Honda's only three-row SUV gets an update for 2012 that grants more fuel efficiency and a hip new nose, but it's still the thick, square-off truck we have since 2008. Pilot maintains a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, but subtle changes now provide better fuel economy, Honda claims that the best in its class, although it is still a relatively dated five-speed automatic transmission uses, instead of The six speeds competitors (and corporate cousin Acura) have.

The Pilot seats eight passengers in three rows wide. Passengers in the third row is enough space for full-size adults, but only just. Cargo room is leading with eight passengers, however, and a compliment of luxury goodies include a power tailgate, a 60GB hard drive for storing MP3, Bluetooth, and an available navigation system. In EX trim, the Pilot goes all out with heated leather seats, three-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, and a power moonroof. A rear DVD entertainment system is also available for the kiddies.

Body: Crossover SUV

Engines: 3.5-liter V-6

Transmission: five-speed automatic

Models: LX FWD / AWD EX FWD / AWD EX-L FWD / AWD EX-L with Navi FWD / AWD EX-L with Navi and Rear Entertainment System, Touring FWD / AWD, Touring with Navi FWD / AWD , Touring with Navi and Rear Entertainment System FWD / AWD

Most noticeably, the Pilot gets a new grille and fog light placement for 2012, and chrome strips on the doors. Inside, the Pilot is quieter due to double glazing, clear gauges, center console, piano black trim instead of silver, and the overall improvement of the sound and reduce hardness. Fuel economy improves.

All Pilot models come with automatic on / off halogen headlamps, fenders and rear privacy glass. EX and Touring models have roof rails, alloy wheels, fog lights, body painted door handles and exterior mirrors with turn indicators duplicators.

Honda reduced the number of buttons on the crowded console for the 2012 model year, in response to the complaints of the pilot. Another complaint, road noise is also restrained with thicker glass and a new frame mounts. Interior volume is impressive with the seats folded down, and there is a small container under the cargo space for two additional cubic meter hidden cargo. Rear seat entertainment is optional on EX models.

The Honda Pilot offers an engine and transmission: a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 connected to a five-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed automatic transmission runs against a field of mostly six-speed automatic, although fuel consumption is still very good. Pre-and four-wheel drive configurations are available for all models. Unibody construction and independent suspension means that the Pilot offers a commendable, sure-footed drive over any terrain, and even the Honda Pilot, Ford claims that up to 19 inches of water, if your adventures take you into such a direction. The rated towing capacity of 4500 pounds is a bit low.

Vehicle Stability Assist is standard on all models Pilot, as well as rollover protection. All three rows of seats are side curtain airbags and front seat occupants have front and side airbags with occupant sensing, as well as active head restraints, for a total of six airbags.

Front Wheel Drive: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

AWD: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway

First pick-up truck was never Honda's off-road, construction site powerhouse such as Ford, Chevy, Dodge and even Toyota and Nissan. Built on top of a front-wheel-drive car chassis with independent suspension and a V-6 engine as the sole powertrain was intended more for hauling groceries in the city than in the back construction 40. For weekend warriors, the Ridgeline full-time four-wheel drive, car-like handling and flexible storage solutions are exactly what they need.

For 2012, the Ridgeline gets a sports package for highlighting the on-road persuasion: bold, black-out 18-inch alloy wheels and a honeycomb grille give an aggressive look. Only the engine of the Ridgeline, a 3.5-liter 250 horsepower V-6 engine, struggling to back up the sporting image. Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive under all wheels come standard, like a five-speed automatic transmission.

For the benefit of the Ridgeline, its fuel economy, at 15/20 mpg city / highway, is one of the best in the pickup truck class. But this compact size truck comes to a full-size price: $ 29,150 starting price has not garnered him many fans. The Ridgeline, Honda is a unique way of looking at the pickup truck segment - a compact car that is innovative because innovation programs - and this may be her biggest problem against its competitors.

Body: Truck

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6

Transmission: five-speed automatic

Models: RT, RTS, RTL, RTL with Navigation

A Sport package debuts for 2012, making the Ridgeline a blackout effect: black wheels, dark headlights and taillights, and a new honeycomb grille ensures a level of sportsmanship.

The Ridgeline has a unique look, it's square-off with a faux-macho attitude, but his short bed with high, sloping walls serve to deemphasize its truck like nature. The medium is much smaller than most full-size trucks on the road today. Features like in-bed lockable trunk, power folding mirrors, and a tailgate that drops down or swings out a number of clever storage options.

