Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)

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The North American eighth generation Honda Accord is a full-size (E-segment) sedan and mid-size (D-segment) coupe introduced for the 2008 model year. It is also marketed in parts of Asia and as the Honda Inspire in Japan.

The size of the 2008 Accord has been increased by 4 inches (102 mm) in length and 3 inches (76 mm) in width. As a result, the interior space is also enlarged: an Accord sedan is considered a full-size car by EPA standards, having a combined interior space of 120 cubic feet (3.4 m³). The Accord coupe is classified as a mid-size car, as it has a combined interior space of 105 cubic feet (3.0 m³).

A hybrid version is no longer offered, as Honda felt their "hybrid system works better on smaller cars".

Video Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)

2007 Accord Coupe Concept

The Honda Accord Coupe concept car was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. It previewed the production 2-door model with i-VTEC VCM V6 engine and Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure.

The production sedan and coupe were unveiled on August 21, 2007. Sales of US models began on September 12, 2007 for the sedan, and on September 20, 2007 for the coupe.

HF-S concept

At the 2007 SEMA Show, Honda unveiled a concept Accord coupe showcasing Honda Factory Performance products.

Maps Honda Accord (North America eighth generation)

Trim levels

In Canada, sedan trims include the SE, EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navi(navigation), EX-L V6, and EX-L V6 with Navi(navigation), while coupes have the EX, EX-L, EX-L with Navi(navigation), and EX-L V6 with navi(navigation). The SE designation was the de facto replacement for the LX, VP, and DX-G trims in the previous generation, while the EX replaced the SE. The LX includes anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, front and rear disc brakes, air conditioning, keyless entry, power windows, power locks, and cruise control as standard features, while also having body-colored door handles and mirrors. The EX includes a more powerful version of the 2.4L DOHC i-VTEC engine with 190 hp, power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way adjustable driver's seat, security system, and a 6-disc CD changer. EX-L denotes Accords with leather upholstery, XM satellite radio, and an optional navigation system and hands-free Bluetooth interface. V6 models have chrome handles, dual exhaust pipes, and fog lamps. The EX-L V6 coupe has 18-inch alloy rims, a rear lip spoiler, and an option of the six-speed manual in lieu of the standard five-speed automatic transmission.

In the United States, additional models offered include LX trim name instead of SE, the LX-P sedan, which adds illuminated power window switches, an 8-way driver's seat and 16-inch alloy wheels, and the LX-S coupe, which replaces the 177 hp engine with a 190 hp, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a 6-disc CD changer.

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2011 update

Both the Accord sedan and coupe went through a mid-life cycle update. Both cars feature new front fascias and updated tail lamps. The sedan features the reflective strips seen on the Japanese Honda Inspire. Inside, Honda has added steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to the EX-L V6 Coupe, and USB connectivity for all coupe models and EX/EX-L sedans. A rearview camera is now standard with the available navigation system on the sedan. EX-L V6 models gain memory seats and all models get new cloths and some minor instrument panel and control modifications. A new SE model will be offered mid range. New improved aerodynamics and a reworked five-speed automatic transmission help the Accord achieve 23 mpg (city) and 34 mpg (hwy).

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Production

The North American 4-cylinder and V-6 Accords were first produced in Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant. With the eighth generation this plant is now the sole global source of the Accord coupe. Beginning in mid-2009, the majority of the V-6 Accord sedan production was moved to the Honda auto plant in Lincoln, Alabama. Honda's Anna, Ohio, Engine Plant produces the 4-cylinder engines. The US plants supply the majority of Accords to both North and South America.

Global marketing

The North American Accord model is also manufactured in Thailand and sold in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Variants of the North American Accord models are manufactured for the domestic markets in China and Taiwan. The Japanese-built Accord is sold in the Australian and New Zealand markets as the Accord Euro. In New Zealand the North American Accord is badged as the Accord V6. In 2008, it powered Honda ahead of BMW, Mercedes Benz and Lexus, to become the number one import brand in Korea as sales of Honda vehicles surged 95% in the first seven months in that year. A right-hand-drive variant of the North American Accord model is sold as the Honda Inspire in Japan.

Honda entered a strategic collaboration with Proton of Malaysia in October 2012 as part of Japan's Abenomics plan. The result of the collaboration was the Proton Perdana, a rebadged eighth generation Honda Accord which launched on 11 December 2013, for exclusive sale to the Malaysian government and civil servants. It serves as the replacement to the ageing Mitsubishi Galant-based Proton Perdana V6 fleet in use since the 1990s.

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Mechanical

Engines

The V6 i-VTEC VCM engines feature improved fuel efficiency due to the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which shuts off two or three of the cylinders depending on the type of driving (i.e. city driving, uphill/downhill driving, highway driving). Engines lacking VCM results in a decrease of 4 MPG in highway fuel economy.

The V-6 engines were re-rated in 2009 model year.

Transmissions

Chassis

The North American Accord uses the CP2 chassis code for the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder sedan and CS1 for the 4-cylinder coupe. CP3 is for the V6 sedan and CS2 is for the V6 coupe. CP1 is for the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder saloon in Chinese And Brazil market.

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PZEV models

All 4-cylinder models are available in PZEV configurations. V6 PZEV models include only i-VTEC VCM engines with 5-speed automatic transmissions. PZEV engines include 2 modes of exhaust valve operation. At Below 2500 rpm, only 1 exhaust valve operates, creating a strong rotational flow in the exhaust gases that creates a "thermal reactor" effect to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Above 2500 rpm where exhaust flow increases, a hydraulically actuated pin locks the rockers for both exhaust valves together so they operate in unison, following a single cam profile.

Due to a smaller profit margin on a PZEV for the manufacturer, Honda has forbidden sales of the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle version of the car outside California, Florida, Vermont, Connecticut, Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington.

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Safety

The Accord comes standard with a wide range of safety features carried over from earlier model years including dual stage, dual threshold front airbags, side impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and seat belts with front pretensioners and load limiters.

The Accord standard safety updates for the 2008 model year include vehicle stability assist (VSA) and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, tire pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints, new dual chamber side impact airbags, and the ACE Body Structure for all models. The Accord is the first mid-size car in its class to include stability and traction control as standard equipment across the lineup.

IIHS

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests the Accord sedan received the top "Good" rating in 13 of 14 measured categories, while receiving an "Acceptable" rating in the structure/safety cage category of the side impact test, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, an honor not bestowed upon most of the Accord's competitors. The Accord lost this award due to its "Acceptable" score in roof strength evaluations. 2012 models have been given the Top Safety Pick award back with its "Good" rating in the roof strength test.

In an IIHS study of vehicle fatalities, the Accord was found to have the lowest vehicle fatality rate in the non-luxury midsize sedan class. Among luxury midsize sedan class models only the Saab 9-3 had a lower fatality rate

NHTSA

Brake wear class action lawsuit

In September 2009, a class action was filed alleging that "the braking system on 2008, 2009, and certain 2010 Honda Accord vehicles as well as 2009 and certain 2010 Acura TSX vehicles ... suffers from a defect that causes excessive force to be applied to the vehicles' rear wheels. One consequence of this defect is that the vehicles' rear brake pads wear out and require replacement about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles, far more frequently than in a properly functioning braking system." On April 6, 2010, a preliminary settlement to the class action was announced where Honda would reimburse owners for a portion of their prior brake repair expenses, and Honda would also pay up to $150 for owners to have redesigned brake pads installed. Final court approval of the settlement was granted on July 29, 2010.

Sudden Airbag Deployment Recall

Some 2008-2009 Honda Accords - both coupe and sedan - have been reported to have sudden airbag deployment problems, in which the side curtain airbags on the passenger side deploy unexpectedly either by closing the passenger side doors, or while the vehicle is in motion. Honda initially refused to cover the issue under warranty or issue any recalls, claiming to customers that there was no defect in the airbags, and that the system worked properly (despite customers' counterclaims), forcing customers to pay for the airbags themselves. At least 14 injuries were reported by such unexpected deployments. In January 2014, Honda agreed to cooperate with an engineering analysis launched by the NHTSA after receiving 300 complaints regarding the inadvertent deployments. On August 4, 2014, the NHTSA upgraded their analysis to a preliminary investigation of at least 335,195 2008 Accords to see if Honda should issue a recall. In October 2015, Honda agreed to recall 300,000 Accords after discovering that the unexpected deployments were caused by a software problem in the vehicle airbag control unit.

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Awards and reception

The eighth generation Accord has received mostly positive reviews, with some noting that its chiseled looks and Teutonic styling is reminiscent of the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series. In its March 2008 issue, Car and Driver placed the 2008 Honda Accord EX first in a comparison test of four-cylinder mid-size sedans against the then recently redesigned/updated Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, and Dodge Avenger, as well as the Ford Fusion. Edmunds.com InsideLine also placed the LX-P and EX-L V6 Navi sedans first in a comparison against the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu, praising it for its all-around performance, high build quality, responsive handling, and excellent fuel economy. However, MotorTrend magazine criticized the Accord for being too heavy, feeling not so nimble as the previous model, its polarizing appearance, and for its less-than-stellar showing against the considerably improved Chevrolet Malibu in their 2008 Car of the Year competition. Car and Driver also ranked the Accord EX-L first in a comparison against the second-generation Mazda6 and 2010 Ford Fusion, and the 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V6 has fared well against the newer 2012 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL and the 2012 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited. In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the Accord came in second place out of six cars behind the first place Volkswagen Passat.

Several reviewers have considered the Accord Coupe superior to its primary competition, the Nissan Altima Coupe, in all categories such as passenger space, dynamics, and overall refinement.

The Accord is the top pick mid-size vehicle in the Consumer Reports rankings, due to its standard stability control despite having a slightly lower score than the Nissan Altima, while Consumer Guide has named the Accord a "Best Buy". The Accord also won Car and Driver's 10Best trophy in 2008 and 2009, a total of 23 times in the nameplate's history, winning it more times than any other vehicle by far. US sales have been up 9.4%, as SUV buyers shift to the V6 Accord. The 2008 - 2011 Honda Accord was awarded a best-in-class rating of 4 1/2 stars by the JB car pages. The Accord was the most-searched vehicle on CarMax for the fourth consecutive year, due to reliability and comfort.

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References

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External links

• Honda Accord - Official US site

Source of article : Wikipedia

Honda Ridgeline

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The Honda Ridgeline is a sport utility truck (SUT) by Honda, North America and is categorized by some as a lifestyle pickup. The Ridgeline is one of only two trucks produced by the automaker, the second being the Honda Acty mini-truck. The Honda Ridgeline is built using a unibody frame with a transvers-mounted engine, four-wheel independent suspension, flat cabin floor, flat truck bed, dual-action tailgate, an In-Bed Trunk, all-wheel drive --as well as front-wheel drive for select 2017-2018 U.S. models--, and is only offered in a crew-cab/short-box configuration. The first Honda Ridgeline went on sale in March 2005 as a 2006 model. This SUT was initially built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing until 2009 when assembly was relocated to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. Production of the first generation Honda Ridgeline ended in mid-2014. After a two-year hiatus, a newly redesigned second generation Honda Ridgeline went on sale in late June 2016 as a 2017 model.

