Honda Civic

SHORTER WHEELBASE: BETTER HANDLING… WITH MORE INTERIOR ROOM?

With exterior dimensions that are the same as last year’s model, the Civic actually gets a shorter wheelbase. Honda credits this for more agile handling, although the difference is too minute to make any real difference. It is good, however, and a serious track test would be required to distinguish it from the Ford Focus or Hyundai Elantra – the latter of which we were able to compare on the auto-cross and thought the two equal mostly equal, although Honda’s traction control system is less-invasive, particularly when it comes to re-applying power after a low-traction situation such as an emergency manouver.
Being one of the few compact cars with a fully independent suspension front and rear, the Civic retains its ability to corner in the real world when the road surface isn’t a glass-smooth parking lot. Another improvement in this area, as well as in both performance and fuel economy, is a reduction in weight, with models dropping anywhere from 20 to 58 lbs.
A shorter wheelbase would normally indicate less interior room. That, however, is not the case, with Honda engineers somehow managing to increase rear seat legroom by 1.6-inches. Reasonably good before, it’s actually suitable for the legs of 6-foot adults now, although we could use a little extra headroom. Cargo room hasn’t been compromised due to the added space either and has actually grown, slightly, from 12.0 cu-ft to 12.5 cu-ft – although that’s still well short of many in the segment.
The other usual down side to a decrease wheelbase is downgraded ride quality. That hasn’t happened here, as it’s comparably smooth to its predecessor, while added sound deadening, improved aerodynamics and hushed machanicals make for a quieter ride.

Honda Accord Crosstour

From its too-high stance to its odd, bulbous profile and protruding grille, the look is wrong on many levels.For one Massachusetts driver, though, Honda's own design wasn't quite wrong enough. No, this misguided owner took his Crosstour from pretty ugly to downright terrifying, all with the simple application of badges and decals. Starting with an ill-advised Type R badge up front, the madness didn't stop until there were matching Apple decals adorning the rear deck.In between, the front and rear got red Type R-style Honda emblems, red pinstriping and, as if all that weren't enough, what appears to be a "V6" badge on the grille – you know, to flaunt the 3.5-liter underhood.

Honda Civic Coupe

The Japanese concern has been peddling Civics since 1972 and a two-door version with a proper trunk since 1992. And since inception, the car has sold rather well. Since its last substantial makeover, for the 2006 model year, the coupe, which forms part of Honda’s eighth generation Civic, continues to find a sizeable number of buyers; people who seem to be looking for a set of wheels that’s dependable, decently put together and can deliver a dash of sportiness without breaking the bank.

Honda Civic Coupe After a mild update for 2009, which saw the edition of a new front fascia, more aggressive grille with a honeycomb texture, plus mild rear end tweaks and updated interior features (including a USB interface in the console), predictably, Honda’s junior coupe is little changed for 2011. Honda Civic Coupe Trim levels comprise base DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and Si, with prices ranging from a MSRP of $15,605 for the entry level DX, to $21,955 for an EX-L automatic, up to $24,205 for the sporty Si, completed with satellite navigation and performance rubber.

Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

If you look at the very pinnacle of the automotive market, you'll mostly find exotic sportscars and luxury sedans. There are plenty of high-end SUVs out there too, but not quite at the same level. But demand for luxury sport-utes continues to rise in "developing" luxury markets like Russia and the Persian Gulf, prompting automakers to dial up their high-riding game time and time again. And the latest ne plus ultra comes courtesy of Land Rover.

Called the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, this top-of-the-line SUV is exactly that: the ultimate. It's billed as the most luxurious Range Rover ever, and that's no mean feat. To get there, Land Rover has outfitted the SUV with a veritable first-class cabin that includes four individual buckets, separated front and back by middle console with aluminum tray tables and a drinks cooler in the back. The rear-seat passengers also get the use of a pair of Apple iPads docked into the front seatbacks, and the cargo area gets a yacht-inspired teak deck. Of course the leather is top notch, offset by Kalahari wood veneers.