Toronto, Ontario - The Honda Civic was Canada's top-selling passenger car for calendar year 2006, holding the spot for the ninth consecutive year. The company sold 70,028 units in 2006, a 2 per cent increase over 2005.
 
"We are pleased to see the Civic continue its strong popularity with Canadians," says Jim Miller, executive vice-president of Honda Canada Inc. "The Civic's sales increase is encouraging, since the 'compact segment' in which Civic competes was down overall by about two per cent for this past year."
 
The all-new 2006 version was the eighth generation of the Civic, available as a coupe, sedan, hybrid or Coupe Si. More than 1.2 million Civics have been sold in Canada since 1973. All Civic coupe and Si models sold in North America are produced solely at Honda of Canada's plant in Alliston, Ontario, as are all sedans for distribution in Canada. The hybrid models are produced in Suzuka, Japan.
 
Source: Canadian Driver
Date: January 5, 2007

Nothing says family like a minivan, and no model says minivan better than the Honda Odyssey. Its capacity nears that of a large van, and it will seat as many as eight family members comfortably. The Odyssey is one of the highest-ranking of Cars.com's Best Bet models, exhibiting good to excellent performance in many areas: reliability history, crash tests, quality, drivability, refinement and resale value. It has all the important safety and convenience features of its competitors, some of which Honda invented. Power doors that reverse at the slightest obstruction and an optional rearview camera make the Odyssey as kid-friendly as any car you'll find.
 
What puts the Odyssey over the top is engine technology that gives it the best gas mileage for long family trips, even in a model loaded with options like a video entertainment system. Within the driver's reach are every necessary control and the most ergonomic touch-screen navigation option sold.
 
Starting with its large, bright headlights, this is a meticulously well-thought-out van. The Odyssey is simply one of the best-executed vehicles of any type that we've ever driven.
 
Author: Cars.com
Date: January 6, 2007

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Well designed, enjoyable to drive.
 
The Honda Odyssey might be the best minivan on the market. It's certainly one of the most enjoyable to drive, and it lives up to Honda's reputation for refinement, convenient features and great fit and finish. Its flexible seating system can accommodate up to eight passengers.
 
All Odyssey models are powered by a 244-horsepower V6 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission. Four trim levels make it affordable to a wider group of buyers, yet all deliver car-like ride and handling and a comprehensive set of safety features, including electronic stability control and side curtain airbags for head protection.
 
In its third year of production, the current generation Odyssey still seems fresh. The base LX starts at about $26,000 and includes most of the features that make family travel easier. The line-topping Touring has as many bells and whistles as a good luxury sedan.
 
Odyssey's range of models has some drawbacks, to be sure. Certain desirable features such as the navigation system or fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management are included only on the higher-priced models and not available as stand-alone options. With the Odyssey Touring approaching $40,000 out the door, it's out of reach for many buyers.
 
New for 2007: Honda's Tire Pressure Monitoring System is now standard on all Odyssey models. The system reports a significant drop in tire pressure with a warning indicator in the instruments and identifies the specific tire. Improvements for 2007 include a telescoping steering wheel and a more convenient coin holder. Otherwise, the Odyssey lineup carries over to 2007 unchanged.
 
Author: John Rettie / NewCarTestDrive.com
Date: January 4, 2007

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This nutty truck is the perfect choice for that one useful vehicle in the automotive connoisseur's dream garage. We're sure Honda's design team wasn't thinking nutty when they penned the Ridgeline's oddly carved front flanks, but then, we're not sure what they were thinking. Styling remains a weak point, but clever design reigns. Show anyone in the heartland who hasn't seen the Ridgeline's locking underbed trunk/ice chest (and we're convinced that most of the heartland has not seen it), and they'll go positively giddy. What took so long? And why doesn't every other pickup truck on the planet have one, too? That and the two-way tailgate that opens down or out as you choose.
 
There are Home Depot truck people among us as well as the sort who need serious ground clearance and towing capability. Though it's no contractor's super-duty brick hauler, the Ridgeline has a respectable 8.2 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity good for 5000 pounds worth of boat and trailer. With the tailgate down, you can add an optional $259 extender (adding sixteen inches) to the five-foot bed, allowing you to easily haul any outdoor sporting machine from snowmobile to motorcycle in the back.
 
The 60/40-split back seat, when not comfortably holding a row of oversize men, can be flipped up on either side with one finger and locked away with a push and a click, opening up more storage space. With the seats up, you can stick a bicycle's tires in the slot that runs east-west on the floor for quick and secure transport.
 