According to Honda, the Ridgeline was not designed to steal sales from the more traditional trucks sold in North America, but was developed to "give the 18% of Honda owners who also own pickups a chance to make their garages a Honda-only parking area." Despite the first generation Ridgeline's low sales numbers, this SUT was one of the more profitable vehicles for Honda. According to a Bloomberg interview, Honda has sold the Ridgeline in over 20 countries.

Some journalists have reported that the first and second generation Honda Ridgelines are built on vehicle platforms shared by the Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey. According to Honda, the first generation Ridgeline was a uniquely engineered vehicle with only 7% of its components shared with Honda's global light truck platform and 5% shared exterior components. Its powertrain resembled that found in the 2006 Acura MDX but was heavily modified for hauling and towing. The second generation Ridgeline took a different approach modeling it after the third generation (2016) Honda Pilot. However, Honda engineers did have to make significant modifications including: extending the wheelbase; modifying components to support heavier hauling, towing, and more aggressive off-road use; incorporating the features that made the first generation popular (such as the dual-action tailgate and In-Bed Trunk); and adding new features that are exclusive to the second generation Ridgeline (such as Honda's new in-bed audio system). Despite these modifications, Honda has stated that 73% of the 2017 Ridgeline's components remain common in some way with the 2016 Pilot.

Video Honda Ridgeline

First generation

According to the author of The Car Design Yearbook, the Ridgeline was "Honda's first foray into the true heartland of the American automotive way of life." It was designed and engineered by Honda R&D Americas, led by Gary Flint, who took about four years to develop the vehicle. The design was first revealed as the Honda SUT Concept at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. The final production ready version of the Ridgeline was unveiled at the same auto show on January 10, 2005 as a 2006 model year vehicle.

Design

According to Honda, "Engineers started with Honda's Global Light Truck platform and transformed 93% of the components into a mission-specific platform using approximately 44% high-strength steel across the unibody and seven high-strength steel cross members to create a fully boxed ladder frame that is fully integrated into the unibody. Further differentiation included a unique suspension design with custom components, 100% unique sheetmetal and a 95% exclusive interior." According to Autoweek, The Ridgeline's "unibody has many braces, brackets, and reinforced areas that require more welding than traditional pickups." The steel-reinforced fully boxed ladder-like unibody frame with its "four-bone" design and four-wheel independent suspension provided space for designers to build unique storage solutions in, around, and on top of the frame. Starting at the front of the Ridgeline, engineers crafted an aluminum hood that supports a unique cold air intake system for the engine that draws outside air from above and in front of the radiator to support torque production and deep water fording which Honda attempted to patent. This hood design also allowed engineers to build environmentally protected windshield wipers that are also heated to improve winter performance. Honda also incorporated large side-view mirrors to support better visibility while towing; due to their size, Honda incorporated small vortex generators on top of the mirrors to reduce air turbulence which Honda also attempted to patent. In the crew-cab, the unibody frame allowed engineers to build a cabin with a flat load floor (i.e. no transmission hump) and more passenger space than other mid-size trucks. At the center of the truck, the C-pillar's unique shape was specifically designed to help distribute large loads across the unibody frame and the cab so the truck could achieve its targeted payload and towing figures. Also, the design of the C-pillar, rear roof garnish, and tailgate were built to maintain good aerodynamics and reduce turbulence between the cab and the tailgate while maintaining driver visibility. This aerodynamic design allowed them to create a rear garnish that shields the rear glass window so when it's opened at speed there is no buffeting or rainwater intrusion. The bed is built out of steel-reinforced Sheet Molding Composite (SMC) -developed by Continental Structural Plastics- which is dent resistant, corrosion resistant, ultraviolet light resistant, has a non-slip coating, and reduces weight by 30% over traditional sheet-metal designs. The SMC bed is supported by high-strength steel crossmembers (three under the bed and two in the rear cab wall) to safely secure and support heavy loads, even under conditions that would cause the SMC to fail or during collisions that would try to force that load into the cab.

Specifications

The first generation Ridgeline has a 5 ft (1.5 m) cargo bed which can be extended to 6.6 ft (2 m) with the tailgate down. The bed's width between the wheel-wells is 4.1 ft (1.2 m) and 4.6 ft (1.4 m) at its widest points. The Ridgeline's drivetrain, frame, and suspension design allowed engineers to build an award wining and "industry's first" lockable, watertight, and drainable 8.5 cu ft (240.7 l) In-Bed Trunk at the rear of the bed. The cabin can accommodate five full-size adults with 2.6 cu ft (73.6 l) of under-seat storage in the second row or 41.4 cu ft (1.2 m³) when the rear 60/40 split bench seat's bottom cushions are folded up. It has 8.2 in (20.8 cm) of ground clearance with approach, departure and breakover angles of 24.5º, 22º, and 21º respectively while maintaining a comfortable entry/exit height for passengers.

The first generation Honda Ridgeline has a weight distribution of 58/42 (front/rear) with a total payload capacity ranging from 1,475 lb (669 kg) to 1,559 lb (707 kg), depending on trim level. This SUT's steel-reinforced SMC bed is designed to handle loads of up to 1,100 lb (499 kg). and has six (2006-2008 models) or eight (2009-2014 models) tie down cleats, in a high/low configuration, rated at 350 lb (159 kg) each. The SMC bed has special guides built into its surface to help accommodate multiple off-road motorcycles. The Ridgeline's bed is also equipped with four bed lights that are integrated into its walls providing a minimum of ten lux of illuminance throughout the bed. In addition to built in lights, the forward section (close to the cab) of the SUT's right bed wall has a hidden spare tire mount that can accommodate a compact or full-size spare tire for times when access to the spare tire service tray, via the In-Bed Trunk, is impractical. Inside the In-Bed Trunk are integrated cargo hooks and organizer slots to help manage the up to 300 lb (136 kg) of material that it can securely stowed. The tailgate has a dual-action hinging system that allows it to be opened like a traditional tailgate but can also be swung open either 30º or 80º to the side. When in the down position, the Ridgeline's tailgate can handle dynamic loads of up to 300 lb (136 kg). When equipped with a roof rack, the Ridgeline's roof structure is designed to handle a total load of 165 lb (75 kg) to 110 lb (50 kg), depending on model year.

Honda lists a 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) towing capacity for the Ridgeline while accommodating an additional 510 lb (231 kg) to 594 lb (269 kg) (depending on trim level) of payload. All models came with a heavy-duty radiator, integrated transmission and power steering coolers, dual 160W radiator fans, and were pre-wired for an electric trailer brake controller and a seven-pin or less trailer wiring harness. Also, depending on trim level and model year, a class III tow hitch with a four-pin flat and/or seven-pin blade trailer wiring harness was either standard equipment or dealer installed options.

The Ridgeline has a four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link trailing arm rear with upright springs and dampers. It has a turning diameter of 42.6 ft (13.0 m) using variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. It has four-wheel disc brakes with 13.1 in (33.3 cm) ventilated front discs with floating twin piston calipers. The rear brakes use 12.6 in (32 cm) solid rear discs with floating single piston calipers and integrated emergency/parking brakes using a "drum-in-hat" design. The disc brakes are controlled via a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. Although 60 mph (97 km/h) to 0 stopping distances of 117 ft (36 m) to 195 ft (59 m) have been reported, the average appears to be between 140 ft (43 m) and 147 ft (45 m).

Powertrain

According to Gary Flint, the truck's Variable Torque Management Four-Wheel Drive (VTM-4) system --co-developed with BorgWarner-- "provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed to improve stability or maneuverability" and supports medium duty off-road use. The electromagnetically driven clutch-operated differential can be manually locked (VTM-4 Lock) to help the truck better handle adverse terrain or become unstuck. It also has a four-channel fully automatic Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system that is designed to enhance control during acceleration, cornering, and collision-avoidance maneuvers and can be manually disabled to prevent undesirable throttle intervention in off-road conditions.

The Ridgeline is powered by a transverse mounted 3,471 cc (211.8 cu in) 60º V6 engine equipped with a 22 US gal (83 l) fuel tank; no powertrain variations were offered. The aluminum block V6 has exhaust manifolds that are cast directly into the cylinder heads and has:

• belt driven Single Overhead Camshafts
• 24-valves
• Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC)
• 10 : 1 compression
• variable-length intake manifold
• Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)

All work together to respond to the Ridgeline's electronic throttle that's also linked to the VTM-4 and VSA systems. The automatic transmission uses a four-shaft design with a flat lock-up torque converter that's managed by the PGM-FI's central processing unit. A direct-control real-time pressure management system coordinates engine and transmission operation to minimize driveline shocks and a Grade Logic Controller prevents gear hunting when climbing hills or when more engine braking is required.

The aerodynamic and drivetrain design as well as the overall weight of the Ridgeline produced a truck that, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing, can achieve 15 mpg_-US (15.7 L/100 km) city, 20 mpg_-US (11.8 L/100 km) or 21 mpg_-US (11.2 L/100 km) highway (depending on model year), and 17 mpg_-US (13.8 L/100 km) combined.

Equipment

In addition to the features described above, the Honda Ridgeline's base trim for the U.S. and Canadian market came equipped with standard equipment not found in other base model mid-size trucks of its time --including the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Suzuki Equator, Dodge Dakota, Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Ford Ranger, and GM's Colorado/Canyon-- such as:

• Front and rear tow hooks
• Power door locks, side-view mirrors, and windows including rear-glass window, automatic up/down driver's window, and child window lock
• Multi-function center console with telescoping armrest, two-tiered expandable storage, rear-facing passanger controlled air vents, 12V/10A DC outlet, and grocery bag hooks
• Two telescoping sun visors with vanity mirrors (driver's mirror became eliminated, like the passenger's mirror, in 2007)
• Overhead console with two map lights and an integrated sunglasses holder
• Large damped and illuminated glove box
• Large dashboard-integrated storage tray (above the glove box)
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Cruise control
• Tilt steering wheel
• Pioneer 100W audio system with an Amplitude Modulation (AM) and stereo Frequency Modulation (FM) radio receivers, Compact Disc (CD) player --Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM), MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer III (MP3), and Windows Media Audio (WMA) capable--, four full-range 6.7 in (17.0 cm) speakers, and two 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tweeters
• Split 60/40 fold-up rear bench seat with fold-down center armrest that contains two integrated cup holders and activity tray, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for three child safety seats, and three adjustable head restraints
• Rear-door power window controls and integrated cup holders
• Two overhead rear-passenger map lights
• Daytime running lights for Canadian models
• The 2009 model year added:
  • Seven-pin blade trailer wiring harness for Canadian models
  • Class III tow hitch for all models
  • Daytime running lights for all models
• The 2013 model year added a rearview camera

For the U.S. market, it was produced in six different trim levels through its lifetime: RT, RTX, Sport, RTS, RTL, and SE.

