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2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport Review

by | May 10, 2023 | 0 comments

2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport Review

Honda answers the call to the wild with a sleeves-rolled-up 2023 Pilot TrailSport

The Honda Pilot TrailSport parked along a dirt road with a big California oak in the background

The exterior design of the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is somewhat distinct from the rest of the Pilot line with a large upright grille, longer hood, flared fenders, a wider stance, and larger tires. (Photos by Honda or Mark Maynard)

Table of Contents

TrailSport Defining Features
2023 Honda Pilot Pricing
Safety Features
V-6 Powertrain and Fuel Economy
i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo
Observations and Considerations
Why Buy the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

There are places I remember where dirt roads eat cars alive, juddering them to junk along hardpack washboard, mudholes, and washouts. Tread lightly has new relevance to those new to these backcountry minefields.

Blame covid for shooing city folk to the hinterland to try homesteading or just to work from home on the range.

Manufacturers have answered that call to the wild with new adventure-type vehicles. Long the territory of Jeep and Subaru, just about all carmakers now have an upfitted SUV, pickup, or minivan — whether needed or not.

Honda has taken its place at this trailhead with its midsize 2023 Pilot TrailSport, a three-row, all-wheel-drive SUV. It is based on the completely redesigned fourth-generation Honda Pilot.

The Pilot TrailSport is ideal for those who live in or have property in rural areas with unpaved roads. Or the TrailSport buyer might just like its packaging and style treatments. It looks tough and feels solid — but owners aren’t likely to bash it down the Rubicon Trail.

The TrailSport’s panoramic moonroof.

The TrailSport’s panoramic moonroof. (Mark Maynard)

Honda TrailSport Defining Features

The three-row midsize SUV is essentially the family wagon or minivan. There are more than a dozen choices, including the Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, and Subaru Ascent.

Most “off-road ready” SUVs are strictly light duty. They have all-wheel drive but not a dedicated four-wheel-drive system or decoupling suspensions for more extended wheel travel.

Honda’s TrailSport is also light duty but a brawny sleeves-rolled-up effort. TrailSport is a seven-seater (not eight) with second-row captain’s chairs. Its exterior design is somewhat distinct from the rest of the Pilot line, with a large upright grille, longer hood, flared fenders, a wider stance, and larger tires.

Among the TrailSport’s unique off-road details are:

  • Off-road tuned suspension;
  • 8.3 inches of ground clearance, an inch more than standard Pilot trims;
  • 18-inch all-terrain tires
  • 3 underbody steel skid plates;
  • Tow hitch and gloss black rack-ready roof rails;
  • Sand and trail modes specific to the i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system;
  • And a TrailCam.
A front TrailSport tire resting on a large rock

18-inch Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires (265/60).

2023 Honda Pilot Pricing

The fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot is sold in six two- or all-wheel-drive trim levels: LX, Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. Honda says the top-line Elite, new for 2023, is the most luxurious Pilot ever.

Pilot starting prices range from $37,295 for the two-wheel-drive LX to $43,295 for the mid-range EX-L 2WD (add $2,100 for AWD). The Elite starts at $53,375 with standard AWD. All 2023 MSRP pricing includes the $1,345 freight charge from Lincoln, Ala.

Today’s 2023 Pilot TrailSport starts at $49,695 and was $50,150, with one option for Diffused Sky Blue metallic paint, $455.

TrailSport standard equipment includes:

  • Heated steering wheel and heated front seats;
  • 7-inch digital instrument display;
  • 9-inch color touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility;
  • Navigation system with smartphone integration;
  • Qi-compatible wireless charging;
  • Multiview camera system:
  • All-season floor mats with the TrailSport logo;
  • Leatherette upholstery with orange stitching;
  • Panoramic sunroof.

A Pilot TrailSport Launch Package ($1,695) adds a hood decal, fender flares, side skirts, crossbars, cargo tray, and seatback protectors.

Check here for current pricing and offers.

Orange stitching on the leatherette seats.

TrailSport’s Interior design includes orange contrast stitching. (Mark Maynard)

Honda Pilot Safety Features

Despite its off-road direction, the TrailSport is fully decked with safety features and driver-assist technologies, known as the Honda Sensing suite.

Among the essentials are eight air bags, hill-descent control and hill-start assist, and four-wheel disc brakes large enough to stop a 5,000-pound trailer on a mountain descent — 13.8-inch ventilated front discs and 13-inch solid rear discs.

Level 2 driver-assist systems are among the most accurate for lane-centering. The collection of advanced technologies is trustworthy in the crush of commuting traffic while keeping both hands on the wheel. Cornering precision is the weak point of most systems, but in my experience, Honda’s calibrations kept the TrailSport from crossing the white line or Botts dots.

Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow works with Traffic Jam Assist. For use in heavy commuting traffic, TJA provides lane-keeping functions at speeds below approximately 45 mph to a standstill and back up to speed.

I have become a believer in Traffic Sign Recognition, which is almost a ticket-prevention device. System cameras “see” the signs and post the speed limit in the driver gauge array. Data rates apply, but it’s still cheaper than the cost of a speeding ticket.
The other elements in the Honda Sensing suite are in the specs chart below.

A view of the TrailCam showing the dirt road ahead

Keep an eye on trail conditions with the TrailCam. (Mark Maynard)

Honda Pilot V-6 Powertrain

There is just one desirable choice of engine and transmission for the Pilot and TrailSport.

Honda says the 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 is the most powerful Honda V-6 ever offered in the U.S. market. With direct and multistage injection, the engine produces 262 foot-pounds of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine is built at Honda’s auto plant in Lincoln, Ala.

With cylinder management, the V-6 can run on three cylinders while coasting and in light power situations. Active grille shutters in the lower grille reduce aerodynamic drag — especially at cruising speeds — to the benefit of fuel economy

The engine connects with Pilot’s first 10-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission. The version for TrailSport has drive modes of Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Trail-Sand.

Shift points roll out smoothly, but Normal mode maximizes fuel economy and can be resistant to kick down for power. Sport mode gives a noticeable jump in acceleration response but holds lower gears a bit too long as if the driver is powering through a slalom course.

The Honda Pilot V6 with hood open

The 285-hp V-6 has an ultra-low CARB emissions rating of LEV3-SULEV30. (Mark Maynard)

TrailSport Fuel Economy

The Pilot TrailSport has fuel-economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 23 highway, and 20 mpg combined on the recommended 87 octane. I was able to click past the highway rating at 23.2 mpg in lengthy freeway driving. Around town, my average mileage ranged from 13 to 20 mpg. The 18.5-gallon tank could give up to 425 miles of range.

Fuel economy is adversely affected by the curb weight of 4,685 pounds, the heaviest in the Pilot line. The TrailSport’s tires and tall new grille might be mileage blockers, too. But after a week of driving, the remaining DTE — Distance to Empty — did not seem as bad as the official mileage numbers would imply. Could the grille shutters and variable cylinder management make such a mileage difference?

i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive

Honda’s second-generation all-wheel-drive system was reinforced and has a 30 percent faster response. The revised AWD system benefits on-road traction but is especially capable in slick conditions and off-road.

The i-VTM4 system progressively distributes torque front to rear and between left and right rear wheels. Up to 70 percent of engine power can be sent to the rear axle, and 100 percent can be distributed to either rear wheel.

When cornering, i-VTM4 puts power to the outside rear wheel for more accurate turns with reduced understeer.

Trail and Sand Modes

TrailSport’s TrailMode seems to function as a low-range alternative to a traditional four-wheel-drive system. Along low-speed trails or traversing obstacles, TrailMode is effective when only two tires have traction, Honda says.

The TrailWatch camera system activates when Trail Mode is engaged. Four exterior cameras give a 360-degree view of the vehicle through the central display. A camera button on the end of the windshield wiper stalk changes camera views. There is also a front camera washer that works with the windshield washer switch on the wiper stalk.

The camera’s front view also can be used for parking views.

Sand Mode brings a quicker throttle response and allows more wheel slip to maintain momentum. Upshifts are delayed.

A front door panel showing the tiers of storage areas.

Levels of stash space, such as for gloves. (Mark Maynard)

TrailSport Ride and Handling

On dirt roads, the suspension is the great grader of washboard. Its suspension seemingly sweeps the dirt road to level the teeth-chattering vibration of washboard.

At highway speeds, I noticed some slight bobble in ride quality on irregular surfaces. After a few days of driving, however, it became a nonissue. The inch-taller ride height might cause that effect, or the 18-inch Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires (265/60).