The Ridgeline has won over all of us. It's in line to be one of the most popular vehicles in twenty years of our Four Seasons long-term tests. Its high mileage attests not only to its great usefulness but also to its long-distance comfort. We have loaded it, thrashed it, hill-climbed it, and driven it on a few fancy dates. Women are relieved by its Honda-ness in terms of storage spaces all over the cabin and the carlike refinement of that environment.
 
Being the only mid-size pickup truck out there with unibody construction gives the Ridgeline a tight, rattle-free structure and the ride quality of a big car. That and the clever trunk is all most of us really need.
 
Author: Jean Jennings / Automobile Magazine
Date: 12/06/06

It's funny when you watch all those SUV commercials on TV. They always try to sell you on the extreme outdoors adventure lifestyle, and how you need a big money-sucking truck to be able to do such exciting things. I find it odd, because when I head up to the ski mountain, bike trails, cliffs or beach; all I see are Civics, Corollas and Subarus. All the true outdoor enthusiasts make due with economy boxes. Sure there are some flashy new SUVs that come out, but the people getting out of these are the types that went out and bought up all the best equipment they could find to go boarding, climbing or surfing, probably only a couple of times a year. The lifers make due with cheaper alternatives so that they have the money to continue doing the sports they love. So mark my words, along with all the Hondas, Toyotas and Suzukis at adventure venues, the sight of Honda Fits will soon be as common.
 
Why will you be seeing Fits at these venues? Simple, it does everything those other cars do, but better. Also, they're new and much more attractive then the aging rusters that are disintegrating away. Also, there's a reason why the Fit was named "Best new small car under $18,000" by AJAC.With its older brother, the Civic, being the world's most beloved modifier, the Fit will soon be just as popular. As the Fit is cheaper and has more potential, I believe that it will likely take over as Honda's most modifiable car, not to say that there is anything wrong with the way the Fit looks from the factory. Finally a car company is allowing those with less financial backing to drive a subcompact car that looks good. The headlights appear as though they have been pulled from a Le Mans race prototype and stretch halfway up the length the front hood. The front of the car is extremely short, since it only has to hold a miniature 1.5L engine. Of course, there is already talk of the 2.0L four from an Acura RSX being shoe horned into this tight little area.
 
Front bumpers and lower valance are very attractive and sporty looking, with a little extra kit being included on the Sport version that also adds of fog lights. The rear end sports a docile yet good looking roof spoiler, complementing the rest of the tail treatment nicely. Unlike other cars in its class, the designers didn't go home after sculpting the front chin as it looks as good in the front as it does in the back.
There are two problems I have with the Fit's interior, however. The high "van-like" seating position is something I've never become accustomed too. It's needed for the cars cab-forward design, and gives excellent vision, but I just don't feel comfortable in this position, and don't like pressing down on the pedals from above. I'd rather push them forward. Also, the split A-pillar makes vision difficult while cornering. It's a problem most cars have today, but splitting the A-pillar to fit a small window in between only enhances this problem.
 
Other than these small problems, the interior is comfortable and the steering wheel gives good feedback. The front dash is made up of several cheap plastics, as one would expect in an economy box, however Honda has done a very good job making them look better than they are. I thought the black colouring in the Sport version I was testing was very attractive, however the grey colour of the lower DX and LX gives away the cheapness of the materials used. Operation of the audio system is simple, mind you, with a huge volume knob surrounded by accessory buttons. A 200-watt, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with WMA/MP3 compatibility and an auxiliary input jack to connect an iPod, finishes off the top of the dash.
 
One of the greatest attributes of the Fit is the excellent vision the driver gets, not only out the front, but out the sides and back as well. Many new cars these days feature raised dashes, doors and rear ends, making vision a forgotten safety feature. In the Fit, the windows stretch much lower all around the car, giving a greenhouse feel and also contributing to the car's fun to drive nature.
 
Yes the Fit is a fun car to drive. Sure it only has a 109-hp 1.5L engine, but with V-TEC and paddle shifters, the little car that should be a sacrifice for A to B transportation becomes a nice little ride. Weighing in at a scant 1,162 kg (2,561 lbs), that 1.5L four-cylinder is much more potent with such little mass to pull on. Couple this with excellent vision and the car's tossabilty; I had quite a bit of fun ripping the little runt around the city.
 
Yes, I said paddle shifters! The sport edition test car I had the use of was equipped with a 5-speed automatic and steering wheel paddle shifters. At first I thought they were quite useless, but once I got used to them they made the little Fit even more of a blast to drive. Shifts were surprisingly quick and made the car perform much better when driving became spirited. Well, to be honest, I found almost all the driving I did with the Fit spirited. However, a manual gearbox is always going to a better choice for pulling the most out of a small engine, but nevertheless I was quite surprised to see such a sophisticated system in this class of car.
 
