The 09 Honda Insight has made Consumer Reports most reliable new car of the year.  Oddly enough the hybrid wasn't alone on the list, where 5 of the top 8 most reliable cars for 2009 were a hybrid.

It's good news for Honda and definitely something to brag about, except for Consumer Reports makes the statement that just because it's most reliable doesn't mean it's recommended.  Specifically the Insight's underpowered demeanor was sighted as an example.  Seems like a nod to Honda on what to work on to create the perfect hybrid, which can be recommended for purchase.

Lastly, I just feel like the string of hybrids being listed on the most reliable list is a bit suspicious.  Granted, this is most reliable 'new' car, but where will these vehicles be 5 years from now.  As a consumer that's what I'm most concerned with, longevity and total cost of ownership.

Honda Insight HYBRID 01 HONDA INSIGHT RUST FREE ARIZONA CAR 56 MPGRARE    US $5,950.00

Honda Insight 2001 HONDA INSIGHT HONDA HYBRID AUTO COUPE UNDER 100K    US $6,500.00

Honda Insight DX 02 HONDA INSIGHT 5 SPEED 78K CD COLD A C NO RESERVE    US $4,550.00

Honda was showing off their latest in go-kart technology at the Toyota Motor Show with the all new CRZ concept.  Of course it's a hybrid and it's biggest selling points are efficiency, but Honda is touting it as a hybrid sport vehicle.  Performance and enough efficiency to keep the hippies at bay?

As you can see from the CR-Z pictures below, it's a concept car still and I'm sure the glass ceiling w0n't make it to production.  Honda claims that the new CR-Z will be available in the US market by late 2010.  Will this be available to compete with Chevy's Volt?

If the idea of strapping a 4 cylinder motor between your legs sounds exciting, then keep your eyes on this all new Honda VFR1200 motorcycle.  Reportedly in production and expected to be released in 2010, the Honda VFR1200 plans on revolutionizing the sport bike industry.  According to Motorcycle News in the UK the photos below are reportedly of the finished production model.

Although the specifications are still under wraps, reportedly the 4 cylinder motorcycle engine will produce around 200 horsepower.  To remain friends with green drivers 2 of the 4 cylinders will reportedly operate under normal load.  The only time all 4 cylinders will kick in is when you are ready to launch.  Sounds thrilling.

Spy Photo

A picture has surfaced on the internet of a Japanese magazine with a concept picture of the 2011 Honda Civic.  Although at this point it may just be a rumor, you can be the judge.  For starters, I'm not sure sporty is the first word I think of when I see this tall squished Civic.  The tuner boys and girls may feel differently.

2011 Honda Civic Spy Pic

2011 Honda Civic

At any rate, looks like Honda has plans to completely redesign the Civic.  Whether or not the all new model will be a 2010 or 2011 Civic has yet to be officially announced.  Please feel free to discuss your predictions in the automotive forum.

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Boston.com is quickly becoming a popular source of great photo sets and slowly creeping up in world popularity in regards to news reporting.  However, the latest article, about the 2009 Honda Fit has me perplexed.  The reviewer focuses on the Fit's ability to handle a curvy highway, more suited to a super cars review platform.

Giving into the fact that the Fit has looks only a mother could love, since I wouldn't think 'Bug Like' is a positive remark, this brief review seems to give more life to the 09 Fit than deserved.  It's articles exactly like this that make me question, who paid for this review, and what relationship does the author have to it's local Honda dealership?

I can't put any faith in such a review, no matter the trim the 09 Fit may be wearing.  Furthermore, if the author was this impressed, how many vehicles has he actually driven on a perfectly curvy road with suspension worthy of such a review?  Nevertheless, the review has been done, and has done little to convince me that the 09 Fit is anything more than a throwaway car.

Yeah, yeah, I can already hear the negative comments and horrid emails from people who love their reasonably priced Fit.  Personally I think any throwaway car over the $10k mark is too much and the Fit tested was closer to the $20k price point.  No, I have not and will not drive a Fit, I'm scared of tiny spaces with wheels and the idea of a gas tank in the front seems like a bad idea.  Maybe really did want to start 09 boom, but I don't think this is what they had in mind.

It is no secret for car buyers that right now, some of the best vehicles are not made by American companies.  In fact, Honda and Toyota, and perhaps even Hyundai makes some of the best vehicles that the average consumer can buy.  They last much longer than their American counterparts, they hold their value well, and are very enjoyable to drive.  It is no small wonder that Toyota is now the biggest car company in the world.