These tires have a tough-truck appearance along the sidewall, but the tread face has more of an all-season footprint than the deeper lugs of a true off-road tire. Tall sidewalls, however, allow good air-down grip and some protection for wheels from trail rash. The 18-inch wheels look rugged and have inset spokes to protect from trail damage.

When banging around off-road, the TrailSport underbelly has three steel skid plates to protect the oil pan, transmission, and gas tank. Honda says the skid plates can support the entire weight of the Pilot TrailSport crashing down on a rock. The plates are designed to minimize snagging of trail debris. And the front skid plate is vented to allow underbody airflow without debris intrusion.

The back seat as shown through open doors.

The max 40.8 inches of second-row legroom is roomy even with a tall driver ahead. (Mark Maynard)

On-Road Handling

Getting to the trail at high speed is controlled and predictable in the TrailSport. The steel-spring suspension helps the driver power through ribbon-candy S-turns — a bit above posted speeds — without drama.

The steering gives measured and controlled turn-in, despite its 6-foot height and 16.6-foot length.

Often, SUVs have an awkward balance that causes understeer (push at the front wheels), but there was no tire squeal in my testing or wacky rebound returning to center.

The TrailSport’s turning circle of 37.7 feet is a half-foot shorter than the Honda Accord Hybrid sedan, which is 16.3 feet long.

The front seat area of the TrailSport as seen through the open driver's door.

The TrailSport driver area has appealing design elements but nothing flashy.

Pilot’s Interior Function

Honda does its interiors with straightforward design and logical placement of controls, buttons, and switches. Therefore, the TrailSport cabin has appealing design elements but nothing flashy.

The instrument panel is a refreshing reprieve from wide digital screens with double-tap functions. Instead, Honda gives owners dials, knobs, and pushbuttons. Such ergonomic design helps keep eyes on the road.

The midsize cabin is wide and long enough that sightlines are open across the hood — essential when off-roading — and over the shoulder and out the tall rear glass.

Leatherette seat upholstery looks very leatherlike but might be more durable over time.

Honda’s front Body Stabilizing Seats are designed to support the entire body. A resin mat gives added support from the pelvis to the lumbar spine for a more stable and solid seating feel.

The driver seat has 10-way power adjustment, which includes seat-bottom tilt that is important for an ideal position. The front passenger seat is just four-way power, an unfortunate budget cut in a $50K vehicle. Front seat passengers should have height adjustment and lumbar, and the other eight power adjustments of the driver.

Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are part of the TrailSport package. But ventilated front seats would be welcome, too.

Pilot Touring and Elite trims have a removable center section of the 40/20/40 bench — the removed seat stores neatly in the space under the cargo floor. For TrailSport with second-row captain’s chairs, there is a flat base between the seats.

The TraillSport cargo space with third row folded

Almost 4 feet wide at the cargo-area opening. (Mark Maynard)

Abundant Storage Areas

Honda gave its new Pilot the storage capacity of its Odyssey minivan.

  • The front seat armrest console has a deep bin that can fit a full-size tablet;
  • Passenger-side instrument panel shelf, handy for sunglasses, earbuds, and small items;
  • Shift console e-bin, wide and deep enough to lay two smartphones side-by-side;
  • 14 cup holders, including eight that will fit 32-ounce bottles;
  • Door panels have tiers and slots, useful to stash gloves, maps, tire-pressure gauge.

Extensive Cabin Soundproofing

Honda went deep into soundproofing the new Pilot. The vehicle architecture is a study in body sealants, structural glue, and electronics to blunt the vibration and noise from wind, the engine, and the road. Among the noise abatement treatments are:

Sound insulation: Sound-deadening material is applied under the floors and hood, in the lower dashboard, over the center transmission-exhaust tunnel, in the ceiling and doors, inside the front and rear wheel wells, and in the doors. Elite models get additional sound-deadening material throughout the cabin.

Acoustic spray foam: Foam is piped into hollow windshield and roof pillars.

Melt sheet: High-density, sound-deadening “melt sheet” is applied to floor areas, including under all the seats and in the footwells of all three rows.

Thicker carpet: All Pilot models receive denser carpeting for additional sound deadening. And the Elite’s carpet is even denser.

Acoustic glass: TrailSport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite have acoustic laminate glass windshields. Touring and Elite also have acoustic front-side windows.

Active Noise Cancellation: Intrusive background noise is electronically reduced by cabin microphones through the audio system. Honda says it is especially useful when the V-6 engine runs in cylinder deactivation mode. The ANC system and a second layer of Active Sound Control use cabin speakers to enhance the vehicle’s engine, intake, and exhaust sounds. The audio system does not have to be on for noise cancellation.

Back seat temperature and fan controls in the TrailSport

Electronic temperature and fan controls in the second row. (Mark Maynard)

TrailSport Back Seats and Cargo

Second-row legroom is up by 2.4 inches, now at 40.8 inches, which is roomy even with a tall driver ahead. Headroom is also tall at 40.2 inches, and the second-row seats have up to 10 angles of recline (an additional 4 degrees of rearward recline compared to the outgoing Pilot).

A flat floor is helpful for foot space and storing gear crosswise.

Tip and slide seats give easy entry to the third row. Legroom is typically third-row tight but an inch longer than some other SUVs at 32.5 inches. More accessible LATCH anchors make installing front and rear-facing child seats easier. Additional forward tilt range improves entry and exit to the third row.

The base of the third row is raised by about 2 inches for a more natural seating position, Honda says. But it also is a key enhancement to improve views and to trim motion sensitivity for children traveling in the way back.

The third row is well stocked with large drink holders, air vents, and a USB charging port.

Third row seats large cup holders and a USB charge port

The third row is well stocked with large drink holders, air vents, and a USB charging port.

Cargo Space

There are a couple of capacity considerations with the seven-seat 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport. The cargo space has a tall floor with a lower entry height of 31 inches. With both back seats folded, there is 7 feet in length, which is good for packing gear. But because the 40/20/40 second row needs the center seat, there is a wide gap between the seatbacks, which means no sleeping in the cargo area. And campers do use the back end of their vehicles for shelter when needed.

There is a 110-volt power outlet in the second row, but off-roaders might also prefer a household plug in the cargo area. It would be a handy location to plug in an inflator for airing-up tires, inflating air mattresses, or for campsite tunes and lighting. However, serious off-roaders use a stronger AC compressor that connects to the vehicle’s cranking battery.

Fold both back seats for 7 feet in length. (Mark Maynard)

Fold both back seats for 7 feet in length. (Mark Maynard)

TrailSport Observations and Considerations

If you can’t sleep in the cargo area, there is a Honda tent accessory, $408. The 10-by-10-foot tent claims to sleep six and includes a rainfly (6-by-6 feet) that also serves as an entry canopy.

Four of six paint colors are a $455 upsell, including the Diffused Sky Blue Pearl on the tester. Diffused Sky Blue is bright and attractive (reminding me of Petty Blue), but it also is a metallic paint and almost too pretty to “pinstripe” with trail brush.

A roller cargo cover is not among the standard equipment, but a Function Package ($405) adds a cover, cargo net, and first-aid kit.

A Towing Package, necessary for the 5,000-pound towing capacity, includes the trailer hitch harness and hitch ball mount, $305.

A usable underfloor storage bine

Usable space under the cargo floor. On other trim levels, this is where the 2nd-row center seat can be stored. (Mark Maynard)

Why Buy the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport?

I liked the dust-devil durability of the Pilot TrailSport. The more I drove it, the more I liked solid it feels, how quietly it rolls, and how tight it can turn on a trail.

Whether the owner goes camping or not, the treatment is just as functional in town as on the trail. And it cleans up nicely when needed.

A bright blue TrailSport sideways in a dirt road with a mountain back drop amid blue skies

The TrailSport is not an aggressive off-roading vehicle, but it has credible driving characteristics.

