The 2009 Honda Odyssey is a strong addition to the minivan class and should help the automaker stay competitive with its rivals. With many automakers abandoning the minivan game, it should be that much easier for this model to continue into the future. Even though many people were turning to SUVs, with the current worries of fuel consumption, there should always be a market for the safety and convenience that a minivan, such as the Odyssey, provides.

The EX-L and Touring models have been outfitted with the Variable Cylinder Management system. This will allow the engine to switch from six to four to three cylinders, depending on what the conditions are. Obviously, this will help out quite a bit with fuel economy.

The exterior is what you would expect from a minivan, including power sliding doors on both sides. Even though vans are not the coolest looking vehicles, the 2009 Odyssey is much easier on the eyes than most.

Since the Odyssey is hailed as a family vehicle; it also offers all of the safety features that you would want for your family. In addition to antilock brakes, it has side impact and curtain airbags. Also standard is traction control and Honda’s electronic stability system. Tire pressure monitoring and active head restraints are also included.

Soichiro Honda quickly recovered from the losses incurred during the war by producing and selling a range of motorcycles and scooters. The American Honda Company was founded in 1958, and the first Honda motorcycle was introduced to the US market just a year later. By the 1970’s Honda was the largest producer of motorcycles around, and it retains that title. It wasn’t until 1963 that the first production vehicle from Honda that wasn’t some kind of bike, was first offered in the Japanese market. It was the T360, a small pickup truck with four different body styles and a 30 hp engine. Two months later the first Honda automobile was released - the S500 two door roaster with a 44hp engine and a 4-speed transmission, and the rear wheels were chain-driven.

The 2009 Honda Odyssey is only one year removed from the total face lift that it received a year ago. With a base price of around $26,000, the Odyssey is among the upper end of the minivan market. It also offers plenty of options to choose from with its four different trim levels. The only changes for this model year include a power lift gate on the Touring trim, and expanded connectivity for the majority of an individual’s traveling electronics.

The interior of the 2009 Odyssey offers all of the “must haves” for anyone who is interested in a minivan, including seating for up to eight passengers, and plenty of family oriented gadgets.

Both come in three different trim levels featuring a 140hp in-line 4 cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission (with 5-speed automatic available as an option). In addition, the Civic Si is available as either a coupe or sedan with a 197hp engine and a 6-speed manual transmission, and there is also a hybrid sedan, featuring a 100hp 4-cylinder engine in combination with an electric one.

Safety features standard across the line include shoulder-strap seatbelts for every seat, multi-stage front and and front-side airbags, and noggin-saving side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, pedestrian-alerting lights, and tethers and anchors for child seats.

Standard exterior features include tinted windows, timed windshield wipers, and hidden window antenna, while interior features standard across the line include power windows, adjustable steering columns, front and rear cup holders, at least one power outlet, and drivers footrests.

Environmental freshener, CD players, mp3 player outputs, throttle control, and map lights are available on the 2007 Honda Civic as options on higher trim levels and come standard with the Si models and the hybrid.

The many aspects to appreciate about the Civic sedan begin with its three basic trim levels, the DX, LX, and EX, with enhanced interior materials, to its efficient 140hp, 4-cylinder, 1.4 Liter engine. Boasting a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission that makes driving fun, the fuel economy of the Civic sedan, 26mpg city and 34mpg highway, makes it a car for the twenty-first century. Add a few twists to this lineup in the form of an alternatively-fueled Gx, a hybrid version, and the new Si sedan, and there is nothing to add except the kitchen sink.

The interior, while spacious and comfortable, is more serviceable with inclusion of dealer installed options, such as an audio input jack to diversify your listening choices, a cassette player, and another endangered species, the cigarette lighter. The instrumentation is readable and well-placed in a sort of split level configuration. For an affordable sedan, the Honda Civic can be outfitted with luxury features including leather upholstery, and a leather trimmed steering wheel. Standard in the new Civic are driver and a passenger front and side airbags, side head curtain airbags, and side door beams. Last year’s Civic posted 5-star crash test ratings by the NHTSA for driver and front passenger frontal crashes.

As one of the most reliable and popular family cars on the market, the Civic sedan, whether it is the Dx and its automatic windows, the Lx with its air conditioning, or the Ex with its moonroof, can offer just about any degree of pampering you like. External appearances on the 2008 differ little from the 2007, with simplicity and unobtrusiveness being the design force. The handling and maneuverability of the Civic sedan is solid and stable, with minimal road noise.

Honda Civic Sedan is refreshed for the ninth generation this year, giving it a leaner, sharper, sportier look. Few of its local competitors, the likes of Chevy Cobalt, Dodge Caliber and Ford Focus or such out of towners as Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Rabbit and Mitsubishi Lancer, to name but a few in this ever growing pack, come close in the looks category.

But the Civic has changed more than its looks. For the first time, the new Civic has Bluetooth hands free technology and USB audio interface available and a vehicle stability system is standard on some models.

The standard engine on the Civic is a 1.8 liter, 140 horsepower I4, but some models get a 1.8 liter, 113 horsepower I4 or a 2.0 liter, 197 horsepower I4. Likewise there are three transmissions, in various mixes with the different engines - a 5-speed automatic with overdrive or either a 5-speed or 6-speed manual, also with overdrive. The right combination gets a startling 25 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Other combinations stay close to that.

There are a bewildering 21 trim lines for the Civic. The basic breakdown, however, is DX, LX, EX, Si and GX, in order of price and amenities, from lowest to highest. Each of these, except the GX, has several iterations based on features. All of them have the same basic look, and all of them are nice. Further, you can get most or all of the best features on any of them.