The short lived RTX trim took the base RT model and upgraded its exterior components with:

• Class III tow hitch
• Four-pin flat and seven-pin blade trailer wiring harness
• Black grille
• 17 in (43.2 cm) alloy rims

The Sport trim took the RT and added:

• Exterior blackout treatment
• Fog lights
• Saw-tooth style black grille
• Unique 18 in (45.7 cm) alloy rims
• Black interior trim
• Auxiliary 3.5mm Tip, Ring, Sleeve (TRS) stereo input jack
• Steering-wheel mounted audio system controls

The RTS trim took the base RT and added some different interior and exterior enhancements from those found in the RTX and Sport trims, such as:

• Ten-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar support
• Dual-zone climate control
• Pioneer Premium 160W six-CD changer
• Upgraded speakers with subwoofer
• Boddy colored exterior components
• 17 in (43.2 cm) alloy rims
• 2009 model year updates included:
  • Power-adjustable lumbar
  • Auxiliary 3.5mm TRS stereo input jack
  • Seven-pin blade trailer wiring harness

For all but the last year of production, the RTL trim was the highest trim package available and came with both exterior and interior enhancements to the RTS trim. Some of the more noteworthy RTL enhancements were found in the interior such as:

• Leather trimmed upholstery and steering wheel
• Heated front seats and side-view mirrors
• HomeLink Wireless Control System for up to three devices
• XM Satellite Radio (optional on 2006 RTLs)
• Power moonroof (optional on 2006 RTLs)
• 2009 model year updates added:
  • Unique 18 in (45.7 cm) alloy rims
  • Fog lights
  • 115V/100W AC inverter
• Optional on the RTL was an Alpine Global Positioning System navigation unit. This navigation option replaced the Pioneer Premium audio system with:
  • Clarion 160W XM head unit
  • Panasonic 8 in (20.3 cm) infotainment touchscreen
  • A hidden multi-format six-disc CD player
  • 2009 model year updates for the RTL navigation option added:
    • Rearview camera
    • Bluetooth
    • Honda's HandsFreeLink
    • Multi-data/multilingual (English, French and Spanish) information display

The SE trim was the top trim package for the 2014 model year which included every option available for the RTL and added:

• The Sport trim's blackout treatment
• The Sport trim's grille
• Unique 18 in (45.7 cm) polished aluminum rims
• Black interior with matching leather upholstery.

For the Canadian market, the Ridgeline was produced in seven different trim levels throughout its production: LX, DX, VP, Sport, Special Edition, EX-L, and Touring. The LX and DX were the base trim packages, similar to the RT. The VP trim was the next in the lineup, sitting somewhere between the RT and RTS. The Canadian Sport was the third fanciest in the lineup and was very similar to the Sport trim sold in the U.S. The Special Edition was next in the lineup; although it shared the SE's unique rims, grille, badging, and black leather interior, its features put it somewhere between the Sport and RTS trim packages. The EX-L and Touring trims were at the top of the lineup and were similar to the RTL with a few exceptions. --With the introduction of the 2009 model year, Honda made the moonroof, navigation, and XM Satellite Radio part of the EX-L's standard equipment and the Touring package came standard with every option available to the Ridgeline.-- This made the Touring trim the top trim package for Canadian buyers, similar to the SE. Although there were differences between the U.S. and Canadian trim packages, the technical differences were the use of daytime running lights on all trim levels and model years, metric system gauges, and Honda's bilingual (English and French) voice recognition and navigation systems.

For the Mexican market, only an RTL trim was available and had a few twists to its packaging that set it apart from its U.S. and Canadian counterparts. The Mexican RTL came equipped very similarly to the Canadian EX-L and retained the optional moonroof of the early EX-L. Unlike the EX-L, navigation was never a factory option. Also, the Mexican RTL came equipped with the 2006 through 2008 EX-L rims until the 2012 model year when it was updated with the U.S. and Canadian Sport's exterior trim pieces.

For the Chilean market, the Ridgeline was sold in two trim levels, RT and RTL. The Chilean RT appears to be a mix between the Canadian DX and VP trims while the Chilean RTL appears to consist of options found in the early model Canadian EX-L trim.

With the exception of the trucks sold in Mexico, the first generation Honda Ridgeline was offered in five to seven different exterior colors as well as one to three interior colors. Exterior colors were based on different shades of black, gray, white, silver, blue, and red as well as some short-lived green and brown colors. All of the exterior colors were monotone with some black and/or chrome plastic trim. Most interior colors ranged between olive, beige, gray, and black. These interior colors were found in the interior paneling with matching cloth or leather upholstery and were usually matted with a black dashboard. Additionally, these interior colors were mated to specific exterior colors and trim levels.

In addition to the different features and accessories one could obtain by purchasing certain trim levels, Honda offered many accessories as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) items that could be ordered and installed at the dealership. Additionally, there were numerous Honda accessories that did not come on any trim level which could be purchased and installed at the dealership including:

• Different bumper and body protectors
• Different roof racks with various accessory mounts
• Various storage organizers
• Different bed extenders
• Brush guard
• Different rims
• and more...

Updates

For the 2007 model year, the RTX trim package was introduced in the U.S. market as a unique tow-ready version of the Ridgeline. Also the RTL trim package was modified making the moonroof and XM Satellite Radio options standard equipment with that trim and its two-tone leather upholstery was redone with new monotone leather. Honda also added a driver-side illuminated vanity mirror to all trim levels. Lastly, Honda swapped three of its exterior colors for slightly different shades of the same base colors while adding "Nimbus Gray Metallic" to the color palette, as well as "Taffeta White" for the Canadian market.

For the 2008 model year, Honda replaced its two-tone fabric upholsteries for monotone versions and the RTS and RTL trims received more polished versions of their alloy rims. Additionally, Honda removed its last green exterior color option (Aberdeen Green Metallic) from its lineup.

For the 2009 model year, the Ridgeline received its most significant updates with over 50 different changes, including exterior and interior updates as well as drivetrain improvements. Some of the more noticeable changes were:

• A new front-end with daytime running lights
• New taillights
• A new rear step-bumper with integrated class III tow hitch
• Two additional bed cleats
• New instrument cluste
• New steering wheel
• Driver and front-passenger active head restraints
• and more...

In the U.S., the RTX trim was removed from the lineup and the RTS trim gained a power-adjustable lumbar, an auxiliary 3.5mm TRS stereo input jack, and a seven-pin trailer wiring harness. The U.S. RTL trim gained the same seven-pin harness and received new 18 in (45.7 cm) alloy rims and a 115V/100W AC inverter; if equipped with navigation, the U.S. RTL also received a rearview camera, Class 2 Bluetooth with Honda's HandsFreeLink system and a multi-data/multilingual information display. For Canadians, a new lineup of trim levels were introduced that more closely resembled the U.S. and the top trim received XM Satellite Radio for the first time. A new V6 engine (the J35Z5) was introduced that produced up to 10 lb·ft (14 N·m) more torque at lower revolutions per minute (rpm) than its predecessor with a slight horsepower (hp) increase of 3 hp (2.2 kW) at the top of its rpm band. The transmission was also revised with the greatest differences found in third and fourth gears providing approximately 5% lower ratios. Additionally, Honda swapped four of its exterior color options in the U.S. and three in Canada for slightly different shades of the same base colors, leaving Canadians with two different black paints to choose from, while adding a light brown color, called "Mocha Metallic," to the exterior color palette for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

For the 2010 model year, Honda swapped three of its exterior color options in the U.S. and two in Canada for slightly different shades of the same basic colors, including the consolidation of Canada's two black paints into Honda's new global "Crystal Black Pearl," and adding "Alabaster Silver Metallic" to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

For the 2011 model year, Honda removed its only brown paint option (Mocha Metallic) from the Canadian lineup.

For the 2012 model year, Honda put the Ridgeline through another series of updates. Honda introduced a new Sport trim for the U.S. and Canadian market and Canadians had their EX-L trim replaced with a new Touring package. A new grille was introduced for all but the new Sport model, which was equipped with its own unique grille. Additionally, new taillights were introduced. For Mexico, their RTL trim received the U.S. and Canadian Sport's exterior package while retaining its Canadian EX-L interior. Also, aerodynamic improvements were made to the body and friction reduction measures were made to the J35Z5 engine which improved highway fuel economy by 1 mpg_-US (2.4 L/km), according to EPA testing. Lastly, Honda removed its only brown exterior color option (Mocha Metallic) from the U.S. color palette.

For the 2013 model year, all Ridgelines, if not already equipped, were outfitted with rearview cameras using a new rearview mirror that incorporated a camera display with integrated parking guide-lines. The hidden camera display only appears in the rearview mirror when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. --For trims with navigation, the infotainment touchscreen continued to be used as the rearview camera monitor.-- Pictorial evidence suggest the Chilean market received the 2012 updated taillights as well as the 2009 18 in (45.7 cm) alloy rims for their RTL trim. Lastly, Honda swapped its "Bali Blue Pearl" paint for a slightly lighter blue, called "Obsidian Blue Pearl."

For the 2014 model year, Honda removed the VP trim from the Canadian lineup and added a new Special Edition package. In the U.S., the SE trim was introduced surpassing the RTL as the top trim package. Also, Honda replaced its "Polished Metal Metallic" paint for a slightly lighter gray, called "Modern Steel Metallic."

Changes in exterior colors to United States' and Canada's first generation Honda Ridgelines

Comparisons

When one compares the Ridgeline's advertised interior/passenger volume and total payload with the other mid-size trucks of its era; the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Suzuki Equator, Dodge Dakota, Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Ford Ranger, and GM's Colorado/Canyon, the Ridgeline has greater interior space and hauling capacity than its competition. However, when comparing the manufacturers' tow ratings, even when performing a towing, curb weight and GCWR calculation, the Ridgeline is at the bottom of its class for towing. Otherwise, the Ridgeline falls in the middle of these mid-size trucks' other published specifications.

The Ridgeline is the first four-door pickup truck to earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) five-star safety rating for both front and side impact crash test performance and it had the highest rollover resistance of any pickup NHTSA ever tested. Also, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Ridgeline with its highest crash safety scores giving it the "Top Safety Pick" designation while its competition (listed above) had one or more less than good ratings.

In 2012, PickupTrucks.com conducted a mid-size truck challenge with six of the eight trucks listed above (minus the Dakota and Sport Trac) and the Honda Ridgeline. With the exception of a 2011 super-cab Ford Ranger, all test vehicles were 2012 models and all but one had V6 engines (the Colorado was equipped with the LH8). The head-to-head comparisons focused on numerous attributes including objective tests on 0-60 mph (97 km/h), 60-0, and quarter-mile (0.4 km) times with maximum payloads as well as empty beds; dynamometer tests; and real-world fuel economy tests. Subjective tests included expert driver impressions, best value estimates, and an off-road course. All tests and evaluations we're conducted at the same place and time to minimize environmental impacts. Of the seven mid-size trucks tested, the Ridgeline ranked third overall. Of the objective tests, the Ridgeline had the highest scores for payload and real-world fuel economy while ranking lowest in torque delivery at the wheels; otherwise, the Ridgeline ranked in the middle of the other objective tests. Of the subjective tests, the Ridgeline was judged second in expert impressions, third in best value, and last in the off-road course.