2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport Specifications

Body style: midsize, 3-row, 7-seat SUV with AWD

Engine: 285-hp, direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 with variable cylinder management; 262 lb.-ft. torque at 5,000 rpm

Transmission: 10-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission with Trail Torque Logic; Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD System with drive modes of Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Trail-Sand

Fuel economy: 18/23/20 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane fuel recommended

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons

Cargo space: 18.6 cubic feet behind 3rd row; 48.5 cu.ft. 2nd row folded;

Front head/leg room: 40.5/41 inches

2nd-row head/leg room: 40.2/40.8 inches

3rd-row head/leg room: 39.3/32.5inches

Length/wheelbase: 200.2/113.8 inches

Width/height: 78.5/72 inches

Track: 67.2/67.4 inches (slightly less than standard Pilot)

Approach-departure angles: 19.8/19 degrees front/rear

Front-rear overhangs: 40.1/46.3 front-rear (slightly longer rear overhang than standard Pilot)

Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds

Curb weight: 4,685 pounds

Turning circle: 37.7 feet

BRAKES, TIRES-WHEELS, STEERING, SUSPENSION

Suspension: Front MacPherson struts and multilink rear; front tubular stabilizer bar of 24.2 mm and rear solid 18 mm;

Steering: electric power assist; turning circle 37.7 feet;

Brakes: 13.8-inch ventilated front discs and 13-inch solid rear discs;

Wheels and tires: 18-inch Shark Gray fully painted alloy wheels with black lug nuts; rugged terrain tires 265/60, with a full-size spare

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: Smartkey locking and push-button ignition, smart entry with walk away auto-lock (all doors), electric parking brake, panoramic moonroof (tilt and slide), tri-zone climate system, 12-speaker Bose audio system with subwoofer, 5 2.5-Amp USB Type-A charging ports, 1 3.0 front Amp USB Type-A charging ports, CabinTalk in-car PA system, lockable glove box, 10-way power driver seat, 4-way power front passenger seat, flat-folding 2nd-row 40/20/40 seats, 60/40 flat-folding 3rd-row bench seat, 2nd-row door sunshades, LED map lights all rows, heavy-duty floor mats (all rows), LED exterior lighting, acoustic laminate windshield and front side glass, heated windshield, power liftgate with hands-free access, 3 underbody skid plates with front recovery point, trailer hitch receiver with rear recovery point;

Safety features include: 8 air bags, stability and traction controls, hill-descent control and hill-start assist, auto high-beam headlights, parking sensors (4 front and 4 rear);

Driver-assist technologies: Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, Low-Speed Braking Control, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Monitor, Driver Attention Monitor.

2023 HONDA PILOT TRAILSPORT PRICING

Base price: $49,695, including a $1,345 freight charge; price as tested $50,150

Options on test vehicle: Diffused Sky paint $455

Where assembled: Lincoln, Ala

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles with roadside assistance

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Review

by | May 1, 2023 | 0 comments

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Review

The Honda CR-V is as likable and friendly as a Golden Retriever. The compact SUV’s 2023 redesign went deep to hone its qualities with much attention to detail.

A dark blue honda CR v with a background of yellow spring wildflowers

The Honda CR-V went on sale in 1997 for the 1998 model year. This stalwart small SUV has gone on to be the best-selling crossover in America, Honda says. (Photos by Mark Maynard)

Table of Contents

Small Vehicle, Large Role
What’s New for 2023?
Soundproofed To the Max!
7 Outstanding Features
2023 Honda CR-V Pricing
Hybrid Warranty Coverage
CR-V Hybrid Powertrain and Fuel Economy
Safety Features and Technologies
Interior Function
Likes and Don’t Likes
Why Buy the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Has it really been 25 years since Honda launched the first CR-V? I remember being on the first media drive in 1997. First impressions were not overwhelmingly positive at the time. This new breed of small SUV looked spindly, especially from the rear view showing its trailing arm multilink suspension bars. But it was cute. And it had a cargo-floor card table that could be removed for camping or soccer-game snack duty. The folding table had a center hole for an umbrella, and a “jug” size indent was in the tailgate door.

In the Beginning

The little CR-V was the “I think I can” of small SUVs. From its humble beginning, the Honda CR-V has thrived. The CR-V is the outright best-selling crossover in America for over a quarter century, Honda says.

The first-generation Honda CR-V, codenamed RD1, was Honda’s first in-house designed sport utility vehicle, per its page in Wikipedia. First sold in Japan, the CR-V was built to exceed the Japanese government’s compact-car regulations. To avoid more expensive road-use taxes, vehicle width could not be more than 66.9 inches or just about 5 1/2 feet. And that explains its spindly stance. Today, the CR-V width is a full-bodied 73.5 inches.

There were few choices in the dawning of the CUV segment or compact utility. Among the nameplates were the Kia Sportage, Suzuki Vitara, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

Honda’s new compact CR-V brought a rethinking for American motorists. Accustomed to that era’s large and midsize SUVs, the CR-V launched in one trim level with a 126-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain included the then-innovative Real Time all-wheel-drive system. It is the same type of system today but much evolved.

The driver area has headspace and elbow room for tall drivers.

Headspace and elbow room for tall drivers.

Small Vehicle, Big Role

The CR-V has played a critical role in Honda’s past, but what’s significant about the new CR-V is its important role in Honda’s future, Mike Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda sales at American Honda, said in a release. He expects the new CR-V Hybrid to represent about 50 percent of sales.

And 50 percent of 2023 CR-V sales will be significant. Last year, sales of the CR-V totaled 238,155. And so far in 2023, CR-V sales are a robust 67,241, according to GoodCarBadCar.net

In May, the new CR-V sold more than 30,000 units for the second straight month with hybrid sales of 18,264 units, Honda said in its monthly sales report.

The Honda CR-V is as likable and friendly as a Golden Retriever. It’s almost impossible not to like it, owners say. It has been a favorite for young families, parents transitioning from a minivan to something more convenient, and the hand-me-down to teen drivers.

It was already a stalwart SUV, so the 2023 redesign went deep to hone its qualities with much attention to detail.

Many small SUVs have gone slash-happy for trend-setting appeal but at a cost to cabin function and driver sightlines. The CR-V has real credibility without the glitz and gimmicks of dazzling light shows or sounds of nature mood music.

A view of the front passenger seat in gray leather-trimmed upholstery

Body Stabilizing Seats.

What’s New for the 2023 CR-V?

Now in its sixth generation, the 2023 CR-V has been completely redesigned. Its length is a mere 2.7 inches longer with less than a half inch (0.5 inch) in width, but it gives much wider appeal to a broader group of buyers.

The new body is 15 percent stiffer, which helps eliminate the flex that can transfer harsh sounds to the cabin. And the wheelbase was lengthened by 1.6 inches, which gives the CR-V a steadier highway ride that is less prone to highway surface irregularities and wandering caused by rain grooves.

A 0.4-inch wider front and rear tracks contribute to cornering and emergency maneuvers stability.

Most noticeable for owners of older models and new customers will be the premium treatment of interior materials, especially on touchpoints. The remodel gave attention to the operation of all switchgear and controls, including the click and heft of knobs, stalks, and switches. And turn signal and windshield wiper stalks are reshaped to be easier to see behind the steering wheel spokes.

The wide instrument panel has contemporary styling without arcs and curves. Rather than old-timer’s wood trim, an attractive honeycomb-embossed pattern hides fingerprints and scratches. Metallic trim has a satisfying appeal.

Trendy 19 inch black wheels can get scraped and ugly over time.

The CR-V Hybrid Sport models have 19-inch black wheels.

Soundproofed To the Max

Everyone who rode with me in my test week commented on the quiet and calm cabin. That’s a selling point for me, which might be why Honda went deep on soundproofing.

Road noise is significantly reduced with new sound-absorbing non-woven fabric front and rear fender liners and the front floor undercover. New sound-absorbing insulation covers the floor, with spray-type urethane foam improving noise insulation by reducing the body gap at the base of the pillars. Sport Touring models also feature noise-reducing wheel liners.

New isolators on the inner and outer firewall reduce engine noise inside the cabin. Sport and Sport Touring hybrid models feature additional insulators on the underside of the hood and cowl, inside the fenders, underneath the instrument panel, and around the cargo opening.

To reduce wind noise, CR-V EX, EX-L, and Sport feature thicker front side glass, while EX-L and Sport Touring add an acoustic windshield, and Sport Touring has acoustic front side glass.

Active Noise Control through the audio system further reduces ambient (booming) noise in the cabin.

An over-the-shoulder view of the cabin

A noise-canceling system and sound-absorption materials insulate the cabin from most encroaching sounds.

CR-V Exterior Redesign

The CR-V is no sex jet in its exterior styling, but it is shapely enough while maintaining a broad and open cabin from the front seats to the cargo area. However, the CR-V Hybrid Sport and Sport Touring have a somewhat gaudy “godfather” treatment to the lower grille valance.

