2011 Honda Odyssey,Reviews

The 2011 Honda Odyssey has been completely redesigned. Highlights include sleeker styling, a roomier interior, improved fuel economy and new features like a chilled storage box and a rear-seat entertainment system with surround-sound audio and a high-definition display.

The latest Odyssey is still very much a modern not-so-mini minivan, with seating for up to eight passengers, sliding rear doors, V6 power and a familiar boxy silhouette.

The new 2011 Honda Odyssey also offers more comfort and practicality. The 2011 Honda Odyssey is offered in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite. The entry-level LX comes reasonably well-equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, automatic headlights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power driver seat, a 60/40-split-folding third-row seat, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control and a five-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

EX-L versions add still more upscale standard features including a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, a chilled storage box, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, satellite radio and a USB audio input. Move up to the Touring and Touring Elite models and you gain 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, front and rear parking sensors, memory settings for the driver, retractable third-row sunshades and a fold-down armrest for third-row passengers and both the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems as standard. The new Touring Elite model adds xenon headlights, a blind spot warning system, an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with a 16-inch HD widescreen video monitor (with HDMI input) and a premium 650-watt, 12-speaker surround-sound audio system.

The 2011 Honda Odyssey comes with a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The LX, EX and EX-L models send that power to the front wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission; Touring and Touring Elite versions get a new six-speed automatic.
Safety

The 2011 Honda Odyssey comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, active front head restraints, side-impact airbags for front seat passengers and side curtain airbags that cover all three rows. The Odyssey's growth spurt has made room for a new second-row seat that's nearly 4 inches wider than the one in the outgoing model, a change that makes it roomy enough to fit three car seats side by side. The third-row seat also benefits from the new Odyssey's larger dimensions with an extra 1.1 inches of legroom. Though it's been redesigned, the Odyssey's dash can still be a bit daunting. On the inside, the 2011 Honda Odyssey is as quiet as a premium luxury sedan.
In trim levels EX and above — which includes all but the base LX — you get an adjustable second row with full-size outboard seats and a smaller center seat. The three segments slide forward and back, and the two outboard seats can slide 1.5 inches sideways, adding 3 inches of width. This allows three large child-safety seats to fit across the row.

The 2011 Honda Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring trims have five sets of Latch anchors, two in the third row and the three in the second. I tested my Britax Marathon child seat in the Odyssey, expanding the two outboard seats and latching the Britax in the center.

Even if you have just one child requiring a safety seat, the middle seat is the safest in any vehicle. The center seat can also slide forward more than the outboard seats, bringing it closer to the driver. The driver's seat sits upright a bit, like in most minivans. The same V-6 engine from last year's Touring trim is found in all trims for 2011.

Cargo space behind the third row is unchanged for 2011, at 38.4 cubic feet. With the second row removed, the Odyssey has a total of 148.5 cubic feet, just behind the Sienna's 150 cubic feet. Both outdo the Chrysler minivans.
A power liftgate is standard on EX-L and Touring trims, but there is no optional powered third row.

An all-new navigation system is offered on the EX-L Navigation and both Touring trims. Rear passengers can also control their temperature and fan speed in EX trims and above.

The Odyssey features a standard slate of airbags, including seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for all three rows. As mentioned above, there are Latch anchors for five child-safety seats. The previous Odyssey was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2011 Honda CR-V,Reviews

Introduction
The 2011 Honda CR-V continues the trend and is certainly an example of Honda at its best. We're certainly smitten with the CR-V's ability to comfortably take on both people and cargo. The 2011 Honda CR-V is a crossover SUV that straddles the line between compact and midsize. It is available in LX, SE, EX, EX-L and EX-L with Navigation trim levels, and each can be equipped with front- or all-wheel drive.

The EX adds a sunroof, a dual-level cargo area and steering-wheel audio controls. Going with the EX-L gets you automatic headlights, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a fixed front center console and a seven-speaker stereo (with subwoofer, USB audio jack and satellite radio). Every 2011 Honda CR-V comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. AWD CR-Vs drop slightly to 21/27/23.

Safety
The 2011 Honda CR-V is equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In government crash testing, the CR-V achieved a perfect five stars for all frontal- and side-impact tests. The CR-V's cabin is both functional and attractive. With the split-level divider stowed and the rear seats folded, the CR-V can hold an impressive 73 cubic feet of cargo.

Driving Impressions
Though the Honda CR-V is certainly competitive against other four-cylinder-powered crossovers, it lacks low-end power and there's no getting around the fact that there's no upgrade available.

2011 Honda CR-Z,Reviews


The 2011 Honda CR-Z is all-new.
A sporty hybrid? At first glance, the 2011 Honda CR-Z might seem a bit oxymoronic. Sales were slow, however, and Honda cancelled the car after a short run. Like the old CRX, the CR-Z is front-drive with two doors and just two seats. Mechanically, though, the CR-Z is related most to Honda's current Insight hybrid, sharing its basic structure and suspension design. Under the hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild-hybrid system. The electric motor is the same and generates another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft. Notably, Honda is offering a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the more hybrid-typical continuously variable transmission (CVT). The end result of all this is that Honda has indeed created a sporty hybrid. The CR-Z looks sharp and is fun to drive around town thanks to its small size and quick steering.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The two-seat 2011 Honda CR-Z comes in three trim levels: base, EX and EX with navigation. The base model comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, hill-start assist (manual transmission), automatic climate control, full power accessories, manual seats with driver-side height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and a six-speaker CD audio system (with steering-wheel controls and USB/auxiliary audio jacks). Notable dealer-installed features include 17-inch wheels, performance tires and satellite radio.
The 2011 Honda CR-Z is hybrid-powered by a team consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. If the CVT is selected, torque output drops slightly to 123 lb-ft. All CR-Zs come with a three-mode drive selector consisting of Sport, Normal or Econ. Each adjusts parameters for throttle sensitivity, steering assist, transmission programming (CVT), additional IMA assist (manual transmission) and air-conditioning usage.
Official EPA fuel economy numbers haven't been released as of this writing but Honda estimates that the CR-Z will get 31 mpg city/37 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined with the manual and 35/39/37 mpg with the CVT.

Safety

While the 2011 Honda CR-Z sold in other worldwide markets will come with a small backseat, Honda chose to equip the American version with a flip-down rear parcel shelf instead. Seat comfort is adequate.
The centerpiece of the CR-Z's interior is certainly its futuristic-looking dash. A configurable display can also show other fuel-economy-enhancing tools.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Honda CR-Z is tuned for a smooth ride, and its economy-minded twist-beam rear suspension simply isn't up to the task of providing sports car reflexes and compliance. But if you lower your expectations a little, you'll find the CR-Z reasonably fun to drive. Sport provides a feel reminiscent of a classic, free-revving Honda performance car, while Econ transforms the CR-Z into a lethargic, deathly slow fuel-sipper.

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