Marketing and sales

According to Automotive Design & Production, Honda was slow to enter the minivan market as well as the SUV market, so "given that track record it is no surprise that Honda has just now [2005] gotten around to building a pickup truck.". The first generation Ridgeline is more aptly classified as a sport utility truck with its rivals being the full-size Chevrolet Avalanche and the smaller Ford Explorer Sport Trac, leaving the Ridgeline as the mid-size option of the three SUTs. According to Bloomberg, Honda hoped buyers would find it an attractive alternative to large SUVs and conventional pickup trucks.

Some in the automotive press that have studied the Ridgeline, such as PickupTrucks.com, consider it "one of those odd vehicles." They wrote, "The Ridgeline can't really do what most people who like trucks need it to do." While AutoTrader.com wrote, "Sure, some homeowners and weekend warriors may actually need a 10,000-lb towing capacity, but the Honda Ridgeline is probably just right for most." Others, such as The Driver's Seat TV, call the Ridgeline, "the Swiss Army knife of trucks," due to its functionality, and "the anti-truck," due to Honda's lack of following the rules when it comes to truck design; they summarized the truck as scoring "high on practicality but very low on image."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, "Since its March [2005] debut, Honda's first pickup for the U.S. market is slow to gain traction. Nissan's full-size Titan pickup also has fallen short of sales targets in this all-American segment, which ... is proving tough for outsiders to crack." According to Bloomberg Business, early slow sales can partly be attributed to the expense of the vehicle, which some considered "over-priced." Consequently, dealers began to discount the truck and sales increased. Additionally, Honda gave the Ridgeline a facelift for 2009 and again in 2012, but sales remained "lackluster," according to AutoBlog.com. Automobile Magazine wrote, "Volume dropped by half from 2008 to 2010 and then fell another 40 percent last year [2011]." Soon after, Honda posted "an open letter from the company's head of truck product planning, denying rumors that the Ridgeline would be dropped and insisting that a pickup truck will remain part of the company's portfolio." According to Automobile Magazine, parts shortages, due to the 2011 T?hoku earthquake and tsunami, put production on hold and "this setback likely impacted sales."

The first generation Honda Ridgeline ended production in mid-2014. According to Auto Trader, the automaker planned to continue production until the second generation Ridgeline was introduced; however, "slow sales of the truck have prompted the automaker to pull it sooner than expected." Despite this, the Ridgeline was one of Honda's more profitable vehicles due to the company's frugal nature that allowed them to develop the Ridgeline for under $250 million U.S. dollars --half of what General Motors would normally pay--, maximizing Honda's profit margin.

Maps Honda Ridgeline

Second generation

On January 11, 2016 at the North American International Auto Show, Honda unveiled the second generation Honda Ridgeline to the North American market, two months after the public got a glimpse of what the new truck would look like when Honda showed off its new Ridgeline Baja Race Truck at the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.

Design

The second generation Honda Ridgeline carries over many of the features and capabilities from the first generation, such as:

• All-wheel drive (AWD)
• Similar payload capacity (between 1,444 lb (655 kg) and 1,543 lb (700 kg) depending on trim)
• Same average weight distribution
• Same towing capacity
• In-Bed Trunk
• Dual-action tailgate
• Flat bed
• Rear 60/40 split bench seat with LATCH system and flat load floor

However, this Honda Ridgeline has advanced safety features, modern electronic amenities, is offered in front-wheel drive (FWD) in the U.S., and has more traditional truck styling than before. According to Automotive News, Honda's research clinics found that buyers made assumptions about toughness and payload based on the gaps in the wheel arches between the tire and the truck body, and the height of the bed. If a pickup had a trailer hitch, people assumed it could tow more. Based on these conclusions, Jim Loftus, the second generation Ridgeline's performance lead engineer, said, "Those things were honestly kind of 'aha' moments or big surprises to us as a project team, and of course, we went back and incorporated all of those messages into the next-generation Ridgeline."

Like before, the second generation Honda Ridgeline is a unibody vehicle but this frame uses a new "three-bone" spine with Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and optimized material grades composed of various undisclosed composites, aluminum, magnesium, and varying steels --such as a laser welded door ring made of hot-stamped ultra-high strength steel varying from 1,300 to 1,500 megapascals-- providing an average 78 lb (35 kg) reduction in weight over the first generation Ridgeline along with improved strength and award-winning protection. In addition to the new underpinnings of this new mid-size truck, there are noise, vibration, and harshness improvements and a new acoustic windshield (on select models) that help make the second generation Ridgeline one of the smoothest and quietest mid-size trucks on the market. The front-half of this new truck comes with many of the same components and features as the 2016 Honda Pilot, such as:

• Earth Dreams V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management
• Intelligent VTM-4 (I-VTM4)
• Intelligent Traction Management
• Agile Handling Assist
• Eco Assist System
• Honda Sensing with:
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keeping assist
  • Road departure mitigation
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Forward collision warning with collision mitigation braking
• LaneWatch or a blind spot information system with rear cross-traffic monitor
• Amplitude Reactive Dampers, but with a modified design to support heavier payloads
• TPMS with Tire Fill Assist
• Similar front fascia
• Front doors and mirrors
• Dashboard and instrument cluster
• 8 in (20.3 cm) infotainment touchscreen system with:
  • Garmin based navigation
  • Honda HD Digital Traffic
  • HD Radio
  • SiriusXM Satellite Radio
  • Pandora Radio
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Web browser
  • HondaLink with HondaLink Assist
• Front seats
• Center console
• Tri-zone climate control
• and more...

Despite these similarities, a spokesman from Honda R&D Americas stated that 50% of the Honda Pilot's chassis components had to be changed or strengthened for use in the second generation Ridgeline. The C-pillar and rear sub-frame mounts had to be strengthened as well giving the second generation Ridgeline 28% more torsional rigidity over the first generation Ridgeline. According to one of the Ridgeline's body development engineers, "Utilizing fully boxed frame members for the body sides and rear tailgate frame, the truss-style rear inner construction contributes to the new Ridgeline's more conventional three-box design profile allowing for the elimination of the buttress-style body structure" of the first generation Ridgeline.

Specifications and Powertrain Differences

Some of the 2017 Ridgeline's features being highlighted by Honda as improvements over their first generation Ridgeline include: a greater use of technology and electronic driver's aids; a wider, longer, and tougher bed; an in-bed audio system --where the bed walls are turned into speakers that can be controlled with a smartphone--; a bed-mounted 115V/150W-400W AC inverter; and its best in class gasoline V6 fuel economy rating at 19 mpg_-US (12.4 L/100 km) city, 26 mpg_-US (9.0 L/100 km) highway, and 22 mpg_-US (10.7 L/100 km) combined for FWD models.

The second generation Honda Ridgeline AWD models do enhance their hauling and towing performance when compared to the first generation through the following enhancements:

• An increase in interior volume (depending on trim level), such as a 518 cu in (8.5 l) increase in under-seat storage in the second row
• A bigger bed that's:
  • 0.25 in (6 mm) wider between the wheel wells
  • 5.5 in (14 cm) wider overall
  • 3.9 in (10 cm) longer with the tailgate up
  • 5.5 in (14 cm) longer with the tailgate down
• A more durable non-painted and textured SMC bed -with new side-panels made of fiberglass-reinforced direct-long-fiber thermoplastics (D-LFT)- that's reportedly stronger than its competitor's

• A redesigned 3.5 l (211.8 cu in) V6 engine that now has:
  • 11.5 : 1 compression
  • direct injection
  • Intelligent VTEC
  • with an increase of 30 hp (22 kW) and 15 lb·ft (20 N·m) at the top of the rpm band
• An improved transmission with:
  • Six versus five forward gears with a 20% wider gear spread
    • Including a 24.5% lower first-gear, a 20.2% lower reverse gear, and a 3.3% higher top (overdrive) gear
  • reduced friction
  • improved lock-up clutch
• An improved AWD system (I-VTM4) that's:
  • 22% lighter
  • with a 20% increase in torque capacity
  • now able to dynamically distribute torque between left and right rear-wheels
  • now capable of overdriving the outside rear-wheel by 2.7% for improved cornering performance
• Improved brake ventilation with 23% reduction in drag
• A multi-view rear camera
• An auto-tilting side-view mirror, for close-in visibility when backing up
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Hill Start Assist
• Better fuel economy, with EPA estimated AWD improvements of:
  • 3 mpg_-US (78.4 L/100 km) city
  • 5 mpg_-US (47.0 L/100 km) highway
  • 4 mpg_-US (58.8 L/100 km) combined

Despite these improvements, the second generation Honda Ridgeline does have some numerical decreases from the first generation Ridgeline, such as:

• less passenger volume
• a shallower bed
• less bed illumination
• less ground clearance
  • FWD = 7.3 in (19 cm) with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 19.2°, 18.5°, and 21.4°
  • AWD = 7.9 in (20 cm) with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 20.1°, 19.6°, and 22.1°
• a smaller fuel tank at 19.5 US gal (74 l)
• a smaller but deeper In-Bed Trunk at 7.3 cu ft (206.7 l)
• a shallower spare tire service tray, making it no longer capable of accommodating a full-size spare
  • However, just like the first generation Ridgeline, there's a hidden tire mount in the bed --integrated in the left-side of the forward bed panel-- that can accommodate a compact or full-size spare tire.

Equipment

The second generation Honda Ridgeline comes with many of the standard equipment found with its competitors --including the 2017 Toyota Tacoma, 2017 Nissan Frontier, and GM's 2017 Colorado/Canyon-- but does have some unusual standard features on the U.S. base trim, such as:

• 18 in (45.7 cm) alloy rims
• TPMS with Tire Fill Assist
• Amplitude Reactive Dampers
• A wider flatter bed (no wheel well intrusion)
• Class III tow hitch
• Pre-wired for electric trailer brake controller and seven-pin trailer wiring harness
• Multi-angle rearview camera (with guidelines) in the 5 in (12.7 cm) liquid-crystal display audio screen
• Second-row flat load floor
• Second-row passenger controlled air vents
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Hill Start Assist
• Intelligent Traction Management
• Agile Handling Assist
• Cruise control
• Security system
• Push button start
• 200W seven-speaker audio system with subwoofer, AM and stereo FM receivers, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Bluetooth streaming audio, as well as one auxiliary 3.5mm TRS stereo and one 1.0A Universal Serial Bus (USB) input jacks that support MP3, WMA, and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio files
• 4.2 in (10.7 cm) multi-information display

Optional on the 2017 U.S. base model Ridgeline was AWD until the 2018 model year when it became an FWD only package. Base model second generation Ridgelines sold in Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America have more standard features than those found in the U.S. market.

For the U.S. market, the second generation Honda Ridgeline was initially offered in seven different trim levels: RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and Black Edition until the 2018 model year when Honda removed the RTS trim from the lineup.