With the 2023 updates, the CR-V is a remarkable transformation from what was already a well-loved compact SUV. Honda says the redesigned 2023 CR-V is 2.7 inches longer but less than an inch wider with a significantly broader stance.

It looks big, mainly from the roofline and horizontal body line, but it still drives small.

Noteworthy in the redesign are the windshield A-pillars. They are positioned 4.7 inches rearward, 2.8 inches outward, and 1.4 inches lower. With new door-mounted side mirrors, the changes improve visibility across the hood and at the side mirrors when turning in an intersection.

Hybrid models have more attitude in the front and rear fascias. The grille has a mesh treatment with a gloss-black accent. Sport trims have a lower bumper design in piano black and platinum colored on Sport Touring. Sport and Sport Touring trims also get polished stainless steel exhaust finishers and black roof rails. The underside of the rear spoiler is matte black for Sport and piano black for Sport Touring.

Looking through the steering wheel to the 7 inch wide driver info gauges

Sport models have orange stitching on the wheel and seats.

7 Outstanding CR-V Features

These seven bullet points are what I look for in vehicle evaluations. And the redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid exceeds expectations.

Soundproofing: Honda has applied every technique in the engineer’s manual to give the CR-V the quietest ride of the segment.

Suspension: It is a simple steel-spring, independent setup with a luxurious ride quality. And more importantly, the suspension irons out rough, pock-marked roads with a carpet ride.

Steering: The turning circle is tight at 37.3 feet, and the wheel has smooth rotation. The leathery material that wraps the steering wheel feels almost sensual in the hands — a reward for keeping hands on the wheel.

Door openings: The engineers gave a few degrees more access to the doors, a space that reaches 90 or almost 90 degrees. Wider is better for back doors when buckling children into car seats.

Sightlines: The repositioned windshield and side mirrors give unobstructed sightlines. Rear views are open, too, with a large rear glass.

B-Mode regenerative braking: The CR-V can be driven with one-pedal control while deceleration pipes energy back to the hybrid battery.

Fuel economy: I swear I was getting better mileage than the official estimates of 40 mpg city, 34 highway, and 37 mpg combined. Honda integrates so many electronic enhancements into the CR-V Hybrid that it rivals a plug-in hybrid for fuel economy. The total driving range is 518 miles — possibly more with careful driving.

A 9-inch information screen atop the dashboard

A 9-inch information screen.

2023 Honda CR-V Pricing

The CR-V is available in trim levels of LX, EX, EX-L, and hybrid models of CR-V Sport and Sport Touring, today’s tester. The hybrid models are the new top-of-the-line models.

A CR-V hybrid model is available with front-wheel drive for the first time. The CR-V Sport is available with front or all-wheel drive. Real Time AWD drive is standard on the CR-V Sport Touring.

CR-V gas models have powertrains of a 190-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine and e-CVT. Starting prices range from $29,705 to $35,005.

Pricing for the CR-V Sport Hybrid starts at $33,695, and $40,395 for the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is well equipped with limited factory options for metallic paint colors, $455, and utility and interior protection packages. Accessory choices range from bike and kayak racks to a tent ($408).

The Sport treatment has a black headliner and orange contrast stitching on the black cloth seats, console, door panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and shifter. The dash trim is matte black.

The top-of-the-line Sport Touring gets standard leather-trimmed upholstery in black or gray with black accent panels and orange contrast stitching on the seats, steering wheel, doors, console, and shifter. The power window switches have silver trim, with piano black along the dash.

The 2023 CR-V and CR-V hybrid models are manufactured in three plants in Ohio, Indiana, and Canada. My tester, with no options or accessories, was assembled in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

Check here for current pricing and offers.

The door panel has good storage for a bottle and more

Plenty of storage areas throughout the cabin.

Up-Market Features

The CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring has the expected up-market features to support its $40,000 price. Among the desirable features are: Smartkey entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, electric parking brake, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines,12-speaker Bose audio system, power moonroof with tilt, heated front seats, heated steering-wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar, four-way power front passenger seat. A more complete list is below in the specifications sidebar.

Vacation trips will be more comfortable with the new Body Stabilizing Seats. The design treatment is to help reduce fatigue and improve posture. Among the seat innovations:

  • A resin mat that supports the area from the pelvis to the lumbar spine for a more stable and solid seating feel.
  • Forward and lateral pelvic tilt are reduced by the new curve of the seat bottom.
  • The seat also centers the upper body over the pelvis, helping stabilize the upper arms and the driver’s eyesight.

CR-V Hybrid Warranty Coverage

Honda’s new-vehicle warranty covers just 3 years or 36,000 miles with 2 years of free maintenance, but there is significant coverage for the hybrid elements.

For states that have adopted California emissions standards, hybrid components have a warranty of 15 years and 150,000 miles. The hybrid battery has coverage for 10 years and 150,000 miles.

Included in the warranty coverage are the following:

  • Hybrid Battery module and internal components
  • Drive and Motor Generator stators and rotors;
  • Drive motor control module, including software;
  • Battery control module, including internal components and software updates;
  • High-voltage and bypass contactors, resistor, and fuse;
  • High-voltage power cables;
  • Battery current sensor.
The XR V Hybrid engine.

204 hp combined hybrid-gas power. Mileage ratings are 40/34/37 mpg city/highway/combined.

CR-V Hybrid Powertrain

Honda hybrids have a unique powertrain. The Atkinson-cycle 2-liter four-cylinder has new direct- and multistage injection. The two-part system improves cleaner combustion for reduced carbon buildup over time.

Combined power ratings are 204 hp and 247 foot-pounds of torque.

I don’t like most continuously variable transmissions because of their rev-and-wail performance as the belt catches up with engine power. However, Honda’s e-CVT has Step Shift programming that simulates gear changes and gives downshifts during braking. Acceleration has absolute launch force without lag or obnoxious engine sounds.

A new “B” transmission setting amplifies regenerative and engine braking to put power back into the battery for more electric driving. B mode also allows “one pedal” driving (common among battery-electric vehicles) for deceleration. Paddles at the steering wheel can increase the level of slowdown.

Honda’s Real Time AWD system is simple and intelligent. It functions in front-wheel drive until conditions deteriorate; then up to 50 percent of engine torque can be sent to the rear wheels. When starting on snow, for example, the system quickly sends power to the rear wheels to minimize the potential for front wheel spin. Dive into a corner — or in an emergency maneuver — and the system can also send power rearward for stability.

CVT Drive Modes

There are four drive modes of CVT performance, but I spent most of my week in Normal.

Normal: A balance between fuel efficiency and driving performance;

ECON: Fuel efficiency is prioritized by changing the ratio of pedal input-throttle opening. Air conditioning is set to a more efficient cycle. (ECON performance was maddingly resistant to acceleration and not worth its incremental benefit.)

Sport: This Hybrid-only mode sharpens throttle response, and the Active Sound Control opens the muffler for a sporty tone, though I did not notice a tone difference. Sport mode is my quickness tool in heavy traffic to guard against other drivers trying to sneak in.

Snow: For low traction surfaces, Snow mode softens throttle response and adjusts the transmission and Real Time 4WD. Idle start-stop is disabled, and engine braking is increased.

Two-motor hybrid system

Since 2014, Honda has used a two-motor hybrid system. One motor is for driving, and the other is for generating power for the hybrid battery.

The two electric motors are now side-by-side rather than in-line. The new positioning has multiple benefits, Honda says. Among them is a larger, more powerful propulsion motor. It has increased torque of 247 lb.-ft., an additional 15 lb.-ft. than before. And more torque gives a stronger launch force from a stop.

When idling and at low speed on battery power, the hybrid system emits an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System. It sounds like a machined angel chorus, but it effectively alerts pedestrians.

CR-V Fuel Economy Ratings

Front-wheel-drive gas-powered Honda CR-V models have fuel-economy ratings of 28 mpg city, 34 highway, and 30 mpg combined, or 27/32/29 mpg with all-wheel drive. All CR-V models use 87-octane fuel.

Hybrid models have mileage ratings of 43/36/40 mpg for the Sport front-drive and 40/34/37 mpg with AWD. The all-wheel-drive Hybrid Sport Touring (with standard AWD) has ratings of 40/34/37 mpg.

In my week of testing a Sport Touring Hybrid, the onboard computer showed fuel economy around town in the mid-20s to mid-30s and up to 41.1 mpg on extended highway drives.