The Civic gets 4 stars from NHTSA for rollover and front side crash tests. All other areas get 5 stars. Child safety locks, antilock brakes, all around airbags, tire pressure monitor and inside trunk release are all standard features on the Civic, making it very up to date in the safety area.

The Civic started out as a plain Jane vehicle whose merits were low initial price, low operating costs due to high fuel efficiency and ease of access through the hatchback. Definitely geared to the young driver and new family, it was a good buy and quickly became popular.

The 2009 Honda Civic Sedan still appeals to their initial audience (plus a much wider group), still gets great mileage and at $15,405, still has a great initial price. But today’s Civic can just as easily be a status symbol or a luxury ride. Somehow, Honda just keeps getting it right.

2-door coupe. It wasn’t until 1980 that the “3-box” 4-door sedan was introduced. It marked the beginning of the second generation Civic. It was a 3-speed automatic that replaced the previous generation’s 2-speed units. The “S” model was released in 1983, a leaner model with tightened suspension and sportier tires.

In 1984, the third generation was released with redesigned dimensions and a lowered hood line. A merger between a wagon and a 5-door hatchback featured a new 12-valve 1.5L V4 with increased power. Then, in 1984, the Si model was released in Japan and featured a 1.6L V4 with upgraded suspension. The first 4WD model was also released in 1984 and then upgraded in 1987.

The fourth generation Honda Civic Sedan spanned the years between 1988 and 1991. Again, the dimensions were increased and the hood line was lowered. There were many different trims available worldwide and all US trims included fuel injection. The 4th generation also marked the beginning of the very successful B-Series engine. The Japanese SiR and the European 1.6i-VT were the first models to utilize VTEC variable valve timing. In 1990, this generation was given some minor cosmetic adjustments.

Further increases in overall dimensions and enhanced aerodynamic design standards marked the onset of the fifth generation Civic Sedan from 1992 until 1995. In the US, the Si now featured the VTEC variable valve timing system. No other significant changes occurred until 1996 which begun the 6th generation.

Less dramatic than previous generational changes, the 6th-generation Civic featured modernized styling and enhancements in suspension and engine performance.

In 2001, the 7th-generation Civic was introduced with the major difference being increased interior room by using a flat rear floor. The sedan model in the US, the Si, was offered only as a 3-door hatchback while the rest of the planet enjoyed their choice of either 3 or 5 door hatchbacks. The Type R Civic was restyled to incorporate the i-VTEC engine and also became a 3-door hatchback.

The 8th and current generation Honda Civic Sedan began in 2006 and is produced on two separate platforms - one for the Japanese/North American audience and one for the Europeans. Further refinements in design and performance continue to be initiated. The Japanese and North American models are mechanically identical while quite different stylistically. For 2009, the Civic Sedan will undergo a minor facelift and incorporate newly designed changes in both the front and rear profiles.

Non-hybrids (front-engine, front-wheel drive) come with a 166hp 4 cylinder engine or a 244 hp V-6, while the hybrid features a 237 hp V-6 in combination with a 16hp electric motor. Transmission options include 5-speed automatic and 5- or 6-speed manual.

Even the Accord’s “value” trim level is packed with comforts and conveniences. Air conditioning, steering columns with tilting and telescoping functions, and cruise control are standard across the line, as are power windows and door locks, intermittent windshield wipers, front and rear cup holders (minimum of six), and fold-down rear seat-backs. Other standard features are lights for the cargo area, rear-window defrost, and at least one power outlet.

The hybrid sedan has additional standard features that are also available on more expensive trim levels on the standard sedan and coupe, like dual-zone climate control, map-lights, sunglass holders, coin boxes, and a power moon-roof.

The Accord has always been well-rated for fuel economy, and the 2007 line is no different, averaging 24/26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, with the 6-speed V6 coming in with slightly lower numbers (20 city/31 highway), and the Hybrid a bit higher, with estimated mpg of 28 city/35 highway.

With all of these features, easy drivability, excellent steering and prices comparable to the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, the 2007 Honda Accord is an excellent choice for long or short commutes, and every-day use.

Whether you sign on for the basic no-frills entry LX model or the refined EX-L, expect the same level of workmanship and essential safety features. Equipped with either an aluminum alloy 4-cylinder that pumps out 177 or 190 horsepower, or the V6 with 268 horsepower, you can also equip your Accord with a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Starting with the strong, quiet foundation of unit-body construction, the 2008 Accord performs with solid, reassuring stability. Handling with the agility of a slot car is not easily done without the sedan’s double wishbone front suspension. Being on the American road for over thirty years has benefited Honda by rewarding its continued efforts to design the optimal family vehicle.

Larger than ever before, you first notice the difference in Accord’s wide-opening doors: allowing easier entry and exit for driver and passengers. The 2008 Accord looks more imposing and substantial than before, with bold, assertive body lines, and new distinctive grille. The eye-catching chrome door handles and exhaust tips, and the option of 17″ wheels add to the car’s commanding presence.

Honda attributes its accomplishments in part to its unswerving goal of equipping its cars with today’s most successful technologies. The V6 engine that powers the 2008 Accord uses Variable Cylinder Management to cut power to cylinders when demand is low, and power up all cylinders when acceleration and torque are called for. Emissions control is imperative in Honda’s mission statement, as is born out in Accord being rated as a Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle.

From the inside out, the 2008 Honda Accord sedan is improved on all parameters. The styling for the new year is conservative but powerful. In the Accord, safety is assured with its anti-lock disc brakes and standard front and side curtain airbags. The complete remake of the 2008 Accord will make believers of many current luxury car owners looking for a new car this year.