The interior carries on the square, rugged theme of the exterior. All air conditioning and radio controls are separated into their respective areas on the near-vertical dash. Only the column characteristics Ridgeline Honda's shifter, an old-school touch. A flip-down CD changer definitely feels dated, but USB and MP3 functions are standard. The 60/40 split rear seats flip up for storage underneath or larger items such as bicycles.

Only the engine of the Ridgeline is a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission. Variable Torque Honda's Management (VTM) system varies power to all four wheels based on the circumstances. The automotive construction and independent suspension on all four wheels means that the Ridgeline drives a lot more like a car than a traditional truck. Unfortunately, like pulling a car. Maximum load capacity of the Ridgeline's towing capacities of 1100 pounds and 5000 pounds and are useful, but far below the competition.

Both the driver and passenger have dual-stage front airbags and side airbags with passenger detection, and a rollover sensor. Front seats with active head restraints for whiplash protection. Anti-lock brakes, stability control and tire pressure monitoring as standard.

15 mpg city/20 mpg highway

The CR-Z is Honda's attempt to channel its legendary CRX, albeit with a contemporary twist on eco-friendliness. Hence, its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system, which pairs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine to a small electric motor for a total of 122 horsepower.

Bodystyle: Coupe, Hatchback

Engine: 1.5-liter inline-4 and 14-hp electric motor

Transmissions: six-speed manual, continuously variable transmission (CVT)

Models: CR-Z, CR-Z EX

The CR-Z is an all-new model built upon updated platforms and systems already utilized across Honda's lineup. Built upon the global small car platform that underpins the Fit and Insight, the CR-Z utilizes a modified version of the Fit's CVT and 1.5-liter engine, in conjunction with the sixth-generation version of Honda's IMA electric motor/battery system. The six-speed manual comes from the European-spec Civic.

The rakish slopes and high tail are there for maximum efficiency, but they're also reminiscent of the original CRX, contributing to the CR-Z's eager bulldog stance. It cuts a handsome shape that promises more sportiness than the drivetrain delivers. However, attention seekers can have their dealers install eye-grabbing accessories from famed Honda aftermarket tuner Mugen.

The CR-Z is strictly a two-seater, with a parcel shelf instead of rear seats to alleviate the lack of storage space. The dashboard is pure Honda futurism, copied from the Civic, with an instrument binnacle that puts all important functions up on both sides of the steering wheel. EX models add Bluetooth, leather, and premium audio, though navigation is still an option.

With its three-mode drive system, the CR-Z bills itself as the enthusiast's hybrid, but performance doesn't come easy, with a 0-60 time of 9 seconds flat. The CR-Z has 122 horsepower total from a combination of its electric motor and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder lifted from the Fit. With the hybrid system there is more torque at a lower range. The six-speed manual is the desirable transmission, even though the CVT is more fuel efficient.

The CR-Z uses Honda's special ACE structure for a stiffer body and to maximize occupant protection during collisions. Driver and passenger have dual stage, multi threshold front and front side airbags. Side curtain airbags and traction/stability control also come standard.

31 mpg city / 38 mpg highway (manual); 36 mpg city / 37 mpg highway (CVT)

Sticker Price: $20,195

Sticker Price: $21,755

A new Honda Civic debuts in 2012, packing a fresh face and more fuel, but in some ways a step back from its bestselling predecessors.

Available in sedan and coupe body styles, the Civic has enough choice for a diverse group of consumers. Four engine and transmission choices are available: the volume models get a 1.8-liter 140 horsepower engine mated to a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. A high-efficiency HF model is also available as an economical stepping stone between the sedan and the Civic Hybrid, the 1.3-liter engine and 20 hp electric motor coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission functions. Now available in all 50 states, the Civic GX powered by natural gas powertrain and gets a big update. Finally, the Si gets a sporty high-revving 2.0-liter VTEC engine (which takes premium gas) and an excellent six-speed manual Honda.

The Civic remains a competent family compact with a large suitcase and a large legroom. But for 2012, it is outclassed by competitors from Ford and Hyundai. It does not drive well, the interior does not feel like a high quality, and the base price has increased. Still, for the budget-minded buyers who bank on the Honda's justly deserved reputation for quality, the Civic is a wise, trusted choice.

Bodystyles: Sedan, coupe

Engines: 1.3-liter inline-4 plus electric motor (hybrid),

1.8-liter inline-4, 2.0-liter inline-4

Transmissions: six-speed manual, five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, CVT

Models: DX, LX, EX, EX-L, Hybrid, Natural Gas, Si

The Civic has been completely redesigned inside and out for 2012. It gets a more mature look, larger head and tail, and a fresh strip of chrome on the grille. Inside, the redesigned interior, but not for good: it loses some of the soft-touch materials, although the dashboard design that maintains the split-level approach was introduced by the previous generation Civic.