The navigation system helps to stretch mileage in the CR-V Sport and Sport Touring with Predictive Eco Assist. The navigation system can predict when regen energy will be optimized, such as on downhill slopes, and it also prioritizes EV assist in maximizing efficiency.

A view through both open back doors of the new CR V

Wide door openings are helpful when putting kids in car seats.

Safety Features and Technologies

In addition to 10 air bags, the 2023 CR-V is bristling with safety features and driver-assist technologies in the Honda Sensing system.

Its new features include a front sensor camera and radar, Traffic Jam Assist (in stop-and-go cruise control), and Traffic Sign Recognition. With TSR, the front camera reads traffic signs and displays them through the instrument cluster, infotainment screen, or head-up display. It is a ticket-saver when speed signs are so far and few between.

Other driver-assist features include:

  • Low-Speed Braking Control;
  • Updated Adaptive Cruise Control;
  • Lane Keeping Assist;
  • And a new blind spot information system.

The elements in Honda Sensing combine to provide Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The system will steer, accelerate, and stop when activated with advanced cruise control. In my experience, Honda’s system gave precise control in highway cornering and never let the CR-V drift wide across the lines or Botts dots. Not all such systems are as accurate.

Traffic Jam Assist will be of value for commuters in high-stress traffic. When activated, the system will keep pace with traffic, slow and accelerate as needed, or stop, then start again.

CR-V Interior Function

Slide behind the steering wheel and enjoy the wedgie-free bolstering of the front seats. The front seats have width and thigh support for even large adults. Tall adults will have head clearance of 38.2 inches — with the sunroof.

Honda designers resisted the temptation to load the instrument panel with wide digital screens for cabin controls and infotainment. There is a 9-inch screen to access all the deep dives for navigation, camera system, phone, audio, and vehicle settings. But behold, Honda gave us knobs, dials, and push-buttons, oh my. It is an easy reach to adjust the temperature, fan speed, or audio volume.

The shift console neatly packages the sturdy shifter, drive-mode controls, and an e-bin with a charging pad, USB ports, and a 12-volt plug. There’s enough space next to the charging pad for a passenger’s phone to plug in.

The feel to switchgear and other cabin controls was refined, including the click action and heft of knobs, stalks, and switches.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

Some of the added length to the CR-V went to a half-inch more back seat legroom, now at 41 inches. Seatbacks can recline in eight angles (up from two angles), which is an asset for parents to make sleepy children comfortable. And improved LATCH anchors make it easier for parents to quickly and properly install front and rear-facing child seats.

Cargo space grew by more than 6 cubic feet to 39.3 cu.ft. behind the second row and 76.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The space is broad and rectangular. The cargo opening is 44 inches wide, 33 ½ inches tall, with 6 feet in length with the back seat folded.

There is no understorage because of the hybrid battery. Nor is there space for a temporary spare. Instead, a tire-inflator system is stored in the cargo area’s left side.

The cargo area of the CR-V with the back seat folded

Fold the back seat for 6 feet in length and 33 inches in height at the entry.

Likes and Don’t Likes

There was not much I did not like about the 2023 CR-V — and I did not feel that way about the previous model.

I might have wished for ventilated front seats or a front view to the camera when parking (though it does have overhead and curb views).

It seems cheap not to include a cargo-area roller cover because any parcel or bag exposed today tempts a smash-and-grab theft. The accessory is $180.

The Sport’s black alloy wheels are another problem. Once you scrape one, the silver alloy shines through, looking uglier with time. And if a buyer wants a hybrid trim level, both Sport trim levels have black wheels and the bolder fascia treatment.

Why Buy the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid?

My test week put me in a quandary. I plan to buy a compact-class SUV to replace our 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. It has 135,000 miles and a replaced hybrid battery.

My preference had been a plug-in hybrid. I like the idea of a plug-in because I have a home charger, and the girlfriend-wife could do an entire week’s driving in battery mode.

Top of my list was the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in, with 33 miles of battery driving. I liked almost everything about it, especially its luxe interior treatment of the Tucson Limited. (Here’s my review: https://maynardsgarage.com/?s=hyundai+tucson)

I also considered the Toyota RAV4 Prime for its 42 miles of battery driving. But it was $5,000 more than the Tucson PHEV, and the RAV4 did not have the driving or interior refinement.

We tend to keep vehicles longer than the new-vehicle and hybrid-element warranties. Because of that, I would lease a plug-in because of battery life and its expensive replacement cost. But I would purchase the CR-V Hybrid.

Crunch the mileage numbers, and the CR-V Hybrid’s total range (518 miles) is two to three gallons shorter than the RAV4 Prime at 600 miles. And the Honda Hybrid goes farther than the Tucson PHEV’s 480 miles.

After a week with the CR-V Hybrid, I learned I might not need a plug-in. It is more efficient for driving trips, and it would be a long-term keeper.

Check the mileage ratings of other vehicles at FuelEconomy.gov.

A rear three quarter view of the blue CR V

The 2023 Honda CR-V is 15 percent stiffer than previous models.

2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD Sport Touring Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-door, 5-seat SUV

Hybrid engine: 145-hp, direct- and multistage 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder, with active grille shutters;

Electric motor: 181-hp, AC Synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor

Combined power: 204 hp, 247 lb.-ft. torque

Battery: high-voltage lithium-Ion;

Transmission: e-CVT with drive modes of Econ, Normal, Sport, Snow

Fuel economy: 40/34/37 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended; with capless fuel filler

Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 14 gallons

Cargo space: 39.3 to 76.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 38.2/41.3 inches

Rear head/leg room: 38.2/41 inches

Length/wheelbase: 184.8/106.3 inches

Height/width: 66.5/73.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,926 pounds

Turning circle: 37.3 feet

FEATURES

Standard CR-V Sport Touring equipment includes: Smartkey entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, electric parking brake, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 9-inch color touch screen with navigation and voice recognition, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines,12-speaker Bose audio system, power moonroof with tilt, LED headlights and taillights, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, heated steering-wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar, 4-way power front passenger seat, rear window wiper-washer (reverse-linked) with heated wiper zone, heated and power side mirrors with LED turn indicators, hands-free power tailgate, lockable glove compartment, LED map lights, 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels with 235/55 19-inch all-season tires, floor mats, reclining fold-down 60/40 rear seatback;

Safety features include: 10 air bags, stability and traction controls, brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors;

Advanced safety technologies: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System;

Driver-Assist technologies: Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, Low-Speed Braking Control, Parking Sensors front and rear.

CR-V Hybrid Braking, Suspension, Steering

Brakes: Ventilated 12.3-inch front discs; solid 12.2-inch rear discs.

Tires and Wheels: CR-V Sport trims have Berlina Black 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. Sport Touring trims have Berlina Black 19-inch split 5-spoke alloys. The Sport Touring tester was fitted with Continental CrossContact LX Sport all-season tires, 235/55.

Suspension: Front MacPherson struts with a multi-link double wishbone rear and stabilizer bars front and rear.

PRICING

Hybrid Sport Touring base price: $40,395, including $1,295 freight charge

Options on test vehicle: none

Where assembled: Alliston, Ontario, Canada

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 2 years of free maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain

2022 Honda Rose Parade float aims to inspire dreamers

by | Dec 17, 2021 | 0 comments

2022 Honda Rose Parade float aims to inspire dreamers

• Honda float will lead the Jan. 1, 2022, 133rd Rose Parade and introduce a theme of “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”
• Snapchat filter will enable viewers to build a virtual jet pack to fly over the parade route.
• 2022 Acura NSX Type S and 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport will serve as official vehicles.

A color drawing of the 2022 Honda Rose Parade float

Honda’s “Believe and Achieve!” float celebrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education.

BY MARK MAYNARD

Honda will showcase two new road and track assets witth its “Believe and Achieve!” parade float for the 2022 133rd Rose Parade on Jan. 1.

As presenting sponsor of the Rose Parade for the 12th consecutive year, Honda hopes to inspire young people to follow their dreams. The float depicts a young girl whose dreams have taken flight with a rocket pack she designed and built through her own ingenuity and passion.

Four Honda women associates will be aboard in tribute to education supporting science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). The female engineers on the Honda float are Sue Bai, Nicole Harvel, Melanie Morimoto, and Yolanda Pate. All of whom work at Honda locations in Michigan, South Carolina, California, and Alabama. Their focus is on advanced vehicle safety research, manufacturing, and product quality.

