakers for the third year in a row. Honda finished first, with an overall score of 74, followed by Subaru at 73 and Toyota at 71.

General Motors' overall score improved to 67 from 65 last year, Consumer Reports said. Newer models such as the Buick Enclave and LaCrosse, and the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse performed well.

However, three of its cars -- the Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Impala and Buick Lucerne -- were listed as the worst values in their segments.

"GM needs to achieve more consistent reliability in order to see a significant improvement," Paul said.

Chrysler came in last place, the magazine said, and needs to make improvements to be competitive. Newer models, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, have shown improvement, Consumer Reports said.

"Customers will see 16 all-new or significantly updated vehicles at Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat dealers this year," Doug Betts, Chrysler's senior vice president of quality said in a statement. "These vehicles represent a new level of interior refinement, world-class fit and finish."

Source;
http://www.freep.com/article/20110301/BUSINESS01/103010343/0/BUSINESS06/Ford-rises-Honda-still-tops-Consumer-Reports-report-card?odyssey=navhead

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Ford rises, but Honda still tops the Consumer Reports report card

I've been selling Honda's now for 9yrs, and other brands have come up and gone back down again, but one thing remains is Honda (and Toyota) are mainstays.
Consumer Reports said Monday that Ford made the biggest gains in its annual Automaker Report Card but that Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall.

The magazine said Ford's average test score for all models rose from 66 to 70 and praised the Dearborn automaker for performing better overall than its crosstown rivals. Ford finished fifth on the report card, with an overall score of 67.

"In recent years, we have seen that Ford has really improved in reliability," said Rik Paul, automotive editor for the magazine.

The company's Mustang was the top pick for sporty cars, placing a U.S. manufacturer at the top of that segment for the first time in six years.

Top picks in other categories include Honda's Fit for the new category of budget cars, Hyundai's Elantra for small cars and Nissan's Altima for family sedans. The overall score for each automaker combines the magazine's own road tests and reliability surveys.

Consumer Reports conducts more than 50 tests on every vehicle to compile its scores and calculates predicted reliability based on subscriber surveys for 1.3 million vehicles.

The influential magazine's report card is part of its annual automotive issue, which hits newsstands next Tuesday.

But even though Ford improved, Honda, Subaru and Toyota were the top three automakers for the third year in a row. Honda finished first, with an overall score of 74, followed by Subaru at 73 and Toyota at 71.

General Motors' overall score improved to 67 from 65 last year, Consumer Reports said. Newer models such as the Buick Enclave and LaCrosse, and the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse performed well.

However, three of its cars -- the Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Impala and Buick Lucerne -- were listed as the worst values in their segments.

"GM needs to achieve more consistent reliability in order to see a significant improvement," Paul said.

Chrysler came in last place, the magazine said, and needs to make improvements to be competitive. Newer models, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, have shown improvement, Consumer Reports said.

"Customers will see 16 all-new or significantly updated vehicles at Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat dealers this year," Doug Betts, Chrysler's senior vice president of quality said in a statement. "These vehicles represent a new level of interior refinement, world-class fit and finish."

Source;
http://www.freep.com/article/20110301/BUSINESS01/103010343/0/BUSINESS06/Ford-rises-Honda-still-tops-Consumer-Reports-report-card?odyssey=navhead

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Canadian Driver: Used Vehicle Review: Honda Civic, 2006-2011

By Chris Chase
The eighth-generation Honda Civic hit the market in 2006, and made a bit of a splash when it did, with its wedgy exterior and modern interior, including a controversial split-level dashboard. Nevertheless, the Civic remained one of the most popular cars on the market and largely retained its reputation for being a dependable form of transportation.

If you bought a Civic in 2006, you got a compact sedan or coupe powered by a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower in all trims save the Si coupe and Hybrid. The Si got a 2.0-litre, 197-hp motor, while the Hybrid used 1.3-litre engine paired with an electric motor for a net horsepower power rating of 110. Regular-grade Civics came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. The Si used a six-speed manual exclusively and also got a limited-slip differential; the Hybrid came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as the only one available.