In addition to the standard equipment listed above, the 2017 RTS trim adds:

• Remote engine start
• Smart key entry
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Fog lights
• Optional AWD

The Sport trim takes the 2017 RTS and adds:

• Dark-gray painted alloy rims
• Black exterior (additional colors were added to the 2018 model year)
• Sport badging

The RTL trim takes a different approach with the 2017 RTS by adding:

• Leather-trimmed interior
• Heated front seats and side-view mirrors
• Ten-way power driver's seat
• Acoustic windshield

The RTL-T trim takes the RTL and adds:

• 8 in (20.3 cm) infotainment touchscreen system
• LaneWatch
• Additional 1.5A front and two 2.5A rear USB outlets
• Automatic dimming rearview mirror

The RTL-E trim takes the RTL-T and replaces LaneWatch with blind spot monitoring and adds:

• Honda Sensing
• 540W audio system with truck bed audio
• Bed-mounted 115V/150W-to-400W AC inverter
• High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights
• Heated steering wheel
• Conversation mirror
• Additional interior and exterior illumination
• Two key fobs with independent user profiles
• Standard AWD

The top trim, known as the Black Edition, adds a unique blackout treatment to the RTL-E trim with:

• Unique black leather interior with red highlights
• Unique black alloy rims
• Black exterior
• Black Edition badging

For the Canadian market, the 2017 Honda Ridgelines are offered in five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition. These trim levels are fairly different from the ones offered in the U.S. until you reach the top trim levels. For example, all Canadian Ridgelines come standard with Honda Sensing and the 8 in (20.3 cm) infotainment touchscreen. However, there are unique amenities that can only be found in Canadian Ridgelines, such as:

• CD player (all trims) (OEM accessory for other countries)
• Three-mode seat heaters
• Heated rear-seats with a rear-passenger climate control interface (EX-L trim and up)
• Heated windshield wipers (all trims)
• Rain-sensing wipers (Touring trim and up)
• Ventilated front seats (Touring trim and up)
• Skid plate (Sport trim and up) (OEM accessory for other countries)
• Side-view mirrors with integrated turning signal indicators (Sport trim and up)
• Power folding side-view mirrors (Touring trim and up)

For the Caribbean and Latin American markets, the 2017 Ridgeline is being offered in two trims, RTL and RTL-T, but are equipped differently than the U.S. versions of the same name. In short, the Caribbean and Latin American RTL adds a number of features to what you would normally find in a U.S. RTL, such as:

• Rain-sensing wipers
• 540W premium audio system
• 8 in (20.3 cm) infotainment touchscreen
• LaneWatch
• Side-view mirrors with integrated turning signal indicators
• Conversation mirror
• Power moonroof
• Power-sliding rear-glass window

However, the Caribbean and Latin American RTL lacks the heated front seats of the U.S. RTL trim. The Caribbean and Latin American RTL-T trim adds navigation to what is an already well equipped base mode RTL.

Within the Latin American market, the Chileans get their own version of the 2017 Ridgeline that is only offered in one trim level, RTL, and is equipped very similarly to the U.S. RTL-T.

Depending on trim level and country, the second generation Honda Ridgeline is offered in as many as seven different exterior colors and up to three different interior colors (black, gray, and beige) in either fabric or leather upholstery. However, the second generation Chilean Ridgeline is only available in four exterior colors with a gray leather interior. Also, U.S. and Canadian buyers can get a special black leather interior with red highlights that's exclusive to their Black Edition trim.

As before, Honda is offering many OEM accessories that are specifically designed for the 2017 Ridgeline. The types of accessories being sold are much the same as those offered for the first generation Ridgeline with a few exceptions, such as:

• CD player
• Skid plate
• Extended view mirror
• Honda Bed Tent

Updates

For the 2018 model year, the second generation Honda Ridgeline had some minor repackaging of its lower trim levels. For the U.S. market, Honda removed the AWD option from the base RT trim, removed the RTS trim from the lineup, and expanded the Sport trim by adding two additional exterior colors (Lunar Silver Metallic and White Diamond Pearl) to what was an all-black Ridgeline Sport in 2017. The Canadian market saw the removal of their only green exterior color (Forest Mist Metallic) from their color palette.

For the Caribbean and Latin American markets, no information has yet been found on what changes are in store for the 2018 Ridgeline.

Comparisons

When compared to other U.S. mid-size truck offerings for 2016 through 2018, the second generation Honda Ridgeline's published specifications has its pros and cons. Car and Driver magazine conducted an in-depth review of the 2017/2018 Ridgeline comparing it to the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and GM's Colorado/Canyon of the same model years. The numerical comparison revealed the Ridgeline has best in class gasoline fuel economy, best cornering performance, best rear-seat passenger space and volume, lowest sound levels, best seat height, better visibility, and best in class safety features. For the "cons," the 2017/2018 Ridgeline has the lowest tow rating, worst in class braking, lowest ground clearance, and the poorest rated infotainment system. The other criteria used by Car and Driver to compare the Ridgeline showed the truck falling in the middle of its competition.

After running through IIHS's new test procedures, the 2017 Ridgeline was given their new top honor, the "Top Safety Pick-Plus." As of August 2017, the second generation Ridgeline remains the only Top Safety Pick-Plus vehicle in IIHS's large pickup category. Additionally, IIHS reported that the 2017 Ridgeline was the only pickup that received top marks at their new headlight performance test; however, these high marks only applied to the top trim levels of the Ridgeline that were equipped with HID headlights. Also, the NHTSA gave the 2017 Honda Ridgeline its top mark with a five-star safety rating. No other truck in its class has received a five-star rating in NHTSA history. NHTSA testing showed that the 2017 Ridgeline has the best rollover resistance of any truck (full-size or mid-size) currently produced for the U.S. market at 16.9%.

As in 2012, PickupTrucks.com performed another mid-size truck challenge but with 2016 and 2017 model year vehicles sold in the U.S. Through a battery of objective and subjective test --many similar and some different from the 2012 challenge-- the 2017 Ridgeline came in second overall "by one of the slimmest margins in any test" PickupTrucks.com has conducted, winning half of the objective tests. PickupTrucks.com said, "There's no question the Ridgeline was the surprise of this challenge... Our biggest surprise came at our daylong romp at the Bundy Hill Offroad Park where we found the Honda Intelligent Traction Management system to be shrewd and smooth during our sand drags and steep hill climbs. However, as well as it performed, it still had a few problems;" such as how "much sag occurs while carrying payload," mushy and unpredictable brakes, and a hard to use with bad Sun glare infotainment touchscreen. "Still, if you need your pickup to be a Swiss Army knife and you don't need to carry a lot of gear, there isn't anything else in the Ridgeline's league."

Marketing and sales

Compared to the first generation Ridgeline, Honda's second attempt at a mid-size truck for the North American market has the automotive press changing its tune, yet it still has an image problem. Gearheads.org wrote the "2017 Honda Ridgeline still won't get respect but should" stating, its "downside is going to be looks" with its "soft rounded pudgy panda look rather than a sharp chiseled warhorse." A New York Daily News reporter said, "You'd think that the most utilitarian of passenger vehicle styles --the pickup truck-- would be a completely logical purchase. If that were the case, the Ridgeline would outsell all of the other midsize trucks by a landslide, boasting the best combination of safety, utility and drivability in the class. But the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado both have something that the Ridgeline almost completely lacks: ...bravado." That being said, Car and Driver magazine proclaimed, "The Ridgeline's roomy cabin, ample storage, smooth ride, and innovative touches make its rivals seem outdated. ...it not only has cargo space, but also the makings of a great tailgate party..." Motor Trend magazine summed up their view by says they liked "its smooth ride and sharp handling," disliked "the high price, clumsy infotainment system, and plain design," and nominated the new Ridgeline as one of its finalist for their 2017 Truck of the Year competition.

With the introduction of the 2018 model year, media criticism of Honda's pricing of its second generation Honda Ridgeline expand. With the removal of the AWD option from the U.S. Ridgeline's base RT trim, would-be U.S. owners have to step up to the Sport trim to get an AWD equipped mid-size truck. The Truth About Cars (TTAC) wrote, "Making the AWD Ridgeline more expensive to get into doesn't sound like a recipe for greater marketplace success." According to Honda's Public Relations Manager James Jenkins, Honda's streamlining of the 2018 Ridgeline lineup will "better suit the needs of midsize truck buyers." TTAC asks the question, "...what'll it do for midsize truck buyers who want an affordable Honda with all-wheel drive?" According to Bloomberg Business and TTAC, pricing was considered a problem with the first-generation Ridgeline. "It's not difficult to see that Honda is once again positioning the Ridgeline in what many conventional pickup truck buyers will consider an uncomfortable price bracket," TTAC wrote.

Examining the sales figures for the second generation Ridgeline, TorqueNews wrote, "...it looks as if American Honda Motors has yet another sales success in its ever expanding lineup." According to Reuters, sales demand for the new Ridgeline has outpaced production. --Twelve full months of sales have yielded 50,369 Ridgelines sold in the U.S. and Canada, exceeding Honda's goal to sell 40,000 Ridgelines per year.-- To help address demand for its larger vehicles, Honda moved production of its Acura MDX to its East Liberty Auto Plant in order to increase production of the Ridgeline, Pilot, and Odyssey. However, Honda's 2017 sales reports for May through August showed a downward trend in Ridgeline sales with Honda explaining that this trend was "due largely to limited inventory of key models." Despite an uptick in September 2017 sales compared to the previous month, the second generation Honda Ridgeline has some of the lowest sales among mid-size trucks in the US. The Toyota Tacoma is outselling the Ridgeline nearly 5 : 1. Plus, September 2017 sales of the Ridgeline dipped 24% relative to that same month in 2016.

src: shop.honda.com

Awards

• North American Car of the Year for the truck category in 2006 and 2017
• Canadian Car of the Year for the truck category in 2006 and best new pickup category for 2006
• Motor Trend's 2006 Truck of the Year
• Car and Driver magazine's #1 mid-size truck for 2005 and 2016
• Autobytel's 2006 Truck of the Year
• Sobre Ruedas ("On Wheels," a Latin American automotive magazine) 2005 Best Pick-up Truck
• U.S. News & World Report's #1 compact pickup truck for 2016
• J.D. Power and Associates' Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Award for 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2017
• Popular Mechanics' 2006 Automotive Excellence Award for functionality
• Society of Plastics Engineers 2006 Grand Award for Honda Ridgeline's composite In-Bed Trunk
• NHTSA's first four-door pickup to earn five-star safety rating
• IIHS's "Top Safety Pick" for the pickup category in 2009, 2012 2013, and "Top Safety Pick-Plus" for 2017
• SCORE Baja off-road race winner in the Stock Mini Class in 2008 and 2010 as well as Class 2 in 2015 and 2016

src: media.ed.edmunds-media.com

References

src: shop.honda.com

External links

• Honda Ridgeline Owners Club

Source of article : Wikipedia

Honda Insight

src: upload.wikimedia.org

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle that was manufactured and marketed by Honda in its first generation as a three-door, two passenger hatchback (1999-2006) and in its second generation as a five-door, five passenger hatchback (2009-2014). The Insight was the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The first generation Insight is the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the U.S. without plug-in capability for the length of its production run. EPA estimates were 61 City/70 Highway/65 Combined. However, that was under the old EPA standards. Today's EPA standards reduced the estimates to 49 City/61 Highway/53 Combined. In December 2015, Toyota beat the Insight in City and Combined mileage by the new EPA estimate with the 2016 Toyota Prius Eco with EPA ratings of 58 City/53 Highway/56 Combined.