With its North American regional headquarters in Torrance, Honda is the largest automaker in Southern California, including three R&D facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The float is powered by a specially configured 3.5-liter V-6 engine from Honda.

Virtual Rose Parade Flyover 

On New Year’s Day, Honda will offer parade attendees and at-home viewers the opportunity to virtually fly over the parade route using a custom Snapchat filter. The filter will enable users to embrace their inner engineer as they don a virtual helmet and goggles, assemble a jet pack, and fly over a portion of the parade route. Honda also will host parade-related content on its TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter channels.

A track image of the 600 horsepower Acura NSX Type S

The limited-edition 600-hp Acura NSX Type S. (Acura)

Official Parade Pace and Sound Vehicles

Pacing the 2022 Rose Parade will be the new Acura NSX Type S supercar. With the final design completed at the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, the all-wheel-drive NSX was designed and developed by Honda engineers in Raymond, Ohio, and is hand-built exclusively at the company’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

Only 350 of the Type S model will be produced, with 300 units destined for U.S. customers. In addition, the new paint color, Gotham Gray matte metallic, will be applied to just 70 of the 350 cars to be built.

NSX Type S MSRP pricing starts at $169,500 or $182,500 with the lightweight package, which includes carbon-ceramic brakes in one of four colors, carbon engine cover, and carbon interior trim. The light-weighting trims the total curb weight by approximately 57.8 pounds.

The new for 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport

The 2022 Honda Passport was restyled front and rear. (Honda)

The new 2022 Honda Passport TrailSport will be the sound vehicle for the parade. The new Passport was designed at the Honda Design Studio in Torrance and developed by Honda engineers in Raymond, Ohio. The Passport is built at Honda’s Alabama Auto Plant in Lincoln, Ala.

The 2022 Honda Passport has updated front and rear styling. The appearance is new from the windshield pillars forward and includes a sculpted hood with a power bulge, squared-off nose, upright grille, and revised front fenders. At the back, a more aggressively styled rear bumper features cutouts for larger twin exhaust outlets, a tow hitch cover, and a metallic skid panel.

The unibody Passport has an independent front and rear suspension, standard 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and nine-speed automatic transmission. The i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system is optional.

The Passport TrailSport, with standard i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, has a starting MSRP of $43,695, including the $1,225 freight charge from Lincoln, Ala.

2022 Honda Civic Sedan Review

by | Sep 2, 2021 | 0 comments

2022 Honda Civic Sedan Review

The 11th generation 2022 Honda Civic Sedan is redesigned with a “thin and light” body design, new materials, and technologies

A front view of a red 2022 Honda Civic Sport

The redesigned 2022 Honda Civic has more mature styling and a more premium appearance to the interior. (Photography courtesy of Honda)

Table of Contents

Overview
What’s New In the Redesign?
Pricing
Powertrains and Fuel Economy
Safety Features
Driver-Assist System
Interior Function
Back seats and cargo
Ride and Handling
Why Buy the 2022 Honda Civic?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Honda Civic marks its 11th generation in North America with the complete redesign of the 2020 model. This stalwart economy car made its U.S. debut in 1973 amid the first oil embargo by OPEC. According to Honda, 49 years later, the Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in the United States.

The 2020 redesign created the most technologically advanced Civic sedan in the model’s history.

The exterior redesign is less provocative, more mature, and enduring. Inside, there is a more premium presence to the interior with smart ergonomic access to controls and switches, despite a standard 7-inch color touch screen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety technologies include new front air bags designed to reduce traumatic brain and neck injuries. Rear-seat side air bags are a Civic first.

The driver-assist system, known as Honda Sensing, was updated for a front wide-view camera. And the top Touring model gets new Traffic Jam Assist and Low Speed Braking Control.

The two engine choices are carryover but with improvements to increase performance, fuel efficiency, and refinement.

Driver area of the new Civic

The redesigned dash incorporates a series of mesh panels for a clean, continuous look.

Honda Civic Overview

Four-door cars are declining in interest today, but the Honda Civic sedan has been a bread-winner model for Honda.

“Despite auto industry new vehicle sales being almost 80 percent light trucks (CUV, SUV, pickups) and last year being very negatively impacted by COVID-19, we still sold over 260,000 Civics in 2020,” said Honda spokesman Carl Pulley in an email.

More than 12 million Civics have been sold since 1973. That legacy makes it one of the top three best-selling passenger cars in America, Honda says.

Civic remains the No. 1 vehicle in the industry with Millennials, Gen Z, first-time and multicultural buyers, Pulley said. “It serves as one of the primary gateways to the Honda brand.”

As before, the Civic continues as front-wheel drive with no plan yet for all-wheel drive.

The 2020 Civic Hatchback will be built in the U.S. for the first time, with production to begin later this year at Honda’s Greensburg, Ind. auto plant. The sedan is built in Allison, Ontario, Canada.

Industry sources say the new sedan and hatchback will be followed by the sporty Si and high-performance Type R.

Sedans competing with the Honda Civic include the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla.

The front seats in the new Civic

The interior styling follows the “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” approach.

Honda Civic Redesign

In designing the 11th-generation Civic, the stylists and engineers focused on the original Honda design approach of “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum.”

The pulled-back windshield pillars, low hood, flat dashboard, and hidden windshield wipers enable a windshield with clearly defined corners for a panoramic view.

Key to the Civic’s exterior redesign was moving the bottom of the windshield pillars rearward by nearly 2 inches. The revision elongates the hood for a premium silhouette. Honda says it is a subtle design element that emphasizes the wheels and tires for a stable, planted stance.

Civic's fabric front seatbacks

The fabric-vinyl upholstery is neatly stitched and the seats are supportive.

Dimensions and body structure

By size, the 2022 model is 1.3 inches longer (184 inches) but the same width and height as before, 70.9/55.7 inches.

Curb weights are up by 106 to 114 pounds across the trim levels. And trunk space was trimmed by just 0.3 cubic feet, but it is still significant at 14.8 cubic feet.

The body structure is the most rigid in Civic history, Honda says. The stiffer structure aids ride quality, reduces interior noise, and sharpens suspension response for better handling. In addition, a slightly wider rear track (0.5-inch) enhances stability.

The color touch screen

All Civics have a 7-inch (shown) or 9-inch touch screen.

Honda Civic Pricing

The Honda Civic has a choice of two four-cylinder engines in four front-wheel-drive trim levels of LX, Sport, EX 1.5, and Touring 1.5. All models have a continuously variable automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is not offered.

Starting prices range from $22,695 for the base LX with the 2.0-liter engine to $29,295 for the Touring 1.5. All MSRP pricing includes the $995 freight charge from Allison, Ontario, Canada.

Civic Sport 2.0L

The Sport model has a more aggressive exterior and interior styling and a Sport mode with paddle shifters.

The Sport is well equipped. Highlights of its standard equipment include smart-entry locking with push-button ignition, electric parking brake, eight-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto infotainment, sport pedals, automatic high beams, LED headlights and taillights, and 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 all-season tires

My Civic Sport tester was $25,657.21, which included two accessories by Honda Performance Development:

  • HPD Kit of front, side, and rear underbody spoilers, decklid spoiler, and HPD emblem $1,417.80;
  • Honda Genuine Accessories of a gloss black H-mark, Civic, and Sport emblems $144.41.
  • The tester’s Platinum White Pearl paint added $395.

Check here for Honda Civic pricing and incentives.

A rear view of the new Civi

The Sport trim adds gloss-black side mirrors, 18-inch wheels, and chrome exhaust tips.

Powertrains and Fuel Economy

The standard engine is a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter. The uplevel engine is a 180-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter. Both engines run on 87 octane fuel and all models have a 12.4-gallon tank.

All Civic sedans use a continuously variable transmission, with paddle shifters for the Sport and Touring trim levels. There is no six-speed manual for the sedan, but a stick shift will be available for the upcoming hatchback model.

The EX 1.5 Turbo model is the mileage champ. It has EPA fuel-economy ratings of 33 mpg city, 42 highway and 36 mpg combined.

Next in line is the entry LX model at 31/40/35 mpg followed by the Touring 1.5 Turbo at 31/38/34 mpg and then the Sport 2.0L at 30/37/33 mpg.

In my week of testing a Sport 2.0L, the best average fuel economy I could manage was 30.1 to 30.6 mpg, but it was consistent from town to highway.

The 2.0-liter Civic engine

The base engine is a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter.