In 2008, an Si sedan was added to the line-up. Some upper trim models got stability/traction control in 2009.

Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings for the 2006 Civic were 7.8/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 1.8-litre model with manual transmission, or 8.2/5.7 with the automatic. The Hybrid was rated at 4.7/4.3, and the Si at 10.2/6.8. These figures would remain the same through the eighth-gen Civic’s run, to 2011.

Reliability on the whole has been good, earning the Civic inclusion on Consumer Reports’ list of used car “good bets.” It’s not without fault, however, particularly the hybrid model.
Consumer Reports’ data on the Civic shows electrical system problems with the Hybrid powertrain. These include the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) warning light turning on, indicating a problem with the battery or the software that manages the IMA system. Here’s a thread talking about how high ambient temperatures and hot weather can negatively affect the Civic Hybrid’s battery pack. The battery packs themselves appear to be pricey; I’ve seen figures upwards of $3,000 for replacement (including labour) mentioned in more than one forum.
There’s also an IMA software update mentioned frequently that apparently causes driveability issues after it’s installed in the car’s CPU. Apparently, this is due to the system needing to recalibrate itself, but kills the electric assist function in the process, making the car slow, and dangerously so, say some owners.

If the check engine, IMA and battery light come on and the car loses electric assist (runs on the gas engine only), a common, and simple, cause is a weak 12-volt battery (just like the one every car has). If this battery is bad, it frequently causes the car’s sensitive electronics to go haywire.
Here’s a Civic Hybrid FAQ from CleanMPG.com.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Honda Civic Hybrid is one to approach with caution, especially used, and even more so if the hybrid system warranty is close to expiry. A couple of posters in this GreenHybrid.com thread call their 2007 Civic Hybrids the worst cars they’ve ever owned.

With that out of the way, non-hybrid Civics have fared much better, suffering only from relatively minor problems.

There’s a common problem with the Civic Si’s transmission that causes grinding and hard shifting into third gear, and a shifter that pops out of third. This prompted the folks at 8thCivic.com to draft a (poorly written) petition in an effort to get Honda to acknowledge the problem. The company eventually did, by issuing a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) advising dealers on how to fix the bad transmissions.

A popping sound from the front suspension, a problem that appears to affect mostly 2006, 2007 and a few 2008 Civics, is caused by an incorrectly manufactured bump stop. Honda addressed this in 2007, with the TSB that can be found here.

Read this thread for a few details about a rear suspension problem – bad upper control arms – that seems to affect only the Hybrid.

This thread indicates that some Civic owners have experienced head gasket failures. There’s no evidence of this in Consumer Reports’ data, though.

The two-door Civic earned a “good” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal offset crash test, and an “acceptable” score in side impact testing, with the IIHS citing a possibility of rib and pelvis fractures for front seat occupants. The four-door model scored “good” in both tests, but the IIHS noted that there was still a small possibility of rib fractures for front-seat riders.

From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Civic two- and four-door models five stars for driver and front passenger protection in its frontal crash test, and four and five stars for front and rear seat protection in side impacts, respectively.

Used Civic pricing, from Canadian Black Book (CBB), shows these cars have held their value well, as is the Honda way. At the low end is a 2006 DX coupe, at $8,150, or $8,625 for a DX sedan; for bigger budgets, a 2010 sedan in top EX-L trim is worth $20,200. The Si’s values range from $15,525 for a 2006 coupe, to $21,300 for a 2010 sedan (the coupe is a bit cheaper), and the Hybrid starts at $10,750 for a 2006 and ranges up to $17,075 for a 2009. (CBB doesn’t have pricing info for the 2010 Hybrid.) For middle-ground shoppers, a 2008 LX is worth $14,450.

As stated above, the Civic Hybrid is a car to avoid, or at least, consider very carefully when shopping for a fuel-thrifty vehicle. The rest of the Civic line has held up well, earning consistent above-average used vehicle reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, with few, if any, serious trouble spots. Regardless, look for a car with detailed service records and have it checked out by a trustworthy mechanic before buying.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/27/used-vehicle-review-honda-civic-2006-2011.htm

Read more »

Canadian Driver: Used Vehicle Review: Honda Civic, 2006-2011

By Chris Chase
The eighth-generation Honda Civic hit the market in 2006, and made a bit of a splash when it did, with its wedgy exterior and modern interior, including a controversial split-level dashboard. Nevertheless, the Civic remained one of the most popular cars on the market and largely retained its reputation for being a dependable form of transportation.