Honda introduced the second-generation Insight in Japan in February 2009 and in the United States on March 24, 2009. The Insight was the least expensive hybrid available in the US. In December 2010, Honda introduced a less expensive base model for the 2011 model year. The Insight was launched April 2009 in the UK as the lowest priced hybrid on the market and became the best selling hybrid for the month.

The Insight ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan for the month of April 2009, a first for a hybrid model. During its first twelve months after first available in the Japanese market, the second-generation Insight sold 143,015 units around the world. In July 2014 Honda announced the end of production of the Insight for the 2015 model, together with the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell car and the Honda Fit EV electric car.

Video Honda Insight

First generation (1999-2006)

History

Based on the Honda J-VX concept car unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, the Insight was introduced in Japan in November 1999 as the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. In the following month, December 1999, Insight became the first hybrid available in North America, followed seven months later by the Toyota Prius.

The Insight featured optimized aerodynamics and a lightweight aluminum structure to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions. As of 2014, the first generation Insight still ranks as the most fuel-efficient United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified gasoline-fueled vehicle, with a highway rating of 61 miles per US gallon (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) and combined city/highway rating of 53 miles per US gallon (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg_-imp).

Design

The Honda Insight is a subcompact hatchback 3,945 mm (155.3 in) in length with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm (94.5 in) a height of 1,355 mm (53.3 in) and a width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in). The first-generation Insight was only produced as a two-seater. The model launched with only a single trim level: manual transmission with optional air conditioning. In the second year of production two trim levels were available: manual transmission with air conditioning, and continuously variable transmission (CVT) with air conditioning. The only major change during its life span was the introduction of a trunk mounted, front controlled, multiple-disc CD changer.

In addition to the hybrid drive system, the Insight was small, built of light materials and streamlined with a drag-coefficient of 0.25.

Technology

The gasoline engine is a 67 hp (50 kW; 68 PS), 1.0 litre, ECA series 3-cylinder unit providing lean burn operation with an air-to-fuel ratio that can reach 25.8 to 1. The engine utilizes lightweight aluminum, magnesium, and plastic to minimize weight. The electrical motor assist adds another 10 kW (13 hp) and a maximum of 36 pound-feet (49 Nm) of torque when called on, with the aim to boost performance to the level of a typical 1.5 L petrol engine. It also acts as a generator during deceleration and braking to recharge the vehicle's batteries, and as the Insight's starter motor. (This improves fuel efficiency and extends the lifetime and fade resistance of the brakes, without adding unsprung weight). When the car is not moving, for example at a stop light, the engine shuts off. Power steering is electric, reducing accessory drag.

The Insight uses the first generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology. (The next generation, used in the Honda Civic Hybrid, is much more space-efficient.) The Insight's electric assist is an ultrathin 60 mm (about 2.4 inches) brushless 10-kW electric motor located on the crankshaft. Located behind the seats are a series of commercial grade "D" sized NiMH batteries wired to provide a nominal 144 V DC. During heavy acceleration, the NiMH batteries drive the electric motor, providing additional power; during deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries using a process called regenerative braking. A computer control module regulates how much power comes from the internal combustion engine, and how much from the electric motor; in the CVT variant, it also finds the optimal gear ratio. The digital displays on the dashboard display fuel consumption instantaneously. On the manual transmission up and down arrows suggest when to shift gears. Dashboard gauges monitor the current battery status, instantaneous fuel consumption, and mode of the electric motor -- standby, engine assist or charging the batteries. High pressure, low rolling resistance tires and the use of low viscosity "0W-20" synthetic oil enhance fuel economy.

The original Insight had a conventional manual transmission. Starting with the 2001 model, a CVT variant of the Insight was available; the CVT is similar to that used in the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Logo. A traditional transmission shifts between a fixed set of engine-to-wheel ratios; however, a CVT allows for an infinite set of ratios between its lowest gear and its highest. A feature shared by the two hybrids (and now appearing in others) is the ability to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop (and restart it upon movement). Since it is more powerful than most starters of conventional cars, the Insight's electric motor can start the engine nearly instantaneously. The Integrated Motor Assist is run by an "Intelligent Power Unit (IPU)", a desktop computer-sized box. The Intelligent Power Unit, the Power control Unit, the Electronic Control Unit, the vehicle's batteries, dc-to-dc converter and a high-voltage inverter are all located under the cargo floor of the vehicle, behind the seats.

Honda increased the vehicle's fuel efficiency using aluminum and plastic extensively to reduce the vehicle's weight. The basic structure is a new, lightweight aluminum monocoque, reinforced in key areas with aluminum extrusions joined at cast aluminum lugs. Stamped aluminum panels are welded onto this structure to form an extremely light and rigid platform for the drivetrain and suspension. The Insight has a body weight less than half that of the contemporary Civic 3-door, with increased torsional rigidity by 38% and bending rigidity by 13%. Honda built the Insight with aluminum front brake calipers and rear brake drums, and with a largely aluminum suspension, in addition to standard aluminum wheels; reducing the ratio of un-sprung to sprung weight as well as the total weight. The fuel tank is plastic; the engine mounts were aluminum; and the exhaust is a small, thin wall pipe. Its compact spare is also aluminum. The Insight weighed 1,847 lb (838 kg) in manual transmission form without air conditioning, 1,878 lb (852 kg) with manual transmission and air conditioning, or 1,964 lb (891 kg) with CVT and air conditioning.

Insight has a coefficient of drag of 0.25e. The absence of a rear seat allows the body to taper just behind the driver and the rear track is 110 mm (approximately 4.3 inches) narrower than the front track.

The CVT-equipped Insight is classified as a super-low emissions vehicle. The Insight features low emissions: the California Air Resources Board gave the 5-speed model a ULEV rating, and the CVT model earned a SULEV rating - the 5-speed model's lean-burn ability traded increased efficiency for slightly higher NOx emissions.

Manufacturing

The Insight was assembled at the Honda factory in Suzuka, Japan, where the Honda NSX and the Honda S2000 were also assembled. The Insight and the NSX are aluminum-bodied, while the S2000 employs a steel body with aluminum hood.

At the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda introduced the concept car Honda IMAS, an extremely fuel-efficient and lightweight hybrid car made of aluminum and carbon fiber, which was perceived by most observers to be the future direction where the Insight was heading.

With its aluminum body and frame, the Insight was an expensive car to produce and was never designed for high-volume sales. Instead, it was designed to be a real world test car for hybrid technology and a gauge to new consumer driving habits. With an aerodynamic fuel-saving shape similar to the Audi A2, and some unconventional body colors it was a bit more than mainstream car buyers could handle, preferring more conservative styles. Production halted announced in May 2006, with plans announced to replace Insight with a new hybrid car, smaller than the eighth generation Civic, but not earlier than in 2009. Ahead of this announcement, Honda stopped selling Insight in the UK, for example, as early as December 2005.

To fill the market niche void, in 2002 Honda rolled out a hybrid version of the Honda Civic - Honda Civic Hybrid, followed by Toyota's redesign of the Prius in 2003 as a 2004 model.

Sales

Total global cumulative sales for the first generation Insight were 17,020 units. Honda had originally planned to sell 6,500 Insights each year of production.

US market

The Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, achieving 70 miles per US gallon (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg_-imp) per its then current United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway rating. Other hybrids soon followed, with the Toyota Prius arriving in June 2000.

Fuel efficiency

The first generation Insight was the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the U.S. without plug-in capability for the length of its production run and up until December 2015, when it was surpassed by the 2016 Toyota Prius Eco. The Insight earned an EPA fuel economy estimate of 70 mpg_-US (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg_-imp) in highway driving, 61 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) city. With air conditioning it was 68 mpg_-US (3.5 L/100 km; 82 mpg_-imp) and 60 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg_-imp). With a CVT it was 57 mpg_-US (4.1 L/100 km; 68 mpg_-imp)/56 mpg_-US (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg_-imp).

The EPA changed the way it estimated fuel economy starting with the 2008 model year. The revised fuel economy ratings for the 2000 Insight with manual shift 5-speed under the updated testing are 61 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) in highway driving, 49 mpg_-US (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg_-imp) city, and 53 mpg_-US (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg_-imp) combined city/highway.

Insight owners who are "hypermilers" compete to achieve maximum travel distance with each refueling. Upon the Insight's release, Honda challenged several automotive magazines to a competition to see who could obtain the best fuel efficiency on the 195-mile (314 km) drive from Columbus, Ohio to Detroit. The contest was won by Car and Driver magazine, which rigged a box behind a Ford Excursion, and had the Insight drive within the confines of the box. With much less wind resistance, the Insight made the trip with a fuel consumption of 121.7 miles per US gallon (1.933 L/100 km; 146.2 mpg_-imp), while averaging 58 miles per hour (93 km/h). A two-year test of an Insight with air conditioning, driven 40,000 miles (64,000 km), averaged 48 miles per US gallon (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg_-imp). The New York Times noted that "[if] you drive the car badly, you will get bad mileage."

In the EU fuel economy tests, the Insight achieved a combined efficiency figure 69.2 mpg_-US (3.40 L/100 km; 83.1 mpg_-imp) with an Extra-Urban figure of 78.4 mpg_-US (3.00 L/100 km; 94.2 mpg_-imp) and Urban figure of 57.4 mpg_-US (4.10 L/100 km; 68.9 mpg_-imp).) This remains unbeaten in the UK market for a petrol car. The Insight has an official CO₂ emissions figure of 80 g/km which is still the lowest of any UK market car. It was also the only car to fall into the VED band A (up to 100g/km CO₂), introduced in 2005, until 2008 when other manufacturers started developing cars to benefit from the tax free status.

Usage incentives

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in the United States, the Honda Insight was eligible for a US$1,450 tax credit.

Cars registered in the UK after 2001 qualified for free road tax because of their low CO₂ emissions (2000 registered cars would be taxed on the lower rate of the old system based on engine size). As a hybrid, the Insight did also qualify for an exemption from the London Congestion Charge. However, in December 2010 this changed such that hybrids no longer gained automatic exception, instead cars emitting less than 100g/km CO₂ and meeting the January 2005 Euro 4 emissions standard. The Insight being homologated as a 2000 vehicle, and hence not Euro 4 compliant, meant it no longer meets the criteria.

Motorsport

A Honda Insight won five races and the Class A championship in the Formula 1000 Rally in the United Kingdom in 2006. In 2011, the Insight was asked to step down from the Formula 1000 Rally Championship after dominating the first three rallies, it went on to compete and win the hybrid electric vehicle class of the RAC Future Car Challenge from Brighton to London by consuming just 2.9 L/100 km (97 mpg_-imp; 81 mpg_-US).