Honda Civic Safety Features

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan can boast what Honda calls the world’s first application of front driver and passenger air bags designed to reduce traumatic brain and neck injuries.
The new design better controls head motions, Honda says. The driver’s air bag is donut-shaped to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. The passenger-side air bag uses a three-chamber design for a similar result.

Side impact protection was improved throughout. There are stiffer structures in the roof and doors, side sills and door pillars, rear wheel arches and rear window pillars.

There are a total of 10 air bags.

Driver-Assist System

The Sport model is technologically equipped for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The Honda Sensing system integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigating Braking, Lane-Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Traffic Jam Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist.

When activated, the system consistently keeps the car centered between the white lines. And, in my experience, there were no random shutoffs or alarming audible alerts.

Honda Civic Interior Function

Honda applies the “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” approach to interior design. The focus is on “exceptional visibility, intuitive ergonomics, extraordinary passenger volume, and driver-focused technology.”

The approach works quite well and provides open sightlines over the shoulder and across the hood. New owners will discover the smart ergonomics in several areas, including the comfortably angled door-side armrests and window controls. Large visors slide, and there is a deep center armrest box.

High-quality materials are visible throughout the interior, especially on touch points. Special attention was given to the refined operation of switchgear and controls. And all trim levels have a new front seat design that holds firmly without extreme side and bottom bolstering.

There are numerous areas for small-item storage, including the door panels that can accommodate large bottles. The 7-inch touch-screen display includes buttons for volume and radio tuning.

The AC and vent controls also include dials to easily adjust temp, fan speed, and vent directions. Also rewarding is the wide span of vent flow along the face of the dashboard; prominent finger controls make it easy to readjust the airflow.

The shift console is slim but functional with large cup holders and an e-bin with a charging USB and 180-watt 12-volt plug. But despite all of the Civic Sport’s advanced technologies, wireless charging is only available with the top-line Touring model. And with multiple tries, I was unable to sync my iPhone for hands-free talking.

The top-line Civic Sedan Touring debuts a new 9-inch color touch screen and digital color instrument display. The 10.2-inch high-def panel is customizable and can be configured to show traditional round gauges or bar graphs.

The refined door panel of the new Civic

There is room in the door panel for large bottles.

Back Seat and Trunk Space

The Civic redesign attempts to make the most of back-seat roominess, but it is still a compact space.

The rear legroom of 37.4 inches is long for a small car. But the headroom of 37.1 inches will be restrictive to growing teenagers or business colleagues.

Trunk space of nearly 15 cubic feet has plenty of reach to the back seat. The trunk entry point is wide at 37 inches, but the 18-inch access opening will restrict big-box items. Fold the seatback to carry items up to about 6 feet in length.

The Civic's back seat

Back seat legroom is long at 37.4 inches. Fold the back seat for up to 6 feet in length.

Folded back seat

Civic Sport Ride and Handling

The Civic Sport ride quality is taut but not harsh. It handles well enough, but its sportiness is more in styling than performance.

The continuously variable transmission is dutiful and primed for fuel economy. Unfortunately, it also provokes engine noise on hard acceleration. Sport mode cranks up the shift response to simulate shift points, but it was almost too much enthusiasm for around-town driving.

The car rides low and the chin scrapes on driveways. In the hope of avoiding the cringeworthy occurrence, I’d make wide-angled turns into my driveway. But that only caused a scrape to the right-front alloy wheel — which was another cringeworthy moment. In my weak defense, the 18-inch Goodyear Eagle Sport all-season tires fit right to the edge of the wheel.

The Goodyears, too, have a hard treadwear rating of 560, which I blame for the maelstrom of tire noise inside the cabin at Interstate speeds.

The 18-inch tire-and-wheel package pushed the turning circle to a wide 38.1 feet versus 36.1 feet with the 16- or 17-inch wheels.

Four-wheel-disc braking is by 11.1-inch vented rotors at the front with solid 10.2-inch rotors at the rear.

2022 Civic trunk

The trunk has 14.8 cubic feet of capacity.

Why Buy the Honda Civic?

The Honda Civic’s 2020 redesign is a remarkable improvement for refinement and premium presentation. The interior is as accommodating as it can get for a compact sedan, and the exterior’s clean lines will be a big purchase motivator.

However, the Civic has no hybrid model and some of the competitors offer all-wheel-drive.

American Honda is fortunate that it has weathered the industrywide parts supply issues and has cars to sell. With the Sept. 1 sales report, Honda said that demand has been off the charts for all-new Civic sedan and dealers are selling cars as quickly as they are trucked in.

Honda Civic 2.0L Sport Specifications

Body style: compact, front-drive, 5-passenger 4-door sedan

Engine: 158-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC with multiport injection and idle stop-start; 138 lb.-ft. at 4,200 rpm

Transmission: CVT with paddle shifters

Fuel economy: 30/37/33 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 12.4 gallons

Trunk space: 14.8 cu. ft.

Front head/leg room: 39.3/42.3 in.

Rear head/leg room: 37.1/37.4 in.

Length/wheelbase: 184/107.7 in.

Curb weight: 2,935 lbs. (Sport)

Turning circle: 38.1 ft. (Sport)

PRICING

Base price: $24,095, including $995 freight charge; price as tested $25,657.21

Options on test vehicle: Platinum White Pearl paint $395; HPD Kit of front, side, and rear underbody spoilers, decklid spoiler and HPD emblem $1,417.80; Honda Genuine Accessories of a gloss black H-mark, Civic, and Sport emblems $144.41

Where assembled: Allison, Ontario, Canada

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Overview

by | Jul 10, 2021 | 0 comments

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Overview
The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback in the new paint color of Boost Blue Pearl.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback in the new paint color of Boost Blue Pearl. (All photos courtesy of Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Take a look at the handsomely redesigned 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback with its claimed Euro-inspired exterior. The fresh styling smooths the loud angles, vents, and peaks of the previous hatchback. The new speed-line stance of the 2022 model is almost luxury-class in its presence.

The 2022 hatchback builds on the same styling as the new Honda Civic sedan, which has just gone on sale. In addition, the compact hatchback will be built in the U.S. for the first time at Honda’s Greensburg, Ind., plant. Production is scheduled to begin later this year, and cars are expected in dealerships in the fall.

Read my 2022 Honda Civic sedan first look here.

It is no surprise that Honda aimed the Civic Hatchback at young, active buyers. The hatchback has a sportier driving character, Honda says, and will again be available with a short-throw six-speed manual transmission.

Honda debuted the 2022 Civic Hatchback during the Civic Tour “Remix” performance on the Honda Stage YouTube Channel. Watch the 51-minute video here.

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Front seats of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The driver area has a clean design with improved outward visibility, Honda says.

Ride and handling

The hatchback’s suspension and steering were developed in Europe and fine-tuned for North America.

The rear track is wider by 0.5-inch for added stability, and the additional 1.4-inches of wheelbase help smooth out its ride quality, Honda says. In addition, new rear lower control-arm bushings promote better straight-line stability and turn-in. The new hardware also reduces noise and vibration inside the cabin. In addition, the electronic power steering has been re-tuned for better feedback and improved straight-line stability.

The suspension and steering upgrades resulted in a smoother and more precise feel in turns, Honda says. Other chassis updates include low-drag front brake calipers and low-friction wheel bearings that reduce rolling resistance.

The foundational improvements will benefit any planned higher-performing models, such as the Civic Si and Type R. But Honda will not confirm or deny future plans for those models. However, those sportier models have long been part of the Civic line.

A front view of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The coupe-like profile of European sportbacks inspired the hatchback’s exterior styling, Honda says.

Powertrains

The Honda Civic Hatchback will be available in two engine choices for the first time. The previous model had just a turbocharged,1.5-liter four-cylinder.

Both engines will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable automatic. The CVT was revised for improved fuel economy, and new step-shift programming simulates physical gear changes under hard acceleration.

The entry LX and Sport trim levels will have a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The engine produces peak torque of 138 foot-pounds at 4,200 rpm.

A 180-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder powers the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The engine produces peak torque of 177 lb.-ft. from 1,700-4,500 rpm, also on 87 octane fuel.

Fuel economy ratings for the 2022 models have not been released, but expect the mileage to be comparable to or better than the 2021 hatchback. The base 2021 CVT model has mileage ratings of 31 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 mpg combined on 87 octane. The six-speed manual in base models has ratings of 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined.