If you bought a Civic in 2006, you got a compact sedan or coupe powered by a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower in all trims save the Si coupe and Hybrid. The Si got a 2.0-litre, 197-hp motor, while the Hybrid used 1.3-litre engine paired with an electric motor for a net horsepower power rating of 110. Regular-grade Civics came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. The Si used a six-speed manual exclusively and also got a limited-slip differential; the Hybrid came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as the only one available.

In 2008, an Si sedan was added to the line-up. Some upper trim models got stability/traction control in 2009.

Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings for the 2006 Civic were 7.8/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 1.8-litre model with manual transmission, or 8.2/5.7 with the automatic. The Hybrid was rated at 4.7/4.3, and the Si at 10.2/6.8. These figures would remain the same through the eighth-gen Civic’s run, to 2011.

Reliability on the whole has been good, earning the Civic inclusion on Consumer Reports’ list of used car “good bets.” It’s not without fault, however, particularly the hybrid model.
Consumer Reports’ data on the Civic shows electrical system problems with the Hybrid powertrain. These include the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) warning light turning on, indicating a problem with the battery or the software that manages the IMA system. Here’s a thread talking about how high ambient temperatures and hot weather can negatively affect the Civic Hybrid’s battery pack. The battery packs themselves appear to be pricey; I’ve seen figures upwards of $3,000 for replacement (including labour) mentioned in more than one forum.
There’s also an IMA software update mentioned frequently that apparently causes driveability issues after it’s installed in the car’s CPU. Apparently, this is due to the system needing to recalibrate itself, but kills the electric assist function in the process, making the car slow, and dangerously so, say some owners.

If the check engine, IMA and battery light come on and the car loses electric assist (runs on the gas engine only), a common, and simple, cause is a weak 12-volt battery (just like the one every car has). If this battery is bad, it frequently causes the car’s sensitive electronics to go haywire.
Here’s a Civic Hybrid FAQ from CleanMPG.com.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Honda Civic Hybrid is one to approach with caution, especially used, and even more so if the hybrid system warranty is close to expiry. A couple of posters in this GreenHybrid.com thread call their 2007 Civic Hybrids the worst cars they’ve ever owned.

With that out of the way, non-hybrid Civics have fared much better, suffering only from relatively minor problems.

There’s a common problem with the Civic Si’s transmission that causes grinding and hard shifting into third gear, and a shifter that pops out of third. This prompted the folks at 8thCivic.com to draft a (poorly written) petition in an effort to get Honda to acknowledge the problem. The company eventually did, by issuing a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) advising dealers on how to fix the bad transmissions.

A popping sound from the front suspension, a problem that appears to affect mostly 2006, 2007 and a few 2008 Civics, is caused by an incorrectly manufactured bump stop. Honda addressed this in 2007, with the TSB that can be found here.

Read this thread for a few details about a rear suspension problem – bad upper control arms – that seems to affect only the Hybrid.

This thread indicates that some Civic owners have experienced head gasket failures. There’s no evidence of this in Consumer Reports’ data, though.

The two-door Civic earned a “good” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal offset crash test, and an “acceptable” score in side impact testing, with the IIHS citing a possibility of rib and pelvis fractures for front seat occupants. The four-door model scored “good” in both tests, but the IIHS noted that there was still a small possibility of rib fractures for front-seat riders.

From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Civic two- and four-door models five stars for driver and front passenger protection in its frontal crash test, and four and five stars for front and rear seat protection in side impacts, respectively.