It's also no secret that car companies in America are really struggling.  And this could mean the loss of many millions of jobs if something isn't done about it.  So I pose this question to you, would you buy American automobiles to save American jobs?

Personally, I don't think I would. That sounds harsh, but let me explain.  Many foreign vehicles are actually made America.  Did you know that? Down in the south, far from Detroit companies such as Toyota, build trucks and cars using American workers and American plants. So, is buying a foreign car actually destroying American jobs? Yes and no.

American jobs will be lost more because of poor management more so than from poor worker quality.  Of course, part of the blame does fall on the American auto workers union's for being greedy all of these years, constantly wanting to get paid more even if they are producing less.  The whole industry is very shortsighted and is now reaping the rewards of their shortsightedness.

If you really want to help the American car companies, buy the best car that fits your needs the best and don't worry about what company is.  If you buy a high-quality vehicle that shows the other companies that they are going to have to produce high-quality vehicle to get your business.  That is a lesson that every company needs to learn to succeed. If you really want to help the car companies and save American jobs in the long run, you should buy the best vehicle in your budget.

For me, the Fit does not mean Go, but for a tiny hatch car I guess the 09 Honda Fit ranks higher than others.  The Honda Fit becomes even more appealing when you look at the lateset numbers showing that Honda and Toyota are now the rulers of the US market, taking over 30% of the business with GM only at 20%.

As for the second generation 09 Honda Fit, it's got a few upgrades that would intice those sick of high gas prices.  For example, the new 4 cylinder 1.5 litre engine now is capable of 117 horsepower, which hauls the shrunk mini-van to 60 in 9 seconds.  Not something I'd want to pull out onto the interestate with, but hey anything to save gas money right now...right?  The 09 Fit gets a reportedly 33 miles per gallon highway driving.

But let's not forget that the pice of larger SUVs and Trucks are dropping in price right now as well.  The Sport model 09 Honda Fit comes in at $17,580 and that amount will buy you a lot more car and/or truck if you are willing to sacrifice a little gas mileage.  So that's the main reason the Fit does not mean Go for me, but it looks like the perfect car for a girl getting ready to go to college.

09 Honda Fit

Honda has decided to meet the Toyota Prius frenzy head on with it's early release of concept pictures of the Honda Insight.  I can't hardly tell the difference between the two and I'm sure that's the idea behind Honda's Insight concept.  The real differeces between the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight's happen under the hood, where Honda's IMA(Integrated Motor Assist) technology will supposedly make this ride a gas anorexic.

The Insight sports a unique style and sophisticated design, sharing styling cues with the groundbreaking FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. The Insight concept, a futuristic five-door hatchback, is powered by a new lighter weight and efficient Integrated Motor Assist IMA® system that offers great performance. And there’s no shortage of amenities to liven up your commute.

What I think the US is still struggling with is justifying the high entry cost into future fuel vehicles.  Spending an extra $20,000 on a 'green' car will buy A LOT of extra gas right now in a vehicle that is getting even half as good as gas mileage.  Plus, for the people who cling to the god and guns (myself included) I just don't think I'd look right setting behind the wheel in one of these things.  Perhaps the Honda Insight would be better at home in somewhere like San Francisco.

Honda has made a very bold statement and/or goal for their 2009 model Hybrid cars, stating that they plan to cut the technology in half.  This huge cost cut is directly related to what they think will be 50% of what is currently used on their Civic.

Tech-On reports on how Kondo create a much less expensive hybrid alternative using already adopted technology.

"The system's cost itself, excluding the (subsidiary) effects of standardizing components, for example, differs (from the cost of other systems seen in the Civic Hybrid, etc)," Kondo said.

The all new Honda CRV EX-L has finally made it onto the market and reviews are starting to come in.  It looks like as a whole Honda is doing something right and most can understand why their sales are still doing good.  For some professional reviewers 'lust' seems to be the only way to descrive the new CRV.

One has to be careful when describing the Honda CR-V. Words like style, good looks, and quality are fine for almost any old car, but with Honda, only such expressions as sculpting, sultry shape, aerodynamics, meticulous attention, and captivating detail can do any kind of job describing an absolutely stunning vehicle.

I've ridden in a few CRV's, granted not a 08 CRV EX-L, but enough to realize the price tag does not match what you get.  Tiny underpowered SUV's make me feel like I have one foot in the grave and if I'm gonna go this small I might as well purchase a nice mid-size car.  But, for what it's worth, it looks like Honda is starting to add a little head room and expanding on the idea that an SUV is meant for hauling, not just to look cute.