Consumer Guide drives the 2006 Honda Civic

[IAMCANADIAN]

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N.../Act/Roadtest/

Pros
Fuel economy
Acceleration (Si)
Steering/handling (Si)

Cons
Rear-seat entry/exit (coupe)

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Even though I'm not a fan of the styling, the new civic is quite impressive and more class competitive than before. 115 HP was not a lot of HP in the last gen but 140 HP is a welcome decision. Plus it seems to have decent low end torque compared to most of Honda's high revving engines, 128 LB-FT @ 4300 RPM.

[CRBoyd91]

I don't see how this is "styish" or "innovative."

[IAMCANADIAN]

Consumer Guide loves honda's so much, actually you should read this letter sent to their editor.

Consumer Guide®

From a different VUE
02.15.2005
Alan

Over the past month I've been using your reviews to aid in my decision on which vehicle to buy. After much comparison and even switching classes. I finally decided on the Saturn Vue V6 FWD despite your low "Value within Class" rating.

This vehicle gets 5 star safety ratings (something you don't seem to address), blows away the competition in acceleration and horsepower and has an EPA mileage rating better than any V6 in it's class. However, you wouldn't know that by reading your review.

I compared each test, rating for rating, with your "Best Buy" Honda CR-V (A fine vehicle to be sure). The Vue compared favorably to the CR-V in each test until you get to the "Value within Class" rating. You gave the CR-V a 10 and the Vue a 5. This in itself doesn't necessarily show bias. However, once you read the comments associated with both vehicles the bias becomes apparent.

In the "Acceleration" rating the CR-V got a 4 and the Vue got a 7. In the CR-V comments you kind of down played the low rating. However, in the Vue comments, although you praised the 6.6 0-60 acceleration, you couldn't resist throwing in a bad comment about the towing capacity (which has nothing to do with acceleration) to leave a bad taste in the mouth of the reader. All the comments in the Vue ratings sound negative, whereas all the comments in the CR-V ratings sound positive.

Also, I'd like to know how you conduct the "Fuel Economy" tests. You get considerably lower mileage on all your test vehicles than the EPA ratings. Also, it seems you compared apples and oranges in your CR-V & Vue tests. The CR-V you rated as 19.7 mpg/CITY and the Vue rated 16.2 mpg CITY/HWY when it's rated at 20/28. I've always found the EPA ratings to be fairly close to actual mileage.

Don't misunderstand. I found your reviews very helpful, but if the reader really does their homework your bias is easy to spot.

Thank you for your hard work.


Editor's Response

We often get letters and Emails referring to "bias."

Over a year, our staff of editors test drives and evaluates more than 1000 vehicles. During that time, it's hard not to develop favorites. However, we try very hard to "check" our bias at the door when we write reviews.

Oftentimes it is difficult to properly quantify the attributes of a vehicle in our report format. We review cars the way consumers drive them. Though we do instrumented testing, we don't race from stoplight to stoplight, we don't drive a slalom course to work, and we don't slam on the brakes at every stop sign. So while we might have a low rating for acceleration, in the review we'll comment that the engine is just fine for around-town driving.

In reality, most consumers favor economy over acceleration--especially in compact SUVs. It seems many compact SUV buyers like the look and ride of an SUV, but don't want the fuel economy penalty usually associated with larger vehicles.

The Vue is an excellent vehicle. I attended the press event that introduced the vehicle back in 2002. At that time, I felt the Vue was competitive with CR-V and other class leaders in many ways. It falls short in a few key areas, but overall it is a good truck with a good reputation for reliability.

I'm sure you'll be happy with your truck and glad that you took the time to let us know how you feel.

[AdmiralViscen]

How can he say it is competitive in his response, when it gets a 5 as opposed to a 10 in the Value bar. He still can't quite specify in which 'key areas' the vehicle falls flat on, can't explain why he brought up tow ratings in the acceleration category, or why he got worse mileage than an actual VUE owner despite not 'jamming on the gas at every green light.'

[IAMCANADIAN]

i know, it's like, what a lame reply and I'm not surprised that they get tons of letters on bias. Plus his reviewers aren't fair at all, they're bias can be seen from outer space.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

Consumer Guide loves honda's so much, actually you should read this letter sent to their editor.

For some reason, they only gave an Equinox a 6, when it is way more innovative and all around better than an Escape, or something that they compare it to.

[IAMCANADIAN]

i've riden in a CR-V, it's nothing bad but it's nothing great, I don't believe it's a best buy, Ford and GM's entries are better values.

[SSrevolution]

Gentlemen I give you the final piece in the transformation of calm, utilitarian, clean Honda into a new-age, freak-mobile, yuppy brand.

All Honda's 5 years ago had good styling. Now...

The Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, Element, and Insight are all edgy and bizzare.
The only exception is the Pilot. It actually has tasteful styling.

[IAMCANADIAN]

i agree, the Pilot looks good, but the rest are ugly, i don't know where Honda is going with their design, but it isn't a good thing

[GM_Fanatic]

oh my GAWD! that first picture in the photo gallery is HORRID! It looks like a mid 90's concept vehicle! http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N...95/Act/Photos/

[IAMCANADIAN]

the 2nd picture, the white coupe rear end looks a bit like a toyota paseo, the interior isn't very modern, it reminds me of an 80's car with the digital speedo and space age styling, something the ION and most saturns portray as well.

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by IAMCANADIAN

i agree, the Pilot looks good, but the rest are ugly, i don't know where Honda is going with their design, but it isn't a good thing

Glad somebody agrees.

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by SSrevolution

Glad somebody agrees.

it's the truth, I don't think honda has had good styling for 10 years, all their cars before that were actually good looking.

[mbukukanyau]

The interior simply sucks.. it looks like the starship enterprise

Beam me up Scotty or is it Potter

[IAMCANADIAN]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

The interior simply sucks.. it looks like the starship enterprise

Beam me up Scotty or is it Potter

it looks like starship enterprise mated with an 80's buick