Used Civic pricing, from Canadian Black Book (CBB), shows these cars have held their value well, as is the Honda way. At the low end is a 2006 DX coupe, at $8,150, or $8,625 for a DX sedan; for bigger budgets, a 2010 sedan in top EX-L trim is worth $20,200. The Si’s values range from $15,525 for a 2006 coupe, to $21,300 for a 2010 sedan (the coupe is a bit cheaper), and the Hybrid starts at $10,750 for a 2006 and ranges up to $17,075 for a 2009. (CBB doesn’t have pricing info for the 2010 Hybrid.) For middle-ground shoppers, a 2008 LX is worth $14,450.

As stated above, the Civic Hybrid is a car to avoid, or at least, consider very carefully when shopping for a fuel-thrifty vehicle. The rest of the Civic line has held up well, earning consistent above-average used vehicle reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, with few, if any, serious trouble spots. Regardless, look for a car with detailed service records and have it checked out by a trustworthy mechanic before buying.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/27/used-vehicle-review-honda-civic-2006-2011.htm

Read more »

Honda is Named the UK's Most reliable Car Manufacturer

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – November 10, 2010: Honda has been named Britain's most reliable car manufacturer by the influential FN50 survey, further strengthening Honda's reputation for bullet proof reliability.

Honda beat off rivals to the top spot in the annual survey which is published by industry leading publication Fleet News. The report covers 1.5 million vehicles owned or managed by the country's 50 largest contract hire companies. Honda also featured highly in the top ten most reliable cars with the Accord and British-built Civic in second and ninth place respectively.

Graham Avent, Manager - Corporate Operations at Honda (UK), commented:"Winning the FN50 most reliable manufacturer accolade is a huge boost for Honda in the Corporate market.

What makes it so important is the survey size - it's great to know that out of over one million drivers, the Honda brand comes out on top. We always score well in consumer surveys thanks to the phenomenal reliability and quality of our product range - but to get this recognition from the company car drivers themselves means the world to our Corporate team and our Corporate dealer network.

"The Civic's top ten placing is also a great endorsement for our plant in Swindon that makes 85 per cent of the cars we sell in the UK. Honda has proven that British manufacturing continues to produce class-leading product for the fleet market."

Over the years, Honda has continually been ranked highly in customer reliability surveys such as the JD Power Survey and Which? Car.

Fleet News editor Stephen Briers concluded: “Businesses that depend on vehicles take reliability very seriously, and can’t afford downtime through breakdowns that incurs extra costs.

“This is the largest reliability survey of its kind, so any vehicle with a top 10 placing will represent a safe bet for any organisation or private motorist.”

Source;
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/11/10/505960.html

Read more »

Honda is Named the UK's Most reliable Car Manufacturer

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – November 10, 2010: Honda has been named Britain's most reliable car manufacturer by the influential FN50 survey, further strengthening Honda's reputation for bullet proof reliability.

Honda beat off rivals to the top spot in the annual survey which is published by industry leading publication Fleet News. The report covers 1.5 million vehicles owned or managed by the country's 50 largest contract hire companies. Honda also featured highly in the top ten most reliable cars with the Accord and British-built Civic in second and ninth place respectively.

Graham Avent, Manager - Corporate Operations at Honda (UK), commented:"Winning the FN50 most reliable manufacturer accolade is a huge boost for Honda in the Corporate market.

What makes it so important is the survey size - it's great to know that out of over one million drivers, the Honda brand comes out on top. We always score well in consumer surveys thanks to the phenomenal reliability and quality of our product range - but to get this recognition from the company car drivers themselves means the world to our Corporate team and our Corporate dealer network.

"The Civic's top ten placing is also a great endorsement for our plant in Swindon that makes 85 per cent of the cars we sell in the UK. Honda has proven that British manufacturing continues to produce class-leading product for the fleet market."

Over the years, Honda has continually been ranked highly in customer reliability surveys such as the JD Power Survey and Which? Car.

Fleet News editor Stephen Briers concluded: “Businesses that depend on vehicles take reliability very seriously, and can’t afford downtime through breakdowns that incurs extra costs.

“This is the largest reliability survey of its kind, so any vehicle with a top 10 placing will represent a safe bet for any organisation or private motorist.”

Source;
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/11/10/505960.html

Read more »