General shape of the Civic and the relative dimensions remain the same as the outgoing model. And given the ubiquity of the Civic, the instantly recognizable as such. Shinier grille and new lights are the most noticeable changes, while the front bumper and sides to get subtle curves in the bodywork.

Here is the Civic falls behind the competition. The formerly futuristic interior gets hard plastics and a boxier-looking design. The Civic retains its dual-level LCD display, and blue lights on the side of the speedometer green when the Civic is more economically driven. Higher-spec models are equipped with satellite navigation, satellite radio, traffic updates, steering wheel controls, heated seats and mirrors, and speech recognition. Bluetooth and an onboard computer display are standard in all models.

Peppy performance of the Civic's is dulled as the competition catches up. Steering is light, controlling a large turning circle. Civics base remains a benchmark for decent driving dynamics, without the usual considerations for quality drive, albeit with some body roll in the lane change maneuvers. Lovers will rejoice in the slick shifting, free speed 197 hp Si model, while commuters will enjoy the comfort of a fully loaded EX-L, or the Civic Hybrid, which averaged 44 mpg.

Dual front, front side and curtain airbags are standard on the Civic, as well as active headrests for driver and front passenger. All Civic models come with anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Civic is designed with Advanced Compatibility Engineering structure of Honda, the strength in the passenger compartment in the event of a crash to maximize.

DX, LX, EX, EX-L: 28 mpg city/36-39 mpg highway

HF: 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway

Hybrid: 44 mpg city/44 mpg highway

GX NGV: 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway

Si: 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway

In the past 30-plus years, the Honda Accord rightly earned its reputation as one of the most solid family sedans available - reliable, well-equipped, competent and in V-6 guise, even fast. For the current generation Accord, smart technology gives the external dimensions of a medium sized car, but the interior space of a large car as classified by the EPA interior volume standards.

The Accord is available in two forms: the family sedan and a coupe flamboyant, with two four-cylinder engines and a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine to choose from. The standard transmission is a 5-speed manual with optional five-speed automatic, unless you spring for the sporty coupe with its 6-speed manual.

The Accord was last renovated in 2011, making it more fuel economy, interior, and a bit more chrome outside. Although it gets a few tweaks for the 2012 model year, the competition offers six-speed automatic or continuously variable transmission, both of which fuel consumption benefits. However, few can match the Accord's interior features, sporty handling (suspension for a smooth family sedan) and comfort.

Bodystyle: Sedan, coupe

Engines: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 2.4-liter four-cylinder (with VTEC), 3.5-liter V-6

Transmissions: five-speed automatic, five-speed manual, six-speed manual

Models: LX sedan, LX Premium sedan, EX sedan, EX-L sedan, EX V-6 sedan, EX-L V-6 sedan, LX-S coupe, EX coupe, EX-L coupe, EX-L V-6 coupe

The Accord was recently updated with a restyled front grille and bumper, new head and tail, gray five-spoke wheels, and a revised trunk lid on sedans to stretch a bit more space. Improves fuel economy in many trim levels, and USB audio is now standard on all models. But other than that, it's the same tried and true format that has been around since the Accord debuted in 2008.

The Accord is not trying to hide the size - for the medium car market, it's one of the larger sedans. The car retains a strange combination of straight lines and gentle curves, especially near the back and the roofline. The coupe is equipped with a smart and aggressively sloping fastback chrome on the front.

High quality materials and tight fitting panels to determine the heavy button Accord interior, which is awash in confusion. It can drive a few to get used to the radio and HVAC controls, and the use of complex multi-function center button. The navigation of the display is out of the year 1990 and urgently needs an update. Top models have smooth leather and fake wood trim that still looks pretty good from a distance.

Do not be fooled: the Accord is surprisingly quick and agile for a car of its size and purpose, especially in the V-6 coupe guise. Not slow the line, the Accord makes most of its 271 hp and even manages to sound pretty brash. But when asked to behave in the morning to school children, the Accord gets high marks for its tactile controls, quick throttle response and excellent ride and handling balance. Unfortunately, the Accord will send too much wind and traffic noise under certain conditions. Frugal-minded customers will enjoy the eight-percent improvement in combined fuel economy.

Dual front, side and curtain airbags are standard on the Accord, like the driver and front passenger active head restraints, stability control, and anti-lock brakes.

I-4 sedan/coupe: 22-23/ 32-34 mpg

V-6 sedan: 20/30 mpg

V-6 coupe: 17-19/26-29 mpg