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Following a one-year hiatus to move production to Japan from America, Honda’s mid-size gas-electric sedan is back with exemplary mileage ratings (48 mpg combined in EPA tests), plus a switch to a lithium-ion battery pack yielding more trunk space. It also sees additional standard safety gear and a base price of $30,440. Civic: The turbocharged 174-hp 1.5-liter engine is now offered with a six-speed manual transmission in coupe, sedan, and new four-door hatchback forms. Clarity Fuel Cell: To expand its fuel-cell-powered sedan’s interior into the mid-size realm, Honda stashed the stack and driveline under the hood and the compressed hydrogen tanks beneath the rear seats and cargo hold. Expect a 300-mile range, refueling in less than five minutes, a price of about $60,000, and leases available for around $500 per month. Arriving late this year, the Clarity will be available only at selected California dealerships, the lone state with a hydrogen-fueling infrastructure. After a two-year break, Honda’s mid-size pickup returns with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Unibody construction, a four-door cabin, under-bed storage, and a tailgate that drops or swings to the side are the key features that made the leap to this second-generation pickup. In an attempt to make the Ridgeline look more like a conventional truck, Honda added an artificial cutline between the cab and the bed and ditched the previous sloped edges atop the bedsides. A 1584-pound cargo limit and a 5000-pound towing capacity won’t stop owners from vacationing with a vengeance. Prices start just above $30,000 and hit $40,000 when the top trim is picked. |