The Honda Civic Hatchback cargo area.

1.6-inches widened the hatchback’s cargo opening.

What’s new on the Civic Hatchback?

  • Lightweight composite hatch structure reduces hinge size for a clean roofline;
  • The enhanced structure is 19-percent stiffer in torsional rigidity;
  • Rear legroom was improved by nearly 1.4 inches;
  • The cargo opening was widened by 1.6 inches;
  • Boost Blue Pearl and Smoky Mauve Pearl are new paint colors.

Civic Safety

Standard safety features in the Honda Civic Hatchback include10 air bags, including side rear-seat bags, and the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. A new single-camera radar-based system provides a longer and wider field of view. The system also adds Traffic Jam Assist.

Honda Civic Hatchback Pricing

Pricing for the 2022 model has not been announced. However, for comparison, the 2021 Civic Hatchback has starting prices of $23,215 to $30,415, including the freight charge from Japan.

2022 Honda Civic Redesign Overview

by | May 14, 2021 | 0 comments

2022 Honda Civic Redesign Overview

The 11th-generation Honda Civic sedan to go on sale summer 2021

Redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan.

The redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan. (Photos courtesy of Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Acompletely redesigned and re-engineered 2022 Honda Civic sedan goes on sale this summer with a “thin and light” body design. With new materials and technologies, the carmaker hopes the new model will be a “breath of fresh air” in the segment.

Civic competitors included the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla.

Four-door cars are declining in interest today, but the Honda Civic sedan is and has been a bread-winner model for Honda.

“Despite auto industry new vehicle sales being almost 80 percent light trucks (CUV, SUV, pickups) and last year being very negatively impacted by COVID-19, we still sold over 260,000 Civics in 2020,” said Honda spokesman Carl Pulley in an email.

The Honda Civic interior design emphasizes visibility, intuitive ergonomics, extraordinary passenger volume and driver-focused technology

The interior styling follows the “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” approach. (Honda)

As Honda’s longest-running automotive nameplate in the United States, more than 12 million Civics have been sold since 1973. That legacy makes it one of the top three best-selling passenger cars in America, said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations, American Honda Motor Co., in a statement.

Since the launch of the 10th-gen model in 2015, Civic has been the No. 1 vehicle in America with first-time buyers, millennials, Gen Z and multicultural customers, Gardner said. It has had more than 1.7 million units over the last five years.

The 2022 Honda Civic redesigned interior with fingerprint and scratch resistant materials.h

High-touch areas feature quality materials that are fingerprint and scratch resistant. (Honda)

New Honda Civic sedan features

  • First all-digital LCD instrument display in the top-line Touring;
  • Standard 7-inch color touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto;
  • First Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers and wireless charging, for the Touring;
  • New front air bags are designed to reduce traumatic brain and neck injuries. Rear seat side air bags are a Civic first;
  • Updated Honda Sensing system with a front wide-view camera. The Touring model gets new Traffic Jam Assist and Low Speed Braking Control.

The design

In designing the 11th-generation Civic, the stylists and engineers focused on the original Honda design approach of “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum.”

The new styling seems to represent a coming of age and appears more mature, uncluttered and upscale than the previous styling.

Key to the exterior design was moving the bottom of the windshield pillars rearward by nearly 2 inches. The revised design elongates the hood for a premium silhouette, Honda said in the release. It is a subtle design element that emphasizes its wheels and tires for a stable, planted stance.

The 2022 Honda Civic interior features he redesigned dash incorporates a series of mesh panels to create a clean, continuous look.

The redesigned dash incorporates a series of mesh panels to create a clean, continuous look. (Honda)

The pulled-back windshield pillars, low hood, flat dashboard and hidden windshield wipers enable a windshield with clearly defined corners for a panoramic view.

Redesigned Honda Civic GT sedan

The Sport trim adds matching gloss-black side mirrors, 18-inch wheels and a chrome exhaust tip. (Honda)

Dimensions and body structure

Sizewise, the 2022 model is 1.3 inches longer (184 inches) but the same width and height, 70.9/55.7 inches, as before. Curb weights are up 106-114 pounds across the trim levels. And trunk space was trimmed by just 0.3 cubic feet, but still large at 14.8 cubic feet.

The body structure is the most rigid in Civic history, Honda says. It was improved by 8 percent in torsional rigidity and 13 percent in bending rigidity. It also reduces road and wind noise in the cabin.

The stiffer structure aids ride quality and sharpens suspension response for better handling.  A slightly wider rear track (0.5-inch) also enhances stability.

As before, the Civic continues as front-wheel drive with no plan yet for AWD.

Interior

Inside, the styling follows the “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” approach, Honda says. The treatment emphasizes “exceptional visibility, intuitive ergonomics, extraordinary passenger volume and driver-focused technology,” Honda says.

High-quality materials are used throughout the interior, especially on touchpoints. Special attention was given to the operation of  switchgear and controls. And all trim levels have a new front seat design to firmly hold the body and enhance comfort on long drives.

Materials were also chosen for practicality, such as the new center console trim that is designed to hide fingerprints and smudges.

2022 Honda Civic GT gauge array turns red

In Sport mode, the 10.2-inch digital gauge array turns red. (Honda)

Digital displays

For the first time, all Civic sedan trims have either a partial or full (Touring) digital instrument display, with larger standard and available color touch screens.

LX, Sport and EX trim levels have a 7-inch color LCD instrument display. An all-digital speedometer and tachometer are on the left side of the display, with a physical speedometer dial to the right.

Touring models also get the first all-digital color instrument display for a Civic. The 10.2-inch high-def panel is customizable from the steering wheel and features several modes. The array can be configured to show traditional round gauges or bar graphs, flanking the left and right of the screen.

There also is a new multimedia 7-inch color touch screen in the LX, Sport and EX trims. It is “the largest standard screen in Civic history, Honda says.” Functionality was improved by adding a power-volume knob and a tuning-selection knob.

The top-line Civic Sedan Touring debuts a new 9-inch color touch screen. It features a physical volume knob, easy-to-recognize icons and a simplified format with fewer embedded menus.

The touch-screen systems have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Only the Touring has Qi-compatible wireless charging.

The 2022 Honda Civic tire and wheels

Tire sizes range from 16- to 18-inches, with gloss-black wheels on the Sport trim (shown).  (Honda)

Honda Civic sedan Powertrains

As with the outgoing Civic sedan, two four-cylinder engines make up the powertrain. The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 158-horsepower 2.0-liter. The EX and Touring trims use a 180-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter. Both engines run on 87 octane gasoline.

Both engines are paired with an updated continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT now gives early downshifts during braking with revised programming to simulate gear changes under hard acceleration.

Power delivery, engine sound, overall refinement were improved. And EPA fuel economy ratings of both engines are up by 1 or 2 mpgs, Honda says.

EPA fuel-economy ratings for the 2.0-liter in the LX are 31 mpg city, 40 highway and 35 mpg combined. The Sport trim has ratings of 30/37/33 mpg.

The more powerful 1.5-liter engine (up 6 hp from last model year) has mileage ratings of 33/42/36 mpg city/highway/combined.

Honda Civic sedan safety features

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan can boast what Honda calls the world’s first application of front driver and passenger air bags. The design will better control head motions and reduce conditions associated with brain injury, Honda says.

The driver’s air bag is donut-shaped to cradle and hold the head to reduce rotation. The passenger-side air bag uses a three-chamber design for a similar result. In total, there are 10 air bags.

Side impact protection has been improved throughout. There are stiffer structures in the roof and doors, side sills and door pillars, rear wheel arches and rear window pillar.

The Civic sedan is Honda’s longest-running automotive nameplate in the U.S.

More than 12 million Civics have been sold since 1973. (Honda)

Pricing

Official pricing will not be released until just before the on-sale date. But expect the 2022 Civic sedan to cost about the same as the outgoing 2021 model. It has starting prices of $22,245-$29,295, including the current freight charge of $995 from Greensburg, Ind.

There is a financing incentive on 2021 Civics (except Type R) that will run through July 6, 2021. That is likely the cutoff date before the 2022 model goes on sale. Qualified buyers can take advantage of 1.9 percent APR for 24-60 months or 2.9 percent for 61-72 months, with a 10 percent down payment.

Honda's outgoing 2021 Honda Civic sedan.

The outgoing 2021 Civic sedan.  (Honda)

Industry sources say the new sedan will be followed by the Civic hatchback, sporty Si and high-performance Type R.