Replacement battery pack

As of June 2008 in the U.S., according to Honda, there are fewer than 200 battery failures beyond warranty coverage out of more than 100,000 hybrids sold.

As of 1 June 2008, the replacement battery costs US$1,968 and installation is around US$900.

In 2010, Multiple aftermarket large capacity replacement NiMH battery packs have become available for the first generation Insight, including GreenTec Auto, YABO Power, BumbleBee Batteries and Hybrid ReVolt. A couple of others have come and gone, with a few more potentially in the pipeline.

Maps Honda Insight

Second generation (2009-2014)

In 2009, Honda introduced its second-generation Insight based on an all-new, 5-passenger, 5-door, dedicated hybrid platform, which was also later used for the Honda CR-Z. The concept version of the Insight hatchback hybrid electric vehicle had made its public debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. and its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the US, the new Insight is classified as a compact car based on its interior volume.

History

The 2010 Honda Insight was specifically designed to make hybrid technology more affordable to a wide range of buyers. Departing from the first generation Insight's two-seat configuration, the 2010 Insight is a 5-passenger, 5-door dedicated hybrid vehicle that includes the fifth generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid powertrain.

The Insight was facelifted in 2010 in the United Kingdom and in 2011 for the 2012 model year in the United States, with updates to the suspension, styling and interior. There are revisions to the recoil rate of the springs, change of the rear camber angles and alterations to the rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts. As a result, Honda promised better ride, handling and stability. Interior changes include revisions to the dashboard, seat fabric, and some plastics. The air vents received a chrome surround and a silver garnish now adorns the door sills.

Design

Honda chose a 5-door hatchback configuration for the latest Insight. The wedge-shaped body assists aerodynamics and reduces drag for improved fuel economy. The 5-passenger accommodations enhance marketability and the overall vehicle shape, as Honda puts it, is "clearly identifiable as a hybrid."

The wedge shape of the second-generation Insight has been criticized by many automotive journalists for its similarities with the more successful and older second-generation Toyota Prius.

The reason we chose a five-door hatchback was that we wanted the car to be popular in Europe. American Honda - the biggest market - asked us to build a car with a boot, but we rejected that idea, because to compete with other green cars and sell more in Europe, it had to be a five-door hatchback. Of course, aerodynamically it is also a more favourable shape.

The Insight's exterior design merges design cues from both the first generation Insight (the tapered tail and triangular taillights) and Honda's production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity (the low hood, six-point front grille, and wedge-shaped profile).

The interior of the new Insight includes a variation of the two-tier instrument panel first introduced on the 2006 Honda Civic. In this arrangement, a digital speedometer is mounted high on the instrument panel within the driver's normal line-of-sight for ease of visibility. An analog tachometer, fuel gauge, hybrid assist gauge, and Multi-Information Display are housed in the lower tier.

Powertrain

The new Insight includes Honda's fifth and latest generation of its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. This system mates an internal combustion engine with an electric motor mounted directly to the engine's crankshaft between the engine and transmission. Honda states that this configuration is less complex, lower cost, and compact enough to accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes when compared to competing hybrid powertrains. Honda has used previous generations of this IMA system on all of its production hybrid vehicles including the original Insight, Civic Hybrid, and Accord Hybrid. Advanced development has allowed the Insight's IMA system to be 19 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the previous generation IMA used in the existing Civic Hybrid.

The Insight's IMA includes a high-efficiency, lightweight, low-friction 1.3-liter SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine rated for 98 hp (73 kW) at 5800 rpm and 123 lb·ft (167 N·m) of torque from 1000-1700 rpm. The high torque at low rpm is made possible by the electric motor which contributes up to 13 hp (10 kW) at 1500 rpm and 58 lb·ft (79 N·m) of torque at 1000 rpm to the powertrain, assisting in acceleration and some steady state cruising situations at low-to-mid vehicle speeds. The motor acts as a generator during braking, steady cruising, gentle deceleration and coasting in order to recharge the IMA battery. The motor also serves as the engine starter, quickly spinning the engine to idle speed after Idle Stop and during normal vehicle starting. The system will automatically switch to a back-up, conventional 12-volt starter to start the engine if the IMA system is disabled or if the car is started at extreme cold temperatures. As an additional safety feature, Honda's hybrid configuration allows the car to operate like a conventional, petrol-engine vehicle even if the IMA hybrid-electric motor system is completely disabled.

The Insight's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) provides infinite ratios to keep the engine operating within its most efficient range. Forward gear ratios are infinitely variable between 3.172-0.529 and reverse gear ranges from 4.511~1.693. Final drive is 4.20:1. On Insight EX models, paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel allow the driver to engage a manual shift mode and select from seven simulated gear ratios for full control over acceleration and engine braking. Since the CVT's gear ratios are continuously variable the system electronically directs the transmission to up- or downshift into pre-determined ratios when the driver taps the shift paddles. In normal driving, the CVT allows the engine and IMA motor to stay in their most efficient operating range thereby providing superior fuel efficiency to that of a conventional automatic transmission with fixed gear ratios. The CVT's variable gear ratios allow for both quick, initial acceleration and efficient, low-rpm cruising.

In order to allow the powertrain computer to optimize performance under every driving condition, the Insight's accelerator pedal is a "drive-by-wire" type that uses an electronic position sensor instead of the conventional metal cable that usually connects the pedal to the engine's throttle body. In the drive-by-wire system, the engine's throttle body is controlled by the powertrain computer in response to the accelerator pedal position--allowing the computer to determine the optimal throttle body, fuel, and CVT settings based on the accelerator pedal position and its rate of travel.

Car and Driver magazine performed a comparison between the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Toyota Prius. In this test, the Insight achieved 0-60 mph in 10.3 seconds (Prius, 10.0 seconds), the quarter mile in 17.9 seconds at 78 mph (Prius, 17.6 at 79 mph), and 70-0 mph braking in 181 feet (Prius, 182 feet). The Insight's average fuel economy during a 600-mile controlled evaluation was 38 mpg_-US (6.2 L/100 km; 46 mpg_-imp) (Prius, 42 mpg_-US (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg_-imp)). Overall, Car and Driver selected the Insight as their preferred vehicle due to its "fun-to-drive" qualities including superior handling, steering, braking, and paddle-shifted transmission.

IMA battery

The Insight's IMA is powered by a flat, nickel metal hydride battery pack located below the cargo floor between the rear wheels. The 84 module battery is manufactured by Sanyo Electric and provides a nominal system voltage of 100.8 volts with a nominal capacity of 5.75 ampere-hours. The power density of the modules is 30 percent greater than in the second generation Civic Hybrid. The battery is recharged automatically by scavenging engine power, when needed, and by regenerative braking when the car is decelerating. The power management electronics, battery modules, and cooling system are all self-contained within the IMA battery pack.

Honda ECO ASSIST System

The system monitors and displays the positive or negative effect of a driving style on the vehicle's fuel economy.

As a visual aid, the background of the Insight's digital speedometer glows green when the car is being driven in an efficient manner. Somewhat less-efficient driving makes the meter glow blue-green. Aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel make the meter glow blue. By observing the color shift of the speedometer background, the driver receives assistance in developing driving habits that typically enhance fuel economy.

In addition, ECO ASSIST includes a dedicated ECON button that enables the driver to initiate a range of functions that increase the fuel economy of the IMA system via a single button press. In ECON mode, the driver trades off a measure of performance for enhanced fuel economy but gains the following advantages:

• Increases the potential for engaging the Idle Stop feature sooner
• Operates air conditioning more in recirculation mode
• Reduces automatic climate control blower fan speed
• Optimizes throttle angle input and CVT operation
• Limits power and torque by approximately 4 percent (full responsiveness is provided at wide-open-throttle)

Overall, ECO ASSIST is designed to assist the driver in adopting a balanced approach between efficient highway commuting and efficient city driving. However, the EPA found during fuel economy testing that using the ECO ASSIST mode "registered no effect" on its fuel economy rating. "It relaxes throttle response, so the test driver simply compensates with additional throttle to achieve the required speeds."

The Multi-information display, located in the center of the tachometer, can be toggled through nine different screens of vehicle information including instantaneous fuel economy, hybrid system schematic, trip computer, and ECO Guide. The ECO Guide display includes a real-time graphic that provides a target zone for acceleration and deceleration in order to achieve maximum fuel economy. When the ignition switch is turned off, a summary screen displays a scoring function that encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel-efficient driving habits over the long term. In this manner, drivers can earn additional 'leaves' on a plant stem when practicing fuel saving strategies. Long-term fuel efficient driving habits ultimately earn the driver a 'trophy' graphic.

Chassis, suspension, and steering

The Insight's compact chassis is derived from components used in the Honda Fit. The structure of the engine compartment and front section of the chassis is almost identical to the Fit's, but with additional enhancements to aid crash protection. From the firewall aft the platform is unique to Insight.

The most significant difference between the Fit and the Insight platform is the position of the fuel tank. While the Fit locates the fuel tank under the front seats, the Insight positions the fuel tank under the rear seats. This allows the Insight's hybrid battery pack to be located in the cargo floor below the spare tire, to accommodate folding rear seats, lower roofline, and a more aerodynamic body shape.

Front and rear suspension components from the Fit are used including MacPherson struts at the front and an H-shaped torsion beam at the rear to keep the load floor low. Front and rear stabilizer bars are also installed. On EX models, the 175/65-15 low-rolling resistance tires are mounted on lightweight aluminum wheels, each weighing 34 lb (15 kg) together with the tire.

The rack-and-pinion steering uses electric assist and allows the Insight to steer normally even when the engine is shut off in Idle Stop mode.

The braking system includes four-channel ABS, electronic brake distribution, and a creep aid system to prevent the car from rolling on a hill. A brake booster pressure monitoring system monitors vacuum when the engine is shut off during Idle Stop mode. Traction control and vehicle stability assist are also included. The front brakes are single-piston sliding caliper with a one-piece ventilated rotor. Drum brakes are used in the rear.

Enhanced efficiency air conditioning system

The air conditioning system on the new Insight has an expanded thermodynamic range compared to conventional systems. Unlike the separate low pressure and high pressure refrigerant pipes used in conventional systems, the Insight has its low pressure cold pipe enclosing the high pressure hot refrigerant pipe that allows the cold refrigerant on its way back to the engine bay to cool the warm refrigerant traveling to the cabin. A unique, spiral groove along the outside of the inner pipe increases the surface area and therefore the efficiency of the heat transfer between the outer and inner tubes. This improves the thermal efficiency of the air-conditioning system and, as a result, less effort is required from the compressor, resulting in improved fuel efficiency.

In order to control costs, Honda decided not to include the electric-assist air conditioning compressor used in the Civic Hybrid. The Civic Hybrid's electric-assist allows the air conditioning compressor to continue running (using battery pack power) to maintain cabin temperature when the engine is shut off in Idle Stop mode. Instead, the Insight limits the duration of the Idle Stop mode during air conditioning use and restarts the engine, when needed, to maintain cabin temperature. However, when the Insight's ECON function is engaged, a longer Idle Stop time is invoked for improved fuel efficiency at the expense of rapid cabin cooling. In other words, the air conditioning stops whenever the car stops, as in stop-and-go traffic. During Idle Stop the blower continues to run albeit at a low speed.