To get the automatic-equipped car moving requires a heap of throttle, however, and usually a downshift. The cabin echoes with the high-pitched scream of V-TECH, but the Fit will go just the same. It's not as smooth or quiet as an Accord or a similarly large car, but it does get the job done and therefore won't embarrass. Once at highway speeds, however, the chosen ratios make the Fit rather unstable in a straight line, as the car seems to wander in its lane. Mostly this is because of its size and tires; the car has been designed to be an urban warrior rather than a highway rocket. Tearing through the city is what the Fit does best. It's so maneuverable and easy to park that I found it fun just to see what I could get away with in even the tightest of situations.
 
Then there is the added bonus of fuel economy. I drove the Fit for a week and it only cost me a mere $30 to top up the tank. And as you can tell, I wasn't exactly watching my fuel conservation. It was like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders after driving so many petrol hungry SUVs, constantly monitoring my revs to eek the best fuel mileage. With the Fit I was stress free, and able to do what I wanted, when I wanted. Hmmm... doesn't that sound a lot more like the ultimate adventure machine than a big, brutish SUV? To some it will, and they'll be up the mountain this coming weekend with their skis, boards and ice picks, and in the summer with their tents, backpacks and hiking boots, ready to take on the challenges of nature.
 
Author: Canadian Auto Press
Date: December 2006

I got a real surprise when Vancouver Sun Driving editor Linda Bates called me last month. I had all but forgotten about the note in Driving seeking families to test drive for The Sun, which I had answered back in February.
 
She asked if we were still interested, and
 
Linda's timing could have not been better.
 
I picked up the new, redesigned 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L from Carter Honda, and my first impressions were that the car was quite comfortable and very roomy.
 
I had never driven a Honda, so this was my first time behind the wheel of this brand. Looking around, I found the interior very nicely finished -- the seams looked equal, with no gaps or abrupt endings, which is a good sign of quality control. I have been in some high-priced cars in which the fit and finish was not as nice as this.
 
The leather seats were very comfortable, just firm enough for my liking, with good bolstering. They hold you nicely, not race-car tight and not so loose that you slide around.
 
The seats offered good adjustment, so finding a comfortable driving position was quick, although I would have liked to have some thigh support without having to resort to raising the seat to find relief.
 
Once out on the road I found the CR-V a very nice drive. The controls were easy to find and operate, well indicated and lit. The one thing that immediately stood out was the steering feel -- wow! For a front-wheel-drive, small SUV, the steering was terrific, no sudden actions, just smooth, fluid buildup. It went where you pointed it, and despite the tallish 225/65r17 tires it still allowed a good feel for the road. The brakes were another surprise -- they handled the stopping chores easily. It was nice knowing that a heavy foot wasn't required to slow the vehicle down. Just a smooth, linear buildup allowed for easy operation.
 
I must commend Honda for its work on the ride feel. I was impressed with how the CR-V handled, and most importantly, how it controlled the suspension movements. The independent suspension held the road just like a car; there was hardly any dive under braking or squat during acceleration. It made the 1,613-kg vehicle feel much lighter than it was. During the November snowfall, I used the CR-V to help a friend clear out his driveway. I packed up the CR-V with 10 20-kg bags of ice melt, three shovels and, after a stop at Tim Horton's, left for Langley.
 
With all that weight the CR-V never displayed any problems while trudging through the snow. The engine pulled easily, and the drive-by-wire throttle system made it a breeze to drive. The five-speed automatic transmission always seemed to find the right gear, whether going up hill or just cruising, a testament to the Grade Logic Control System, which holds the vehicle in the appropriate gear based on the degree of grade.
 
Although while climbing I did find the engine made a little too much noise, if you don't spend a lot of time hovering around 4,000 r.p.m., I doubt the roar will bother you. While I'm at it, I would like to have had fog lights. (They're not standard equipment but a $500 option.) During the snowstorm it would have been nice to have some extra lighting. I have fog lights on my personal vehicle, and with all the rain we get, I would recommend purchasing or having some installed.
Had I not already known, I would never have guessed the CR-V came equipped with RealTime four-wheel drive. Only the flashing icon on the instrument cluster, telling me that traction was limited, indicated the RealTime system was at work. The electronically controlled system, once it senses a lack of traction, sends power to the rear via a centre-mounted clutch pack. It operated seamlessly. It pulled through the mounds of snow left behind by the snow-clearing crew
 
The CR-V handled our November snowstorm easily. For those in cold climates, I would strongly recommend the heated seats. After shovelling for four hours in the cold it was nice getting into warm seats.
 
