Auto Portal

It’s probably not a news flash that gas doesn’t seem to be getting any cheaper. People all over are asking what they can do about the rise in price, and often the answer is to choose a different vehicle. That’s simple, right? But what kind of vehicle should you choose? Just maybe, you should try a hybrid car.

The hybrid cars are the talk of the town these days. They come in great colors, sleek styles, and they will make your commute less expensive. When you look at those characteristics of a hybrid car, how could you not choose to run to the car dealer right now and pick one up? Well, we all wish we could do just that, but before you run out, maybe you should learn a bit more about these cars.

A hybrid car is a vehicle that is run on electricity. A combination of a conventional propulsion system and a rechargeable energy storage system that is onboard the vehicle work together to give the vehicle better fuel economy than cars that run strictly on gasoline.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Honda Odyssey is a fine example of the popular minivan vehicle. It is ideal for carrying the whole family, the shopping, the family dog or your tools of trade.

The Odyssey is powered by a V6 3. 5 L engine which produces 244 hp. The EX-L and the Touring models also feature cylinder deactivation during cruising, which reduces fuel consumption on the open road. There is no need to be concerned about noticing a loss of power though, because you barely notice the device has cut in when you are driving.

The good fuel economy is a feature of the Odyssey. The EPA rating is 17 miles per gallon around town and 25 miles per gallon along the highways. Combine this with beautiful handling, responsive steering and a tight turning circle and you have a vehicle that drives more like a luxury vehicle than a minivan.

Not only does the Odyssey perform well, it also looks good and has a great road presence; not at all like many minivans driving around. There were some changes to the exterior of the car for the 2008 model; the whole front end received a makeover and a memory function was added to the side mirrors for safety and convenience.

The new features continue on the inside, to add to the unique driving experience. The rear view mirror has a reversing camera for easy reverse parking; the front and middle doors are power assisted, even in the base model, and all Odysseys come with MP3 and CD player, airconditioning, cruise control and an adjustable steering wheel.

The EX range has a powered driver seat and sliding doors, alloy wheels, additional storage and fully zoned climate control. The EX-L range adds leather trim, sunroof, heated front seats, satellite radio and a DVD to keep the passengers in the back entertained. Top of the range Touring also has Bluetooth, an upgraded audio unit and adjustable pedals for extra comfort.

Safety is so important in vehicles today and Honda has excelled in this area with the 2008 Odyssey. Standard safety features include traction and stability control, anti-lock braking and brake assist, and front and side airbags. The Odyssey performed brilliantly in front and side crash tests with both the NHTSA and the IIHS, scoring the top rating with both organizations. You and your family will travel safer in the Honda Odyssey.

Hybrid cars are the cars that use at least two power sources. They are leaps ahead in terms of emission reduction and fuel economy. The first hybrid vehicle was created in 1899. Since then, the hybrid car industry has seen much development and has witnessed an encouraging response from customers and governments alike. One of the leading brands in Hybrid cars is Toyota, which has invested a lot in the manufacturing of Hybrid vehicles. Though some auto makers are reluctant to step in for hybrid production, it seems that hybrid vehicles are here to stay.

Hybrid cars use a rechargeable energy storage system. With smaller, more efficient engines, the demand of hybrid cars is on the rise, though kept at bay due to their exuberant costs.

In 2010, there are quite a few hybrid cars, which will make it to the market forefront. These include Chevrolet Volt 2011 model, Fisker Karma, Honda Fit Hybrid, Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Sonata hybrid, hybrid HDi vehicles by PSA Peugeot Citroen, 2010 Detroit, 2010 Cadillac, 2010 Mercedes Benz, 2010 Lexus RX, and Toyota Auris hybrid amongst many others.

A glimpse in the hybrid car industry in 2010 shows some pleasant arrivals. In the year 2010, BMW is set to introduce two gas-electric hybrids, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The former is the fastest while BMW ActiveHybrid X6 is set to be the most powerful hybrid in the world. These vehicles will have fuel efficiencies up by 15-20%. Escalade 2-Mode Hybrid SUV by Cadillac, which is classy, luxurious and fuel-economizing, is expected to come in soon. Lexus, a division of Toyota, offers a range of hybrids including RX450h, GS 450h and LS 600h. Hs 250h offered by Lexus is the first one by the company to use carbon-neutral Ecological plastic materials in its passenger compartment.

Mercedes offers a large luxury car, S400 hybrid and Mercedes Benz-M class. In Mercedes Benz Class, the night view allows the driver to view 500 feet at night. Mercury offers Mariner hybrid SUV and Milan Hybrid. Altima Hybrid is being offered by Nissan. The full electric Nissan Leaf by Nissan will be available to the public in 2012, although it is available now for government and corporations. Toyota offers Prius, Camry and the Highlander. Ford fusion hybrid is a combination of quality and technology.

With Toyota being the hybrid leader, Prius is best selling hybrid in the world. Its sales have exceeded one million since its debut in 1997. So, Prius dominates the hybrid market. Mazda Tribute allows speeding up to 25 mph on full electric power.

Though hybrids are becoming pretty popular, they have not penetrated amidst the masses because of their high price. Due to the financial aspect, hybrids do not make much sense to auto manufacturers; experts however claim that hybrids will inevitably swarm the industry and our lives in the near future.

Crossovers remain in demand, but some automakers are looking to take “car-like” to a whole new level. No longer are crossovers only providing a car-like ride , but more crossovers are also car-like in terms of styling.

Honda’s all-new 2010 Crosstour, based on the Accord sedan, is the epitome of this new trend. Perhaps a bit more like a five door Accord wagon than true crossover vehicle, the Honda Crosstour is looking to compete against other hard-to-define CUVs like the Toyota Venza or Ford Flex.

The base Crosstour begins at $29,670 with fully-loaded four-wheel drive versions going well into the mid-$30,000 range. The higher-end models include attractive features such as Honda’s easy to use voice-activated navigation and a rear view camera.

Interested buyers have only one engine to choose from, the Accord’s 3.5-liter V6 that produces 271 horsepower. Mated to a smooth shifting five-speed automatic, customers at Honda Parts Warwick are particularly intrigued by the Crosstour’s Variable Cylinder Management system which deactivates cylinders to improve fuel economy. Two-wheel drive models offer a commendable 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Despite the Crosstour’s increased size and weight, Manchester CT Honda Service notes it handles very closely to the Accord sedan, which is very good. Handling is crisp and compliant, just like the Accord sedan, but steering is moderately slower due to a different steering ratio setup. The crosstour is proof that the term “crossover” is used rather loosely these days, especially considering this vehicle only offers a modest six inches of ground clearance. That said, the Crosstour’s available four wheel drive system should provide outstanding traction for inclement weather say Honda dealers Denver, but this is by no means a rugged off-roader. For those interested in a vehicle between the Honda CR-V and the Honda Pilot in terms of size, ruggedness, and price, the Honda Crosstour may be a good fit. If you’re also considering a vehicle similar to the Toyota Venza, Subaru Outback, or Ford Flex, you should certainly look at the Crosstour as well.