2011 facelift

A facelifted Insight for Europe is shown at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show. Honda facelifted the Insight for 2012 model year. There are several significant changes to improve the car, including exterior, interior, driving and fuel economy.

In the exterior, Honda updates the front with larger air intakes on the lower front fascia, installs new head- and taillights, and has new wheel designs. The new grille comes with a blue stripe that Honda says represents the car's "high-tech hybrid identity." A thinner rear spoiler and a more compactly mounted rear wiper motor help to improve visibility through the rear window. Even though it now comes with wider 185/60R15 tires, a reduction in engine and CVT friction, improvements to the front and rear bumpers and underbody lead to a 1-mpg increase in EPA's city, highway, and combined mileage numbers. 41 mpg_-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg_-imp) in the city, 44 mpg_-US (5.3 L/100 km; 53 mpg_-imp) on the highway, and 43 mpg_-US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg_-imp) mpg combined. The aerodynamic efficiency is improved by two percent.

In the interior, the rear-seat and headliner are redesigned to add more rear legroom and headroom, improving comfort, additional sound insulation is added and the cupholders are larger. A rear camera and a 16-gigabyte flash card system now comes with the Navi system. Furthermore, the gauge cluster is refreshed.

Fuel efficiency

Despite technological advances, the fuel efficiency of the second-generation Insight was lower than that of the first because of significant increases in size, weight and power. Fuel efficiency rating according to the U.S. EPA testing methodology is: City 40 mpg_-US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg_-imp), Highway 43 mpg_-US (5.5 L/100 km; 52 mpg_-imp), Combined 41 mpg_-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg_-imp). The 2012 model year U.S. version has minor improvements and its updated EPA fuel economy rating is: City 41 mpg_-US (5.7 L/100 km; 49 mpg_-imp), Highway 44 mpg_-US (5.3 L/100 km; 53 mpg_-imp), Combined 42 mpg_-US (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg_-imp).

Honda UK state that the official UK fuel efficiency data for the Insight SE is: Urban 61.4 mpg_-imp (4.60 L/100 km; 51.1 mpg_-US), Extra urban 67.3 mpg_-imp (4.20 L/100 km; 56.0 mpg_-US), Combined 64.2 mpg_-imp (4.40 L/100 km; 53.5 mpg_-US) and the CO₂ emissions rating is: 101 g/km, putting it in the second lowest UK vehicle excise duty band.

Sales and prices by country

Honda sold 130,445 Insights worldwide in 2009.

In an interview in early February 2011, a Honda executive disclosed that Honda produced around 200,000 hybrids a year in Japan.

The Insight was removed from Honda Canada's website in November 2013. It was removed from sale in the UK mid 2014.

Japan

The new Insight began sales in Japan on February 6, 2009. The reception in Japan exceeded Honda's original forecast of 5,000 monthly sales. This resulted as less availability to overseas markets and Honda has to start production on a second line at its Suzuka factory in mid-June to increase production from 700 units a day. In April 2009, the Honda Insight became the first petrol-electric hybrid to be the best-selling vehicle in Japan for the month. After less than eleven months on sale, Honda sold 93,283 Insight in Japan in 2009, ranking it the fifth best-selling car for the year. In March 2010, Honda announced that the new Insight broke through 100,000 sales in the Japanese market in just one year after its introduction.

United States

The car went on sale on March 24, 2009, in the U.S. as a 2010 model, making it the least expensive hybrid vehicle available in the United States.

Within less than ten months from its introduction, Insight total sales for 2009 in the U.S. market were 20,572 units, selling more than the Fusion Hybrid (15,554 units) and the Civic Hybrid (15,119), but behind the Camry Hybrid (22,887 units) and the Toyota Prius (139,682 units). The sales in the U.S. is below expectation, mainly due to the economic recession in 2008-09, stiff competition and a drop in gasoline prices of over one-third over the past year, eroded demand for fuel-efficient cars.

In December 2010, Honda introduced a less expensive Insight hybrid for the 2011 model year to help boost sales. For the 2011 LX model, center armrest, cruise control, USB connectivity for the audio system and floor mats are newly added. Electronic stability control and brake assist became standard across all trim levels. All models come with automatic climate control. Honda explained the move "to make (the vehicle) more affordable for those younger customers who couldn't previously get into a hybrid." In 2009, Toyota promised a lower-priced version of the Prius to compete with Insight, but quietly dropped the deal for consumers.

In 2010, 20,962 Insights were sold in the country. The Insight ranked number two in all hybrid vehicle sales after the Toyota Prius, beating out the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Ford Fusion Hybrid. From January 2011 to August 2011, cumulative sales of the Insight in the U.S. reached 13,106 units, ranking number two among hybrid sales for 2011 and outsold only by the Prius. By September 2011, cumulative sales reached 13,618 units, falling to the third place, surpassed by the Hyundai Sonata.

For 2012 model year, upgraded upholstery, map light, and steering-wheel-mounted controls are added to LX trim; Bluetooth, automatic headlights, a synthetic leather and premium fabric upholstery, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are added to EX trim. Rearview camera and a 16-gigabyte flash card system are added to the navigation system.

In October 2009, Consumer Reports named the Honda Insight the most reliable vehicle as it scored the highest of any vehicles in predicted reliability, according to its annual vehicles reliability survey.

Europe

United Kingdom

The Honda Insight has been on sale from 4 April 2009 and early reports said it outsold its competitor by 15%. The Insight is no longer exempted from the London congestion charge. Starting from autumn 2010, revised suspension should improve ride and handling, parking sensors are added to ES model and higher trim models.

Australia

The Insight was launched as the lowest-priced hybrid car in Australia starting from December 2010. Its price was lower than the Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

Its fuel economy is rated 4.6 L/100 km (61 mpg_-imp; 51 mpg_-US) in official Australian testing. Honda questions the green credentials of electric vehicles when electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations, "For Australia, unless you're tapped into a green power source, the benefits are negligible".

The Netherlands

As of March 2010, Honda has sold 2,661 units since the introduction of the Insight in April 2009 of which 847 were sold in the first three months of 2010. As of January 2010, the Honda Insight is exempt of road tax.

The sales of the Honda Insight, along with those of the Honda Civic Hybrid, helped Honda achieve their best sales result in the Netherlands since 1989.

Republic of Ireland

Between 2009 and 2015, The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) 'Motorstats' (beepbeep.ie) show that there were 306 'Total New Registrations' of Honda Insights (including 27 and 5 in 2014 & 2015 respectively) with a peak of 108 in 2010 (10 in 2009). The 'Refreshed' model (new front etc.) was available in 2013. Retail price in 2014 for the SE option was EUR23,495 and the ES EUR24,610 (kevinoleary.ie).

Other Asian countries

The Insight was launched in Korea in October 2010 as the lowest priced hybrid car offered by import automakers.

In Malaysia, Honda launched the Insight on December 2, 2010 at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2010. It was priced slightly more than the top model Honda City. It is reported that a few hundred sales orders were received even before its launch.

In 2011, Insight was the best selling hybrid in the country with a total of 4,568 sold.

Reception

Early reviews praised the Insight's futuristic styling, handling, and price but noted that it was less powerful, less fuel efficient, and less comfortable than other more expensive hybrids. The Insight performed well in comparison tests administered by Motor Trend and Car and Driver. In their comparison test against the 2010 Toyota Prius, Car and Driver stated "...the Insight proved more visceral, connected, and agile than the Prius. The Insight represents a lot of engineering bang for the buck, and the majority of its dynamics are more satisfying than the Prius's" citing the benefits of the Insight's firm brake feel, accurate steering, and tight suspension (the latter borrowing heavily from the latest Honda Fit). It did not perform as well in Edmunds or Popular Mechanics tests. Despite a high reliability rating in Consumer Reports testing, the Insight was assigned a low score, stating that it fell short in ride quality, handling, interior noise, acceleration, refinement, rear seat access and rear visibility.

Autoblog praised it for its fuel economy, tight handling, and good steering feedback, and stated "the Insight is a shockingly fun car to drive in a spirited manner in spite of the comparatively modest thrust available.", but criticized the Insight for its low passenger volume.

Automotive critic Jeremy Clarkson, known for his disdain for hybrid vehicles, criticized the Insight for its continuously variable transmission, engine noise, and build quality. He recognized that the price was low, but concluded that a Volkswagen Golf was a better deal.

Edmunds.com praised the Insight for improving upon the formula of rival Prius and costing thousands less, but criticized it for excessive road noise, a tight back seat, and buzzy engine under hard acceleration. In addition, they state it "is by far the most enjoyable hybrid hatchback to drive" and praised the ride for being firm, the steering for being relatively responsive, and the seamless integration between the electric and internal combustion engine.

In 2009, Edmunds pitted a Honda Insight against other hybrids like Toyota Prius and Ford Fusion hybrid, a Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic and a MINI Cooper with manual transmission over two days of mixed city and highway driving.

In October 2014, Top Gear magazine placed the Insight on its list of "The worst cars you can buy right now", describing the car as "A £20k hyper-efficient numbers merchant now surpassed by loads of diesel rivals in practically any measurement except urban quietness. The game has moved on."

Safety

src: blog.caranddriver.com

Awards and recognition

First generation

• The Insight's engine won the International Engine of the Year award for 2000, and continued to hold the "Sub-1 liter" size category for the next six years.
• It received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2000 Climate Protection Award.
• It was named the Greenest Vehicle of the year for 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
• The Insight was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2001.
• As of 2011, the 2000 Insight ranks as the most efficient EPA certified gasoline-powered vehicle ever, with a highway rating of 61 miles per US gallon (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg_-imp) and combined city/highway rating of 53 miles per US gallon (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg_-imp).

Second generation

• The Insight is awarded 2009 Good Design Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization
• The American Automobile Association (AAA) awarded the Honda Insight the Top Commuter Vehicle in 2010.
• The 2010 Insight EX was awarded Top Safety Pick 2009 from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• Selected among Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Green Cars for 2010.
• Selected among Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Green Cars for 2011.
• Selected among the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Greenest Vehicles of the Year for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award in the hybrid car category, granted by Kelly Blue Book for the lowest projected costs during initial five-year ownership period in its category.

src: st.motortrend.com

Discontinuation

On February 28, 2014, Honda officially announced it is discontinuing production on the Insight after the 2014 model year (with production ending in the Summer of 2014). The decision was due to slow sales and its decision to withdraw the vehicle from the European markets. Honda later mentioned that they were still committed to producing future hybrid vehicles and is planning to develop a possible replacement through their rollout of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology engines, transmissions and electro-motive technologies, and focusing on further advancing fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicle technologies that are better aligned with customer needs and that strengthen the company's U.S. sales momentum.

src: hips.hearstapps.com

See also

• Honda CR-Z
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• List of hybrid vehicles

src: i.ytimg.com

References

src: hips.hearstapps.com

External links

• Media related to Honda Insight at Wikimedia Commons

Source of article : Wikipedia