One day, when I was picking up my son and daughter from daycare, my five-year-old son noticed something different. He opened the rear door and climbed in, and as he was buckling himself up said, "I like how the car door opens wide, Daddy." I asked what he meant by that -- it turns out that the rear doors on the CR-V open almost 90 degrees.
 
I unbuckled my son and asked him to climb back into the seat. He placed his knee on the floor between the driver's seat and rear bench and pulled himself up in one try. I never noticed how he struggled to get in our own car. Nice touch, Honda.
 
Overall, the week I had the CR-V was fun. Although I had no prior experience with small SUVs, I will from now on hold the Honda CR-V as the benchmark.
 
Brian Goyeau, Special to the Sun
Published: Friday, December 29, 2006

MONTREAL, Jan. 19 /CNW/ - The new 2007 Honda Fit, a 5-door hatchback scheduled to go on sale in Canada on April 1 (and that's no joke!), made its Canadian debut during a press preview at the Montreal International Auto Show. Fit will enter Canada's growing small car segment with class-leading feature content, refinement, interior functionality, sporty driving character and high levels of standard safety equipment.

"We believe that Canadians will be drawn to the Fit five-door hatchback knowing how much they love their hatchbacks," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. " And we are confident that Canadians will
embrace the Fit with its unique features such as the Magic rear seat, overall quality, high level of standard safety equipment and fun-to-drive performance. In the first calendar year, we expect to sell about 12,000 units."

The Fit emphasizes style, technology and value. It features a 109-horsepower, 1.5-litre engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first-in-segment 5-speed automatic transmission.
 
Fit features a large interior with multiple seating and cargo configurations to carry up to five adults and a wide assortment of various sized cargo.

Fit will be offered in three trim levels with a base DX model, LX and Sport. The Fit Sport model features wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with the
automatic transmission option), and includes an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires. The Fit Sport also offers a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and five-mode equalizer. All Fit models can play music through an auxiliary audio jack from portable WMA or MP3 music players, such as the Apple(R) iPod(R).

Inside of Fit is a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. At the foundation is Fit's Magic Seat(TM), an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that allows the seatbacks to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing four distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode).

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Check out the preview web site for the Honda Fit at: http://www.honda.ca/fit

With the rising price of gas and consumer's concerned with what their options are, Canadian Driver put 10 Cars to a 50 litre challenge.
 
There's no surprise that Civic was number 1 again!

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First Pickup Truck to Offer a Trunk Under the Cargo Bed is also Least Likely to Roll
 
Honda's new Ridgeline pickup truck, produced in Alliston, Ontario, just earned the best rollover resistance rating of any vehicle in its class when tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Ridgeline achieved industry-best ratings for both the NHTSA's Static Stability Factor (SSF), in which it earned a rating of 1.29, as well as the Dynamic Rollover test, and in so doing factored a better calculated result than every rival pickup tested. Honda's pickup didn't experience any "tip-up" during the dynamic test either.
 
This result comes after a previous acheivement, when it became the first four-door pickup to ever receive the NHTSA's five-star crash test rating, the highest safety rating possible, for both frontal and side impact crash tests.

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Tough. Rugged. Up for any task, any time.
That's what a truck should be. And that's what the 2006 Honda Ridgeline delivers.
 
The 2006 Ridgeline draws from the Honda legacy of craftsmanship, durability and innovation. So, it's only natural that our first-ever truck would have a few firsts of its own. Like a 60/40 Lift-Up Rear Seat, and the industry's first lockable In-Bed Trunk(tm). But in true Honda fashion, the power of this next-generation truck extends well beyond mere innovation. The Ridgeline's 3.5-liter, VTEC V-6 engine boasts 255 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. torque. And for those projects that require even more muscle, the Ridgeline delivers 5,000-lb. towing capacity and a 1,550-lb. total payload.
The 2006 Ridgeline--such a thorough machine deserves an equally thorough introduction.
 
Test Drive a Ridgeline today at Lakeshore Honda. Call us at (416) 252-0066!!

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Using extra batteries and electric motors to boost performance and efficiency, Honda hybrids continue to set the standard. Leading automotive writer Laurence Yap and his view of the 2005 Accord Hybrid Sedan: "... Accord Hybrid is hands-down the best hybrid on the market.... impressive fuel economy into a package that's practical and usual for a real family... it's really the first hybrid that plays the performance card..the most powerful Accord you can buy, and by a long shot, the most entertaining to drive... whoosh past other cars like they're standing still...The combination of a well-appointed interior, excellent practicality ... with responsive handling has always been what has differentiated the Accord from competitors."
 
Source: The Toronto Star